Tag: Faith

IF

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

You are loved,
cj

One-Time
Monthly
Yearly

Make a one-time donation

Make a monthly donation

Make a yearly donation

Choose an amount

$5.00
$15.00
$100.00
$5.00
$15.00
$100.00
$5.00
$15.00
$100.00

Or enter a custom amount

$

Your contribution is appreciated.

Your contribution is appreciated.

Your contribution is appreciated.

DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearly

Milk vs Steak

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

You are loved,
cj

One-Time
Monthly
Yearly

Make a one-time donation

Make a monthly donation

Make a yearly donation

Choose an amount

$5.00
$15.00
$100.00
$5.00
$15.00
$100.00
$5.00
$15.00
$100.00

Or enter a custom amount

$

Your contribution is appreciated.

Your contribution is appreciated.

Your contribution is appreciated.

DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearly

Plenty of want . . .

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame because Elohim’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”

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

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

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

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

You are loved,
cj

We are not immune.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We are not immune, but we are protected.

You are loved,
cj

The Inhumanity of Humanity pt 2

60 Days and Nights

“I was in prison and you came to Me.” Matthew 25:36

In a span of 60 days . . .

There was a place called bologna row, where i spent four days. It is called bologna row because for breakfast (yes breakfast) and dinner, that is the main course, bologna sandwiches.

i had a conversation with a gang member from Pomona, California. Since i lived in the area we were able to talk about places of familiarity. There was a place in Covina, called “El Loco Taco,” we were in agreement, it was the best restaurant around.

i got to know a guy who lived the movie Fast & Furious as a character in his own life story. Upon returning, after he was gone for a spell, he brought with him two books. “31 Days of Prayer” for me and “Highway to Hell” for himself. He said, “Here I brought you a piece of heaven, and for me a piece of hell.”

What a mess you leave that could easily be cleaned

Now that you’re here do your best to see

i met men named, Black Eagle, Little Bird, and Melvin. There was a man in a wheel chair, another who walked stooped over. There was a yeller, i don’t know what he was yelling, i don’t think anyone did. There was a gang, i referred to them as the blue shoe gang, mainly, because they all wore blue shoes. One guy who had a cast was caught with a shank. Then their was the broken hearted fool, well a few of those. The saying, “The road to hell is paved with good intentions,” was a thought i had many times.

Every evening at roughly 7:40 mountain time the call came, “Prayer circle, prayer circle!” This was followed by The Adon’s Prayer, “Our Father . . .”

i read The Hobbit in three days, and played a million games of chess, give or take. Shaving was a challenge, it took some practice to not look like i was slitting my throat. There was a day with no hot water which was better than the day without any water. In a room built for one, i slept on the floor. Well, i had a two inch thick mat that was roughly three feet wide and six feet long. There was a leak through the wall from the shower, which was just next door. Every night at 3am the nurse came through administering medication to those who had need.

“But the righteousness of belief speaks in this way, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who shall ascend into the heavens?’ — that is, to bring Messiah down; or, ‘Who shall descend into the abyss?’ — that is, to bring Messiah up from the dead. But what does it say? ‘The Word is near you, in you mouth and in your heart’ — that is, the Word of belief which we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth the Adon Yahoshua and believe in your heart that YHWH has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved. . . . For ‘everyone who calls on the Name of YHWH shall be saved.’” Romans 10:6-9,13

Humanity truly is inhumane. Sadly, speaking from experience, i sat with individuals in jail who hadn’t even been convicted, hadn’t had their day in court, being treated exactly the same, worse in some cases, than others who were serving out their sentences.

“For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Adon Yahoshua Messiah, from whom all family in the heaven and earth is named, in order that He might give you according to the riches of His glory by power, to be strengthened in the inner man, through His Spirit, That Messiah might dwell in your hearts through faith — having become rooted and grounded in love, in order that you might be strengthened to firmly grasp, with all the saints, what is the width and length and depth and height, to know the love of Messiah which surpasses knowledge, in order that you might be filled to all the completeness of Elohim. And to Him who is able to do exceedingly above what we ask or think, according to the power that is working in us, to Him be glory in the assembly by Messiah Yahoshua unto all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:14-21

The goodness of the good news is this, that those who call on the name of YHWH, who believe in the Son Yahoshua Messiah, these are new creations, the old is gone. There is no distinction in the eyes of YHWH for He see’s His Son, Messiah Yahoshua, our filthiness washed in His righteousness. If only we had eyes like Yahoshua, if only we had hearts like Yahoshua, if only . . . “Put on then, as Elohim’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Adon has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. . . . And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Adon Yahoshua, giving thanks to YHWH the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:12-14,17

May we filter our vision through the lens of Messiah Yahoshua.

You are loved,
cj

By Faith Abraham

Perfect religion is action, not emblems, idols or merely attendance.

By grace Abraham was chosen. Through faith Abraham believed.

Hebrews 11:8-10, 17-
“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is Elohim. . . . By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, ‘Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.’ He considered that Elohim was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.”

The inconvenient truth of Scripture, “Faith without works is dead.” James 2:14-17 says: “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” Prior to this James says: “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing well. . . . For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” (2:8, 13)

The overwhelming number of examples in Scripture point to the inconvenient truth of working out our salvation and that even with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). No, i am not saying we are saved by those works but as Abraham shows it is by our faith we are driven to action. Faith is not stagnant. We must live it.

In so doing we will, do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly.
We will love our neighbor as ourselves.
We will esteem others higher than ourselves.
We will become servants of all.
We will live by faith.
For by faith we say to this mountain move . . . Live as if Messiah is returning today.
Tell others.
Love.

Knowledge is not sufficient. This next point will be a controversial statement and although wholly true, there is a yeah but . . . However, within the context of living our faith, belief itself is not sufficient; For even the demons believe and tremble. James 2:18-19 “But someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works. Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that Elohim is one; you do well. Even the demons believe and tremble.”

When life becomes difficult whether by ones own actions or through events outside of ones control, how an individual responds will reveal their faith and whether they believe what the Word teaches. May we all live not by sight but by Faith in Yahoshua, the author and perfecter of our faith.

You are loved,
cj

The letter and the spirit

Early in the morning hours a husband is speeding along a highway at 102 miles an hour. His reason? His wife is moments away from giving birth. At some point along the way local police get involved and without knowing anything other than the speed of the vehicle, begin to pursue. The man frantically calls 911 and informs dispatch of his and his wife’s situation. Soon after the relay is made to the officers, they begin to escort the man and his wife. Upon arrival to the hospital, the wife gives birth and the officers write a speeding ticket. The man shows up to court, the judge hears the case, and dismisses the charges. (You can read an actual account here.)

There is without a doubt a written law, however, behind the written law there is the spirit of the law beyond what is written. The man in the story above broke the written law. Yet, the spirit of the law was not intended to impede or impose undue hardship upon society. The judge acted in the spirit of the law when he dismissed the charges. Yahoshua, in His sermon on the mount explains this principle. He begins:

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the Kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the Kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:17-20 (NIV)

He is laying out the written law. He is showing it’s importance and He is giving a weight to begin. It has importance, warning, and measure, with outcome. In many instances the spirit of the law is actually more harsh than the written law itself, for example.

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘you shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool?’ will be liable to the hell of fire.” Matthew 5:21-22 (ESV)

And:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Matthew 5:27-28 (ESV)

These are just two examples of the spirit of the law being even more harsh or exact than the written law. Which gives greater need for forgiveness as i am sure we are all already guilty of at least one of these two examples. Yet there are other examples of the spirit of the law being not as hard to keep, the fourth commandment, “Remember the Sabbath Day . . .” Is the example i will use here. When questioned by the Pharisees about why His disciples were picking and eating grain on the Sabbath, Yahoshua responded, “Have you not read . . .” After going on a bit Yahoshua finishes by saying, “For the Son of Man is Adon of the Sabbath.” Later, He references untethering a donkey, or getting an ox out of a ditch on the Sabbath. It wasn’t the letter of the law that was insignificant but it was the fact that it did not exist to burden us but rather to give us rest. It wasn’t meant to hinder us but to encourage us.

In fact all the law and all the prophets exist to encourage us. The law is not a burden. When we keep the commandments of YWHW we become better. Love Elohim, with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. The second, love your neighbor as yourself. These complete the whole. The spirit of the Law has always been and will always be honoring YWHW. Micah writes:

“With what shall I come before YWHW, bow myself before the high Elohim? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Is YWHW pleased with thousands of rams or ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give my first-born for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my being? He has declared to you, O man, what is good. And what does YWHW require of you but to do right, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your Elohim.” Micah 6:6-8 (HS)

We do not earn our salvation by keeping the commandments of YWHW, we honor Him through it. We do not work our way to heaven, we walk with Yahoshua ha’Mashiah. When we fall He is there to help us up. In Yahoshua is the perfect law of liberty, and as we call Him Adonai, we need to honor Him by doing as He did and as He taught. There is coming a time when we will either hear, “Well done . . .” Or “Depart from me . . .” And not just those that reject the name of Yahoshua but also those who call Him Adonai.

“But why do you call me ‘Adonai, Adonai,’ and do not do what I say? Everyone who is coming to Me, and is hearing My Words and is doing them, I shall show you whom he is like: . . .” Luke 6:46- (HS)

Oh that we would come to know the fullness of Elohim, through His Son Yahoshua. That our faith and understanding, would be, an ever increasing and deepening matter of our heart and mind.

You are loved,
cj

Feeling ???

Have you ever wanted a personal assistant who would do all the things in life that you didn’t want to do, thereby giving you more time to enjoy the things in life you want to do? For instance, i want to clean up my blog, link topics better, maybe create page links for specific topics, that sort of thing. This project will take quite a bit of time. It will be tedious and require good notes, good memory, and good organizational skills. As far as note taking goes, i am not the best, and my organizational skills, although not terrible, are not necessarily the greatest, my memory however is great, at least at the present time anyway.

Now left with the reality that i will have to do this myself, i lack the necessary motivation required. Time isn’t really an issue. i live alone if one neglects to count Shiloh who although is dependent upon me is not a dependent but a friend. my present employment is flexible allowing me to work when i want, for instance its snowing today and i decided that i didn’t want to work, so here i am. i can be both a night owl and a morning person, as long as a meeting isn’t involved in that morning or at anytime for that matter. In fact, i lack any good excuse whatsoever. All that to simply say this, i want it done, but i don’t want to do it.

Any success in life, is about finding purpose that ignites desire and motivation, hard work and discipline, dedication and drive. You can have desire but if you lack motivation, it’s not happening. You might be a hardworking person but if you lack discipline, forget about it. You can be dedicated but without drive, you are not going anywhere. Finding ones purpose is essential to success, it is the root answer to the question, what is the meaning of life? Want to know why depression is on the rise, look no further than purpose. People who lack a sense of purpose are going to naturally be depressed.

The easier life gets with technology and various inventions, the harder life becomes in finding purpose. There are different depths to purpose it isn’t just your purpose in life. Which i believe is the root cause of depression in younger people. It’s not always as profound as life, it could be work, school, hobbies, family, or any subcategory of life itself. If i were to ask you what is your purpose how would you respond? Some having trouble answering, are asked to start with what motivates you, what is your passion? They will say, answer that and you are on your way to finding a purpose. However, be careful as this purpose or lack of is a trap to a false sense of purpose.

Case in point my blog, it is not my purpose. No matter how much i want it to be it simply isn’t my purpose. But i could fool myself into thinking that it is, dedicate myself to it, pour myself into it, and in the end feel unfulfilled as if my life has no purpose. No the purpose to life, the answer, it is spiritual and it involves understanding the bigger picture of the meaning of life. Knowing your purpose will be what gives you the ability to get through any obstacles.

Purpose:
“The Son of Man came to seek and save the lost.” Luke 19:10

“Then Yahoshua answered and said to them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.’” John 5:19

“Come and See” John 1:39

“Follow Me” John 1:43

“Not My will . . .” Luke 22:42

“Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote—Yahoshua of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.’ And Nathanael said to him, ‘Can anything good come out of Nazareth?’ Philip said to him, ‘Come and see.’” John 1:44-46

What is your purpose?

“And Yahoshua came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen.” Matthew 28:18-20

“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Adon Yahoshua, giving thanks to Yahweh the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:17

Your purpose isn’t your job, it isn’t your family, it isn’t your hobby, it isn’t your friends, your purpose is to glorify Elohim. So with your purpose known, when you go to work, when you serve your family, when you are out with your friends, when you are engrossed in your hobby, when you are all alone, ask yourself, “How can I do this in a manner that is befitting the name of Yahoshua?”

Let His life, death, and resurrection be your desire and motivation, hard work and discipline, dedication and drive, He is our purpose.

You are loved,

cj

He is Coming.

It’s faint, in the distance, the group falls silent. How far, is hard to tell. Yet, it is distinct like the sound of one walking a trail in a thick forest. The sound brings with it a feeling, and it inspires the senses. A smell of pine in the air along with falls crisp morning. Even in the house one feels as if their very souls were as dew settling on the grass. It is both comforting and alarming. Sitting around the table a hush has fallen as they search each others eye’s and yet look past them. It’s hard to think about. It’s wonderful, yet it is also unknown. Silence is broken as one musters up the strength, in a quiet breath, just slightly above a whisper, “He’s coming.”

This is not a new scene. It has played out before. Once in a garden, once in a stable, and now. The feeling of what is to come has been here before and all along. He walked in the garden and we hid in our shame. Later, He was birthed in a stable covered in blood. Then a man He would hang on a tree, bloody, bearing no shame of His own but ours, willingly. He approaches again, to settle accounts, who has enough to pay the debt? No one. Yet, no one need pay anything. The debt has already been paid. Only receive it by faith through repentance. Time whispers, “He’s coming.”

As the foot steps grow louder, you can feel the earth shake with anticipation as it longs for restoration. Nature shifts, the waves roar, the storms rage, but man misses His approach, consumed by self, what must we do? Surely we must do something. Nature becomes humanities focus even while nature whispers, “He’s coming.”

The noise is deafening. It is hard to think clearly. Life consumes, the destroyer wages war on the soul of humanity, whom the destroyer hates, with distraction after distraction. The destroyer knows how, having studied the likeness of He who is coming, the destroyer lays out traps as only the destroyer can do. The destroyers time is running out, with every footstep heard, the noise doesn’t deaden the sound for the destroyer knows all too well his fate. The destroyer hesitant to acknowledge, whispers, “He’s coming.”

Most are unprepared. Many are without understanding. Lost in their perceived reality, devoid of the impending doom. Few have enough oil to get through the night. Night is coming. Do you have enough oil for your lamp? Go and buy oil without money. Put out the distractions from your mind. Sit in silence. Be still. Listen. Get ready. Every soul willingly or unwillingly, whispers, “He’s coming.”

He is coming.

You are loved,

cj

Labor Day Special

“. . . holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Messiah I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.” Philippians 2:16

There are a few head scratching things about a Labor Day Special. The very idea of it is to draw in business, increasing sales; “come in today for ‘Unbelievable Labor Day Specials!’” However, who is it that is going to help you? A Laborer. What is Labor Day anyway? According to the History Channel, and i take extreme liberty in paraphrasing, (read more about Labor Day here) it is a day to celebrate the laborer. Yet we have decided the best way to celebrate is to have sales that require laborers to labor on Labor Day. We have a lot of weird things in our culture like this, “Black Friday” the day after Thanksgiving just to name another. Mostly people buying things for the sake of a sale. We are a consumer driven society, we want things and we will go out of our way to buy them on sale.

Lately, i have been noticing a few more empty shelves. In some instances i am noticing lots of shelves filled with the same product, seemingly because there is an abundance of one and a lack of another. So to keep the appearance of looking stocked, they just put out what they have. Have you been hearing any rumblings of an impending food shortage? According to Business Insider, “Zoom out and it’s clear: A food crisis is unfolding around the world, with prices shooting up everywhere.”

One of the things i enjoy is watching prepper channels on YouTube. Most of them have cool, innovative, solutions for general crisis and natural disasters that would make life easier during a difficult time. However, if you are a student of history one thing you should know is that in times of war and in times of famine, food becomes incredibly valuable. In Germany in the lead up to extreme Jewish persecution the government came and confiscated food. During the occupation of Eastern Europe food rationing was a big part of how they controlled the citizenry. Of course one would say, that wouldn’t happen here, and to a degree one would be right. However, food is a powerful tool. When a population is hungry and they are told a certain group is hoarding food, it sorta creates a different dynamic. In a crisis certain things are enacted, water rationing, rolling blackouts, so if one hopes to be a survivalist, you will need to understand each facet with all the moving parts. Think you are safe because you own your own land or grow your own food . . . Just look at this article by The Western Journal.

Here is my point, i certainly do not want to discourage anyone from preparing for disaster or crisis, especially given the times in which we live. However, do so quietly. No fan-far. Fly under the radar the best you can. But now for this advice, and this advice is free, yet, it may just be the most valuable piece of advice i can give. It comes from Revelation 3:16-22.

“SO, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am going to vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘Rich I am, and I am made rich, and need none at all,’ and do not know that you are wretched, and pitiable, and poor, and blind, and naked. I advise you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, so that you become rich; and white garments, so that you become dressed, so that the shame of your nakedness might not be shown; and anoint your eyes with ointment, so that you see. As many as I love, I reprove and discipline. So be ardent and repent. See, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I shall come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I shall give to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.”

You are loved,

cj