Tag: Sabbath

Reflections on Family and Faith in Daily Life

Reflections on Family and Faith in Daily Life

Quick life update before we dive into the current post. i took a vacation. A much needed visit to see two out of my three adult sons. As well, their amazing wives and my now three grandchildren, with a fourth on the way. It was an amazing week in a beautiful part of the world. The grandkids are growing like weeds. my boys continue to make me proud, as they have grown into great men, husbands, and fathers. They help each other out on projects as they live 15 minutes apart. While i was there my middle son helped by oldest put up a new stove pipe for a wood stove and my oldest son helped my middle son with some landscaping work, putting in a pad for a fifth wheel trailer with full hookups. The way they worked together, communicated, asked questions, gave advice, and sought outside input from others was so impressive and inspiring to me.

The earliest “Christians” as you may know were not call themselves Christians. Although, the term Christian means “little christ” it was used as a mocking term. An insult. Believers, were known in Judaism as the Sect of the Nazarene. “Followers of the Way”, was another name in which one would be known by within the early Church. It was a family. Sabbaths, began with a meal at sundown on Friday, known then as the “day of preparation.” These meals were in homes with like minded family, friends, and neighbors. They then would attend Synagogue on the Sabbath day, we call Saturday. This was the custom. It didn’t stop there as they were all excited for life in Messiah they met as often as they could.

We read in Acts 2 this description; “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. A sense of awe came over everyone, and the apostles performed many wonders and signs. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need. With one accord they continued to meet daily in the temple courts/ and to break bread from house to house, sharing their meals with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And Adonai added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

This eagerness to be apart and to learn and grow in Messiah was infectious. As we read, “And Adonai added to their number daily those who were being saved.” A desire to be like Messiah was the heart of those in Berea, as we read in Act 17 (which I have shared numerous times over the past few posts) “Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true.”

This is what i was reminded of this past week and a half. i watched my boys (now men), live out early Ekklesia life. Throughout history, culture, and community, there have been pockets that mirror this life. There is a glimmer of The Way. It sparks a desire within those partaking to commitment, one to one another, as a collective. While simultaneously sparking the interest of those on the outside looking in.

They say old habits die hard. It isn’t because there isn’t a desire for change, but routine is comfortable. Braking out of routine was the problem the Pharisee’s and the Religious leaders had. Their way of life was being challenged, their understanding was being challenged, their traditions were being challenged. When Yahoshua (Jesus) was talking about why His disciples didn’t fast He says this in particular to make His point: “Besides that, after drinking old wine, people don’t want new: because they say, ‘The old is better.'”

This is true with many things in life. Recently, the company that I work for as means to pay bills has been updating their computer system. With every update it will be heard, “I liked it better the old way!” I have probably said it a time or two. Yet, the more I use the new system the less I feel that way. The Pharisee’s had been doing things one way their whole lives, and in so doing adding more and more man made traditions. It is the same with the Church today, they have been doing things one way their entire lives, and following the traditions of man in the process.

my desire has always been to strip away the pomp and circumstance for simplicity. To look beyond the torn veil into the perfect instruction of God. To test what I have been taught and to seek Gods truth above all else. And to do it in community with other Followers of the Way, the sect of the Nazarene. To mirror the early Ekklesia, in fellowship and in attractiveness. So that those who see from the outside, see a group of people, loving God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. And likewise, loving their neighbor as themselves. Seeking to live lives pleasing to the Father by imitating the Son.

What is your desire? How do you want to be seen? And who do you want others to see in you?
For me– simplicity, just, loving, humble, a reflection of my Messiah.

You are loved,
cj

Understanding Faith: Beyond Belief and Action

Understanding Faith: Beyond Belief and Action

What does it mean to have faith, to truly have faith? Often faith and belief are incorrectly considered interchangeable. Belief, is intellectual. It is said, “that even the demons believe and tremble.” Belief isn’t the problem. Many say they believe in an afterlife, even belief in a higher power. That belief gets you nowhere if it is not active. That is where faith comes in. When I enter a room I can believe the lights work, that the switch works, that if I flip the switch it will turn on the light; But, if I don’t actually flip the switch nothing will happen. Or the oven, I know that the oven will cook my food but if I do not turn it on nothing will happen.

When we read about faith in the Tanakh, (Old Testament) we see it as active obedience. Hebrews 11 gives us a quick account of the pillars of Faith. The writer makes it a point to say, by Faith, “By Faith, Noah . . . in reverent fear constructed”, “By Faith, Abraham, obeyed . . .”. The word Faith in Hebrew is אֱמוּנָה – Emunah. It means a steadiness, as in a steady walk of obedience. A steadfastness, faithfulness in keeping the ordinances of God.

The Greek counterpart is πίστις – pistis. The Greek culture was known and is still known for its philosophers, and artisans of various types and skill. Just take a look at any capital city and for the most part you will see a Greco-Roman influence. Rome simply adopted the majority of Greek culture. So when the Apostles wrote their letters, mostly in Greek the word they had for faith was pistis. Having no other real viable choice. Pistis, is faith without power, faith without substance, a mental understanding without an outward expression.

Perhaps this is why James writes pistis, without works is dead. Works in this greek context is Ergon and it means occupation, employment, undertaking. So James is combining two Greek words in order to present one Hebrew truth, Faith is active, it requires action, one cannot say they believe and not show it by their undertakings.

Paul is recorded in Acts as telling those in Ephesus about being watchful for ravenous wolves coming into the flock and deceiving many. Just before that warning he talks about his lifestyle, how he conducted himself and told those under his care to do likewise. He said that he was instructed both the Jew and the Greek (gentile). Now what do you think ravenous wolves would look like? Would you say that they would draw men unto themselves to practice ways foreign to God or do you think ravenous wolves would teach obedience to God?

Before you answer Pharisee, remember Yahoshua (Jesus) called out the Pharisees for teaching the doctrines of man. The message has always been one of repentance, a turning from disobedience to obedience. Turning from the ways of man to the instruction of Elohim. Some will point out Colossians 2:16 and say they aren’t required to keep the ordinances of God any longer. They do so without considering the culture in which this letter was being written. It was a Greek philosophical culture mixed with a sect of Judaism bound in mans traditions. Both equally astray from אֱמוּנָה – Emunah, Faith in YHWH.

Just look at Pauls warning earlier in that same chapter. “Therefore, as you received Messiah Yahoshua your Adonai, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the Faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to the human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Messiah.”

So when Paul is talking about food and drink, or festivals and new moons or Sabbaths he is drawing a contrast between the culture and God’s instruction. He is actually calling on those who would be otherwise chastised for keeping them to do so without condemnation. The Pharisees who were surely to judge the gentile for keeping them and the pagan culture around them for keeping what was considered a “Jewish thing”. Sound familiar? It should because it is the same argument being made today. Sadly, the greek influenced church is the pagan voice today.

Think about it, Paul warns not to be taken captive by philosophy, a major part of Greek culture. Deceit, something Yahoshua also warned about in Matthew 24:4 essentially saying, “Don’t let anyone deceive you.” According to human tradition, now let me ask you, are Christmas, Easter, Sunday, a human tradition or a Scriptural one? In contrast are the Feasts of Elohim; Passover, First Fruits, Pentecost, Atonement, Trumpets, Tabernacles, Sabbath, are they God’s instruction? The Church will fight tooth and nail for human tradition while calling God’s Feasts a thing of the past. Do you think that is according to the elemental spirits of the world?

Certainly not according to Messiah who was the Passover Lamb, the Word (Torah) made flesh, Adonai of the Sabbath, Light of the World, The Way, The Truth and The Life . . . all of which the Torah is described. He is the First Fruits, He is both the Torah revealed to Moses at Mt. Sinai on the Feast of Weeks, Pentecost as well, through Him the gift of the Holy Spirit was given on Pentecost, a.k.a. Feast of Weeks. He is our Atonement, He is coming with a Trumpet blast, He is coming to Tabernacle with us for a Millenia. Are you seeing a pattern?

The devil is a copycat. He has mimicked and attempted to mirror celebrations but he cannot duplicate perfection which is what Torah is. God’s Word is true and He calls us to walk in its light. It isn’t about perfection it is about Faith, Emunah. A steadiness, as in a steady walk of obedience. A steadfastness, faithfulness in keeping the ordinances of God. Do you want human tradition or God’s perfect instruction? Only you can answer that question.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Exploring the Connection Between Faith and Obedience

Exploring the Connection Between Faith and Obedience

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Maccabees and T-Shirt Slogans

The Maccabees and T-Shirt Slogans

When i was a teen growing up in the foothills of Southern California, life was much different than today. The most advanced gaming system was a Nintendo. VCR’s were in competition with Beta Players, and cassette tapes were the method of choice for recording music. We listened to the radio all day hoping they would play our song at least once. Where i lived, life seemed slower, and communal. It wasn’t perfect but it felt like home.

The place i lived was a campground and it had T-Shirts that said, “Follow me to Follows Camp.” We wore them proudly every Friday night. To the skating rink, football games, or wherever a Friday night adventure would take us. We were as a pack of coyotes, loyal to each other, protective even. If one of us was in danger, or needed help, we were there. i remember one time some vandals mistreated a part of the campground. We called it the Little “Chapel of the Canyon.” We came together and we repaired it, good as new. “Follow me” was more than a catchy phrase for the campground it was a rallying cry of the community.

It was 167 B.C. The Maccabees, lead by the Priest Mattathias, and his sons, the main one being Judas, led a revolt. For what reason? Against the decree by King Antiochus IV Epiphanes that band covenant worship of Yahweh. King Antiochus IV, forced Hellenization on all the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Along with the surrounding area, now under the control of the Seleucid Empire. He desecrated the Temple in Jerusalem by sacrificing a pig on the altar. He outlawed, Sabbath observance, eating clean foods, daily sacrifices, essentially anything to do with Torah. Instead, he implemented Greek idol worship and killed any who resisted.

The Maccabees, lead by Judas, an expert in gorilla warfare, put on their “Follow Me,” t-shirts. They led a seven year military campaign for freedom. This is the origin of Hanukkah. Once they took out the Seleucid Empire, they tore down the idols, the pagan altar’s, and restored the Temple. Hanukkah is known as the Feast of Dedication, they rededicated the Temple of Yahweh and restored covenant worship.

In life we need community. We need a pack. We need a cause. In Ephesians we read Elohim’s heart, through Paul’s hand, on the matter. “Therefore remember that formerly you who are Gentiles in the flesh and called uncircumcised by the so-called circumcision. That done in the body by human hands. — Remember that at that time you were separate from Messiah. Alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise. You were without hope and without Elohim in the world. But now in Messiah Yahoshua you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Messiah.” (Ephesians 2:11-13)

Before we come into Messiah we are alienated from the commonwealth and the covenants. But once we enter through Messiah we join ourselves to the people of promise becoming one. As the letter to the Ephesians continues Paul writes about this truth. “There is one body and one Spirit. Just as you were called to one hope when you were called. One Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all. Who is over all and through all and in all.” When we enter into fellowship with Messiah, we put on His clothes, His Follow Me t-shirts. As Paul also writes, “Imitate me as I imitate Messiah.”

What does it look like to be part of the covenants of promise? We need to read the Torah to find out. The entire volume of Messianic writings point to the Torah. Just as the Torah points to the Messiah. If you want the full communal experience, you must put on the fullness of truth, His Word is Truth! Unfortunately, not many religious leaders today believe this. Although, they say they believe in Jesus. They follow a misunderstood and twisted understanding of Paul’s writings. They don’t see themselves entering into the covenants of promise. Only that they will receive the promises based on the new covenant. Which if studied clearly say, that the new is simply the old written on the heart. It becomes a desire not a compulsion.

Instead of Hellenization like the Maccabees, it is assimilation. Rather, than standing out, they blend in. Instead of denouncing pagan traditions they sprinkle them into the churches. Instead of calling folks back to the covenants of promise, they tantalize people with empty promises. Why empty? Because the promises come in covenant. They come in obedience.

When the angel came to Mary to tell her she had been chosen her response teaches us a great truth. Belief is displayed in obedience. Luke records this encounter in which Gabriel, an angel of Yahweh, tells her she will give birth to the Messiah. Mary at first is frightened and confused but in the end she says, “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it happen to me according to your word.” Yahoshua, Jesus, is birthed from the covenant of promise, and calls us back to it. “Yahoshua went on to say, ‘You neatly set aside the command of God to maintain your own tradition.'”

What traditions are in focus for you? Are you even seeking the Way? Yahoshua says to us, “Come and See,” He says to us, “Follow Me.” Who are you following? As for me, i will follow Yahoshua, the Way, the Truth, the Life, as He declared. The Word made flesh. Did you know that the Torah is known as The Way, Path, and Instruction? Did you know that the Torah, Elohim’s Word is called the Truth? Did you know that Life comes through every Word of Elohim? This is the Way of the Rabbi.

You are loved,
cj

Cultural Relevance vs. Biblical Accuracy in Modern Churches

Cultural Relevance vs. Biblical Accuracy in Modern Churches

It seems the more I look at the church today the more I come to realize one glaring point. The modern church here in the west is more concerned about cultural relevance than Biblical accuracy. If it were not so you could talk about Feast Days, Sabbath observance, and eating clean, without being ostracized. Unfortunately, it is true and anyone speaking of these things let alone observing them is immediately labeled, legalistic. As if to say a blatant disregard for the mosaic covenant is absolutely necessary for salvation.

We are heading into the “Holiday Season,” with its twinkle lights and mistletoe. It is a beautiful time of the year. It is marked by family gatherings, office parties, carolers, and holiday parades. The more society buys into the holiday magic, the more the church embraces the culture. I was listening to a ‘Christian’ radio station the other day and the DJ was all in on the holidays. It seems every year the decorations go up earlier. Halloween, begins in September. Hallmark no longer has the monopoly on Christmas in July and folks are setting up their trees November 1st. Thanksgiving? Sandwiched somewhere in there but mostly used to mark ‘Black Friday.’ A relatively new holiday masquerading as a day of discounts and bargains while revealing greed and selfishness.

The problem I see is that the church is more concerned about being cultured than they are about being Biblical. As I mentioned above even Christian radio is all in on culture. Want to decorate early? Go ahead! Want to have a Holy Ghost House, to counter the Haunted House? Go ahead! Want to brake out that elf on shelf in November? Go ahead! Don’t want to bake a turkey for Thanksgiving? Serve a ham instead! Are we really capable of justifying this blatant disregard for Yahweh’s word?

The argument is that the mosaic covenant is part of the Old Testament and we are living in the New. Really? What does that mean, exactly? Can you explain what repentance is necessary if the instruction of Yahweh is put away? Can you explain what it means to be lawless, from a biblical context? Are you prepared to explain the difference between righteousness and unrighteousness? What is the New covenant and how does it differ from the Old?

For too long now the church has ignored the appointed times of Yahweh, for its own traditions. It was this very act that got Israel labeled as an adulterous. It was their high places they set up. Their disregard of the Sabbath. Their lack of attention to the Feast Days. Their man made traditions in place of walking humbly with Yahweh. These things were the reason for their exile and subsequent scattering to the nations. Yet the church feels as though now, somehow, this doesn’t matter to Yahweh? Even though the Bible declares these things will be forever observed.

In fact, in the millennium. If the men do not come to Jerusalem for Sukkot, no rain will fall on their crops. Is Yahweh, messing with us? Is He forgetful of His own Word? No! And cursed is the man who says so. I have grown weary with the church. I have grown weary with my own soul. The battle inside me is a warring of the flesh and the spirit. My flesh wants to put up the tree, slice the ham, and do whatever my heart desires on the Sabbath.

The question is, do I want to worship Elohim? If so, I must do it in the spirit and in truth. I cannot lean on my own understanding but by every word of Elohim, live. If I love Him, I will obey His commandments. If I want to live in truth I must live in His word, for His word is Truth. Therefore, I honor the Sabbath day because Yahoshua honored the Sabbath day. I honor the Feast Days, because Yahoshua honored the Feast Days. I eat clean because Yahoshua ate clean. I do these things because Paul writes, imitate me as I imitate Messiah.

Over 80 times in the book of Acts the Apostles are recorded as honoring the Sabbath Day. Paul records his desire to be in Jerusalem for the Feast Days. Besides these things the Word says to honor them. It declares to the Israelite’s, “If you turn from doing your own pleasure on My Sabbath Day. If you call the Sabbath a delight . . . I will cause you to ride on the heights.” The Word declares that there is one instruction for the native and the foreigner.

Are we being called into lawlessness, and unrighteousness? No, by no means is this true. We are being called into instruction and into righteousness. Righteousness, those things commanded by Elohim to be obeyed by man. We are being called into the Way of the Rabbi. So then what is one to do? Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly with Elohim. Put away mans traditions, and worship Elohim in Spirit and in Truth. Observe His Sabbaths and His Feast Days and Walk with Him.

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

Avoiding Deception: The Call to Biblical Truth

Avoiding Deception: The Call to Biblical Truth

Confused? So am i. In Matthew 24:4 Yahoshua warns, “See that no one leads you astray.” In other words, do not be deceived. We are told throughout Scripture to be weary of those who profess to know truth but speak falsehoods. They lie and they scheme to lead others away from the truth. That in the last days wolves will creep into the Ekklesia and deceive many, even the elect if possible.

This morning a popular pastor and teacher warned of this saying. “We are going to pray together against deception. We hope that people will choose to read their Bibles instead of getting their theology from TikTok. A lot of people who build their theology on TikTok are going to be very disappointed someday.” He went on to say that we need to take on the whole counsel of Scripture. That if your church doesn’t teach the whole Bible, flee from that church! He said, “Let us pray that you, me, and anyone else out there being deceived would comeback to Biblical truth. Stop listening to people, that includes me, start judging everything by the Bible.” He also said that this is the age of the gentile. That yes Jews can be saved, by coming into the fullness of Messiah.

All of this sounds great! Until, you begin to recognize that the modern church or Westernized Church has this belief. The modern church says: “Become like the gentile to be saved!” When Elohim calls the gentile to be like Israel.” The pastor went on to say that he would be speaking at a particular church “this Sunday.” Whose Sabbath is this Sunday’s? If we are taking the whole counsel of Elohim it isn’t YHWH’s or Yahoshua’s. This is the greatest deception facing the church today! The Sabbath is the sign of the covenant. It is the wedding ring! This is what separates us outwardly. Not that teaching can’t happen on Sunday. Certainly it can as we see Paul teaching on the 1st day of the week. The concern becomes the blatant disregard for the 7th Day Sabbath. Especially when warning about deception and false teaching.

The pastor used Romans 11:11 to make his point. It states: “So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous.” Which is really ironic since it calls us to live like the Hebrews. We should be living to make the natural branches jealous, stirring a desire to return to Elohim within them. “But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. 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 Elohim did not spare the natural branches, neither will He spare you.” Romans 11:17-21.

This is where the whole counsel of Elohim becomes more than just word play. Where taking in the fullness of a passage is far more important than taking one verse out of context. Then twisting it to fit what makes you comfortable. Exactly as Peter warns. “And count the patience of Adonai as salvation. Just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him. So as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand. Which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand. Take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people [Torahless people]. Thereby, losing your own stability. But Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Adonai and Savior Yahoshua Messiah. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” 2 Peter 3:15-17.

Most of what he said was actually good advice. Put on the full armor of Elohim. Don’t believe everything you hear even from your pastor. Test the teaching against Scripture. Does it line up with what Elohim has already said? Remember, He is the same and His Word endures forever. Now after saying all of this he says here are the devils tactics.

First, he will get you to doubt what you have believed. True. Yet the Holy Spirit will also correct us if we are wrong. Philippians 3:15 gives us insight. “Let those of us who are mature think this way. If in anything you think otherwise, Elohim will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.” Sounds a lot like being challenged on our beliefs to me. So what we need is discernment. To know the voice of Elohim. So what is the test that we are listening to the True Voice of Elohim? “Truly, truly I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.”

How do we know that we are entering in through the narrow way? This same idea is presented time and time again. Paul says it this way, “Imitate me as I also imitate Messiah.” Yahoshua says, “If you love Me, YOU WILL keep My commandments.” Later in the same chapter He says, “If anyone loves Me, HE WILL keep My word. For this My Father will love him. We will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever DOES NOT love Me DOES NOT KEEP My words. And the word that you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.” John 14:15 & 23-24. Yahoshua is the Word made Flesh, that Word is Torah! Elohim’s Words to His chosen people of which we get to be apart by way of Yahoshua. As Romans 11 says again, “grafted in” to the branch, Israel.

Second, the pastor goes on to warn of Satan’s attacks. To which i have no quarrels. He will attack us and he knows the Word of Elohim well. He is a master craftsman of manipulation who twists scripture better than anyone or anything could ever hope to do. So it is important to know how did Yahoshua confront Satan in the wilderness. While He was being tempted at the start of His ministry. He confronted him with the very Word of Elohim. “It is written, man shall not live by bread alone but by EVERY WORD of Elohim.” Do you know His Word personally, or only know of it through man? Do you read it and meditate on it so that it becomes written on your heart and mind? Want to know what voice you are listening to? Study the word!

Hear the words of the Prophet Isaiah, again i say SHEMA!

“Thus says YHWH! ‘Keep justice, and do righteousness, for soon My salvation will come. 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, not profaning it, and keeps his hand from doing any evil.’ Let not the foreigner who has JOINED himself to YHWH say, ‘YHWH will surely separate me from His people.'” Later, he writes: –– “And the foreigners who join themselves to YHWH, to minister to Him, to love the name of YHWH, and to be His servants, everyone who KEEPS THE SABBATH and does not profane it, and holds fast My covenant–– these I will bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer.” Isaiah 56:1-3 & 6-7.

“If you turn back your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on My holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight and the holy day of YHWH honorable; if you honor it, not going your own ways, or seeking your own pleasure, or talking idly, then you shall take delight in YHWH, and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth; I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father, for the mouth of YHWH has spoken.” Isaiah 58:13-14.

The devil loves it when we ignore the word of Elohim for our traditions and our religions. He loves it when we call on a hollow name because we don’t know the one who has it. He loves our speeches of adornment with no actionable practices. He loves that we have fallen for the lies and the twisting and the deceptions. He loves the unlearned teachers or the overly prideful ones. He loves the lazy pew warmers who lap up the same soured milk Sunday after Sunday.

“Depart from me, you who practice Torahlessness, for I never knew you.” Psalm 6:8 & Matthew 7:23

“Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices Torahlessness; sin is Torahlessness.” 1 John 3:4

“Hot indignation has take hold of me because of the wicked, who forsake your Torah.” Psalm 119:53

“Your statutes have been my songs in the house of my sojourning. I remember Your Name in the night, O YHWH. I keep Your Torah. This blessing has fallen to me, that I have kept Your precepts.” Psalm 119:54-56

“I Am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him.” John 14:6-7 Interestingly, the Torah is also known as ‘The Way, The Path, Instruction.’ It is known as Truth, ‘Your Word is Truth.’ It is known as the Life, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone. But, by every Word of Elohim.’ His Word is a light to our path, this journey of life, it is the Way of the Rabbi. If you don’t want to be lead astray than you must know the Truth through the Truth. You must know the Word by knowing the Word. You must start now because time is drawing short and the return of our Messiah is approaching.

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

Reviving the Sabbath: A Call to Return

Reviving the Sabbath: A Call to Return

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Significance of Sabbath Observance Today

The Significance of Sabbath Observance Today

i have thought about this series for some time. How do i share my understanding in a way that leads you, the reader, into curiosity? To inspire a deeper look into Scripture. To light a fire within you to be like the people of Berea. Who received with joy, the words being taught to them. But then went and searched the Scriptures to see whether or not it was true. There are plenty of posts you can go over in which i will have touched on these ideas presented here. Although, not so succinctly as i will try in this series of posts. i will present the options and then give my ‘why’s’ trying to be fair to both sides in the end. These are the topics i will present over the next few days. Yahoshua or Jesus (see post); Rabbi or Teacher (see post); Adonai Elohim or Lord God (see post); Feast Days or Holidays (see post); Sabbath or Sunday (Current Post). It has been my goal to persuade you to begin to evaluate your ‘why’s’. To ask the question of yourself, “Am I using mans justification or Elohim’s Word, to determine my beliefs?” Let’s wrap this series up.

Sabbath or Sunday:
In my last post i went over the idea of Feast Days or Holidays. Presenting the idea of the significance of Elohim’s Feasts. In the description of the Feast Days in Leviticus you will find the Sabbath Day. In fact it leads the way. Leviticus 23 begins — Then Yahweh said to Moses, “Speak to the Israelite’s and say to them, ‘These are My appointed feasts, the feasts of Yahweh that you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies. For six days work may be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest, a day of sacred assembly. You must not do any work; wherever you live, it is a Sabbath to Yahweh.

The Sabbath wasn’t new to Israel. The Creator of the Universe in the beginning said, “Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. And by the seventh day Elohim had finished the work He had been doing. So on that day He rested from all His work. Then Elohim blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because on that day He rested from all the work of creation that He had accomplished.” From the beginning of time Adonai was demonstrating the necessity of rest. He designed it as a day of reflection, a day to gather, a day to feast. You begin with a gathering in which you feast together with those in your family and community of faith. You commemorate the very first Sabbath each week at the end of six days of labor. Reflecting on the goodness of Elohim.

The Sabbath Day wasn’t just demonstrated to us by Yahweh Himself, He instructed us to observe it. In the passage above from Genesis 2 and in the Ten Commandments given at Mt Sinai. Exodus says, “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to Yahweh your Elohim, on which you must not do any work—neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant or livestock, nor the foreigner within your gates. For in six days Yahweh made the heavens and the earth and the sea and all that is in them, but on the seventh day He rested. Therefore Yahweh blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.” This is the fourth commandment. It is the most detailed of all the commandments given to Moses on Mt Sinai.

The Sabbath Day was important to Yahweh. He demonstrated it and commanded it. He held Israel to a standard regarding it. Isaiah writes, “If you turn back your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on My holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight, and the holy day of Yahweh honorable; and if you honor it, not doing your own ways, or finding your own pleasure, or speaking your own words, then you will delight yourself in Yahweh, and I will make you ride on the heights of the land and feed you with the heritage of your father Jacob.“. (Isaiah 58:13-14) It was a covenant sign between Yahweh and His people. Exodus 31:13-17 — “Speak to the people of Israel, saying, ‘You shall be careful to keep My Sabbaths, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am Yahweh who sanctifies you… You are to observe the Sabbath, for it is a holy day to you. Everyone who profanes it shall be put to death… It is a permanent sign, a covenant forever“.

There is no passage of Scripture that changes or modifies the Sabbath in any way. No reputable scholar will argue this point. Yahoshua said, “I am Adon (Master) of the Sabbath.” He kept the Sabbath, attending synagogue faithfully on the Sabbath. While His body lay lifeless in a tomb. One could say that both metaphorically and physically Yahoshua rested on the Sabbath. The Apostles all kept the Sabbath. Throughout the book of Acts we read about Sabbath observance. So where does the modern tradition of Sunday observance come in? What verse changes the day? The answer is none. Not one single verse. It is impossible to argue the other side because it doesn’t exist. The only place that references a change to the Sabbath Commandment is the Catechism of the Catholic Church Article 3.

Unfortunately, in their own Catechism they incorrectly number the commandments calling the Sabbath Commandment number three instead of four. Presumably, to allow for their engraved images. They take great delight in their ability to change times and seasons. This action is expressly forbidden in Scripture. It is also warned against. Found in both Deuteronomy (4:2) and Revelation (22:18-19). The act of changing times and seasons is written of as being from the spirit of Anti-Christ. Daniel 7:25 says, “He will speak words against the Most High and try to exhaust the holy ones of the Most High. He will attempt to alter the seasons and the Torah; and [the holy ones] will be handed over to him for a time, times and half a time.”

The Sabbath is a blessing! It is not too difficult to do. Science has shown that resting as prescribed by the Sabbath command is extremely beneficial to good health. In all areas of our lives, physically, spiritually, emotionally, mentally. It was demonstrated by Elohim, observed by Yahoshua and His disciples. We are instructed to be like Yahoshua. Paul writes, “Imitate me as I imitate Messiah.” I believe that not observing the Sabbath day puts us at odds with Elohim. Scripture indicates it is a sign for all generations. It also says it is for the foreigner. It is for the servant. So one cannot say it was only for Israel. So what will you do? Will you obey mans tradition or Elohim’s Word?

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