Category: Journey Devotional

As we forgive our debtors

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

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

This is easier said than done.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

You are loved,
cj

And forgive us our sin

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

You are loved,
cj

Give us this day our daily bread

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

You are loved,
cj

On Earth as it is in Heaven

“. . . They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, ‘Worthy are You, our Adonai and Elohim, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they existed and were created.’” Revelation 4:11

As we continue breaking down Adonai’s Prayer i think it is important to keep in the forefront of our minds whom we are talking to, the Creator of all things. Let us not lose perspective of this for when we do i believe that is part of the slippery slope which leads to the great falling away Yahoshua mentions in Matthew 24:10. For when tribulation comes, and it is coming to us in the western culture; Yet, many in the world already suffer great tribulation everyday, and i believe what see’s them through it is reminding themselves they are serving the Creator of all things. So when we pray, “one earth as it is in Heaven” we are stating we want Elohim’s will to be done with no distinction, between heaven and earth. In the High Priestly Prayer recorded in John Yahoshua says:

“I do not ask that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As You sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate Myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word, that they may all be one, just as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You have sent Me.” John 17:15-21

Remember sanctify means set apart. Yahoshua is praying that we be set apart from the world but not removed from it. Israel was to be the people in which Elohim was known to all nations. They were to be set apart and what set them apart was following the Commandments of YWHW. This covenant between Elohim and man begins with Abram, later Abraham; “Now YWHW said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you ALL THE FAMILIES OF THE EARTH SHALL BE BLESSED.’” Genesis 12:1-3 Fast forward to Exodus 19:5-6 “Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you shall be My treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”

This covenant hasn’t changed the people of Elohim are to be priests and to be set apart from the world both the natural and those of us grafted in. This was done through the redemption we have through Yahoshua. “Worthy are You to take the scroll and to open its seals, for You were slain, and by Your blood You ransomed people for Elohim from every tribe and language and people and nation, and You have made them a kingdom and priests to our Elohim, and they shall reign on the earth.” Revelation 5:9-10. Knowing this should help us to live Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test
and approve what Elohim’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.”
AND
“Since you were raised from the dead with Mashiah, aim at what is in heaven, where Mashiah is sitting at the right hand of Elohim. Think only about the things in heaven, not the things on earth. Your old sinful self has died, and your new life is kept with Mashiah in Elohim.” Colossians 3:1-3 — i am one who believes that understanding this puts the words of Yahoshua ha’Mashiah into greater perspective.

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:17-19

The key part of this passage i believe many miss is the heavens and earth passing away. Instead, they look at the word accomplished and relate that to the work of the cross. i am of the camp that sees this as a wrong interpretation. what was being finished on the cross was the redeeming work of the Lamb of Elohim. Read Psalm 22 and then the accounts of the crucification found in the gospels. i believe Yahoshua was quoting this Psalm while on the cross and when he said, “It is finished” Yahoshua was ending the Psalm not abolishing the Law or the prophets. Something else noteworthy here is the tradition of the High Priest, to come out after the sacrifice of the Passover Lamb and proclaim, “It is finished.” What is? The sacrifice. Yahoshua is both the Sacrifice, the Lamb of Elohim, and the High Priest. Furthermore, look at Revelation 21 where we see the passing away of the heaven and earth.

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the Holy City, New Jerusalem, coming down out of Heaven from Elohim, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from. The throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of Elohim is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and Elohim Himself will be with them as their Elohim.’” Revelation 21:1-3

Do you truly want the WILL of Elohim “on earth as it is in heaven” if so what does that look like?

You are loved,
cj

Thy WILL be done

Luke 6:46 “Why do you call Me ‘Adonai Adonai,’ but not do what I say?”What is the Will of Elohim? Yahoshua when asked what the greatest commandment was, responded, “To love your Elohim with all your heart, soul, and mind; and the second, love your neighbor as yourself.” Many take this to mean Yahoshua was setting aside the 10 Commandments, yet that couldn’t be further from the truth. Some will assign the first of the greatest to the first 4 or 5 depending on how you see honoring your father and mother. Likewise, assigning the second of the greatest to the latter half of the 10 Commandments. This i would say is the most accurate of the two. However, going a bit further what if Yahoshua was saying the greatest is and the second is like it . . . The Whole of the 10 Commandants are essentially one. To disobey one is to disobey all; Thereby sinning and to obey one is to honor all. But is this fulfilling the Will of Elohim?

As many of you already know my go to verse in life is Micah 6:8 “. . . Act justly, love mercy, walk humbly with Elohim.” Is this fulfilling the Will of Elohim? James (1:27) writes: “Pure and undefiled religion before Elohim and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their tribulation; to keep oneself untainted from the world.”

Who was Yahoshua teaching this prayer to? In the account found in Matthew Yahoshua presents it as part of His sermon on the mount, Matthew 5-7. In Luke however it appears that the disciples went to Yahoshua and asked Him, “Adonai, teach us to pray . . .” Some argue this is a contradiction, some will just brush it off with some sort of slight of hand answer. What if Yahoshua taught it in His sermon on the mount and then later when asked by His disciples He simply stated the same prayer? Wouldn’t that then also lend more to its purpose then merely an outline? That aside, (although food for thought) in the sermon on the mount He was teaching His disciples specifically (see Matthew 5:1) and by proximity those that gathered unto him, a mixed multitude probably made up of mostly Jews. In Luke He was teaching His disciples during a personal time of prayer (see Luke 11:1). So the question should be how would the Jews interpret, “Thy Will be done”?

Is this a point of order to draw the Hebrew nation back to the Torah? What about the Church. Many believe that the Church is on a different track than the Jews. Yet, we are grafted in. See Romans 11:11-31 for full context. Let me point out; “But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in (speaking of gentiles) 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.” Romans 11:17-20

We are told to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12-13). “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is Elohim who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” What was the purpose of the chosen people? Exodus gives us a snapshot, “‘Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you shall be My treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.” Exodus 19:5-6. Has that changed with gentiles being grafted in? No it has not. “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Mashiah Yahoshua.” Galatians 3:28

Peter writes: “But you are a chosen people, a holy nation, royal priests, a people of Elohim’s own possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (1Peter 2:9) Paul writes to the Corinthians: “Therefore we are ambassadors for ha’Mashiah as though Elohim were making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Mashiah: Be reconciled to Elohim.” (2 Corinthians 5:20

Should we not then as a chosen people, or as one grafted in, seek to know and do; Thy WILL be done? Not to blend into the world but to be that city on a hill? We will be hated for the name of YWHW and His Son Yahoshua we cannot allow that to stop us from doing the Will of the Father. Thy WIll be done.

You are loved,
cj

Thy Kingdom come

When we pray The Lord’s Prayer, who’s kingdom is Thy? Of course, Thy is YHWH. We are making a proclamation that we desire that Yahweh’s Kingdom come. Not our kingdom, or what we think His Kingdom should be it is His and we, if we truly desire it to come, shouldn’t we do our best to understand what that means? i will be digging into this over the next couple of posts but first we need to go back to the beginning.

Yahoshua said, “This, then, is the way you should pray: Our Father . . .” Yahoshua is the King but the Kingdom is of the Father. Yahoshua is the revelation of the Father, the Word made flesh. Isaiah 7:14 says, “Therefore YHWH Himself gives you a sign: Look, the maiden conceives and gives birth to a Son, and shall call His Name Immanuel.” Emmanuel means, Elohim with us. You see the Kingdom was present in that moment and the Kingdom dwells in the people of Elohim.

And having been asked by the Pharisees when the reign of Elohim would come, He answered them and said, “The reign of Elohim does not come with intent watching, nor shall they say, ‘Look here!’ Or ‘Look there!’ For look, the reign of Elohim is within you!” Luke 17:20-21

“And what union has the temple of Elohim with idols? For you are a temple of the living Elohim, as Yahweh has said, ‘I shall dwell in them and walk among them, and I shall be their Elohim, and they shall be My people.’ Therefore, ‘Come out from among them and be separate, says Yahweh, and do not touch what is unclean, and I shall receive you. And I shall be a Father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me, says Yahweh El Shaddai.’” 2 Corinthians 6:16-18

Given the times in which we live, wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes in diverse places, famines, disease etc. i hear and see lots of posts about wanting the Kingdom of Elohim to come or as one post i saw earlier, “Whoa! Scary stuff. It can’t be much longer before our Lord Jesus rescues us!” It is this sort of thought pattern that is so prevalent within the Church today. What i believe we fail to understand is that the Kingdom is within us as the Spirit dwells within the believer. And that Kingdom will remain until the King comes on the clouds to sit on His throne and reign for a thousand years. If one believes and lives like the Kingdom is yet coming, VS the Kingdom within us, do you see how one might live in fear and anxiety?

Thy Kingdom come, is a call to action, to faith, to love, to grace, to mercy, to living not for ourselves but for the King!

“For the love of Mashiah compels us, having judged this: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them, and was. Raised. So from now onwards we know no one according to the flesh. And if we have known Mashiah according to the flesh, yet now we no longer know. Therefore, if anyone is in Mashiah, he is a new creation – the old has passed away, see, all have become new! And all is from Yahweh, who has restored us to favour with Himself through Yahoshua ha’Mashiah, and has given us the service of restoration, that is, that Elohim was in Mashiah restoring the world to favour unto Himself, not reckoning their sins to them, and has committed to us the word of restoration. Now then, we are ambassadors for Mashiah, as though Elohim were pleading through us: we implore you on Mashiah’s behalf, be reconciled to Elohim. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of Elohim.” 2 Corinthians 5:14-21

In the Yahoshua’s prayer recorded in John 17:14-19 He says, “I have given them Your Word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do NOT pray that You should TAKE THEM OUT of the world, but that You should keep them fro the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.”

Do you pray for the Kingdom to come? The Kingdom is within you and you have arrived.

You are loved,
cj

Hallowed be THY name

“Thou shalt not take the name of Yahweh thy Elohim in vain; for Yahweh will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain.” Exodus 20:7

“I am Yahweh, that is My name; and My glory I will not give to another, nor My praise unto graven images.” Isaiah 42:8

“Let them know that you alone, whose name is Yahweh, are the MOST HIGH over all the earth.” Psalm 83:18

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Hallowed means; holy, consecrated, sacred, revered, sanctified — set apart. To set something apart in a way that is Hallowed is to show honor. We are instructed over and over in Scripture to revere the name of Elohim, to set it apart, for there is no other god but Yahweh. i have written about this before, see links here: “What’s in a name”, “You shall have no other gods”, and “You shall have no other gods (part 2)”. Now as i am set to write on what we know today as the Lord’s Prayer, this causes me to pause even more . . . What does it mean for us to honor this: Hallowed be thy name.

There is no other god but Yahweh. He chose to reveal Himself through the Hebrews. And we know that in Scripture He is understood to be the Elohim of Israel. He is also the Elohim of all who call upon the name of His Son Yahoshua. In fact, no one comes to the Father except through Yahoshua, for He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Yet, we have so set apart the name of Elohim that we are using a translation 3 times removed for His Son by calling Him Jesus. Did you know there was no letter “J” until 1524? How honoring. Not only do we not use His name we don’t even call His Son by name, we basically made a name for Him and have said, you will take this name and like it. Prove me wrong. Outside of the name Jesus, we don’t use names only titles. We say, “god” and “lord”, putting titles for names.

His name is used by many. When showbiz people say they want to “thank god” who are they talking about? Can you tell? When you look at their lives, their music, their movies and tv shows, can you tell whom they worship? What about us? When we speak, when we talk about God, when people see us, do they know which God we worship? i have gone back to the Hebrew because i don’t want there to be any confusion that i am following the Elohim of Israel. That i have put my faith in the Way, the Truth and the Life, the only begotten Son of the Elohim of Israel, Yahoshua. In a time such as we live with so much confusion, and misrepresentation, itching ears, and false doctrines, let there be NO mistake about whom you worship.

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve Yahweh, choose you this day whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the river, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve Yahweh.” Joshua 24:15

You are loved,
cj

Which art in heaven

Titles are all around us and we use them on a daily bases. Simple titles like sir, ma’am, Mr. Mrs. are to show respect. Mr. President, shows honor to a position as do military rank. i am sure you can think of dozens of examples where you use a title to show respect to someone’s position or authority and in normal day to day we use them without even thinking about. Elohim is the greatest title there is and we often use it without blinking. Today i want us to blink.

“In the beginning Elohim created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1

One can reason from this first line in Elohim’s book to His creation that there are levels or layers to what we see around us. Yahoshua in teaching His disciples/us to pray begins; “Our Father which art in heaven . . .”. Which heaven? Where did Yahweh exist before creating the heavens and the earth? The simple answer and really the only one we have is beyond, He lived beyond.

There is no place we can go to escape His presence. “Where would I go from Your Spirit? Or where would I flee from Your face? If I go up to the heavens, You are there; If I make my bed in the grave, see, You are there. I take the wings of the morning, I dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, there too, Your hand would lead me, and Your right hand hold me.” Psalm 139:7-10 It seems like a cheap answer, an easy out, to say that Elohim existed beyond. But if He is truly Elohim with no beginning and no end then there is no other way for us to describe it, Elohim lived beyond.

This is something we have to believe simply by faith. We can see throughout Scripture that faith is a necessary part of our relationship with the Father. Yes, we have Yahoshua who reveals Yahweh. Clear history, written eyewitness accounts, and a constant reminder; “The heavens are proclaiming the esteem of El; And the expanse is declaring the work of His hand.” Psalm 19:1

i am sure we will get this answer when we see Yahoshua face to face. We will get understanding. But for now we have; “Then Yahweh answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, ‘Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Now gird up your loins like a man, and I ask you, and you answer Me. Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if you have understanding. Who appointed its measurements, if you know? Or who stretched the line upon it? Upon what were its foundations sunk? Or who laid its corner-stone, when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of Elohim shouted for joy?’” Job 38:1-7

The point, Yahweh, El Shaddai (God Almighty) is above, is beyond, is under and is through, He is the creator of the universe. And when we pray we are to begin by reminding ourselves of this fact. Elohim is El Shaddai; “Let them be ashamed and alarmed forever; and let them become abashed and perish, and let them know that You, Whose name is Yahweh; You alone are the Most High over all the earth.” Psalm 83:17-18

This is the perspective Yahoshua is presenting. “Our Father which art in heaven . . .” El Shaddai is above us and He is worthy of our trust, love, and respect. “He has declared to you, O man, what is good. And what does Yahweh require of you but to do right, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your Elohim.” Micah 6:8

Act justly, love mercy, walk humbly . . . What better way to enter into prayer than to recognize the one to Whom you are speaking?

You are loved,
cj

Our Father

“… therefore pray ye: ‘Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed by Thy name.’” Matthew 6:9

Today the king of England was coronated. i didn’t watch it but saw a few posts of it on twitter. The kings son, Prince William, said during the coronation: “I William, Prince of Wales, pledge my loyalty to you, and faith and truth I will bear unto you, as your liege man of life and limb – so help me God.” As i have been thinking of this post and Adonai’s Prayer, “Our Father,” i couldn’t think of better timing for an event to line up with this writing. The imagery, the spectacle of it all, and then to think and read and reflect on the Son of Elohim and His instruction to pray and His life’s example.

“So Yahoshua replied, “Most assuredly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing by Himself, unless He sees the Father doing it. For whatever the Father does, the Son also does.” John 5:19

Couple John 5:19 with perhaps the most intense statement from the passion, “It is finished.” John 19:30 – And what do you get, well, you get a lot of things but absolute submission is the biggest. Yahoshua, fully submitted Himself to the Father, so when He opens His instruction on prayer with “Our Father” if you don’t pause, and reflect on that you are missing out on the true nature and relationship of Father and Son, Yahweh and Yahoshua.

Where have i read something like this . . . Oh yeah, Exodus 20:12; “Honour your father and your mother: that your days may be long upon the land which Yahweh your Elohim gives you.” Now imagine the implication of this commandment if applied as understood from Yahoshua, “Our Father.”

i am currently reading in 2 Chronicles. It is a retelling of 1st and 2nd Kings. Some of the kings did what was good in the sight of Yahweh and some did not, and some had their heart in the right place but didn’t fully follow through. The kings that did what was right had long reigns and those that didn’t did not. What it seemed to boil down to was how they viewed their relationship with Yahweh. It is the same for you and i. How do you view your relationship with Yahweh? Are you willing to live as Yahoshua? To the end, “It is finished.” You see the Son came to reveal the Father, our relationship and understanding don’t stop with our faith in the Son.

Yahoshua said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6 – Comes to who? The Father. When we pray we ought to pray, “Our Father . . .” The relationship that Yahweh Elohim wants to have with humanity is that of a Father. WOW. To honor Him as Father is in line with His commandments, His instruction to Israel, His Son’s example, and His coming again. To set as King His beloved son in Whom He is well pleased. What do you think about when you pray, Our Father or my Father as we are instructed also to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. Philippians 2:12-13

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is Elohim who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”

To fully understand that if Yahweh Elohim is Father, therefore we are sons and daughters and by rule heirs certainly takes things to a new level. As we come and submit to Elohim, we then fully submit to His Son Adonai and King Yahoshua as He is the true heir, we are still princes and princesses in a Kingdom without end. If we endure, if we finish the race, if we surrender, if we die to ourselves . . . Then we are new in ha’Mashiah Yahoshua.

Our Father, is more than a title and opening line to a prayer, it is a call to relationship. Tell me your thoughts in the comments below.

You are loved,
cj

“Teach us to pray.”

What follows the request by the disciples of Yahoshua, “teach us to pray,” is referred to as The Lord’s Prayer. Even if you don’t personally use the KJV chances are that is the version you know by heart.

9 …Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Matthew 6:9-13

If you attend a Bible believing and teaching Church it is more than likely you will have recited this at least once as a congregation. Maybe even had a sermon devoted to it where highlights are made and attention given to the Holiness of “God,” daily bread, forgiveness, temptations, and deliverance. It was probably a well crafted message full of cross references and anecdotes, personal or otherwise. You may have walked out of the Sunday message uplifted and maybe even prayed the prayer a few times with deep conviction. But like most things in life, other things, sermons, devotions, podcasts, enter your space with new things and soon this prayer is relegated back to “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name…”

Do you want to go on a journey with me, to explore this beautiful memorized prayer? Over the next several posts i am going to dive deep into it. Believe me when i say i pray this prayer every single day. It has been a constant thought of mine. Each word, line, and phrase. i don’t use the KJV however, although i do like it, i use words, lines and phrases that more easily roll off my tongue.

You can prepare for this journey by reading the following passages:

1. Matthew 6:5-15
2. Luke 11:2-4
3. Although not the “Lord’s Prayer” John 17:1-26

Here is the portion of my daily prayer in which i have integrated Adonai’s Prayer:

Gracious Heavenly Father, Yahweh our Elohim,
Thank you for this day, thank you for Your love, Your grace and Your mercy. Grant us wisdom to know You and discernment to choose You, continued grace and mercy, and teach us to love as You love and not as the world. For You are Holy and True, Your name be set apart. Your Kingdom Come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Grant us today the provision we need and forgive us of our sin, as we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one, for Yours is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory forever. Set Your angels around us to guard and protect us, and keep us healthy and strong that we may do Your will. In Yahoshua’s Name i pray, Maranatha . . . Amen and amen.

See you on the next post where we will dive deep into this OFTEN recited but under appreciated prayer.

You are loved,
cj