Category: Prison Epistles

Leaving so soon?

“I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of YHWH. YHWH has disciplined me severely, but He has not given me over to death. Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to YHWH. This is the gate of YHWH; the righteous shall enter through it. I thank You that You have answered me and have become my salvation. The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” Psalm 118:17-22

It seems the world, driven by the elite’s, is seeking new ways to eternal life. We can look at organizations like the World Economic Forum, or corporations like Meta and its creation of the Metaverse. We can also look at the progress being made in the world of AI. It seems the faster technology expands the greater the desire for eternal life. Yet with all of the worlds progress towards this goal the one actual road that leads to eternity is being missed all together. Perhaps because it is narrow and not wide open, maybe because it calls to us from a place of righteousness, sacrifice, and surrender. It doesn’t come with a promise to be easy, only that in the end, it will be worth it.

The adage, “what have you done for me lately”, plays like a symphony to selfish side of our humanity. Yahoshua points this out in John 6:26-27; “Hear this now, what I say to you, you are seeking Me not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on Him Elohim the Father has set His seal.”

It is this nature within humanity, which is a result of the fall recorded in Genesis, that harkens us to desire worldly pleasure. It overcomes us because the flesh is weak. The same lie satan told Eve in the garden is the same lie he is still whispering to us today, “Did Elohim really say?” If he can get us to doubt he can then entice us to walk the wide path that leads to destruction. Unlike what the world would have us believe there are only two roads, two options, a fork in the road that at some point each of us must decide, “Should I go to the left, with its wide path, full of people, doing as they please? Or, should I go to the right, although it looks narrow, and there are few people on it?”

Yahoshua, recorded by Matthew puts it this way; “Go in through the narrow gate; for the gate that leads to destruction is wide and the road broad, and many travel it; but it is a narrow gate and a hard road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)

Those that follow Yahoshua with the idea, “what have you done for me lately,” are more susceptible to the changing wind of doctrine we are warned of in Scripture. A new or different gospel. When Yahoshua explained to all that were following Him that there is a level of commitment beyond just being fed, many walked away.

“After this many of His disciples turned back and no longer walked with Him.” John 6:66 it seems a fitting verse number doesn’t it? So many teach of great prosperity, no harm, no sickness, only blessings, manna from heaven. Yet, the Bread of Life, Yahoshua teaches a different truth. A narrow path. He calls us to endure, tells us that we will be hated, even killed, for following Him. This is the way that leads to eternal life. Our life in this present age is short, eternity, is well forever! So the question Yahoshua asked the remaining few is the same question He asks the few now, “Are you also going to leave?” How will you answer Him?

He never promised it would be easy, He only promises it will be worth it. These new teachings, new doctrines, new paths to enlightenment, are not new. They are the same lie the serpent told in the garden. Who will you believe? The Creator of the Universe or the fallen one? There is one way, Yahoshua, The Way, The Truth, and The Life. Call upon His name, seek first His Kingdom. Put on the full armor of Elohim, and stand ready to endure what is quickly approaching.

When things get tough, are you also going to leave?

You are loved,
cj

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Through the Noise

Life is loud, people are loud, TV is loud, music is loud, the walls echo, and silence only comes in your sleep and even then it is interrupted; click-clack-slam, twenty-two times. When i was locked in a cell one would think that it would be solitary, lonely, quiet, none of those things are wholly true. Perhaps solitary for a moment but when crammed two to a single-person cell, not so much. Lonely, only in the darkness of thought. Quiet, only in your dreams. It did however, give way to thought and an increasing desire to listen to Elohim, through the noise.

Even now as i sit and think and write in the hall, voices echo, doors slam . . . knock-knock “house cleaning,” over and over. The highway is abuzz with the constant flow of traffic. Sirens in the distance reveal drama unfolding somewhere for someone, only the participants know for certain, to what extent.

Everyday, i fight through the noise of echoing voices, bouncing off the brick walls. Often those voices yelling in anger, frustration, even madness. It takes a great deal of concentration to focus on what i am reading. To quiet my mind, and my ears, and of course my thought in order to focus on listening to the Word as i read from the pages of Scripture.

Reminding myself of passages like Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am Elohim. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” As well as reminding myself that although i am here in the world, this present moment is not my identity; “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” (John 17:18-19) And although survival instincts kick in when life is thrown at me, i need the reminder, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of Elohim, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2)

On the day i penned most of what is above i was grappling with John 5. In particular, John 5:6-7; “…Do you want to be healed?” Do i? Do you? As the world distracts, as it pulls, as it turns, as it stirs; “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” The thoughts swirl around in my head, my heart turns with anxiety, the world becomes darkened, the words echo in the hollows of my soul, “Do you want to be healed?” Do i? Do you?

Be not conformed to this world. We are new creations, the old is gone. Let the past go, strain forward for what lies ahead in Yahoshua Messiah. Focus on things above, those things that are true, and lovely, and righteous.

“In all circumstances take up the shield of FAITH, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” Ephesians 6:16

Focus through the noise.

You are loved,
cj

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Highs and Lows

“I will bear the indignation of YHWH because I have sinned against Him, until He pleads my cause and executes judgment for me. He will bring me out to the light; I shall look upon His vindication.” Micah 7:9

Self-inflicted wounds are the hardest to overcome. No one likes to be constantly confronted with poor choices compounded by the stresses of everyday life. Yet, many people quietly struggle with this daily. Fearing the judgment of others, gossips, and rumors, many sink into a pit of despair, like quicksand, the struggling heart soon finds itself suffocated and overwhelmed. And with no one to blame but ones self, grief and depression sets in and the desire for an escape increases. These are the catalyst’s for depression which leads to imbalance and addiction.

Life is full of up’s and down’s. Some up’s are really High and some down’s are really low. Many try to achieve highs and lows artificially, through drugs, alcohol, or other vices. The addiction of reaching artificial states comes with unmanageable lows which scream for the next high, even if the next high is a low. The desire for these highs and lows are birthed in the consciousness of a person who is seeking to fill an emptiness within their soul. The addiction becomes the filler because, the devil is a liar. There is a remedy.

Depression works much the same way. A chemically or otherwise imbalanced individual hits a low and looks for the high. If untreated those highs will come at a price, if at all. Depression leads to a great number of death by suicide. The only escape one can see in the darkness. The devil is a liar. There is a door. There is a hymn that says, “There is room at the cross for you, although millions have come, there is still room for one, there is room at the cross for you.”

Yahoshua is that door for both the addict and the depressed, as well as all others, the sinner and lost alike. He is there and He is willing and able to lift those who seek Him, who call on His Name out of the low’s of life. Life the prodigal son returning home. Remember it was at the cross while Yahoshua was dying a torturous death, He said, “Forgive them for they know not what they do.” There is hope for the sinner. He said, “Woman, behold your son. Son, behold your mother.” There is hope for the mourning, the depressed, the one lost in confusion, doubt, and despair. There truly is room at the cross for you.

For those who have and will come to Yahoshua, “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-28

“But what does it say? ‘The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart’ (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Yahoshua is Adonai and believe in your heart that Elohim raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, ‘Everyone who believes in Him will not be put to shame.’ For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Adonai is Adon of all, bestowing His riches on all who call on Him. For ‘everyone who calls on the name of Adonai will be saved.’” Romans 10:8-13

There is room at the cross for you.

You are loved,
cj

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The Way

Yahoshua, Thank You, for going out of the way to bring me into The Way. Thank You, for loving me. We can be confident in knowing that those who are in Messiah Yahoshua will remain in Him by His mercy and grace. Yet, we are still warned;

“Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. Elohim is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide THE WAY of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:12-13

Yahoshua is The Way, The Truth, and The Life. He is also THE WAY of escape from temptations and trials. i read a very interesting book recently called, “70×7 and Beyond,” written by Monty Christensen. What an amazing testimony he has shared in the pages of this book. If you haven’t read it consider this my 10/10 recommendation and enthusiastic endorsement of it, you should read this book! After reading it i had a renewed sense of vigor, in spite of where my life was in the moment of reading it, and that same sense is still with me. Although, admittedly, i struggle with exactly how to live in it i know that whatever the future holds, Yahoshua is not only holding it, He is guiding me to and through it.

Psalm 37:4-5 states: “Delight yourself in YHWH, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to YHWH; trust in Him, and He will act.”

John 1:4 says: “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.”

John 1:11-13 reads: “He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him. But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His Name, He gave the right to become children of Elohim, who were born not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of Elohim.”

Yahoshua didn’t see prostitutes or tax collectors, Yahoshua saw people. He saw potential. He saw meaning. He saw purpose. And He was willing to lay down His life for what He saw. His prayer as i went over in another recent post shows us a glimpse into His heart. “. . .—to know You, the only true Elohim, and Yahoshua Messiah, the One You sent to the earth.” (John 17:2-3) He wants us to know Him, to believe in Him, to trust in Him.

As people, created and fallen, full of sin and dysfunction, He has compassion on us and He understands what we are going through. As Monty points out in his book, 70×7 and Beyond, Elohim is so full of grace that He forgives us even when we stumble and fail in our trials and temptations. So even if we have fallen He stands ready to help us up. He also challenges us to live a life that is full of grace and mercy, forgiving others in like manner 70×7 and Beyond!

“Then Peter came up and said to Him, ‘Adonai, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive Him? As many as seven times?’ Yahoshua said to him, ‘I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.’” Matthew 18:21-22

The Way to Life is Yahoshua, who forgave, and forgives. This is The Way.

You are love,
cj

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IF

“If you will diligently listen to the voice of YHWH your Elohim, and do that which is right in His eyes, and give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes. I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am YHWH your healer.” Exodus 15:26

IF, is a theme well overlooked in Scripture. No one likes to read the IF. There are many examples i could have pulled from where IF is the clause. But i like this passage in Exodus because of its connection to listening to, and obeying, YHWH. We can hear, or read, and understand what is being said, but IF we do not apply it than we have not obeyed and that is what matters. Oh some will say, we are not saved by works therefore we needn’t do anything. Yet, we read that it was Abrahams faith in YWHW that caused him to do and it was the doing that revealed his faith and that was accounted to him as righteousness. IF carries a lot of weight.

“But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his deeds have been carried out in Elohim.” John 3:21

This verse doesn’t get as much attention as its famous cousin, John 3:16 but it is equally important. In fact, one could say that the very act of believing is a triple work done in us and through us by Elohim with us. To get around that many will point to the words elect, or chosen, to which i would still point out the IF. Look what history tells us of Israel or what it reveals of the followers of Messiah. Still, walking with YHWH is simpler than some make it out to be.

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does YHWH require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your Elohim!” Micah 6:8 One could easily argue that the Torah, the old covenant, was based on grace.

Paul writes to the Romans about the Law, and when we read Law it is speaking about the Torah. In Paul’s writing he points out the idea that the Law, (Torah) reveals sin without it we wouldn’t know what sin is. He then points out one of the commandments, covetousness, he doesn’t excuse sin in his discourse but rather points out the need for a remedy. Romans 7:24 says; “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” He answers his own question in verse 25, “Thanks be to Elohim through Yahoshua Messiah our Adon! So then, I myself serve the law of Elohim with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.”

What seems to be missed so often in Paul’s writing is he isn’t excusing sin but rather revealing the remedy. Yet, still the remedy comes with the IF. Paul continues in chapter 10:5-13 to address this further but i will highlight verses 8-9; “But what does it say? The WORD is near you, in your mouth and in your heart (that is the word of faith that we proclaim); because, IF you confess with your mouth that Yahoshua is Adonai and believe in your heart that Elohim raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” There is hearing the word, listening to the word, and obeying the word. IF carries a lot of weight.

You are loved,
cj

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Milk vs Steak

There is a fairly popular drink in the health and fitness section of grocery stores called Muscle Milk. i don’t recall if i have ever had it but there is always a chance, i just don’t remember. i do know that my youngest son drinks them on occasion before he goes to the gym or when he was playing hockey i think he would drink one before practice. Anyway, the point is that the drink is supposed to nourish your body and stimulate muscle growth and recovery. How well it works i don’t know, this is in no away an endorsement. i bring it up only to make this point, in 1 Corinthians 3:1-3 Paul writes about milk verses meat.

“But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Messiah. I fed you with milk, not meat, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?”

Earlier Paul writes, “Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of Elohim, which Elohim decreed before the ages for our glory.”
(1 Corinthians 2:6-7)

Growth is a good thing. We should all strive to grow in our understanding and relationship with Yahoshua Messiah. Paul was really writing out of frustration to the Corinthians because they were lacking in the growth department. We can all relate at times to the Corinthians i think, hitting a point in which we become stagnant in our relationship with Yahoshua. On the other hand i also believe we can relate with Paul in becoming frustrated with others seemingly lack of growth even if we have poured into their lives.

One thing is for sure, we are supposed to be learning and growing. There is a beginning, of course, Acts 15:19-21 says; “Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to Elohim, but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.” Most folks stop reading at verse twenty but it doesn’t stop there verse twenty-one indicates growth will come because Moses is read every Sabbath in the synagogues. Two things are evident here, Moses is read, meaning the Torah, or the Law and when is he read? On the Sabbath. The Gentiles were participating as a sect of Judaism known as the Sect of the Nazarene. It was understood that the Gentile believers would learn and grow. Remember ALL Scripture is profitable for teaching, rebuking, and for doctrine as Paul writes to Timothy (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

There is growth, Philippians 3:12-16 says; “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Messiah Yahoshua has made me His own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of Elohim in Messiah Yahoshua. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, Elohim will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.” Growth is important. It isn’t the works that save us, no we are saved by the Grace through Faith. It is the Mercy of YHWH because of the work of Yahoshua.

Therefore, because of the work of the Yahoshua we respond to Him by growing in obedience to Him. In Luke, Yahoshua is recorded as saying, “Why do you call me ‘Adonai, Adonai,’ and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and does them, I will show you what he is like:” (Luke 6:46-47) Growth is important.

There is a goal. 1 John 5:1-5 says; “Everyone who believes that Yahoshua is the Messiah has been born of Elohim, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of Him. By this we know that we love children of Elohim, when we love Elohim and obey His Commandments. For this is the love of Elohim, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of Elohim overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Yahoshua is the Son of Elohim?”

As James 1:22 puts it; “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” We must be active agents. Milk, is great in the beginning, maybe even muscle milk, but we must, in fact it is absolutely imperative, that we desire the meat of the Word. So that we grow, in that we seek to know Yahoshua, as we are known by Him and not just the new believer but all who call on the name of Yahoshua.

You are loved,
cj

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Your holiday’s, Your traditions

i attended a local Hebrew Roots congregation this past Sabbath. First, i am not a part of the Hebrew roots movement as defined by Hebrew Roots but i am a proponent of the whole of Elohim’s word. Anyway, i went to their Friday evening service, i did not intend to also be present for their Saturday service, but i was. The pastor is very passionate about Hanukkah and as it were, Hanukkah, is the holiday that started me on the path that i am on now. So with great interest i listened and took notes. While i was incarcerated i did lots of reading, in fact besides sleeping, reading was probably the thing i did the most. i also, penned 35 future blog posts. i had numbered them and was planning to put them up in the order they were numbered. However, with my visit this weekend to Everlasting Convenient, i am moving post 15 up 7 spots.

i was limited on my choice of Bibles but i did have two. Well, my celly had one which was an ESV provided by the Gideon’s and i had a NLT Life Application Study Bible i found in the little bookshelf that we had access. In it i was reading Leviticus, about the appointed times of YHWH.

Leviticus 23:1-5
And YHWH spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them, ‘The Appointed Times of YHWH, which you are to proclaim as Holy Gatherings, My Appointed Times, are these:’”

Let me interject something here, look at the language being used, “Holy Gatherings” and “MY Appointed Times.” You will also note that in Exodus 12:48-49 YHWH gives instruction for the foreigner, and the sojourners within the camp who align with YHWH are to participate. He caps His instruction with: “There is ONE Torah (Law) for the native-born and for the stranger who sojourns among you.”

“‘Six days work is done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, a Holy Gathering. You do no work, it is a Sabbath to YHWH in all your dwellings. These are the Appointed Times of YHWH, Holy Gatherings which you are to proclaim at their Appointed Times. In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, between the evenings, is the Passover to YHWH.”

Note again, these are “MY Appointed Times.” i found it interesting that when i read this having a study Bible with notes i decided to read the note to see how the NLT scholars spinned, this one and here is what they wrote: “God established several national holidays each year for celebration, fellowship, and worship. Much can be learned about people by observing the holidays they celebrate and the way they celebrate them. Take note of your holidays. What do they say about your values? In what ways do your celebrations and holidays reflect your relationship with God?” (Emphasis Added)

Here we have in Leviticus, a clear declaration by YHWY on HIS Appointed Times for Holy Gatherings and the emphasis the scholars chose to make in their foot notes are about your holidays. What a disconnect to what Elohim was stating and in light of Exodus 12:49 and other places i feel we as the church are really missing out on His Appointed Times for our pagan influenced holidays. Not to mention that we as gentile believers are GRAFTED into ISRAEL. They are the root and the root keeps the branches alive.

“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.” Romans 11:17-18

Just before this Paul writes about how we gentiles are in a sense, causing the Jews to feel jealous. Romans 11:11 “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.” We do not replace them, we are grafted into them and therefore become part of the remnant of Elohim.

Remnant is by definition, uncommon. What are your uncommon traits? The world, secular, pagan, or Christian, celebrate Christmas with much of the same nonsense. Easter is a close second. These are both man made celebrations for they are not found or directed in Scripture. One could make this same argument for Hanukkah because it is not a gathering that was appointed by YHWH in the Torah. Rather, Hanukkah was birthed out of the Maccabean revolt. It is a celebration of the rededication of the Temple Altar after Antiochus Epiphanies invaded Judaea and sacrificed a pig on the altar in the temple. He also tried to change times, and seasons, the Holy Gatherings. This was predicted in Daniel, Antiochus was a type of Anti-Messiah, this will happen again. In Revelation we are told in the twelfth chapter seventeenth verse, “Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of Elohim and hold to the testimony of Yahoshua. And he stood on the sand of the sea.”

The New Testament Church is called to be different. In the world but not of the world. The Church is called to be different. The center candle of the Hanukkah Menorah is known as the servant candle, which lights the other candles. The eight days of Hanukkah are significant in remembering the faithfulness of Elohim. One could even say the servanthood of Messiah Yahoshua. The Church is called to be different. The rededication of the Altar in the Temple, restoration, new birth, we the Church and individually are the living Temple of Adonai Yahoshua. Hanukkah should be a time within the church and the family of rededication of our hearts to Yahoshua. It should be a time in which we serve as the center candle, lighting those around us. As Messiah served.

We are the light of the world, a city on a hill, called out of the world, and grafted into Israel. Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, a.k.a. Feast of Dedication. Did you know that Yahoshua Himself, celebrated and was a part of the Feast of Dedication? John 10:22 “At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Yahoshua was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon.” Isn’t it our goal as followers of Yahoshua, to be like Him?

Imagine, if the fulfillment of Romans, in making the chosen people of Elohim jealous, is to celebrate the feasts, to honor the Sabbath, to rejoice in and rest in the Messiah of Israel, whom they rejected. It would stir jealousy if we honored YHWH of the Bible more if we actually honored Him as He lined out rather than the man made religion, with a Messiah the Jewish people easily dismiss as not their Messiah. Yet, it is their Messiah, Yahoshua, was and is their Messiah. The Father, YHWH, is the Elohim of Israel and we are grafted into Israel. Therefore, we should not ignore the root because we grow because of the root.

Should we honor our holidays or should we honor His Appointed Times, His Holy Gatherings? And if we are to celebrate human tradition or a holiday created by man, shouldn’t that holiday and or tradition not look like anything the world has to offer but be separate, holy, sacred? The Feast of Dedication, Hanukkah, a feast Yahoshua Himself honored seems like a pretty good place to start.

You are loved,
cj

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Plenty of want . . .

“I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and want, abundance and need.” Philippians 4:12

There is no shortage of want in our world. There is also no shortage of need. The want here in Philippians isn’t the kind that says, “I want a new car,” it is a want that is based in the lack of necessity. The expression, left wanting, used; “I was hungry but i was left wanting.” Although, one could argue that we live in a society where there is plenty of want, I want this or I want that and it gets blurred with I need this or I need that, basically used, interchangeably.

Here in this passage, Paul writes to the Philippians to express his understanding of both living a life that was plentiful and one that was lacking. i am sure there is a great number of us who could say the same. i for one have lived on both ends of that spectrum and all points in between. Currently i am well on the side of want and need, unfortunately. i don’t write this however, for sympathy but for experience. i am writing to encourage, you but also me.

“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” Philippians 4:11

This is easier said than done. Oh sure i try very hard to live this out everyday. In fact i would say that i am content. However, that doesn’t remove the stress of knowing one’s situation and getting lost in the needs of life. It boils down to faith. Sadly, i need reminding of Elohim’s faithfulness often. In fact, i carry with me in my Bible a dollar bill. On it i have written a date. It was that date, another season of need, that Adonai showed up in a miraculous way meeting the need. i love being reminded of this story.

i had been unemployed for sometime, just after the birth of my first son. The bills were piling up and we were in need. One morning i had just gotten back from my morning prayer time with Adonai when there was a knock at the door. It was our neighbor Carlos. He said, “I had a dream the other day that I was supposed to give you some money from my bonus. But I wanted a new TV so I bought one. We got it home and set it up, plugged it in but it didn’t work. That night I had the dream again that I was supposed to give you that money. The next day, we exchanged the TV. We brought it home, set it up, and plugged it in, it didn’t work.” He smirked, embarrassingly, and continued, “The same thing happened, I had the dream and the next day we exchanged the TV and again it didn’t work.” Animatedly, he continued, “We checked the outlet, it was fine. We even had them at the store check the third TV which was a different brand and at the store it worked. Anyway, last night for the forth night I had the dream again. I don’t dare get another TV! So please, accept this check because it is for you.”

The check was for the amount of our bills that were due. i still get shivers when i think of this story. Oh and Carlos came back by that weekend and said, “I just thought I should come by and tell you that last night at my wife’s office party, she won the raffle for a new TV!” i am not saying that happens every time but boy oh boy when Adonai blesses He doesn’t miss a beat.

You see His ways are not our ways. His thoughts are not our thoughts. i am not envious that Carlos got a new TV and I was just able to pay bills. No, i am blessed because, i was a part of a miraculous moment where i was taught of Adonai’s faithfulness in meeting needs. Carlos was taught Adonai’s faithfulness through obedience. And we now share forever a moment of seeing the miracles and wonders of our Adonai. We need to learn to trust YHWH through every trial even self-inflicted ones.

He is unchangeable, Divine Perfection, and He is able. Proverbs tells us: “Trust in YHWH with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear YHWH, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.” (Proverbs 3:5-8)

Not just this but we are also reminded to rejoice in our sufferings! Who wants to rejoice while they are suffering? This is also challenging. Yet, we are told in Romans 5:3-5:

“More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and 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.”

Have you ever been in need or left wanting? In that, have you ever, doubted and feared? Do you think that you are too far from Elohim’s favor to be blessed? Are your wounds self-inflicted? There is hope for us still! Philippians 3:12-14:

“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Messiah Yahoshua has made me His own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal of the prize of the upward call of Elohim in Messiah Yahoshua.”

The world looks at struggle and sees failure. Adonai looks at the heart and sees our resolve, our faith, our endurance. So stand in the face of adversity knowing Whom stands with you.

“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

You are loved,
cj

Eternal Life

11 — “Holy Father, keep them in Your name . . .”

John 17, the High Priestly Prayer of Yahoshua, Messiah, is not only a look into the heart of Messiah but it is also the keys to the Kingdom! i will let the Words of Adonai tell the story as i will add very little in way of my flawed human words, as they will most likely just get in the way. You are encouraged to read all of John 17 for yourself, here, i am only highlighting a few verses . . . Whether they are the most important, or the most relevant, or even the most powerful, who can say as the Words of Elohim are living and active so as to touch the reader or the hearer right where they are! So, i encourage you to read it all, but i also invite you on my journey, as i sat and soaked in these Words of Yahoshua, where i was for it was what i needed in the moment on my journey.

3 — “And this is eternal life, that they know You the ONLY Elohim, and Yahoshua Messiah whom You have sent.” Oh that i would know; may i know You as i am fully known by You!

15 — “I do not ask that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one.” Adonai, You sustain me where i am. May i lean on You and trust in You for the battle belongs to The Adon! The devil has no authority over those washed in the blood of the Lamb.

17 — “Sanctify them in the truth; Your Word is truth.” YHWH, Your Word is the only truth and that Word became flesh and dwelt among us. May we that call on the Name of Yahoshua, Your living Word, be set apart for You.

20 — “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word.” Thank You Adonai for including me in Your prayer for i am one who has come to know You and believe, through the words of Your Apostles.

23 — “I in them and You in Me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that You sent Me and loved them even as You loved Me.” To be a part of the unity of Elohim is to become perfectly one. Oh that we would experience that perfection now but we know that we are flawed and broken individuals. Even the early Church struggled as we read in Acts of favoritism, judgement, strife, disagreement and the like. Still Adonai this is our goal because it was Your prayer for us.

26 — “I made known to them Your Name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which You have loved Me may be in them, and I in them.” Your name YHWH is great and worthy of praise! May we not take it in vain, or misrepresent You by declaring things good, when You have declared them abominable. That we would in the Unity of Messiah proclaim Your name and make it known, even more so now as we see Your return drawing closer. Be in us through Your Holy Spirit for we know that there is no unity, or power, or hope, without Your presence in and through us.

Eternal life and the keys to the Kingdom.

You are loved,
cj

We are not immune.

“Yahoshua answered them, ‘Do you now believe?’” John 16:31

Yahoshua, until the end of His ministry was instructing the disciples on belief, faith, and accepting the unknown. Yet, trusting that it is known from above. Even with all of this instruction, and even with the disciples proclamations, “Now we know . . .” “You are the Messiah.” “Adonai and Elohim!” They still scattered when the soldiers arrested Him. We are not immune.

Lesson; even if we believe in our heart of hearts, the deepest center of our beings, we can suffer doubt, confusion, struggle. We are not immune. To walk by faith and not sight takes practice and patience and discipline. It requires us to search through our hearts, our minds, and the Scriptures. We are not immune.

“Adonai, I believe, oh that You would yet, help my unbelief!” Mark 9:24

Have you ever sat with someone who questions their worth, or their salvation, or whether they are forgivable? Even with an arsenal of Scripture, where verse after verse shows the mercy and the grace of Elohim, one can still have doubts. To judge such a person is to judge ourselves. We are not immune.

i encountered this mindset a lot over that past 60 days or so. So often in fact that it made me stop and think about my own understanding of the forgiveness of Elohim and that which is provided through the blood of Yahoshua; Behold the lamb of Elohim, who takes away the sin of the saintly church attendee. No not exactly. We are not immune.

i shared with my celly one evening this passage from Micah 6:8, we are to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly. i have been rediscovering this truth since i typed these words, based on a familiar quote, “The End Does Not Justify the Means.” It hasn’t been easy, it has been extremely difficult and painful, in a heart wrenching way. We are not immune.

“But how?” Echoes in my ears and in my own thoughts. That is when the calm comes and the gentle reminder; “Lean not on your own understanding but in all your ways acknowledging Him (YHWH) and He WILL guide your steps.” Proverbs 3:5-6

It is the promise that we have an advocate, a counselor, a friend, and not just one who empathizes with us but one who has overcome! Peace in Yahoshua, peace through tribulations and peace through trials.

“Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave Me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with Me. I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:32-33

And just as the Father did not leave Yahoshua alone, so too now, Yahoshua will not leave us alone. “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever.” John 14:16

“In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” Ephesians 6:16

We are not immune, but we are protected.

You are loved,
cj