Tag: Elohim

Understanding False Teachings in Today’s Church

Understanding False Teachings in Today’s Church

Jeremiah 5:31
“The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own power; And My people love to have it that way. But what will you do in the end?”

Have you ever wondered about the state of the church? There are many self proclaimed prophets out there and many pastors operating in their own authority. Yet, they have hundreds of thousands of followers, books for sale, conventions and schools. They lead a people, that although have access to the Word, fail to read it. They are not like the Berean’s, searching the Scriptures daily to see if what they are being taught lines up, or even adds up. No, they swallow it whole and regurgitate the falsehoods. Where are the Jeremiah’s, the Isaiah’s, the Ezekiel’s, the Enoch’s? Where are the Peter’s, Paul’s, and John’s?

Instead we have TikTok prophets, unschooled and unlearned babblers in pulpits. The blind leading the blind. They read a book from a false prophet and are now spewing the same falsehoods in ignorance. But what does the Word say? They don’t care, they will take one verse out of context and shout you down with it. They are weak willed individuals with no discernment. How can i be so harsh? Who am i to say such things? What gives me the right? i am not the one saying it, Jeremiah is: “The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priest rule by their own power; And My (Elohim’s) people love to have it that way. But what will you do in the end?”

“Behold, you are trusting in deceptive words to no avail. Will you steal, murder, and commit adultery and swear falsely, and offer sacrifices to Baal and walk after other gods that you have known, then come and stand before Me in this house, which is called by My name, and say, ‘We are delivered!’ – that you may do all these abominations? Has this house, which is called by My name, become a den of robbers in your sight”? Behold, I, even I, have seen it,” declares Yahweh.” Jeremiah 7:8-11

What is a false prophet? What is considered false teachings? Yahoshua (Jesus) tells us through Matthew’s writing: “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. you will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs form thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits. Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Adonai, Adonai,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Adonai, Adonai, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; Depart from Me, You who PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS (TORAHLESSNESS).'” Matthew 7:15-23

When Yahoshua is teaching on false prophets He was drawing on the Word, the Torah. Where it teaches about false prophets. He also throughout His ministry challenged those teaching the commandments of men rather than the Commandments of the Father. Let’s look at Deuteronomy 13:1-4.

“If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign of a wonder, and the sign or the wonder comes true, concerning which he spoke to you, saying, ‘Let us go after other gods (whom you have not known) and let us serve them,’ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams; for Yahweh your Elohim is testing you to find out if you love Yahweh your Elohim with all your hear and with all your soul. You shall follow Yahweh your Elohim and fear Him; and you shall KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS, LISTEN TO HIS VOICE, SERVE HIM, and CLING TO HIM.”

Anytime that we do mans commandments over Elohim’s commandments we are essentially following other gods. If a prophet teaches us to obey other commands than he is a false prophet, and that would include the Greco-Roman Jesus. But Yahoshua never taught a different way, in fact He said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” He was the very unchanging Word of Elohim made flesh. To do away with the commandments of God would have been to do away with Himself.

No, He said, “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill (Bring fullness or clarity to). For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law (Torah) until all is accomplished. (Note, heaven and earth have yet to pass away. See Revelation 21) Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and the Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 7:17-20.

Many will say that we cannot be more righteous than the Scribe or the Pharisees and therefore Jesus meant we actually didn’t have to. However, that isn’t at all what Yahoshua was getting at! For time and time again He challenged the Pharisees that they were teaching the commandments of men rather than the commandments of God. And by definition righteousness is “the things commanded by God to be obeyed by man.” Therefore righteousness is obedience to God’s Torah. It is that simple. The Torah is not a burden, mans tradition is the burden. God is not a yoke that we cannot bear and to say so means you lack understanding.

Time is drawing short. Even if you live to be 90 before Yahoshua returns. Why? Because, deception is growing. Hearts are growing cold, sound doctrine is drying up, the wheat and the tares are being separated. What pile do you want to find yourself in? As Jeremiah said, “But, what will you do in the end?”

You are loved,
cj

The One Story: God’s Covenant and Instructions

The One Story: God’s Covenant and Instructions

It’s one book, not two or sixty-six, it is a three act play in which the beginning is also the end. It’s one continuous story of redemption, of hope, pointing to a time to come that goes beyond anything we could ever imagine. It’s a love story, it’s an adventure novel, it’s a history book, it’s a prophetic look into the future. It is a collection of writing by many authors but inspired by the same Spirit. It should be read as if it was written to you and your family from your dad. Because, every word of it, was inspired by your Heavenly Father. It is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. It is intended to equip you so that you can be competent in all that the Father has for you.

That page that is found between Malachi and Matthew that says, “New Testament”, rip it out. It has done more harm to the body of Messiah than any other page in your Bible. Not because there isn’t a new or renewed covenant. Because of the separation it has caused the church from Elohim’s people and the covenant. It has put up a dividing line on both sides. There is one God, one story, and one people, one covenant and one way to enter in.

The law of sin and death, death for sin, has been done away with for those who are in Messiah. It is not a license to sin but rather the removal of a sacrifice for sin. Since by one mans death and resurrection the debt of sin has been paid. Repentance, however, has always been and still is a returning to God’s ways. A return to the Fathers instruction. The door remains the same Yahoshua, the Word made flesh is that door. Obedience to the Word, obedience to Yahoshua, is obedience to the Father.

“What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Messiah Yahoshua were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Messiah was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:1-4

What is sin? Sin as defined by the Apostle John is violation of the Torah. We read in 1 John 3:4 exactly what sin is: “Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.” Again as we have discussed in previous posts the word law is better translated Torah or instruction. Thus lawlessness is being without Torah or without the instruction of God. If this wasn’t enough what does John go on to say in this passage?

“Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.“

The word righteousness means; ‘The things commanded by God to be obeyed by man.’ Whoever practices obedience then is righteous and those who do not are without instruction. They are practicing lawlessness. The very thing Yahoshua accused the Pharisees of doing when He said, “you are of your father the devil.” Why? Because they had added to and taken away from the instructions of God. They were putting on the appearance of walking in Torah but it was a show as they were more concerned with their own ways than that of God’s. Indeed they were practicing lawlessness and therefore were of the devil.

So one must ask themselves, “what exactly am I practicing?” If repentance is turning from sin and sin is the breaking of Torah. Then one turns from breaking Torah to following it. This is repentance. It is not legalism to be obedient, to seek out those things God delights in and do them. That label is given by hypocrites who in the same breath will say one should obey God. In the end when Yahoshua is separating His people from those that are not he will say to many, “Depart from Me, I never knew you. You who practice lawlessness.”

What are you practicing? How are you reading? Who are you following? Who are you listening to? These are important questions that only you can answer. And you need to answer them because if you call yourself a believer but are following the traditions of man over the instruction of God . . . things will not end well. Are you walking the Way of the Rabbi?

You are loved,
cj

Understanding Psalm 2: The Kings of Earth and God’s Authority

Understanding Psalm 2: The Kings of Earth and God’s Authority

“Why are the nations in an uproar and the peoples devising a vain thing? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers take counsel together against YHWH and His Anointed, saying, ‘Let us tear their fetters apart and cast away their cords from us!‘” Psalm 2:1-3

Sounds like this was written yesterday. It is true what Solomon said, “There is nothing new under the sun, all is vanity.” The Psalmist begins with a question we should all be asking, “Why . . .” Ask ten people and you are sure to get eleven different answers. In the end does any of it really matter if the victors do not honor YHWH Elohim? If not they will once again follow mans ways and go after false gods. Our King is coming and when He does He will make all things right. Until then we are here and we must live within the society but we do so as foreigners. For the ways of man are foolishness to God.

“He who sits in the heavens laughs, Adonai scoffs at them. Then He will speak to them in His anger and terrify them in His fury, saying, but as for Me, I have installed My King upon Zion, My holy mountain.” Psalm 2:4-6

Yahoshua (Jesus), came first as our redeemer, He will return as King. He will come in the clouds and every eye will see Him. And He is coming with a rod of iron and judgment. The world is being set up now for a one world government. The actors are all working together, the world is a stage. God’s plan will unfold. Do not put your hope in princes or presidents especially if they are not living according to the Word. There is a false king coming, a ruler robed in peace but beneath the service, violence and destruction.

“I will surely tell of the decree of YHWH: He said to Me, ‘You are My Son, today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, And the very ends of the earth as Your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron You shall shatter them like earthenware.” Psalm 2:7-9

Yahoshua said, He only does and says what the Father instructs. He came as the living Torah, the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. This is how John describes it in John 1:14. If it is true for the King it should be true for His people. The law of the Kingdom of Elohim is the Torah. We should be practicing it. The one coming in mans delusion is as the Word describes, lawless, he is without Torah. He will not be living according to the instruction (Torah) of Elohim the Father or of His Son Yahoshua, our King.

“Now therefore, O kings, show discernment; take warning, O judges of the earth. Worship YHWH with reverence and rejoice with trembling. Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way. For His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him.” Psalm 2:10-12

Take refuge my friends in Him, the Living Word, He is our Instruction. He is our redeemer and King. He comes to establish the Law, the Torah, of the Kingdom. What side are you on now? Are you waiting for the king of lawlessness? Are you waiting for The King in lawlessness? We are called to as John writes in Revelation 14:12 – “Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Yahoshua.”

This is the Way of the Rabbi. The road is narrow and it is growing increasingly shorter as the edge of the Kingdom draws near. Come our of lawlessness and into the refuge of the Word of God and in His instruction.

You are loved,
cj

Understanding the New Covenant: Its Roots and Significance

Understanding the New Covenant: Its Roots and Significance

We are currently in the period between the Resurrection of our Messiah Yahoshua (Jesus) and Pentecost. The point in the upper room where the disciples were given the promised gift of the Holy Spirit. Many say it was the installation service of the New Covenant. What exactly is the New Covenant? First, let’s explore what the old covenant is and when it was established.

Did you know Pentecost wasn’t a new event on the calendar? It was and is still the remembrance of the giving of the Torah. The instruction of God to His chosen people. Before you say, “that’s for the Jews.” Ask yourself, are you one of His chosen people today? The Feast of Weeks was the offering of the new grain. It is celebrated fifty days from Passover and the Feast of First Fruits. For perspective, there is Passover, the very next day begins the Feast of Unleavened Bread. On the third day, in the middle of Unleavened Bread is the Feast of First Fruits.

From when the children of Israel departed Egypt, having passed through the Red Sea, until they arrived at Mt Sinai and Moses received the Torah was approximately fifty days. It all aligns with the Feasts of Elohim. These aren’t Israels feasts, although they are commanded to keep them as a remembrance of all God did for them. They are indeed, as God calls them Himself, His Feasts. When we keep His Feasts we honor Him and remember His kept promises as we look to the fulfillment of Yahoshua’s second coming. In which He will rule and reign over His chosen people.

The problem is that the children of Israel did not heed Moses. Shown throughout the account of the Exodus, “and they did not heed Moses“; was a reoccurring theme. It is the reason for the Prophets writings. It is the reason Yahoshua said, “For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote of Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?”

The New Covenant is written of by the Prophets as a promise. The promise being that God would replace their stone hearts with hearts of flesh. A circumcision of the heart, now where have I heard that before? Even this idea however isn’t a New Testament promise it was written by Moses! It has been and continues to be God’s desire for His people that we have circumcised hearts. Tender and open to all that God has for us. Just a side note the word for New in New Covenant is the same word for New in New Moon. The moon isn’t new every month, no, the cycle is renewed. We become new with the renewing of our hearts towards God.

When we truly have circumcised hearts we become sensitive to the things of God. His instruction to us. We also allow for Him to write His instructions, His Torah, on our hearts and minds. And it is through the promised Holy Spirit, given on the Day of Pentecost, the Feast of Weeks, that we are empowered. Empowered to what exactly? “For this is the Covenant I shall make with the house of Israel after those days, declares YHWH: I shall put My Torah in their inward parts, and write it on their hearts. And I shall be their Elohim, and they shall be My people.” This is the work of the Holy Spirit to draw us back to the commandments of God.

My prayer for us is this, that we will take this period between the Resurrection of our Messiah Yahoshua and the day of Pentecost; That we will seek to know Him through His word. That we will, with circumcised hearts, tender and sensitive, seek the New Covenant spoken of by the prophets. That we would be truly open to the leading of the Holy Spirit as He writes the instruction of Elohim on our hearts and in our inner most beings.

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

Grace, Law, and the Timing of God’s Instruction

Grace, Law, and the Timing of God’s Instruction

Timing is everything. Some decisions are worth waiting on to make, some need immediate attention. Wait too long and you may miss your opportunity, rush in and even if it was the right decision the timing might be wrong. Failure is inevitable. Not all failure is bad, yet there is a failure that is so great one can never recover. “Depart from Me, I never knew you, you who practice lawlessness.” It is the failure to recognize, lawlessness.

The verse that I am referencing should cause one to pause. Yet, many read over it, stop just above it, or ignore it outright. It is found in Matthew 7. Perhaps the most frightening verse in all of Scripture when read in context. Therefore, it is easier to ignore it than to grapple with it. First, let us define the word lawlessness. In modern speech according to Dictionary.com it means: the quality or condition of being without regard for the law; behavior that is contrary to or shows indifference to the law.

Many look at it as if it were simply being a law abiding citizen. They wouldn’t be wrong, however, they wouldn’t be right either. The word when broken down means, without law. The question then becomes what law? The word here is Torah, to reference the Mosaic Law: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Torah by definition is simply instruction, or God’s instruction. So when Yahoshua says, “. . . you who practice lawlessness.” He is literally saying, you who are without Torah. I am not making this up it is right there in the text.

I have coached several sports teams. With each of them I always made them practice at game level. The reason, “you will play as you practice, so always practice to play.” It is what Paul was writing when he said, “run to win.” He emphases the idea of competing to win not just to participate. If you are reading this it isn’t too late to start training to win. Timing is everything and now is the time. This decision needs immediate attention. Especially given world events.

Some will say that we are saved by grace! They aren’t wrong. None of us are worthy of forgiveness, salvation, even a thought. Yet, here we are. Some will say if we try to keep the instruction of God we dishonor “Jesus”. Now say that out loud to yourself and tell me it doesn’t sound dumb. Yahoshua said, “Why do you call Me Adonai, Adonai, and not do as I command?” What does He command, well a lot but one thing to highlight would be Matthew 5:19. “Whoever, then, breaks one of the least of these commands and techs men so, shall be called least in the Kingdom. He who does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the Kingdom.” This isn’t about earning salvation, it is about honoring the King.

Some will say that mans traditions are now acceptable over God’s instruction. Yet, they will call out the Pharisees, as Yahoshua did, for placing their laws and traditions over God’s instruction. Make that make sense. Hypocrisy at its finest. The same God who said He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, who said He never changes, never changes. Some will say its impossible, but then will quote Philippians 4:13. “I can do all things through Messiah, who strengthens me.” Either that verse is true or it’s not, the way you choose to live will determine what you believe.

The followers of the Way are called to be separated. To be a city on a hill for all to see. For others to see the way we live and love, move and breathe. And through our witness, in both, word and deed, come to know Messiah. This is the way of the Rabbi. It is what Paul teaches, “imitate me as I imitate Messiah.” Grace is not a free pass. The preceding verses in Matthew show not a man trying to justify himself by his works but a man trying to justify his lawlessness. If it weren’t so Yahoshua would have said something along the lines of “depart from Me, you who are trying to pay your way into the Kingdom.”

“Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Adonai, Adonai, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?” Yahoshua’s response points out that they were living two lives, they were saying the right things but they were practicing lawlessness, living without Torah, without God’s instruction. Do we need grace? Yes. Are we going to fall short at times? Probably. Did Israel fall short? Yes. It was expected that they would or there wouldn’t have been given them the instruction of how to make atonement for their sin. The same is true today only Yahoshua is our atonement. Even better, he exchanged himself for us, taking on our punishment. Still this doesn’t excuse sin.

John writes in his first letter a defining way to understand life and sin. “No one who remains in Him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has seen Him or known Him. Little children, let no one deceive you: The one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as Messiah is righteous. The one who practices sin is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the very start. This is why the Son of God was revealed, to destroy the works of the devil.”

To bring this home let’s define sin. Again let’s look to the Word of God to define it for us. 1 John 3:4 says, “Everyone who sins also commits lawlessness, for sin is lawlessness.” To bring it home let’s write this the way it is defined. Everyone who sins, lives outside of God’s instruction, for sin is rebellion against God’s Torah. These are not my words they are the words written in the book, Christians say they believe in. “Why do you call Me Adonai, Adonai, and not do as I command.” Yahoshua (Jesus), is the WORD made flesh.

Timing is everything! Now is the time to decide for time is growing short.

You are loved,
cj

Mark Twain’s Insight: Pausing Amid the Majority

Mark Twain’s Insight: Pausing Amid the Majority

Mark Twain is credited with many profound quotes. There is one that I came across recently that really struck me. He said, “Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.” It reminds me that the majority of humanity does not know God. They don’t know the Son Yahoshua (Jesus). Scripture breaks this down further by saying there is only a remnant. “Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance—who does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in loving devotion?” (Micah 7:18)

Do you know of the parable of the ten virgins? There were five wise and five foolish. Have you read the words of Yahoshua where He warns us, “depart from Me I never knew you! You who practice lawlessness.” The message over and over is a remnant. In John 6:66 we read of many turning and walking away from Him. Because His teachings were too hard to accept. Only a few remained and He asked them, “are you going to leave also?” They responded, “where would we go? You have the words of eternal life.” They were the remnant.

Have you heard about the second Exodus? . . . Jeremiah 23:7-8. “So behold, the days are coming, declares YHWH, when they will no longer say, ‘As surely as YHWH lives, who brought the Israelite’s up out of the land of Egypt.’ Instead they will say, ‘As surely as YHWH lives, who brought and led the descendants of the house of Israel up out of the land of the north and all the other lands to which He had banished them.’ Then they will dwell once more in their own land.”

Before one begins to quote the overly taught phrase, “That is for the Jews.” Let me share another couple verses with you. Isaiah 56:1-8 is as clear as day. This is significant because it draws a conclusion few are prepared for which leaves them open to deception. Lets look at this passage in Isaiah.

This is what YHWH says: “Maintain justice and do what is right. For My salvation is coming soon, and My righteousness will be revealed. Blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who holds it fast. Who keeps the Sabbath without profaning it and keeps his hand from doing any evil.” Let no foreigner who has joined himself to YHWH say, “YHWH will utterly exclude me from His people.” And let the eunuch not say, “I am but a dry tree.” For this is what YHWH says: “To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths, who choose what pleases Me. And hold fast to My covenant. I will give them, in My house and within My walls, a memorial. And a name better than that of sons and daughters. I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off. And the foreigners who join themselves to YHWH to minister to Him, to love the name of YHWH, and to be His servants—all who keep the Sabbath without profaning it and who hold fast to My covenant—I will bring them to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on My altar. For My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations.” Thus declares Adonai Elohim, who gathers the dispersed of Israel. “I will gather to them still others besides those already gathered.”

The second passage I want to draw the readers attention to is found in Romans 11. Here are verses 18-23 for your consideration. “do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. Note then the kindness and the severity of God. Severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in His kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off. And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in. For God has the power to graft them in again.”

I hope this establishes in your mind the connectivity of God’s people and the nations. His desire is that ALL would come to the knowledge of the Truth. What is truth? His word is truth, John 17:17. You see even in a graft sometimes the graft doesn’t take and the branch then needs to be cut off. We are called to know Him by His word and His word is True. That Word is the Tanakh or as we flippantly call it today, “The Old Testament.” It isn’t either or it’s both and, for it is a continuation. Yahoshua told Pilate during His trial, “You say correctly that I am a King. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” His Word is Truth, Yahoshua came to testify of the WORD. It is a continuous revelation and a constant call to revival. To return to the Torah! The instruction of Elohim.

What is the sign of revival? Acts declares this as the sign of revival. “You see, brother, how many thousands there are of those who have believed. And they are all zealous for the Torah. . .” So then how is it that we are to live but obediently to the Word. And for what reason? So we can partake in the second exodus written of in the Prophets.

Jeremiah 30:1-3.
“This is the word that came to Jeremiah from YHWH. “This is what YHWH, the Elohim of Israel, says: ‘Write in a book all the words that I have spoken to you. For behold, the days are coming, declares YHWH, when I will restore from captivity My people Israel and Judah, declares YHWH. I will restore them to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they will possess it.’”

Jeremiah 31:7-10.
“For this is what YHWH says: “Sing with joy for Jacob; shout for the foremost of the nations! Make your praises heard, and say, ‘O YHWH, save Your people, the remnant of Israel!’ Behold, I will bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, including the blind and the lame, expectant mothers and women in labor. They will return as a great assembly! They will come with weeping, and by their supplication I will lead them; I will make them walk beside streams of waters, on a level path where they will not stumble. For I am Israel’s Father, and Ephraim is My firstborn.” Hear, O nations, the word of YHWH, and proclaim it in distant coastlands: “The One who scattered Israel will gather them and keep them as a shepherd keeps his flock.“

Zechariah 8:7-8.
“This is what YHWH of Hosts says: “I will save My people from the land of the east and from the land of the west. I will bring them back to dwell in Jerusalem, where they will be My people, and I will be their faithful and righteous Elohim.”

Hosea 3:5.
“Afterward, the people of Israel will return and seek YHWH their Elohim and David their king. They will come trembling to YHWH and to His goodness in the last days.”

Ezekiel 28:25-26.
“This is what YHWH Elohim says: ‘When I gather the house of Israel from the peoples among whom they have been scattered, I will show Myself holy among them in the sight of the nations. Then they will dwell in their own land, which I have given to My servant Jacob. And there they will dwell securely, build houses, and plant vineyards. They will dwell securely when I execute judgments against all those around them who treat them with contempt. Then they will know that I am YHWH their Elohim.’”

There is but a remnant that will see the Kingdom from the inside. Sadly, the majority of people will be looking at the Kingdom from the outside. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. They will say, didn’t we believe, didn’t we do, didn’t we? And they will only hear, “depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.” They were in darkness believing they were in the light. But the light is Torah. So if you are not living in Torah you are indeed living in darkness. And no amount of believing will suffice. For those in the light walk according to the light. The light, the truth, these are the Word and the Word is the instruction and the instruction is Torah. This is the way of the Rabbi. May you experience true revival and become zealous for the Torah.

You are loved,
cj

Understanding Redemption Through Yahoshua: A Scriptural Journey

Understanding Redemption Through Yahoshua: A Scriptural Journey

“Hear, O Israel: Yahweh our Elohim, Yahweh is One. And you shall love Yahweh your Elohim with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as reminders on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:4-9.

The journey of redemption is lead by Yahweh. It is His desire to make us into who He made us to be. A restoration of His garden plan found in Genesis. “And He saw ALL that He had made, AND IT WAS GOOD.”

Luke 24:13-19 “And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus. It was about seven miles from Jerusalem. And they were talking with each other about all these things which had taken place. While they were talking and discussing, Yahoshua Himself approached and began traveling with them. But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him. And He said to them, ‘What are these words that you are exchanging with one another as you are walking?’ And they stood still, looking sad. One of them, named Cleopas, answered and said to Him, ‘Are You the only one visiting Jerusalem and unaware of the things which have happened here in these days?’ And He said to them, ‘What things?’

The scene is post crucifixion. Two disciples are walking together and discussing all that had transpired. They were saddened believing that all had come to an end. They were discouraged, and aimless. On their way back home presumably to resume that which they did before following the Messiah. When the very One they mourned appeared in their midst and began to question them. To ask them “What things?” seems out of touch but in reality it was the open door to bring the Scriptures to life. To open their eyes to the promises that had always been and now were. But first, Yahoshua needed to know what they understood and they revealed it in their answer to Him.

Luke 24:19-24 “And they said to Him, ‘The things about Yahoshua the Nazarene. Who was a prophet mighty in deed and word in the sight of God and all the people. How the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to the sentence of death, and crucified Him. But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel.‘” Note here: Their expectation was of a Kingdom. That David’s throne would be reestablished with Yahoshua reigning in Jerusalem and Israel being reborn. Continuing now. “Indeed, besides all this, it is the third day since these things happened. But also some women among us amazed us. When they were at the tomb early in the morning, they did not find His body. They came back, saying that they had also seen a vision. A vision of angels who said that He was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just exactly as the women also had said; but Him they did not see.“

Yahoshua (Jesus) had spent three and a half years teaching them. He told them multiple times of His purpose. He even tells Pilate, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world. To testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” Pilate then asks, “What is truth?” Do you know what truth is? Do you know why He said, “Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice?” It is because truth is the Word and the Word is Truth. As Yahoshua says, “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.” (John 18:37-38; & 17:17).

Luke 24:25-27. “And He said to them, ‘O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary for the Messiah to suffer these things and to enter into His glory? Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.” The Scriptures here being referred to, we call the ‘Old Testament,’ but is better understood as the Tanakh. All the answers, all Truth is found in the Word. That Word is (for clarity) the Old Testament. The promise of the New Covenant is that the Torah would be written on the hearts His people.

Jeremiah 31 says, “I will put My Torah within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” Ezekiel 36 puts it this way; “Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My Statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.” Hebrews 8 records this idea not because the commandments were burdensome but because of the fault of man. “For finding fault with them, He says, . . . I will put My Torah (instruction) into their minds and I will write it on their hearts.”

The cry of David’s heart should be the cry of every heart that calls itself a believer. “Make me know Your ways, O Yahweh; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your TRUTH and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation. For You I wait all the day. Remember, O Yahweh, Your compassion and Your loving kindnesses, for they have been from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions. According to Your loving kindness remember me, for Your goodness’ sake, O Yahweh. Good and upright is Yahweh. Therefore He instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in justice. He teaches the humble His way. All the paths of Yahweh are loving kindness and truth to those who keep His covenant and His testimonies. For Your name’s sake, O Yahweh, pardon my iniquity, for it is great.” Psalm 25:4-11

True revival is a desire for Elohim’s (God’s) instruction. It is a calling back to His instruction, a call to obedience. This was the instruction of Yahoshua who said, “If you love Me obey My commandments.” And, “Why do you call Me Adonai (Master), Adonai, and not do as I command?” We should desire His ways, His path, His instruction. Yahoshua said, “I Am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no one comes to the Father except through Me.” Did you know that the Torah is called, the way? It is also called the Truth and it is Life. Yahoshua is the Word made flesh, the Torah made flesh. Is any of this making sense yet?

In Deuteronomy you will find these passages . . .
5:8-10 “. . . but showing loving kindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.”
7:9-11 “. . . who love Him and keep His commandments.”
10:12-13 “. . . to walk in all His ways and love Him. To serve Yahweh your Elohim (God) with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep Yahweh’s commandments.”
11:1 “You shall therefore love Yahweh your Elohim. And always keep His charge, His statutes, His ordinances, and His commandments.”
11:13 “. . . listen obediently to My commandments . . . love Yahweh your Elohim . . .”
11:22 “For if you are careful to keep all this commandment which I am commanding you to do, to love Yahweh your Elohim. To walk in all His ways and hold fast to Him.”
19:8-9 “. . .if you carefully observe all this commandment which I command you today, to love Yahweh your Elohim, and to walk in His ways . . .”
30:16 “. . . love Yahweh your Elohim, to walk in His ways and keep His commandments . . .”

Joshua 22:5 “Only be very careful to observe the commandment and the Torah which Moses the servant of Yahweh commanded you. To love Yahweh your Elohim and walk in all His ways and keep His commandments and holdfast to Him and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul.”
Nehemiah 1:5-6 “. . . for those who love Him and keep His commandments.”
Daniel 9:4 “. . . those who love Him and keep His commandments.”

John 14:15 “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”
John 14:21 “He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and He who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.”
1 John 5:2-3 “By this we know that we love the children of Elohim, when we love Elohim and observe His commandments. For this is the love of Elohim, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.”
2 John 1:5-6 “. . . not as though I were writing to you a new commandment, but the one which we have had from the beginning, that we love one another. And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it.”

Therein lies the truth of the matter, the Torah, Elohim’s instruction was not done away with but was made manifest. It was done so through Messiah Yahoshua (Christ Jesus). He is the instruction that is now written on the hearts of those who love Elohim and keep His commandments. For as promised, we have the instruction now within us enabling us to walk in love. Both love for the Father and for our neighbor. To honor Elohim and His Sabbath’s, His Feast Days, His commandments and statutes. Through the power of our resurrected Adonai Yahoshua and the promised helper the Holy Spirit.

One day we will stand before the judgment seat. Many will hear something they are not expecting. Not because they didn’t hear the truth but because they didn’t keep it. Matthew 7:22-23 “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Adonai, Adonai, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.‘” It wasn’t because they thought their works would save them it was because they were not following the commandments of Elohim. They were lawless, they were without Torah. They made it a practice to not do what Elohim expects of those who say they love Him. If you love Him, keep His commandments. This is the way of the Rabbi.

Luke 24:30-32, 35 “When He had reclined at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight. They said to one another, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?'” “They began to relate their experiences on the road and how He was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.”

What will you do? Yahoshua is the bread of heaven, the Word made flesh. Do you know Him? Do you know His Word? He reveals the Father, the Father never changes nor does His word. Therefore, it stands to reason if we want to truly know Yahoshua Messiah the Son of Elohim. You must know the Scriptures, Genesis to Malachi. And not only know them but obey them. Are you on the narrow road that leads to Salvation? Or, are you on the wide road that leads to destruction?

You are loved,
cj

Living Under Grace: Understanding God’s Commandments

Living Under Grace: Understanding God’s Commandments

Oh how burdensome it is to take a day off each week. To dedicate it to rest and restoration. To honor God and His instructions. It is a heavy yoke to carry. Oh that there would be a simpler way than resting in His presence. Oh thank You Lord Jesus. He completed it so I don’t have to. No longer am I burdened with what the children of Israel were burdened with for thousands of years. They couldn’t do, for it was too hard. Even though You constantly called them back to it and told them if they turned from their own ways. If they followed you again and kept Your statutes You would bless them again. Yet, you must have known that it was too hard and that they would fail. You punished them so that you could send Jesus and make it easy on us gentile believers. No longer burdened with living a life that sets us apart. Thank you for freeing us from the law of sin and death. Thank you for giving us thousands of years of illustrations of punishing a people so we could be free. Free to live however we want, for all things are permissible, for grace sake.

Does this statement sound absurd? It should, yet for many Christians this is exactly what they believe. Oh, they won’t say it out loud but deep down they believe it. They have to. If they don’t then they will be forced to recognize their constant depravity. And their need for walking out the commands of God. They will be forced to consider the whole of God’s Word. They cannot rely only on the few verses they cling to in order to break the commands of God. Does this sound too harsh? It’s better than eternal darkness and complete everlasting separation from Yahoshua (Jesus). Who is King of kings, and Master of masters.

Henry David Thoreau an early American poet and philosopher said; “I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of a man to elevate his life by a conscious effort.” The writer of Revelation, pens this statement; “Here is a call for the perseverance of the saints, who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Yahoshua (Jesus).” It is both, and, not either or. We must do what we can to honor the commandments of Elohim and couple that with our faith in Yahoshua. It is not by works that I am saved. It is by living within the instruction of Yahweh that I show myself as having faith. I believe, therefore, I do.

Jude writes, “Beloved, although I made every effort to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt it necessary to write and urge you to contend earnestly for the faith entrusted once for all to the saints. For certain men have crept in among you unnoticed—ungodly ones who were designated long ago for condemnation. They turn the grace of our God into a license for immorality, and they deny our only Master and Adonai, Yahoshua Messiah.” How does one deny Yahoshua while claiming faith in Him? Simple, they say His teachings were for the Jews. That He came to fulfill the law so that we don’t have to. They deny statements like “I did not come to abolish the law, but to bring it to the full.” He challenged the religious leaders of the day and the man made traditions they held above the Word of God.

Ezekiel writes about the shepherds who don’t feed their sheep. “Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and tell them that this is what Adonai Elohim says: ‘Woe to the shepherds of Israel, who only feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed their flock? You eat the fat, wear the wool, and butcher the fattened sheep, but you do not feed the flock.” There are many pastors getting fat off the flock today. They aren’t scattering them. They are deceiving them with false messages of prosperity and even making a mockery of grace itself.

He continues, “You have not strengthened the weak, healed the sick, bound up the injured, brought back the strays, or searched for the lost. Instead, you have ruled them with violence and cruelty.” The violence and cruelty today is that they are not teaching the commandments of God but of man. They have created a different religion and their Christ Jesus is the lawless one He himself warned about. They both cannot be true. This is why I choose to use His Hebrew name. This is why I choose to seek Him fully and completely. To know His Word is to know Him for He is the Word made flesh. Thoreau may not have been a true believer but he did get it right when he said, “. . . unquestionable ability of a man to elevate his life by a conscious effort.”

Paul writes, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Messiah Yahoshua took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Messiah Yahoshua.” Are we striving for “Your Kingdom come, Your WILL be DONE“? Or are we content with mediocrity? Are we content with lukewarmness? Are we content fooling ourselves that what the Word describes as not burdensome, to be too burdensome? “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.” For this is what John 5:3 says.

Ecclesiastes reminds us that there is nothing new under the sun. It is true to this day. Jeremiah records this in the sixth chapter. “This is what Yahweh says: ‘Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths: ‘Where is the good way?’ Then walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it!’'” Yahoshua said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” Early believers before they took on the ‘christian’ moniker were known as the sect of the Nazarene. They were also known as the people of the way. We know truth to be the Word, “Your Word is Truth”. Life, for all who come and obey Yahoshua will live.

As Jeremiah later writes in the sixteenth chapter. “O Yahweh, my strength and my fortress, my refuge in the day of distress, the nations will come to You from the ends of the earth, and they will say, “Our fathers inherited nothing but lies, worthless idols of no benefit at all. Can man make gods for himself? Such are not gods!” Some churches do have idols, engraved images, but beyond that many have man made traditions. They them place above the Word of Elohim. They justify themselves by taking the words of Paul and twisting them. As Peter warns. If the faith you follow allows for lawlessness, which is Torahlessness, you are outside the ways of Yahweh. Therefore, you are not following Yahoshua Messiah.

“Then I will tell them to their faces, ‘I never knew you! Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness!’” These are Yahoshua’s (Jesus’) words to those who live outside the instructions of Elohim, outside of Torah. The lawless one is coming and he will deceive many. In fact the spirit of the lawless one is already at work. Wake up! The time is drawing short. Put your faith in the true Messiah Yahoshua! The ‘Jesus’ the Apostles taught about and live for and ultimately died for. Not the lawless one being taught today in the majority of churches.

You are loved,
cj

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

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