Tag: set apart

Podcast Episode: Transforming Lives: Conforming vs. Standing Out

Podcast Episode: Transforming Lives: Conforming vs. Standing Out

Pip: There is a children’s Christmas program somewhere in the annals of history where one kid showed up in a three-piece brown suit, and it turns out that is the whole sermon.

Mara: That story comes from cj, writing at The Way of the Rabbi — and today we are sitting with what it actually means to live as someone set apart, from conformity and identity to the call to stand out in a world pulling hard the other direction.

Pip: Let’s start with the brown suit and what Romans has to say about it.

—

Conforming vs. Standing Out

Mara: The central tension here is one believers navigate constantly — the pull to blend in versus the call to be genuinely different, not as a performance but as a lived reality. The question is what that actually looks like when no one is watching.

Pip: The setup is a second-grade Christmas program, one kid in a chocolate brown three-piece suit in a sea of green, and a teacher who thought putting him front and center as the trunk of the tree would help. It did not help. But the pivot to Romans 12 is where the real argument lands, and the text is direct: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.”

Mara: So the upshot is that transformation is inward first — the visible difference in how someone lives is the outward sign of something already changed at the level of mind and orientation, not a set of external markers bolted on afterward.

Pip: And the post is careful to name what standing out is not. It is not a bumper sticker. It is not a Bible verse posted to social media. The question asked is sharper than that.

Mara: Right — “When you say no words what do your actions say? When you are at work, what does your production say? When you are out with friends, what do your habits say?” The measure is lifestyle, not signal.

Pip: There is also a warning woven in about comfort. The image used is a pot beginning to boil — too many people are so settled into the surrounding culture that they do not notice the temperature rising.

Mara: The passage from Micah gets pulled in here as well: “to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your Elohim.” That requirement, the post argues, is consistent across Moses, the prophets, and Paul — the Father’s standard does not shift.

Pip: The call at the end is to learn the way of the Rabbi, Yahoshua, and to study rather than inherit someone else’s tradition wholesale.

Mara: Standing out, it turns out, is less about being conspicuous and more about being rooted — which is a different kind of visible entirely.

—

Pip: A brown suit in a sea of green. It is a small image for a large idea — that what you are wearing, spiritually speaking, should be unmistakable.

Mara: More from The Way of the Rabbi next time.

Read the post here: Transforming Lives: Conforming vs. Standing Out

Transforming Lives: Conforming vs. Standing Out

Transforming Lives: Conforming vs. Standing Out

When I was kid I had a green tank top that was my absolute favorite shirt. I wore that shirt every chance I got. I not only liked the style, but the image on the front, I found especially amusing. It had a picture of a chimpanzee, sitting on a toilet, eating a banana. Most people found the shirt tolerable, my parents surprisingly did. Especially given their usual apprehension to such things, on religious objections.

My mormon friends down the street did not find it at all amusing. In fact, I was not allowed in their home if I was wearing the shirt. I would have to go home and change, which wasn’t too bad, as I just lived a few houses down the street. A small price to pay for my favorite shirt.

I loved it so much that one Christmas season, at my schools Christmas program, I attempted to wear it. You see my second grade class was instructed to wear green. Well, I only owned two pieces of green clothing. My green chimpanzee tank top and a pair of green corduroy pants. I also wore those pants often, never with the tank top, but often enough that they were faded, worn, and never looked clean, even, fresh out of the laundry.

You should have seen the look on my mother’s face when I came out of my room. I announced, “Okay, I am ready to go.” To which my mother said, “You are not wearing that to your Christmas showcase.” “But Mom, we have to wear green and this is all the green I have.” I rebutted. She glared down at me, “Go put on your suit, you are going to look nice.” There was some more back and forth, but there was no winning and eventually I conceded, my mother victorious again. I went back to my room and pulled out my chocolate brown suit with creme colored shirt. The suit was three pieces, slacks, vest, blazer, accented with my creme colored shirt and a brown tie that had a gold weave. It matched the brown shoes with gold buckle. No doubt I looked very nice, but it wasn’t green, and I knew I was in for it, when I walked into my classroom.

Sure enough, the click clack of my dress shoes on the tile floor of the school, echoed down the halls, announcing my arrival. I stepped into the glass and my friends gasped and then as good friends do began pointing and laughing. “You were supposed to wear green!” They said. “I know!” I snapped back. Mrs Michaels my second grade teacher, who already disdained my very existence, walked over to me shaking her head. She asked if my parents were here and I said yes. She then surprisingly turned around to address another issue and I thought, “wow, that’s it? That wasn’t bad at all.”

Soon after Mrs Michaels called the class to the front and told us to get into our stage places to rehearse our two or three songs. I don’t recall the exact number but the one song that stands out in my core memory, “O Christmas Tree.” During all the other rehearsals I was set in the back row, stage right. Tonight in a sea of green Mrs Michaels would get a scarring blow, “CJ, you come down here in front, you are going to be the trunk of our tree. This way you won’t stand out as much.” To which even my second grade brain thought, ‘Not stand out? I am right in the middle up front . . . it will be like I am the only one on the stage!’ It would have been far less noticeable had I been able to stand in the back wearing my worn out green corduroy pants and chimpanzee tank.

Romans 12:1-8 says:
“Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.”

“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and not all members have the same function, so in Messiah we who are many are one body, and each member belongs to one another.“

“We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one’s gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith; if it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.“

I have told that story many times before, illustrating our need as believers in Messiah, to stand out, not blend in. We are called to be different. That although we live in the world, we are not of the world. We were once partakers in sin and disfunction but now we are called to a new life. We are now Ambassadors of the Kingdom. We are now clothed in righteousness and the world should know it. We should stick out. This doesn’t mean driving around with a sticker on your bumper, or posting Bible verses on your social media pages. It isn’t about attending church every week or going to Bible studies.

Now, none of those things are necessarily bad. However, what does your lifestyle say of you. When you say no words what do your actions say? When you are at work, what does your production say? When you are out with friends, what do your habits say? Are you wearing the lifestyle of the King? Have you taken the mantle, are you carrying your cross? This doesn’t mean perfection, we all make mistakes, we allow our flesh to win sometimes. The question is, was that win an upset, or was sin favored to win?

Walking in righteousness is a struggle, walking in the spirit is a struggle. Yahoshua, never said life in Him would be easy. He said, “you will be hated for my names sake.” That isn’t blending in, that is standing out. Does it mean you can’t find favor in the eyes of others? Absolutely not. The early believers in Acts, “praising God and finding favor with all the people.” Yet, still as the day of Adonai approaches He did say that our obedience would become a suffering point. Unfortunately, too many are comfortable with the culture that they don’t realize that the pot is beginning to boil.

The ground is being shaken and we are being called to the front. We are called to represent the King by standing on the roots, bringing the message of life to the masses. We are called to be a brown suit standing in a sea of green tee’s. We are called to be set apart from the world, not to participate in its lawlessness. We must discover what it means to be an heir in the Kingdom.

What did the Father mean when He gave Micah these words; “He has shown you O’man what is good and what does Elohim require of you, to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your Elohim.” He wasn’t changing His ideals or His message for the Father spoke through Moses saying; “And now, O Israel, what does YHWH your God ask of you but to fear YHWH your God by walking in all His ways, to love Him, to serve YHWH your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of YHWH that I am giving you this day for your own good.“

What did the Father mean when He inspired Paul to pen these words; “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” We are called to stand out and be different. We are called to honor our Heavenly Father. We are called to walk according to the Son, our Messiah Yahoshua.

We must learn the way of THE Rabbi, Yahoshua, and walk and do according to His instruction. Which is the Father’s instruction written out for us. Do not get wrapped in mans tradition, and twisted theologies, but rather study to show yourself approved. His Spirit will lead us into all truth if we diligently seek Him with our whole heart, soul, mind and strength. Will you earnestly seek Him? Then join me and subscribe.

You are loved,
cj

Choosing to Listen: Embracing God’s Word Daily

Choosing to Listen: Embracing God’s Word Daily

How serious are you, when you attend your church gathering, in hearing the Word of God? What preparation goes into it? Do you pray before asking God to reveal your heart? This is my practice. When I enter the Synagogue I pray, “Adonai, reveal my heart, You know me better than i know myself. Help me to not only hear You but to listen and obey Your instruction.” After this prayer I write out my initial thoughts. This past Sabbath as I prayed this prayer this is the thought given me through that prayer.

“i am not in a right frame of mind. i am not sure what i need to do since it is ultimately a heart issue. i am growing increasingly critical of myself, but lack the strength to change the thought patterns.”

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. A people for God’s own possession. So that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. For you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God. You had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” 1 Peter 2:9-10

From this point I begin to prepare my heart and my mind to receive what Adonai has for me. The question was asked, “What is the truth of your calling?” From that question I wrote down the first things that came to mind.
Concert Tour – if you read back in my blog several years. I shared how my family would travel and sing in churches. It was during this time that I believe I received my first calling into ministry.
Visions while Driving – It would become increasingly clear that this calling was sure. You see while friends were talking about their future plans or lack of I was having visions of my calling. It was a mixture of singing and preaching. This would later be the case as in some churches I had to both lead worship and preach.
Jr. High Camp – It was at an evening Chapel service at Jr. High Camp that my calling into ministry would be cemented. It would also face one of its greatest challenges. As the speaker presented the message, it became clear that I was to do this. “This is what I am calling you to do, this is the purpose I have set out for you. To preach My Word.” I could feel the burning inside my heart as I went to the alter that night. I spoke of my calling at our cabin time later.
Prayer Chapel – Years had past and I had forgotten the root of my calling. It was always there but I lacked a seriousness. I would find myself at a crossroads, homeless and jobless, I sought shelter one night in a prayer chapel. It was positioned on a cliff overlooking Puget Sound in Northwest Washington State. It was unlocked and I had prayed here many times before. On this night, although I was physically alone, I was not Spiritually alone. Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit I was reminded of my call. I rededicated my life to the purposes of God that night. The very next day I was blessed with both a house and a job.

Everything in life is a choice. You have to choose one way or another, moment by moment. These choices are often inconsequential. However, there are choices that can be earth shaking. Therefore, every decision made should be made thoughtfully and in some instances with the guidance of others. Perplexing it is that often we find these things out after wrong choices are made. Everything in life is a choice, even allowing yourself to be chosen.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 . . .
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.”

How many times have I defiled the temple? How many times have I brought uncleanness, by choice, into the temple of my body? Proverbs offers wisdom in short, impactful pieces. This is perfect for a generation that cannot focus for more than 30 seconds before scrolling to the next TikTok video. “The foolishness of man ruins his way, and his heart rages against Adonai.” “Also it is not good for a person to be without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps errs.” “Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the counsel of Adonai will stand.” “Cease listening, my son, to discipline, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.” (Each of these are found in Proverbs 19).

They are relevant to choice. We can all relate in one way or another in making hasty decisions that ended up being wrong. Some of us carry the burden of those decisions long after the dust has settled. It is an unfortunate truth however, there is still room for choice. Will you wallow in the mud or will you step boldly forward in the Grace of God?

1 John 2:3-6
“By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, “I have come to know Him.” Yet he does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. Here is truth, whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him . . . the one who says he abides in Him ought walk in the same manner as He walked.”

John 14:15
“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”

IF is the conditional term. If we choose to allow ourselves to be chosen. We then must choose to walk in the manner worthy of that calling. In what manner? What are his ways? Do our ways conflict with what He has instructed? Are following the traditions of man over the instruction of God? Tradition, does not make disobedience to His word less disobedient. There is no such thing as acceptable sin. What is sin as defined by the Apostle John in 1 John 3:4? “Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.” Lawlessness is defined as being without Torah. Likewise, being without Torah is known as being in darkness. Therefore, being in Torah is then being in the light.

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. A people for God’s own possession. So that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. For you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God. You had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” 1 Peter 2:9-10

Sin, or as many like to say, to lessen the blow, missing the mark. Whether in ignorance or intentional, when found out, repentance is required. A turning away from that sin is a choice and a matter of the heart. When you break relationship, dishonoring someone, that guilt is conviction. That conviction is dealt with by repentance. That repentance is a choice, as much as sin was a choice. “IF My people, who bear My name, will humble themselves, pray, seek My face and turn from their evil ways, I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin and heal their land.”

Trust in Adonai with all your heart;
do not rely on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him;
then he will level your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6

Here is where we are in the cycle of life. We are in a famine. The famine is severe, so severe that it has become normal. So normal in fact that most people don’t even know what they are missing and they don’t care to know. Even some who sense there is something deeper, a calling, a choice to be made, they too are starved. They don’t choose, whether out of fear of making a wrong choice or seeing it as inconsequential either way. The famine shouldn’t surprise anyone. It was foretold by the Prophet Amos.

“The time is coming,” says Adonai Elohim,
“when I will send famine over the land,
not a famine of bread or a thirst for water,
but of hearing the words of Adonai.
People will stagger from sea to sea
and from north to east, running back and forth,
seeking the word of Adonai;
but they will not find it.”
Amos 8:11-12

However, those who are in Messiah Yahoshua, we are at an advantage. We have the Word made flesh. He promises the new covenant will be written on our minds. It will also be inscribed on our hearts. So that we can be the Temple, that we can be the city on a hill. So that we can stand out separate from the world, sanctified by the Word of Truth. As Yahoshua prayed for us to be.

“I have given them your word, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world — just as I myself do not belong to the world. I don’t ask you to take them out of the world, but to protect them from the Evil One. They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. Set them apart for holiness by means of the truth — your word is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. On their behalf I am setting myself apart for holiness, so that they too may be set apart for holiness by means of the truth.” John 17:14-19

Sometimes I have to write to remind myself of whose I am. That I am no longer my own but have been bought at a price. It is no longer I who live but Messiah who lives in me and through me. I don’t always make the right choice, I am thankful for Grace. But one thing I do, forgetting that which is behind me. I strain for what is ahead of me in Messiah Yahoshua.

“It is not that I have already obtained it or already reached the goal — no, I keep pursuing it in the hope of taking hold of that for which the Messiah Yahoshua took hold of me. Brothers, I, for my part, do not think of myself as having yet gotten hold of it; but one thing I do: forgetting what is behind me and straining forward toward what lies ahead, I keep pursuing the goal in order to win the prize offered by God’s upward calling in the Messiah Yahoshua. Therefore, as many of us as are mature, let us keep paying attention to this; and if you are differently minded about anything, God will also reveal this to you. Only let our conduct fit the level we have already reached.” Philippians 3:12-16

You see it is a constant choice, moment by moment, decision by decision, we choose. What will you choose?

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

Throw it away! Putting on the new self (part three)

Throw it away! Putting on the new self (part three)

“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you:” Colossians 3:5 ESV

“Put off your old self” Ephesians 4:22 ESV

“Our old self was crucified with Him.” Romans 6:6 ESV

“Do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance,” 1 Peter 1:14 ESV

What causes you to stumble? What causes you to sin? What causes you to conform to your old self? THROW IT AWAY! Literally, throw it away! What is your struggle? Sometimes we mistake our struggle for our cross to bear when in reality, the only reason we are struggling is that we refuse to throw “it” away and bare ourselves before God. Ask any alcoholic in recovery, in the beginning, at least, they needed to eliminate ALL alcohol from their lives. It wasn’t a matter of just not drinking and having a six-pack in the refrigerator. No, that is a recipe for failure. The same is true for everything that causes us to sin. We must eliminate from our lives completely!

If your sin is porn on your phone, throw it away. Get a cheap phone from WalMart that has only talk and text. Is TV causing you to sin? Get rid of it!  In some cases, IT IS that easy. Is there a friendship that is causing you to sin? End it! This all might seem a bit harsh and out of balance. It is, because of culture. However, we are called to live as citizens of heaven on earth. His Kingdom come, His Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. i am not making this up, it is as clear as a crisp spring day. Jesus said, “if your right-hand causes you to sin, cut it off. No, He wasn’t being literal. However, He was making this illustration, throw away what causes you to sin.

4 Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, 5 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. 7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.8 Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you. 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 ESV

“Do so more and more” is an instruction to walk in a manner pleasing to God, not a suggestion. Further, God desires that we are sanctified, which is set-apart, for the cause of Christ. In the world but not of the world, as Ambassadors of our heavenly home, in a broken and fallen world in need of redemption in Jesus alone. He doesn’t leave us helpless to do this on our own, either. He has given us a helper, the Holy Spirit, to enable us, strengthen us, enlighten us, to walk in His truth.

You are loved,

cj