Tag: Christ

Envisioning My Dream Job: A Life on a Deserted Island

Envisioning My Dream Job: A Life on a Deserted Island
Daily writing prompt
What’s your dream job?
View all responses

Work is a human construct that traps individuals in a cycle of consumerism. I work, I earn money, I pay bills, I eat, I sleep, I work. I must earn more money so that I can do something ‘fun’. I work harder, and longer. I cut back, I eat processed foods, stuff my face with snacks and garbage. I spend and spend and wonder where my money went. I beat my body. I weaken my immune system, I become sick, I become injured, I am unable to have fun. I now spend my money on medical bills, medication, and treatments.

Everyone is out to make money to live and to survive. My dream job is to be stranded on a deserted island. Where I am able to create my own society based on a shared goal. To have everything in common, not a commonality of nature, or of wealth, but of mind. The final goal, to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Also, to love our neighbor as ourselves. These two are the building blocks of peaceful society.

“Then, they that gladly received his word were baptized. The same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common. They sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house. They ate their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the Way daily those being saved.” Acts 2:41-47

Many will say, “But God told Adam he would have to work the land, after the fall.” Yes, He did. It wasn’t for others that he did so but for himself and his family. He wasn’t making others wealthy by the sweat of his brow. We do have to labor now if we want to survive. Paul instructs us to be honorable workers. However, he also instructs the employer, or slave owner, to treat his staff with respect and honor. There is also an instruction within Scripture that says, wages should be paid out daily. We have warped the instruction of God and created a system that entraps humanity.

i do believe, if one is unwilling to contribute they are not welcome. If one is unable to contribute they are cared for. There is a difference. To follow the statutes and the commands of God are greater than striving for gain. For in the end all that is gained in life is left in the grave. But what is done for God will last, treasures in heaven. We spend more than a third of our day striving and working. A third of our day asleep. Leaving less than a third for leisure which is spent, spending. That or it is spent cooking, cleaning, or wasted. A day for ourselves? Maybe. A day for God? Rarely.

God said, “Six days you shall labor but the seventh day is Holy. You are to do no work. Neither you or your servant, or your livestock.” A day of rest, a day of honoring God. Six days of labor isn’t simply laboring for income. It is laboring also for what brings us pleasure, hobbies, and cleaning. Striving for one another even. It is taking a day to connect with our Heavenly Father. To rest in Him and with Him. For even in those six days of labor there is intended times of pleasure. But sadly in most house holds both the father and the mother work and do so seven days a week. Which leaves no one to tend to the home. In which case there is still work to be done. Cooking and cleaning. When is there rest?

So what is my dream job? With commonality, to work towards community. Where there are some who labor in the field, some that tend the flock, some that strive at home. My desire would be to tend to the flocks. To be a shepherd of sorts. To tend to the horses and the cattle. In my leisure I would write, and I would instruct others in the Way of community and honor. To love God, to love our neighbor. This is my dream job.

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

Living Out ‘Thy Will Be Done’: A Faith Journey

Living Out ‘Thy Will Be Done’: A Faith Journey

It seems every year i circle back to Adonai’s Prayer, commonly called, “The Lord’s Prayer.” As i ask the question, “How do i live, ‘Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven'”? Given the fact that many of the times and seasons observed today are nowhere found in Scripture? We just turned the page on the Gregorian calendar. Good-bye 2025 and hello 2026. We, as they say, “circled the sun.” If you think about the meanings of things. The things we have adopted into our faith system. It seems a rational conclusion, if we are being intellectually honest, things don’t add up. Especially with “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done,” as our marker.

What times and season’s is the Father observing? Is it the framework that He Himself established at creation. Then afterward giving direction to His chosen nation to observe for all time. As such establishing them as a beacon to all nations of the earth. They were to be set apart, different than those around them. So much so that He instructs them not to learn the ways of the nations around them. For them, His chosen people, to not even pick up their traditions or habits and ways of worship. Warning them not to integrate or assimilate those things into worship of Him. He told them He is jealous for them and if they follow His ways He would protect them.

The opposite is also true. If they did not observe His times and season. If they did not adhere to His commands and instructions. Then He would remove His protection. Cause the nations around them to swallow them up and scatter them among all the nations of the earth. He said this would happen until they awaken to the error of their ways and repent. Turning from their ignorance and destructive ways to again follow after God. Adhering to all the ways in which He instructed them from the beginning. However, He promised not to leave them alone. He promised there would come One who would restore a right relationship with the Father. Writing the commands of the Father on the hearts and minds of the people. In this way, the One to come establishes the example. This provides the ability to faithfully follow all that the Father commands.

Many twist the writings of one called an Apostle. They do so without understanding. They do so hypocritically. Not understanding the fullness of the promises to come. Another such follower of the Way warned against this very thing. The very word they hold warns that if someone comes and promotes another way, they are a false prophet. Am i saying now that this one is false? By no means, i simply point out this that the warning is true, “many twist his words.” This is not a new teaching. It is established in the Word of God. The very Word the Apostle himself tells the younger minister to follow. To remember all that you have learned for it is good and profitable. It will guide the reader to knowledge. It will rebuke, correct, and train in all righteousness. This so, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Recognizing the present times and seasons. Having to live in and among them as a member of society. Does not require observance. In fact, one could say that not observing them would cause one to stand out. This would make one different and set apart. The very thing we are called to as followers of the Way. Some ignorantly point to passages about judgment without fully recognizing what is being taught. How can we pray for something we are unwilling to even try to observe now? We know the Sabbath, the Feast Days, even the yearly calendar. Yet, like the world without knowledge does they worship what they do not know. While we are called to worship the One True God by His instruction. Not our traditions, not our feast days, not our times, but His. His Kingdom Come, His Will be Done, on Earth AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.

At the start of this Gregorian year, what is your new year’s resolution? Is it to be more like our Messiah? If so, he observed the Sabbath and the Feast Days. These are based on the Calendar of Time established by the Creator of all things. People say praise and worship is practice for heaven. Should we not then also practice the Sabbath and the Feast Days with that same idea? Not only as bench marks that set us apart from the nations, but as practice for His Will Be Done. These are signs, like a wedding ring, they say to the outsider, we belong to the Way. We belong to the Creator of all things. We are members of the Family of God, brothers and sisters of Messiah, heirs of the Kingdom to come.

To this end i wish to live. Therefore, i do not observe the traditions of man but the ways established by the Father. So that i can truly say, “Thy Kingdom come. They will be done. On earth as it is in Heaven.” For this is The Way.

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

Exploring the Connection Between Faith and Obedience

Exploring the Connection Between Faith and Obedience

Why do i choose to observe the Sabbath? The Feast Days? Eat Clean? Is it to be more holy than the next guy? No it is not. Is it because i think i am better than you? No, not by a long shot. Why do i seek to honor the Torah? i do it out of love for Adonai Yahoshua Messiah. His challenge to me, “If you love Me obey My commandment.” (John 14:15) In spit of popular belief He wasn’t talking about any new revelation but the revelation of Torah. Of which He is, the fullness of Elohim.

Many a doctrine is built upon the idea that the law has been done away with abolished. They talk about the new covenant in Messiah. They use verses like Romans 10:4 and say, “See, Jesus is the end of the law!” The more i study the more i realize how unprepared i truly was when entering ministry thirty years ago. i lacked the seriousness of understanding the original texts language and audience. What was being said, how was it being said, and to whom was it being said? These answers are necessary, for only then, can one truly know the depth of Elohim’s Word to us.

“For Messiah is the end of the law, to bring righteousness to everyone who believes.” Romans 10:4 ~

‘End’ in the Greek is Telos. Aristotle said, concerning mans final cause; “Everything has a telos, its final cause, which defines its nature.” Regarding ethics Aristotle said, “For humans, the telos, is living a virtuous life leading to flourishing happiness.”

Telos from the root Tello. Tello means: to set out for a definite point or goal. Telos although does mean end and has been used in termination. It is highly unlikely Paul was using it this way. Telos also means the end result of, it is used also in comparison, to which end. The end to which all things relate, commonality, custom.

Given the fullness of the definition we need to explore more the idea being presented in Romans 10:4. “For Messiah is the definite point of the law, to bring righteousness to everyone who believes.” Believes, is defined by action and activity not simply knowledge of for the demons believe and tremble. “For Messiah is the goal of the law, to bring righteousness to all who obey.” Law is Torah, it is better defined as the way, path or instruction. “For Messiah is the end result of the instruction for all who obey.” “For Messiah is the Telos of the Torah, to bring righteousness to everyone who believes.”

There is a reason Paul said, “Imitate me as I imitate Messiah.” For Messiah is our comparison of what it looks like to live out the Torah. It isn’t that Messiah ended the law but gave us a comparison. To walk out that which is commanded by Elohim to be obeyed by men. As Paul rights in Romans 2. “For it is not the hearers of the Torah who are righteous before God. No indeed, but it is the doers of the Torah who will be declared righteous.” Romans 2:13 ~ What is righteousness? It is things commanded by Elohim to be obeyed by man. Righteousness is obedience.

It is the mark of all those recorded in the Hall of Faith, found in Hebrews. “And it was accredited to him as righteousness.” What was? It was his faith that led to action and activity. It was Abraham taking Isaac to the mountain. It was Noah building a boat not knowing what rain was. It was Enoch living out daily obedience. “And without faith it is impossible to please God. For anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” How does one earnestly seek Him? By obedience to His Word. “He has shown you owe man what is good and what does He require of you? To Act Justly, To Love Mercy, and To Walk Humbly with Him.” It is action and activity that reveals the heart.

Yahoshua said, “Take My yoke upon you, for My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” He is the Word made flesh. He is our Rabbi, Teacher, who declared, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” The way, Torah. The Truth, Your word is truth. The Life, man shall not live by bread alone but by every word of Elohim. In other words, the only way to the Father is through the Word.

During the final scenes of this fallen world Revelation reveals the target of Satan’s wrath. “And the dragon was enraged at the woman and went to make war with the rest of her children. Those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Yahoshua.” (Revelation 12:17) Two things to note here. First, they keep the commandments of Yahweh. Second, they hold to the testimony of Yahoshua. It isn’t those who seek righteousness within observance of Torah alone. It isn’t those who simply have an intellectual belief in Yahoshua. No, it is both and! “Who keeps the commandments and the testimony.” James puts it this way, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22)

The Word in every one of these instances is talking about the Tanakh. Yahoshua said, “On these two commandments you can hang the whole of Torah and the prophets. To love Elohim with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. The second is like it. Love your neighbor as yourself.” Action and activity. It is believing in something so passionately that you do all you can to obey.

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

Reviving the Sabbath: A Call to Return

Reviving the Sabbath: A Call to Return

Have you ever noticed that there is a day for everything? There are food days like ‘National Pie Day,’ or ‘National Hamburger Day.’ Food isn’t your thing? Try ‘Talk like a Pirate Day,’ or even ‘National Old Rock Day.’ if you can think it, it probably has a day. For instance, there is a day called ‘World Lazy Day.’ If being lazy isn’t appealing because of the labels, disguise your laziness with ‘National Sleep Day.’ I have known for sometime of a day known as ‘National Back to Church Sunday.’ Probably even promoted it a time or two.

It is a great concept really. Picking up on the idea of holidays, and focusing one on getting back to Church. An opportunity to invite friends through general conversation, masked in funny holiday’s. For instance this year National Talk like a Pirate Day is the Friday before Back to Church. Imagine you and your friends standing around the water-cooler. You say, “Arg ya mateys, won’t ya be joining me this Sunday for church and after some libations?” Churches have been known to put on extravagant services to entice interest, or to be more welcoming. A more salvation based message, friendly, loving, encouraging. The state of the world is troubling. It is clear that a day to come together in prayer and unity is needed.

Now imagine going to Scripture. Rather than focusing on a man made day of worship, we could focus on the Sabbath. We could call it ‘Back to the Sabbath, Sabbath’ or “National 7th Day Sabbath” instead of back to Church Sunday? After all, one is found in Scripture, the other in Rome.

 “Remember the day, Shabbat, to set it apart for Elohim. You have six days to labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Shabbat for Adonai your Elohim. On it, you are not to do any kind of work — not you, your son or your daughter, not your male or female slave, not your livestock, and not the foreigner staying with you inside the gates to your property. 11 For in six days, Adonai made heaven and earth, the sea and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. This is why Adonai blessed the day, Shabbat, and separated it for himself.” (Exodus 20:8-11)

The Sabbath is a weekly National Day of Rest. It is a true National Day. I work for a company that was open on Labor Day. Now Labor Day is a day to honor the Laborers. However, they honored their employees by being open and making them work. If they were honoring Elohim, they would have given us the day off. They would also do so every week on the Sabbath, the seventh-day, we know today as Saturday. (I have written more on Sabbath and calendars here).

The Sabbath day isn’t just a mandate from Elohim, a statute, an ordinance, a commandment. It is a day He Himself observed in the beginning. “Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, along with everything in them. On the seventh-day Elohim was finished with His work which He had made, so He rested on the seventh-day from all His work which He had made. Elohim blessed the seventh-day and separated it as holy; because on that day Elohim rested from all His work which He had created, so that it itself could produce.” (Genesis 2:1-3)

Blessed is the man who does this. Blessed is the son of man who holds it fast. He keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it. He keeps his hand from doing any evil.” (Isaiah 56:2)

Many modern theologians will say that the Sabbath is done away and base that belief on Yahoshua. Sadly, they do not know Hebrew culture, they don’t know terms and idioms, they simply don’t understand. They don’t understand Matthew 5 or 12, Mark 2, John 5, Romans 14, Colossians 2, or Hebrews 4. Or when the disciples asked Paul to speak again on the first day of the week in Acts. They would rather cherry pick their verses than take the Scripture as a whole. What they claim the Pharisees of doing, they do themselves with their man made Sunday worship. And they are blind to it.

Imagine, a Church who calls on the Elohim of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Who accept His Son Yahoshua as their Savior, the Messiah of Elohim. Would stop looking for loopholes and instead learn from the Messiah and His Apostles who kept the Sabbath Day. To turn back their foot from not keeping the Sabbath to keeping it. Oh, what a revival, we would see then.

“If you hold back your foot on Shabbat
from pursuing your own interests on My Holy Day;
if you call Shabbat a delight,
Adonai’s Holy Day, worth honoring;
then honor it by not doing your usual things
or pursuing your interests or speaking about them.
If you do, you will find delight in Adonai —
I will make you ride on the heights of the land
and feed you with the heritage of your ancestor Jacob,
for the mouth of Adonai has spoken.”
Isaiah 58:13-14

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

Understanding ‘Holy’ Through Scripture: A Deep Dive

Understanding ‘Holy’ Through Scripture: A Deep Dive

2 Timothy 3:16-17
“All Scripture is from the breath of Elohim. Making it a profitable instrument for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness. So that the man of Elohim may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.”

Paul writes to a young pastor in Ephesus. He writes to encourage him. He writes to instruct him. He writes to warn him. The root of this letter for me is found in the passage above. Where Paul writes about the importance of Scripture as the foundation for ministry and life. We in the west are spoiled with the written Word. Most homes have a Bible whether it is read or collecting dust on their coffee table. Still many others have one in a box that they forgot is even there. In Timothy’s time the Word was not as available, not even close. For now we are spoiled. We are so accustomed to having the Word even at our fingertips. In fact, everywhere we go whether, on a computer or a smartphone, or the beautiful crinkle of a turning page. Absolutely, no one can use the excuse that they don’t have a Bible. Everyone has access to the Word.

Paul writes to Timothy and to you this instruction. “But as for you, continue in the things you have learned. In which you firmly believed, since you know from whom you have learned them. From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures. Which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Messiah Yahoshua.” Paul writes this just before the passage above. The Scripture is paramount to instruction, conviction, correction and for training in righteousness. It is for our equipping to carryout the work of Elohim set before us.

Peter writes these words in his letter to the remnant of Jewish believers in Messiah. “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance. But as He who called you is Holy, you also be Holy in all your conduct. Since it is written, ‘You shall be Holy, for I am Holy.‘” (1 Peter 1:16) Where does Paul and Peter get such wild ideas? Well from the Torah! Of course. “And Yahweh spoke to Moses. He said, ‘Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel. Tell them, You shall be holy. For I Yahweh your Elohim am Holy. Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father. You shall keep the Sabbaths. I am Yahweh your Elohim. Do not turn to idols or make for yourselves any gods of cast metal. I am Yahweh your Elohim.‘” This from Leviticus 19:1-4 which isn’t even the more common reference to this quote. Rather Leviticus 11:44-45 is often sited. “For I am Yahweh your Elohim. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy. For I am Holy. You shall not defile yourselves with any swarming thing that crawls on the ground. For I am Yahweh who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your Elohim. You shall therefore be holy for I am holy.”

Do you know what the word holy means? If you look it up in a dictionary you will get definitions like, sacred, revered, purity. These are not wrong definitions but they are not whole either. The word Holy in all of these instances comes from the words Qadash and Qadosh. Qadash and Qadosh are Hebrew and they have similar meanings. However, when used together they present a very powerful message. “Be Qadash, for I am Qadosh.” It means this, Be (Qadash) clean, consecrated, dedicated, pure, sanctified, set apart; for I am (Qadosh) Elohim, Holy-One, Sanctuary.

We set ourselves apart when we follow the Way of the Rabbi. Yahoshua, followed Torah, He was after all sinless. He observed the Sabbath. He ate clean. He honored His earthly parents. This intrigue’s me. Here we have our Messiah following the ways of the Father. Later, Paul writes, “imitate me as I also imitate Messiah.” Yet, so many find ways not to. Loophole after loophole because they have found comfort in their way. Yet very clearly we are taught to look to all of Scripture. We are told to live to a standard of Qadash because we serve Yahweh who is Qadosh! Is there grace? Of course there is. Is there forgiveness? Absolutely! Is there still a standard by which we are called to live? Without a doubt.

Hebrews 8 and Jeremiah 11 tell us of the coming renewed covenant. In which Elohim will write the law on our hearts and minds. So many will say that this is for Israel. They would be right. However, Romans 11 puts this in perspective when we read that we are grafted into Israel. This is not replacement theology it is adoption theology. We are adopted into the people of Elohim as Galatians 3 tells us. “You are all sons of Elohim through faith in Messiah Yahoshua. For all of you who were baptized into Messiah have clothed yourselves with Messiah. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Messiah Yahoshua. And if you belong to Messiah, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.”

What was Israel’s sin? Ezekiel writes, “Her priest have done violence to my Torah. They have profaned My holy things. They have made no distinction between the holy and the common. Neither have they taught the difference between the unclean and the clean. They have disregarded My Sabbaths so that I am profaned among them.” This is on Paul’s heart when he writes to the Romans. “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of Elohim. Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy (Qadash) and acceptable to Elohim. Which is your spiritual act of Worship. 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 it is that is good and acceptable and perfect.” Later in the same 12th chapter he writes, “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.”

In Isaiah and Ezekiel we read about a time to come and what will be expected. Not just of Israel by blood but also by those grafted into Israel by adoption. Isaiah writes, “If you turn back your foot from the Sabbath. From doing your pleasure on My holy day. Calling the Sabbath a delight and the Holy day of Yahweh honorable. If you honor it, not going your own ways, or seeking your own pleasure talking idly. Then you shall take delight in Yahweh 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 Yahweh has spoken.” (Isaiah 58:13-14) Ezekiel writes in the 44th chapter this (23-24). “They shall teach my people the difference between the holy and the common. Showing them how to distinguish between the unclean and the clean. In a dispute they shall act as Judges, and they shall judge it according to my judgments. They shall keep My Torah and My statutes and all My appointed feasts, and they shall keep My Sabbaths Holy.”

We are to take on the full counsel of Scripture. The Berean’s were of more noble character. They eagerly received the words of the Apostles. Then, they searched the Scriptures to verify the teachings. This is what we are called to do! What Scriptures are we to search? The same ones that Paul tells Timothy to study. It is the Torah, and the Tanakh. We call it today the Old Testament. It is what Yahoshua quoted from and taught from and lived from. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” What will you do with the words of Yahweh, “Be Holy (Qadash), for I am Holy (Qadosh)?” May you search the Scriptures for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness. So that you, a child of Elohim, may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.

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

Halloween and Christianity: Understanding the Controversy

Halloween and Christianity: Understanding the Controversy

This is me wading into the muck of a cultural tradition steeped in paganism. The question, should Christians celebrate Halloween? The answer, first, let me ask you a question. If Jesus were alive today, would He attend a pagan festival, dressed as a zombie? No, given the many times in Scripture, we are told not to do as the pagans. Would He attend the festival to preach to the attendees? Unlikely, perhaps He would stand outside of it preaching? Maybe. We don’t know because there isn’t a pagan festival written in the New Testament, so what we have is Jesus’ words regarding worship and the Old Testament. So when in doubt, search the Scriptures and seek the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Let me tackle the idea that we are not to put on others our own convictions, which, i hear often. The verse most widely used is found in Galatians 5:1 — “For freedom, Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Another prominent verse is 1 Corinthians 6:12 — “‘All things are lawful for me,’ but not all things are helpful. ‘All things are lawful for me,’ but I will not be dominated by anything.‘” We could also look at Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8 here, but we will touch on those in a bit. Our freedom gives us, well, freedom. But, not license to sin by committing idolatry. i have been reading and studying Halloween for some time now, and these are the things that i have learned.

  1. It dates back to a Celtic festival known as Samhain. In which the Celts believed that a portal between worlds, life, and death, was opened. They would dress up in costume to ward off evil spirits.
  2. The Celts date back to 1800 B.C. However, The existence of the Celts was first documented in the seventh or eighth century B.C. The Roman Empire, which ruled much of southern Europe at that time, referred to the Celts as “Galli,” meaning barbarians.
  3. In the early Church, roughly the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honor all saints; soon, All Saints Day incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as All Hallows Eve and later Halloween.
  4. It was believed that if the church incorporated some of these traditions, it would make it easier for pagans to convert to Christianity.

There is so much more i could write regarding the traditions and origins of those traditions but suffice it to say all of them are pagan. Therefore, they should be avoided. Look at this passage in Deuteronomy 6:13-15 we read:

“It is the Lord your God, you shall fear. Him you shall serve, and by His name, you shall swear. You shall not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples who are around you, for the Lord your God in your midst is a jealous God, lest the anger of the Lord your God be kindled against you, and He destroy you from off the face of the earth.”

In 1 Thessalonians 5:21-23, we have Paul instructing the Thessalonians to avoid evil.

“but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely . . .”

Two things here stand out. First, abstain from EVERY form of EVIL. Would you say that Halloween in its former and present state is filled with evil? i know i sure do! Second, “sanctify you,” sanctify means to set apart from. As Christians, we are to be different than the world not blend in so well that no can tell the difference. Let me share a few more verses just to add some perspective for our thought.

“See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” Colossians 2:8

“for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.” Ephesians 5:8-11

“He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?” Matthew 15:3

We could discuss here the eating of meat that had been sacrificed to idols, but i will just add this . . . The intent here is to not be a stumbling block to others by our understanding.  So let me pose the question, are you confident in your celebration of a clearly pagan festival isn’t laying a stumbling block for your neighbor? That is the test! Let me end this with a passage from Ezekiel and really, the reason i am writing was inspired here.

“If I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, in order to save his life, that wicked person shall die for his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, or from his wicked way, he shall die for his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul.” Ezekiel 3:18-19

Can you warn someone of wickedness, evil, and idolatry, and still keep the same festival you are warning them about? No, you cannot. So, therefore, in my humble opinion we as Christians should not partake of the pagan festival known as Halloween regardless of its human tradition. Let me add, this was a natural conclusion, but a difficult decision. Why? Because i love tradition and i grew up on Halloween. i even helped my sister put on a haunted trail for a park she worked for not many years ago. However, my conviction over this grows more and more every day as i see the day of the Lords return getting ever closer. We must wake up and proclaim the truth!

You are loved,

cj

i am becoming one of “those” . . .

i am becoming one of “those” . . .

“But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship Him. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:23-24

This passage from Jesus’ encounter with the woman at the well is highly regarded as justification for Christians to say, “I am doing this in worship of the Father, the other things don’t mean anything. I love God.” or some variation of the same. But, i ask you what Jesus was referring too here? It was customary for Jews to travel to Jerusalem to worship on particular feasts, Passover, Weeks, and Tabernacles. There are seven Hebraic Feasts; i say Hebraic lightly i will get to that in a bit.

Jesus, in His referring to worshiping in spirit and truth, was prophetic, in that He was the Messiah, and therefore He is the feasts. Thus, the location of worship was shifting from a physical place to a spiritual place . . . One primary reason is that Jerusalem was in the hands of the Romans and would soon destroy the Temple, the reason for the pilgrimage. He, in no way, was saying, anything goes, instead expressing a more personal focus because the relationship was about to become intimate.

Let’s take a look at each of the three pilgrimage feasts. First, Passover, they would come to present their sacrifice to the priests, and the Passover lamb would be sacrificed. It was to commemorate or remember the Exodus from Egypt, where those who had the blood on the doorpost were passed over by the angel of death. The final plague before Pharoah would let the people go. John the Baptist proclaimed, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” This was Jesus, the Lamb of God. In observing Passover in real-time, in that year, Jesus, as the Lamb, fulfilled the Feast. We should honor it today as a remembrance of our Passover Lamb, who takes away our sin.

Second, The Feast of Weeks occurs seven weeks or 50 days after the Sabbath of Passover. The interesting thing about this feast, it is a remembrance of the receiving of the law, and with the law comes the knowledge of sin. Its institution was to celebrate the ripening of the wheat harvest. Which is even more interesting! Think of it, Jesus said, “the harvest is plentiful, the workers are few, pray that the Lord of the harvest would send workers.” (Luke 10:2) Here is the cool thing, just as they received the law on Mt Sinai accompanied by smoke, fire, and clouds; so on the day of Pentecost 50 days from the Sabbath of Passover the disciples were gathered, and tongues of fire with a rushing wind came as they received the law written on their hearts as the Holy Spirit was given. We are the workers in the field that God has given.

Third, Tabernacles, this feast was in remembrance of the Hebrew nations wandering in the desert living in temporary shelters. They would again make their pilgrimage to Jerusalem and worship there. Looking to the future, it is symbolic of the return of the King and Jesus ruling and reigning among His people as we tabernacle together with the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Here’s a cool fact, the Feast of Tabernacles was open to all people and nations to come and be with the Lord. Reminds me of the Sabbath day and the Day of Atonement, another feast in which it is stated that even the foreigner within your gates should do no work. As Jesus declared, “the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath,” so we should consider the Sabbath God made for us, to rest and reflect on the goodness of our Lord.

Each of the other feasts is equally significant, and in Leviticus, we read that they are not Hebraic but rather God’s feasts.

“The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, These are the appointed feasts of the Lord that you shall proclaim as holy convocations; they are My appointed feasts.‘” Leviticus 23:1-2

But we don’t really celebrate these feasts, we pass them off as being strictly Hebraic. However, that isn’t even implied in Scripture, for it is Israel who was to be God’s mouthpiece to the world. And as the writer of Hebrews tells us, we are all grafted in together as one people before God. Again here in Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” The intention of the feasts, most certainly the final one known as the Feast of Tabernacles, is to unify us in the worship of God. To draw our attention to the Most High.

If God, so intently, marked out His desired Feasts, for His people to honor Him. He was even reminding them that these were forever feasts, being both remembrance and prophetic. If Jesus observed the Feasts and the early church followed the Feasts, i feel it right to do so now.

Now let me ask you; if you were one of the first century Christians, and as such, you, as they did, observe the Feasts with both the remembrance factor and the prophetic one in mind. Looking back and looking ahead, would you allow for a mingling of pagan cultural practices to interfere with those feasts? Would you desire to take on the worship of pagan gods to enhance the worship of God? i hope that your answer is NO WAY! It certainly is God’s answer:

“You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way, for every abominable thing that the Lord hates they have done for their gods, for they even burn their sons and their daughter in the fire to their gods. Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do. You shall not add to it or take from it.” Deuteronomy 12:31-32

“Now, therefore, fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:14-15

(Note, read all of 1 Corinthians 10) “Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.” . . . “Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?” 1 Corinthians 10:14 & 22

We are to flee anything evil. We are not to intermingle pagan worship with the worship of God. These things have not changed, and yet we do. The majority of Christians in the west and some beyond do. Christmas and Easter both have their origins in paganism. These have been central holidays within the church for centuries. Why did the church allow this to happen? How did they not see? Why am i just now waking up to the truth? This isn’t an undue hardship or yoke, this is central to the Worship of God. i am not talking diets or fabrics or circumcision, i am speaking to what the Lord desires and what we were ultimately created for . . . Worship. If you think it is evil to worship the Lord, then don’t, as Joshua said.

Now to Halloween, i once thought it was actually the one rooted most in the faith with All Saints Day, but i was wrong there too. It is ripe with its roots in paganism, and there is no redeeming it, nor should we try. There is no need for an alternative either, for we have seven feasts to the Lord, and each one is a party, a grand celebration! We are called to be different, to come out of the culture and be the Kingdom here and now. When Jesus said we were to Worship in Spirit and in Truth, i am certain He didn’t include pagan rituals in there regardless of your “intent.”

In my next few postings, i will be touching on Halloween and its true origins and then Christmas in the same way. i hope to show why i am choosing to walk away from these traditions. i will also write again about Easter, although i have already done that if you go back in my history of posts. This is a massive step for me, it hasn’t been easy, but it is right. i am becoming one of “those” Christians, and it is not a burden placed on me . . . It is actually a point of self-denial to put away the ways of the world that i might honor the Lord. To love Him with my whole heart, soul, mind, and strength. Yes, i am becoming one of those Christians, the one i should have been from the beginning. And you should too!

You are loved,

cj

Although everyone is talking, no one is listening.

Although everyone is talking, no one is listening.

Hello, is this thing on? This week we have seen the “Global Climate Strike,” the “UN Climate Summit,” and countless celebrities mumbling; the President had a “Religious Freedom Summit” as well. The conservatives and the liberals are yelling back and forth at each other, pointing fingers of blame and guilt, no trial, no evidence, no reason, no understanding, no . . . Anything. With all this back and forth without discourse, discernment, or simple plain old listening, we are only a divided people that at a distance appear dysfunctional and confused.

It is happening in the church also, constant bickering without understanding. We are being tossed by every wind of change, discontentment, and interpretation, and the devil can’t be any more satisfied. We have been talking about putting on the “new self” the past few weeks, and although this is somewhat in line with that series, this is also a stand-alone topic. Let me share with you the words of Paul to the church in Ephesus.

“And He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” Ephesians 4:11-17

We need to heed Pauls words here, as teachers, pastors, evangelists, and the like our responsibility is to equip the saints, the church, for the work of ministry. Sadly i see less and less equipping and more and more dividing, even with talks on unity. Because the unity that is being pushed is a false unity. There is no choice in the matter it is, for the most part, forced and therefore misleading in every way, and temporal at best.

Listen church, our focus needs to be Christ. He is sufficient for all things. Literally, we will lack nothing if we find ourselves in Jesus only. The devil wants us divided on everything so that we hold nothing as truthful. The tone of the discourse in the world is full of hate. Even when it screams peace. The stage is being set for a peacemaker. Hear me now church, the peacemaker the world is about to receive isn’t about peace. It will be a false peace, and it will fool many, even if possible, the elect. Do not be deceived, be watchful, in prayer, and seek Jesus above all else that you might stand against the schemes of the devil.

Putting on the new self requires an open heart and listening ears. It also requires a singular focus on Jesus-Christ, period. Once we take our focus off of the author and perfector of our faith, we begin to lose all perspective. We must be singularly minded in order to be successful in life, ministry, and attaining to true peace. But the world hates us! Jesus said, “as the world hates me, it will also hate you.” Those who are being puppeted by the king of this world cannot stand us, and we do not win by conceding. We love, but we speak the truth, we do for others without expectation, and we live in unity as a body of Christ because in that unity is where the world will recognize Jesus.

You are loved,

cj

Jude (Part 1)

Jude (Part 1)

Let me start here: if you have not read Jude (an introduction), stop now and go read it . . . it will make more sense that way. However, as a reminder to those who did read it let me refresh your memory. Jude is one of four brothers of Jesus and at some point led the Church in Jerusalem. He came to faith after Jesus’ resurrection. This same Jude then pens this letter and it is powerful! As a call to repentance, as a reminder of judgment, and as a warning to stay alert as we contend for the faith.

He doesn’t waste time with small talk, antidotes, or gibber, he is very matter-of-fact. In the verses, we will look at this week, we will see his heart, and his understanding as the brother of Jesus and leader of the Church. Let’s look at verse 5, “Now I desire to remind you, though you know all things once for all, that the Lord, after saving a people out of the land of Egypt, subsequently destroyed those who did not believe.” Here is an interesting point, there are a couple manuscripts out there as well as a few versions of the Bible that use “Jesus” in place of “the Lord”. Could these early manuscripts be more accurate to Jude’s point? i think so. Jude had come to an understanding of who Jesus was and was not ashamed of it.

We love grace, i love grace. We preach grace, i preach grace, and it is glorious! However, we mustn’t lose sight of Jesus. Jesus, actively a part of the Old Testament, who is the same yesterday, today and forever, saves us by His cross. He leads us free from the chains of sin, out of bondage and into freedom. As the Israelites out of Egypt and still, subsequently (lit. the second time) He destroys those who did not believe. Folks, there is judgment. There is a hell and it has been preached since the formation of the Church. Do not be led astray. We must continue to contend for the faith in a world that would pervert the grace of God, even some in the Church.

5 Now I desire to remind you, though you know all things once for all, that [e]the Lord, after saving a people out of the land of Egypt, [f]subsequently destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And angels who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day, 7 just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, since they in the same way as these indulged in gross immorality and went after [g]strange flesh, are exhibited as an [h]example in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire. (NASB)

5 Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved[c] a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day— 7 just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire,[d] serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire. (ESV)

Pray with me for insight, for understanding, for fresh revelation into God’s Word. Let the Spirit of God speak to our hearts through these words written by Jude inspired by the Spirit. May we grow in wisdom and faith, as we seek to walk humbly with Jesus, contending for the faith. Until next week . . .

you are loved,

cj

Praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord!

The shortest chapter in the Bible is Psalm 117, it is just two verses. Yet these two verses are immensely profound in their simplicity. You want to boil things down to the minimum and just look at the core of human existence? Then here you go:

“Praise the Lord, all you nations! Worship Him, all you peoples! Because God’s faithful love towards us is strong, the Lord’s faithfulness lasts forever! Praise the Lord!”

It doesn’t get much simpler than this, Praise the Lord. Worship Him. Because, He is faithful. His love is strong towards us and He is forever faithful. Thus, we should, Praise the Lord! No matter what you are facing, no matter what difficulties or trials befall you, Praise the Lord! In the good and in the bad, Praise the Lord! In the sun and in the rain, Praise the Lord! In life and in death, Praise the Lord! In sickness and in health, Praise the Lord! In the hardest of times and in the best of times, Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord,

you are loved,

cj