Tag: Word

Seek first the Kingdom

We often quote this Scripture passage. It says, “Seek first the Kingdom of Elohim and His Righteousness. As a result, all these things shall be added to you.” “All these things,” refers to items necessary for living, like food, water, and clothing. Over time, many verbal additions have been made to its meaning. Not all of these additions fit the context of the verse. But that isn’t what i want to focus on, rather, what are we to seek. In Adonai’s prayer we are taught to pray, “Our Father in Heaven, Holy is Your Name. Your Kingdom come. Your Will be done. On earth as it is in Heaven.” We will pray together this prayer in our gatherings and think that what we want is the Father’s Will. However, we have thrown out the Fathers Will and replaced it with man’s tradition.

Look at what is happening with immigration now. Not just in our country but around the world. One of the biggest complaints is that these immigrants are not entering through legal means. Once they are in, they do not assimilate into the culture. Instead, they demand that their own culture be recognized. Do you think Elohim views humanity this way? Can we find instances where we have entered the Kingdom illegally? Are we now demanding that our traditions take precedence over the Kings? We are told to die to ourselves. That we are to put on the new man, and to walk in the fruit of the spirit. Yes, we are individuals but we are to lay down our understanding and pick up the cause of Messiah.

Yahoshua says, “I am the door, no one enters but through Me.” He says, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John says of Yahoshua, “And the WORD became flesh and dwelt among us.” Yahoshua declares, “If you had believed Moses, you would believe Me, for Moses wrote about Me.” Yahoshua, is found in the Torah. He is essentially the Torah made flesh as John describes Him. Yet in vain we worship Him with our traditions. In vain we come to Him seeking our will. In vain we come to Him demanding He change with our culture.

Let’s take a look at this parable spoken by Yahoshua, found here in Matthew 22:1-14. i will be breaking it up to add my own commentary.

Beginning:
“Once again, Yahoshua spoke to them in parables. “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his servants to call those he had invited to the banquet, but they refused to come. Again, he sent other servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner. My oxen and fattened cattle have been killed, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.‘ But they paid no attention and went away, one to his field, another to his business. The rest seized his servants, mistreated them, and killed them.”

This is what the Israelite’s have done to the prophets of Elohim throughout time. This is what is recorded in the Tanakh. Over and over again the Hebrew nation ignored the prophets and in many instances had them killed. They tried to worship Elohim in the traditions of man, in the traditions of the people around them. Even though they were given the precise instructions, which is what Torah means, instruction. Rather, they picked up and added to His instructions until what was happening was not at all what Elohim desired. For example, here is Jeremiah 7:17-19. “Do you not see what they are doing in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem? The sons gather wood, the fathers light the fire, and the women knead the dough to make cakes for the Queen of Heaven. They pour out drink offerings to other gods to provoke Me to anger. But am I the One they are provoking? declares Yahweh. Is it not themselves they spite, to their own shame?”

Continuing:
“The king was enraged, and he sent his troops to destroy those murderers and burn their city. Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the crossroads and invite to the banquet as many as you can find.’ So the servants went out into the streets and gathered everyone they could find, both evil and good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to see the guests, he spotted a man who was not dressed in wedding clothes. ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ 

Yahoshua comes and is rejected by the people He came to restore. So the remnant who believed were sent out like the kings servants. They were sent to preach the Gospel to the nations. This is the gentiles who have entered into the wedding banquet. He invites both the evil and the good. Although it isn’t mentioned specifically, we can understand that those who were invited wore the appropriate attire. They put on the new self. As we read in Ephesians 4:20-24. “But this is not the way you came to know Messiah. Surely you heard of Him and were taught in Him—in keeping with the truth that is in Yahoshua. To put off your former way of life, your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires. To be renewed in the spirit of your minds; and to put on the new self. Which is created to be like Elohim in true righteousness and holiness.” The clothes in the parable taught by Yahoshua, is a lifestyle. When the servants went out to the people to invite them to the banquet. The people who accepted the invitation had to assimilate into the culture of the wedding banquet. They had to put on new clothes, take off the old self and put on the new.

Continuing:
“But the man was speechless.”

There is a point when Yahoshua will separate the sheep from the goats. Another parable talks about the wheat and the tares. They look the same until the wheat is fully ripened and then you can tell the difference. The wheat puts on the fullness of its expression and bows. In the parable of the wedding banquet the man is speechless when approached by the king. Many are going to be surprised on the day the King returns because they haven’t put on the new self. They haven’t assimilated into the culture of the Kingdom. They are attempting to live duel lives. They look like wheat but they are tares. How can you know you aren’t a tare? Are you living by the principal, “Your Kingdom Come, Your Will be done.” Are you, “Seeking first the Kingdom of Elohim and His Righteousness?”

Continuing:
Then the king told the servants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.”

The conclusion of this passage is a warning. Some believe they are participating in the banquet. However, they have not assimilated themselves into the culture of the Kingdom. They haven’t embraced the new self. Instead, they believe that a simple acknowledgment of Yahoshua as King is enough for salvation. They think they can live as they want because of grace. This is due to incorrect word definitions or translations and poor teaching and instruction.

There is a word at the end of this passage, chosen, so wonderful it has become a show title. We can look at the world and history and see that Elohim has chosen people. We can look at Noah who found favor and was chosen to build an Ark. We can look at Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the birth of Israel. We can look at the Prophets and we can look at the Disciples. These stories of the chosen people of Elohim. The word here in Greek is ἐκλεκτός it means picked out, selected, chosen. However, the root of this word is ἐκλέγομαι and it is reflective of response. This is reflected in the passage above, “many are called.” This implies the choosing. Nevertheless, “but few are chosen,” is more reflective of the response, to respond to being chosen. ἐκλέγομαι or eklegomai is a verb it is the action and or outcome of the thing. In the verse we are the thing, the many that are chosen. The verb indicates both to be chosen and to choose. We are called, as even Judas was called, chosen. He didn’t respond with choosing to accept the fullness of the calling. In John 6:66 we read of a mass desertion. Many of Yahoshua’s Disciples left Him that day. He then asks the Twelve, “Are you going to leave also?” Their choice? “Where would we go for you have the Words of Eternal Life.” In light of the fullness of Scripture, we understand that this word for Chosen is two sided. It requires action and response. “For Elohim so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. That whoever believes in Him shall not parish but have everlasting life.” Many are called, few choose to accept. This is the message lost in translation.

Countless times we are warned that many believe they are saved and are not. “Many will say to Me; Adonai, Adonai, haven’t we done many wonders in Your Name?’ And I will say to them, ‘Depart from Me you who practice Torahlessness.'” How do we know that our names are written in the Lambs Book of Life? First, look in the mirror. Which clothing do you have on? That of the culture of man or the culture of the Kingdom? Are you arrayed in your own belief or are you immersed in the instruction of Yahoshua? Are you adorned in self-righteousness or are you baptized into the Righteousness of Messiah Yahoshua? Do you look like The Rabbi? Have you chosen to accept your calling?

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

Shema – שְׁמַע

A former student of mine trains and shows dogs. i don’t know exactly what they do or how they train them since i only follow their socials now. Still, it is easy to see that when they speak, the dog listens and responds with action. The dogs they train are what we would call, a “good boy.” Have you ever watched the puppy bowl? It is usually on during the Super Bowl. It is essentially a dog show. Where well trained dogs show off not only their well groomed fur but also their strut. Then of course there are the dogs who run obstacles. Those dogs are well trained too. Both listen to cues which can be whistles, clicks, or words. They hear them, then they listen and they obey.

Now our family dogs aren’t always as easily trained, they are kinda like us. Although, there are some great ones out there. Throughout the years, i have had a few dogs. my dog now, Shiloh, is by far the smartest. He is also the most obedient. He responds to my weak attempt at whistling. Or the click i make with my tongue and the roof of my mouth. He also responds to my words. We have developed a routine also. He moves about based on that routine which makes it easier to signal to him. His response each time is, almost always, immediate.

This brings me to the word “Shema.” When someone says, “Shema” today it is typically in reference to the Hebrew prayer. Found in Deuteronomy 6:4 and quoted by Yahoshua when asked, “What is the greatest commandment?” The reason for the name of the prayer is simple, it is the first word of the prayer. In the ESV it reads; “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.” In its broader use it also includes verse 5. In the ESV it reads; “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” In Jewish custom it is recited twice a day. First, when you arise in the morning and second, before you go to bed at night. Shema, has a very deep meaning that is lost in translation. Here the ESV and most other translations translate the word Shema to ‘Hear.’ This has harmed, I believe, the overall meaning of the word. As a result, the passage becomes less compelling. “Shema,” means to hear, yes, but in its fullness it means to “Listen and Obey.” Now knowing this truer definition lets look again at the passage. “Listen and Obey, O Israel: Yahweh our Elohim, Yahweh is ONE. You shall agapaō Yahweh your Elohim with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might!” Now you tell me which one sounds more impactful?

We are to listen and obey by faith. So much can be said here. i want to be careful not to run off on some tangent. Losing sight of what i am trying to say. i am trying to say that, like Abraham, Noah, Moses, Peter, Paul, Elijah, Elisha, Jeremiah, Daniel, Isaiah . . . did . . . and like Yahoshua. He said; “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of His own accord. He does only what He sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.” We are to Shema the Word of Elohim. To Listen and Obey. To Read and to Do.

Shema my family and friends, Listen and Obey! Yahweh our Elohim, Yahweh is ONE! You Shall agapaō, Love fully and completely, Yahweh your Elohim. Love with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength! And don’t stop there, agapaō, your neighbor. Love fully and completely, as much as you love yourself, love others in the same way. To continue reading on this topic check out “Will the real Jesus please stand up?”

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

Before Leviticus there was Genesis

“You shall take with you of every clean animal by sevens, a male and his female; and of the animals that are not clean two, a male and his female;” Genesis 7:2

When we talk about the Levitical Laws, and consequently the dietary laws, the landing point for these conversations is nearly always Leviticus chapter eleven. And since it is found in Leviticus the argument then becomes, “Jesus, did away with the law, we are now under grace.” Yet, as the caption above shows, the designation of clean and unclean predates the Law of Moses by hundreds if not greater than a thousand years. For Noah had to know which animals were clean and which animals were unclean before the flood since he loaded the ark as instructed, seven of every clean animal and two of the unclean. Moses simply clarifies this and writes it down for future generation’s education.

Why do i mention this? Clearly, there are more substantive points to be made. Yes, however, i start here because this stems from an earlier post of mine in which we discussed Melchizedek, mentioned in Genesis 14 and again in Hebrews. (You can read the post here.) The idea of clean and unclean go back to the earliest days recorded Biblically, therefore, it should be considered of historical value. When i was steeped in denominationalism one of the tenants of belief derived from this saying, “The Word, History, and Tradition.” First, what does the Word say, second, what does history show, third, what of tradition. Yet, as we have discussed, time and time again, history shows that we have a propensity to sway from the Word, make our own history and thereby making mans tradition superior to Elohim’s Word. What i have come to understand and believe is simply, what does the Word say, and leave it at that.

Two points in what is considered the New Testament many will raise are these: Jesus’ proclamation and Peter’s vision. Let’s first look at Peter’s story, found in Acts 10. Here in the town of Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion. He was also a devout man who feared Elohim as did all his household. He prayed continually and gave generously to Elohim. Elohim instructs Cornelius, to seek out Peter, and so he does. Peter, being an Israelite, a proud one at that, and zealous for Elohim would be a tough nut to crack. He was zealous for Elohim towards Israel and thought it wrong to include gentile nations, Greeks, Romans, Italians, Spaniards, etc. So while the men Cornelius sent to seek out Peter were yet traveling Peter has a vision. It says he was hungry on a roof top praying at the 6th hour or noon as was customary. In his hunger ridden vision he sees a sheet descending from the sky full of animals, reptiles, and birds. A voice pronounces, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” Peter being a devout Hebrew refuses, “By no means, Adonai; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” (This would indicate that nothing within the sheet was considered food, but a sheet full of unclean things) The voice a second time declares, “What Elohim has made clean, do not call common.”

If the story stopped there i would be in full agreement that the vision was in reference to food and therefore all animals, even ones marked as unclean were made clean by Yahoshua. However, this isn’t the end of the story. Remember the men sent by Cornelius, a Centurion, and an Italian? An unclean gentile of the ruling class that took part in the crucifixion of Yahoshua, has sent men to Peter, might the vision have something to do with that? Well lets check in with Peter. “While Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.” The men arrive, explain the situation, and the next day Peter and a few friends travel with the men back to Caesarea to meet with Cornelius. After Peter preaches the message of the good news of Yahoshua, the Word made flesh, the gentiles believe and are filled with the Holy Spirit. At the time Acts was written, roughly 60 AD, the Church was about 30 years old give or take. This story is found somewhere in the middle of that, so lets say 15 years into the life of the Church. There were already factions or as they were known Sects that had arisen within Judaism. Much like Denominations today. When word of the Gentiles receiving the Holy Spirit reached the council back in Jerusalem, the circumcision sect was outraged! “This can’t be! The sign of the covenant is circumcision and gentiles are not circumcised, therefore something isn’t right!”

Peter, then describes and interprets his vision. “. . . This happened three times, and all was drawn up again into heaven. And behold, at that very moment three gentile men arrived at the house in which we were, sent to me from Caesarea. And the Spirit told me to go with them, and making no distinction.” He concludes, “If then Elohim gave the same gift to them as He gave to us when we believed in Adonai Yahoshua Messiah, who was I that I could stand in Elohim’s way? When they glorified Elohim, saying, ‘Then to the Gentiles also Elohim has granted repentance that leads to life.’” You can read the whole account in Acts 10:1–11:18. If this had anything to do with food, anything at all, don’t you think Peter would have mentioned they ate a roast pig or something? The fact is it had and has nothing to do with food but the redemption of humanity through Yahoshua Messiah.

Many will sight Mark 7:19 as a verse in which Yahoshua declares all foods clean. “Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?“ (Thus he declared all foods clean.) Notice the parentheses, if your translation has the addendum at all, “Thus he declared all foods clean,” the parentheses indicate that this was added much later, not found in all manuscripts, most likely added erroneously by a pagan convert scribe who enjoyed eating pig. i don’t mean to pick on the pig exclusively, all unclean food for that matter is still unclean and should be avoided. Yet, even still i can hear the voice of some, “But Colossians!” Let’s take a look at Colossians in (my first) conclusion.

“Therefore, let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Messiah. Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, courtships and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from Elohim.” Colossians 2:16-19

Who were the Colossians? First, Colosse was in the Roman province of Asia which is modern-day Türkiye (Turkey). Although, there were Hebrews living in Colosse, they were assimilated into the surrounding culture and therefore considered gentiles to orthodox or Torah observant Israelites. There were of course actual gentiles also living in Colosse, and many had converted to the sect of the Nazarene, or followers of the Way of Messiah Yahoshua. These converts were mainly from pagan traditions of the Greek Culture which was adopted by the Romans. Pagan culture is full of religious overtones, festivals, and feast days, including holy days or modern-day translated Sabbaths in Hebrew, Shabbat.

With this context and understanding, as these pagan converts and assimilated Israelites converted to The Way of Messiah or the Sect of the Nazarene within Judaism it is easy to see why Paul wrote to them to not let anyone pass judgement upon them for their new found ways of living, as Messiah, the Word made flesh, and walk in the dust of the Rabbi. Imitating Him in His obedience to Torah and the Commandments of Elohim. Again, context matters, had Paul been writing to Jews in Jerusalem, one could perhaps take it that Paul was stating do what makes you happy Yahoshua paid the price. But that isn’t the case. These converts were facing persecution for their new found ways and the culture around them was chastising them for observing Torah.

Let me make my second conclusion of this matter with this analogy. Messiah Yahoshua is referred to as the Bridegroom, and likewise His followers are referred to as the Bride of Messiah. In a marriage relationship, if your spouse has grace for you in a matter do you exasperate that grace or do you attempt to change or compromise in order to honor your spouse? It’s not appeasement if it is done in love with the idea of mutual respect and honor. In Revelation 14:12 we read this: “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of Yahweh, and the faith of Yahoshua.” John when writing the commandments of Yahweh is referring to the Torah and he couples that with the faith of Yahoshua, faith of, not faith in, which we can gather by his use of language to mean; to walk as the Rabbi, to walk in the dust of the Rabbi. Or as Paul states, “Imitate me as I imitate Messiah.”

Now my final conclusion from Pauls writing to the Philippians (Phil 3:15-19). “Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, Elohim shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, where to we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an example. For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the stake of Messiah: Whose end is destruction, whose mighty one is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.” We are to be driven by our love for Messiah unto obedience, not out of rule but out of a marital covenant. We are to stand out among the nations, set apart, following the ways of Yahweh. Messiah didn’t come to give us license to live in sin but to show us a more perfect way bound in love for Yahweh, and for His people. And we live this out by loving everyone, we judge those only within the body of Messiah, while we proclaim the truth of salvation to those outside of Messiah. There is a more intimate life that awaits for those who are found in Messiah when He returns.

John 14:15 “If you love Me (Yahoshua), keep My commandments.” i realize this post is a bit all over the place, my apologies, but my heart is for you and my mind is faster than my fingers. my next post will attempt to complete this thought and this series of sorts on Every Wind of Doctrine. However, this is my heart, Messiah came to reveal that there is simplicity in following Him not more burden. He came to reveal and remove the many traditions of man that were heaped on the Israelites and the observers of Torah, to declare, “Come Follow Me! (The WORD made flesh) For My burden is easy and my yoke is light.” He didn’t come so that man could live lawlessly or in Torahlessness, which is of the working of the lawless one himself. And his doctrine which is preached, “Do as though wilt, shall be the whole of the law.” His lie is the same, “You won’t die, for Elohim knows that when you eat of it you will be like Him, knowing both good and evil.” The lawless one twists truth in order to convince humanity to live as him, Messiah Yahoshua, the Word made Flesh, says, “Follow Me.”

Until next time, Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly with Elohim.

You are loved,
cj

We haven’t heard . . .

Every Wind of Doctrine 7 . . . “We haven’t even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” Acts 19:2

Paul writes to the Philippians, “So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” Some translations render this, “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” So many today are reliant upon others faith, others religion, others understanding, that they fail to search the Scriptures daily, to see whether or not what they are being taught is true. Of course there is a grain of truth in everything which makes discerning untruth more difficult. The devil knows this and therefore has been tempting man from the beginning with truth, wrapped convincingly in a lie. “You will be like the Most High, knowing good and evil.” “Did Elohim actually say . . .?” “You won’t surely die . . .”

When Paul and Apollos were in Ephesus, they came across some disciples, recent converts to the Way, and Paul asked them, “‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?’ And they said to him, ‘No, we have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.’ And he said, ‘Into what then were you baptized?’ And they said, ‘Into John’s baptism.’ Paul said, ‘John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Yahoshua.’ When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of Adonai Yahoshua.’ And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying.” Acts 19:2-6

Being a follower of the Way is simpler than some have made it and still more difficult than many believe. Yahoshua said, “He who would follow Me will lose his own life.” He said, narrow is the Way, and few find it.” He said, “let the dead bury their own and come follow Me.” He said, to James and John, “Come follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.” And they at once left their nets and the family business and followed Him. He said, “Many will say to Me Adonai, Adonai, and I will tell them depart from Me, I never knew you, you who practice lawlessness.” He also said, “My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” He said, “Ask of Me and I will give you living water.” He said, “If you lose your life for My sake, then you will find it.” He said, “I will not leave you alone, I go to My Father, and will send you a Helper, the Holy Spirit.”

When we take into consideration our part in being in relationship with Yahoshua it runs a bit deeper than merely believing. We begin to grow in that relationship. We don’t earn our salvation, we cannot out holy others in order to some how achieve the reward of salvation. Salvation is a gift, given by means of grace, to the heart open to receive it. But as Yahoshua called His disciples, they had to leave something behind, themselves, their old selves. They were made new in Messiah. Given new life, new purpose, a new Way of living. Many will say, that i preach a works based salvation, no, i do not work for nor can i earn my salvation. However, because i am saved, because i have been given new life, with new purpose, i choose to walk the new life, the new Way.

This new Way is as easy as it is hard. “‘But there are some of you who do not believe.’ For Yahoshua knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him. And He was saying, ‘For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father.” As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and chose not to walk in the Way any longer. So Yahoshua said to the twelve, ‘Do you want to leave and go your own way also?’” (John 6:64-67)

There are only two ways in this life, The Way, Elohim’s Way, or your own way, the way of Satan. The satanic temple has a saying, “Do as thou wilt, shall be the whole of the law.” This is the lie the devil has been telling many even within the Church today and they are believing it. But this is the working of the lawless one. For Yahoshua, is the Word made flesh, He is the Instruction. i met someone today who said, “Yahoshua is the Word made flesh, and it is our job as flesh to become like the Word.” This is so very true! We are to become like Him, to walk in the footsteps of the Rabbi Yahoshua, who walked in the fullness of the Word of Elohim. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with Elohim, and the Word was Elohim. He was in the beginning with Elohim. All things came into being through Him, apart from Him nothing can be.” . . . “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among man, and man saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:1-3, 14) What is truth? His Word is Truth.

If we are going to walk in the Way, the Way of the Rabbi, the Word, then we must know the Word. We must seek Him, for when we seek Him with our whole heart, we will find Him. When we ask Him for wisdom He will give us wisdom. When we desire understanding, He will give us understanding. He will bring along those who will ask, “Have you received the Holy Spirit?” And if we have not heard, if we do not know, but we seek through the Scriptures as the Berean’s did daily, He will show us, revealing His truth. Which way do you want to go? On what path will you find yourself, on the broad way, easy, do as thou wilt; or will you take the narrow Way, the Way of instruction, “If you love Me, you will obey My commandments.” This word will, is a choice. Choose this day whom you will serve, Elohim Most High, or yourself. Only one leads to life, choose wisely.

You are loved,
cj

Journey Update 3 Love

i have always said that love is a choice it is not an emotion or feeling. However, there are blocks to love which are emotions, and feelings based on experience unforgiveness, anger, and hurt. The opposite is also true, good experiences and positive emotions and feelings like joy, happiness, and forgiveness. These are gateways that make choosing love easy. The devil does his best to accuse Elohim in our hearts. To get you to be angry at Him and others. Satan knows this well. If he can make you angry and dwell in hurt, your heart will harden. Then, choosing love will be nearly impossible. Because love blossoms out of forgiveness.

Humanity is a willing, unwilling, and unaware participant in Satan’s plan. So it’s easy to be angry even cynical of all of this . . . the world, politics, family, friends, life. Yet, even with such an advisory we are told to love. When Yahoshua was asked what the greatest commandment was He said, “30 Love YHWH your Elohim with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31) He was referencing Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18.

The definition of love found in a dictionary is unbelievably mangled. As it will define it from loving one’s family, pet, or food, to intercourse, and a love affair. This definition is why society is so lost. We have taken the very thing Elohim rates at the top of His list for humanity and we have diluted it in a cesspool. There are different words for love within the recorded texts of Scripture, Storge, Phileo, Eros, and Agape. (The following definitions are from the website Biblestudytools.com)

  1. Storge: Storge love is the care that exists between family members, friends, or companions. Longer-lasting, it goes beyond an initial infatuation or attraction. Built on a familiarity between people, the emphasis of storge is on devotion and intimacy that develops over time.
  2. Phileo: Phileo most often describes a relationship between people, one of generous warmth for another. But in a broader sense, it can also apply to churches and even cities. The basis of this common bond is shared beliefs, values or interests.
  3. Eros: Eros love is a the kind of affection meant to describe a healthy, sensual love between husband and wife. Romance and physical attraction play a part in it. God [Elohim] gave us this kind of desire with the clear instruction to express it only within the bonds of marriage.
  4. Agape: Agape love is probably the most talked about of the four kinds of love. It is the highest, most complete form of affection. God’s [Elohim’s] love for us is the foundation of this love. And Jesus [Yahoshua] gave us many lessons about and examples of agape – a strong, selfless and sacrificial love – during His earthly ministry.

Based on the greatest commandment to Love [Agape] Elohim with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. And the second love [Storge/Phileo] your neighbor you can see how this becomes more of a choice than an emotion. One must choose to love and in order to choose love, one must remove the obstacles that would hinder the ability to love as commanded.

If human love flows from forgiveness then perhaps this is why Yahoshua prayed, “forgive us our sins as we forgive . . .” those who trespass or are in debt to us so that we can love. Divine love flows from gratitude. Therefore it requires counting our blessings. However, if Satan can make you miserable, unforgiving, and fearful, it becomes nearly impossible to love your neighbor. He creates doubt and grievances, making it hard to love your enemy. Not to mention it makes it challenging to love Elohim with every fiber of your being.

i am not dismissing the difficulty in forgiveness, especially when one has been hurt, emotionally, physically, or both. i am not dismissing the difficulty in forgiving one’s self for failure. It is challenging to forgive oneself for hurting someone emotionally or physically. Experiencing loss tragically or unexpectedly adds to the difficulty. For all the barriers of choosing love, choosing forgiveness is the hardest. It isn’t just forgiving others, one must also forgive themselves. Satan works extremely hard to get one to believe they are not deserving of forgiveness. This belief makes one feel as if they are unlovable. This internal struggle stems from ones heart whether anger, fear, hurt, or trauma. And if one is unloved or unlovable, it is nearly impossible for them to love others.

Here is the good news, in Yahoshua Messiah, there is forgiveness for He loves you! One only needs to recognize that in Yahoshua there is the fullness of Agape love. It is complete with forgiveness, and then accept it. If you can understand this then you are on the road to wholeness. i have found that when one truly seeks to Agape Elohim with their whole heart, soul, mind, and strength it becomes necessary to evaluate life from HIS perspective.

If all of the law and the prophets (what we call the Old Testament). Hangs on these two, love Elohim and love your neighbor. Knowing what that means from the beginning is vital. Micah 6:8 says, “Mankind, he has told each of you what is good and what it is the YHWH requires of you: to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your Elohim.” If Elohim is the same yesterday, today, and forever, learning His ways as one grafted into Israel is a sign of affection. it is Agape. As a member of Israel by way of graft i am part of the new covenant which is spelled out in Jeremiah and Hebrews.

Jeremiah 31:31-34 —
31 Look, the days are coming” — this is YHWH’s declaration — “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. 32 “This one will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors on the day I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt — my covenant that they broke even though I am their husband”— YHWH’s declaration. 33 “Instead, this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days” — YHWH’s declaration. “I will put my teaching within them and write it on their hearts. I will be their Elohim, and they will be my people. 34 “No longer will one teach his neighbor or his brother, saying, ‘Know YHWH,’ for they will all know me, from the least to the greatest of them” — this is YHWH’s declaration. “For I will forgive their iniquity and never again remember their sin.”

Hebrews 8:7-13 —
7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion for a second one. 8 But finding fault with his people, he says: “See, the days are coming, says YHWH, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah —9 not like the covenant that I made with their ancestors on the day I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt. I showed no concern for them, says YHWH, because they did not continue in my covenant. 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says YHWH: I will put my Torah into their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their Elohim, and they will be my people. 11 And each person will not teach his fellow citizen, and each his brother or sister, saying, “Know YHWH,” because they will all know me, from the least to the greatest of them. 12 For I will forgive their wrongdoing, and I will never again remember their sins.13 By saying a new covenant, he has declared that the first is obsolete. And what is obsolete and growing old is about to pass away.”

The old covenant written on tablets and parchment. It has been rewritten on the hearts and the minds of the people of Elohim. The prophets taught the people to obey the very Torah. Yahoshua, the WORD made flesh, also taught His disciples to obey it. This Torah is written on the heart and mind of the people of Elohim. If we love Him we will obey Him, we are not a people of lawlessness but a people of Elohim. Set apart and marked by His covenant and sealed with the signs of His commandments, His feasts, His Torah.

i am forgiven, learning to forgive myself, learning to forgive others . . . Choosing to love Elohim and my neighbor. Learning to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with my Elohim. Agreeing with the accuser, satan, as he accuses me before the Father. Yet, holding fast to my Advocate, my High Priest, my Savior, Yahoshua Ha’Mashiah.

You are loved,
cj

Journey Update (part 2)

What i have come to understand about shadows and prophecy, fullness and fulfillment. In part 2 of my Journey update i want to explore these things and encourage you to be a Berean and explore them for yourself as well…

There was a time that i worked at DIA (Denver International Airport) as a ramp agent, affectionately known among peers as ramp rats. We made a song, don’t ask me to sing it, not that it was vulgar, they all knew of and respected my faith. First, i don’t remember most of it and two i was once asked if i was tone deaf after singing. Anyway, it was a pretty cool gig. Besides all the cool benefits it was just fun work, physically tiring, but fun. One of the cool parts of working there was all the sights of various planes taking off and landing. The shadow of a plane on the ground as it came in getting larger and larger until it merged with the wheels on the runway as if Tinker Bell had sown them together. Revealing the fullness of the shadow in the presence of the plane.

The shadow of the plane on the ground looks like a plane. You can hear the plane, and see its shadow, an image of what is to come. As the object gets closer, the shadow grows in size until the fullness of the image casting the shadow arrives. The shadow doesn’t change it becomes more full when the substance of the shadow, the plane arrives. The planes shadow is an image of what is to come and when the substance arrives it reveals the fullness of the casted shadow. The shadow becomes something that you can enter into in its complete form.

John 1:1-3

“In the beginning the Word already existed.
The Word was with Elohim,
and the Word was Elohim.

He existed in the beginning with Elohim.

Elohim created everything through Him,
Fore nothing was created except through Him.”

Yahoshua is the fullness, He is the substance of the shadow of what was to come. The Word casted its shadow on humanity, through Israel. Yahoshua, the Word made flesh, was the arrival of the Torah. The instruction (Torah) known as the Word, a shadow of things to come, arrived as the Word became flesh, Yahoshua Messiah. As Paul writes to the Colossians: “which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Messiah’s.” (Colossians 2:17)

Yahoshua is the fulfillment of Jeremiah’s Prophecy in 31:31-34– “Behold, the days are coming, declares YHWH, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares YHWH. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares YHWH: I will put My law (Torah) within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their Elohim, and they shall be My people. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘know YHWH,’ for they shall all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares YHWH. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” In Hebrews this is brought up as fulfilled in Messiah. (See Hebrews 8)

The Word didn’t change. The Torah didn’t change. Elohim didn’t change. His instruction didn’t change. The method of delivery changed. The Holy Spirit is the written Torah, the written WORD, on the hearts of those within the Nation of Israel, whether by birth or by adoption, grafted into . . . There is one Torah for the native and for those who adjoin themselves to the people of Elohim. When we enter into the fullness of Messiah we are no longer Gentiles or Jews but we are one people, the people of Elohim, we are the bride. As gentiles (any nation of people not of the 12 tribes of Israel) can not live outside the foundation and root of the Hebrew Nation which is founded on the Word of Elohim, who was made flesh and dwelt among us, and now resides in the heart of the believer through the Holy Spirit. The written Word on our Hearts does not free us from Torah but empowers us to live it!

Yahoshua didn’t come and die for our sin so that we could live a life of sin. Sin as defined by 1 John 2:3-6 —
“This is how we know that we know Him: if we keep his commands. The one who says, ‘I have come to know Him,’ and yet doesn’t keep his commands, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His Word (Torah), truly in him the love of Elohim is made complete. This is how we know we are in Him: The one who says he remains in Him should walk just as He walked.” He came to reconcile us to the Father, take the punishment of our disobedience, and show us how to live. Paul, says, “imitate me as I imitate Messiah.” We also need to understand what John was referring to when he says, the word, and His commandments. As Paul instructs Timothy in his 2nd letter to him: “All Scripture is breathed out by Elohim and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” Neither Paul or John were in anyway referring to their own letters or the Gospels, but the written Word of Elohim of the day, the Tanakh, which includes the Torah, or instruction, which has been translated, Law.

The shadow of things to come, has come in fullness through Yahoshua. And in the millennium, we will continue to live these instructions of Elohim. We will observe the Sabbath, the Feast Days, and the commandments of Elohim. As we have been taught to pray, “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” May we through the power of the Holy Spirit begin to live our lives in the pattern of Yahoshua Messiah, imitating Him as Paul demonstrates.

You are loved,
cj

Read, Listen, Meditate

“But they delight in the law of YHWH meditating on it day and night. He is like a tree planted by the streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither.” Psalm 1:2-3

“The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men.” Acts 17:10-12

“If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling Elohim a liar and showing that His Word has no place in our hearts.” 1 John 1:10

Over a period of 60 days i read 11 novels: The Hobbit, Summer Knight, Sandstorm, To the Last Man, Wisdom Hunter, 70×7 and Beyond, Legend, The Talisman, Ride the River, The Last Heroes, and Foreign Influence, also one prayer devotional, 31 Days of Prayer. Along with these i read, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy, Psalms, and Micah, the whole of the New Testament once through and then John, and 1-3 John, two more times each, as well as repeating Philippians, Ephesians, Jude and James. Reading is about the only thing i did besides, eat and sleep; with one exception, chess, the best $13.50 i spent on commissary.

i also spent time writing my thoughts for this and many other previous blog posts, 34 in total. Meditating on the Word and singing praises to My Elohim is what saw me through my time of exile. What I discovered is i have waisted much of my life. Although, i was always a student of the Word i definitely lacked as fas as time. i could have, no should have, been applying myself to understanding what 2 Timothy 3:16 truly meant, as well as Acts 17:10-12, Psalm 1:2-3 . . . When one truly spends uninterrupted time meditating on verses like:

“Do your best to present yourself to Elohim as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the Word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of Elohim that you may know that you have eternal life. And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will he hears us.” 1 John 5:13-14

“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” Romans 15:4

“so as to walk in a manner worthy of Adonai, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of Elohim.” Colossians 1:10

“You shall love YHWH your Elohim with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” Deuteronomy 6:5-7

“This book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall mediate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” Joshua 1:8

It is after all the “Old” Testament Paul was referring to when he said to Timothy: “All Scripture is breathed out by Elohim and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of Elohim may be competent, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

We live in a world of speakers, and few honest listeners. We must learn to read, to listen, and to meditate, on the Word of Elohim. Yahoshua is the Word made flesh, if we truly want to know Him should we not read Him, listen to Him, and meditate on Him?

This concludes the 34 blogs written and found under the category, “prison epistles.”

You are loved,
cj

Supreme

“For Elohim in all His fullness was pleased to live in Messiah.” Colossians 1:19

“In the beginning the WORD already existed. The WORD was with Elohim, and the WORD was Elohim.” John 1:1

“. . . and through the Son He created the Universe.” Hebrews 1:2b

There is no other name under heaven in which on can be saved. Yahoshua is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. In the end, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Yahoshua Messiah, to the glory of Elohim the Father. The Father, revealed through the Son, and in the Son. Revealed, even in Word, and Deed, in Name and in Purpose.

Joshua son of Nun, who led the people of Israel into the promised land was named Hoshea. It was through Moses, that Elohim changed his name to Joshua. Some would think this name is inconsequential, most read right over it because lets be real, names and genealogies are boring. However, here is a revelation to all of humanity. Hoshea means, salvation, the name change puts the emphasis on who is salvation, Yahoshua, means, YHWH IS Salvation.

Who saves? YHWH saves, Yahoshua saves, “I and My Father are One.” “But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father has commanded Me, thus I do.” Paul said, “Be imitators of me, as I also am of Messiah.” What did Yahoshua do? He kept the Sabbath, He kept the feasts, He ate clean. What did Paul do?

He kept the Sabbath — Acts 17:2 & 18:4
He kept the Feasts — Acts 20:6 & 20:16
He instructed on the Feasts — 1 Corinthians 5:7-8
He believed in Torah — Acts 24:14
He taught the Torah — Acts 28:23 & Romans 3:31
He obeyed the Torah — Romans 7:25
He delighted in Torah — Romans 7:22
He said IMITATE ME as I IMITATE MESSIAH 1 Corinthians 4:16 & 11:1

Are we saved by keeping the Law or the Torah? No, we are saved by Grace as was Noah, as was Abram. We show our love for Messiah, by keeping His commandments. In Luke 6:46 Yahoshua said, “Why do you call Me ‘Adonai, Adonai,’ but not do what I tell you?” We are set apart by Torah. What significance is there in keeping Torah? It sets us apart from the pagan, and the unbelieving. To worship on the Sabbath demonstrates our thankfulness in His provision, if even the land was commanded to keep the Sabbath shouldn’t we? If Yahoshua became the Sabbath wouldn’t keeping it honor Him even more?

The very fact that the commandment starts with the word, “Remember,” should be motivation enough. It should also give us pause to reflect on why there has been such an attempt to forget the Sabbath. To celebrate the Feasts is to honor Him, “These are MY FEASTS” if we are His people should we not honor Him by keeping His Feasts and not the traditions of men, which is one of the major points of contention between Yahoshua and the Pharisees? And if clean and unclean came before the Torah, should we not also now keep the clean and unclean dietary practices? Certainly if Elohim is the same yesterday, today, and forever; we should. Does this make us Holy? No. Does it show that we love Him and want to honor Him? Yes!

We are instructed to be set apart, sanctified, holy. This is done through Yahoshua, who is our example, not our free pass to idolatry. “If we know what is good and we do not do it, that to us is sin,” said James. Also, in Revelation 3 Yahoshua says:

15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

21 To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on His throne. 22 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

It seems to me that this is a direct reflection of Jeremiah 31:31-34 in which is written:

Behold, the days are coming, declares Adonai, when I will renew My covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand
to bring them out of the land of Egypt. For they broke My covenant,
though I was a husband to them.” it is a declaration of Adonai.
“But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days” —it is a declaration of Adonai—
“I will put My Torah within them. Yes, I will write it on their heart. I will be their Elohim and they will be My people. No longer will each teach his neighbor or each his brother, saying: ‘Know Adonai,’ for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest.” it is a declaration of Adonai. “For I will forgive their iniquity, their sin I will remember no more.”

For those who will say that the Gentiles and Israel are two separate tracks of Elohim’s story with humanity, i give you Yahoshua, “And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to My voice. So there will be ONE flock, one Shepherd.” (John 10:16) Is Messiah divided, that this ONE flock would be separate somehow? No, not at all, they become one under the Shepherd who is the WORD of ELOHIM made FLESH. And He declared that He is knocking on the heart of the lukewarm believer, and if we open to Him He will come in and in essence write the Torah on our hearts.

This is also taught by Paul, for he understood this to be true. “And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for Elohim has the power to graft them in again. For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree.” Earlier Paul warned the gentiles, “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.” (Excerpts from Romans 11:18-24)

So then what? Is it by grace or works of the Law? As James says, “Faith without works is dead . . . I will show you my faith by my works.” Yahoshua said, “Why do you call Me Adonai, and not do as I commanded?” If we are to love Elohim with our whole heart, mind, soul and strength isn’t it reasonable to think that living by the commandments of Elohim is within the realm of loving Him completely? Keeping holy what he declares holy and unclean what he calls unclean, is this also not a sign of our love for Him? To join Him in celebration of His Feasts, is this not also a condition and confession of our heart?

i present this as a question, i choose to live it as a statement. i am not under the law, yet, i choose to live in the footsteps of My Adonai, by the power of His Holy Spirit within me, writing Torah on my heart.

You are loved,
cj

Know His Voice

“When He has brought out all His own, He goes before them, and the sheep follow Him, for they know His voice.” John 10:4

You know what i find interesting, this verse in John is 10:4 and 10-4 is radio speak for “understood” basically, “Okay, I hear you and understand.” i don’t know where the radio call signs come from or what influenced them but i wouldn’t be surprised if somehow it was related to John 10:4. Knowing and recognizing the voice of Yahoshua is key and becoming increasingly critical as we step into the last days. Yes, i do believe we are entering the last of the last days. It is my goal to be as responsive to the voice of Yahoshua as my dog Shiloh is to mine. i want to recognize His voice as so familiar it is like that of my boys recognizing the voice of their dad, me.

We need to be so in tuned with Yahoshua that we hear, recognize, and obey. We may hear a similar voice, but if it goes against Elohim’s Word it is a counterfeit. Now we may hear and we may recognize, but if we do not obey we are only fooling ourselves. We need all three to truly walk with Adonai Yahoshua. Perilous times are upon us as described in 2 Timothy 3 and 4.

“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of Elohim, having an idea of divinity, but denying its power. Avoid such people.” (2 Timothy 3:1-5)

“For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” (2 Timothy 4:3-4)

This instruction to Timothy is a warning much like that of Yahoshua’s teaching in John 10 — “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. . . He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.” (John 10:10, 12-13)

People who truly don’t know the voice of Yahoshua will follow that of the thief, and the stranger, who brings teachings that tickle the ears but harden the heart. Yahoshua continues in John 10 —

“I am the good shepherd. I know My own and My own know me, just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to My voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.” (John 10:14-16)

Who are the other sheep not of this fold? The fold He is talking about is Israel, the other sheep are those out of the gentile nations. We must learn to recognize His voice. Also, notice that we become one! There are not two separate people, but one people of Elohim through Yahoshua. We did not replace Israel, and we are not on a different level or end time path, we are one! Paul instructs Timothy, “All Scripture is breathed out by Elohim and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of El may be competent, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

The “All Scripture,” Paul is referring to here is what we know today as the Old Testament. Yahoshua never quoted the New Testament, obviously, as it hadn’t been written. All the Apostles, taught as Yahoshua taught, from the “Old.” Yahoshua, is the Word made flesh, as John describes— “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with Elohim, and the Word was Elohim. He was in the beginning with Elohim. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made.” A few verses down John adds, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory , glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” In essence, Yahoshua is the Torah. More than just the five Books of Moses, He is the major and minor prophets, He is the books of wisdom, He is the Word made flesh. He cannot contradict Himself.

Would it not make sense if we are to truly understand the Word made flesh that we look at the whole of the Word. “My sheep know My voice and come to Me.” Do you know His voice? Will you be able to recognize it over the noise, distractions, and falsehoods, that are coming in these last days? Are you willing to follow the Good Shepherd when — “Indeed, all who desire to live a divinely inspired life in Messiah Yahoshua will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” (2 Timothy 3:12-13)

We need to to begin to understand Him by reading the very Word He represents. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

Do you know His voice?

You are loved,
cj

Great American Prophet

“YHWH your Elohim will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear, according to all you desired of YHWH your Elohim in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, ‘Let us not hear again the voice of YHWH our Elohim, nor let us see this great fire anymore, lest we die.’ And YHWH said to me: ‘What they have spoken is good. I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. And it shall be that whoever will not hear My words, which he speaks in My name, I will require it of him. But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in My name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die.’ And if you say in your heart, ‘How shall we know the word which YHWH has not spoken?’ — When a prophet speaks in the name of YHWH, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which YHWH has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.” Deuteronomy 18:15-22

It’s election season again in America and the prophets are out in full force with their, “Thus says the Lord,” prophetic word. i am not calling out any by name but instead giving insight as to what the Word says and how to interpret or see who is a false prophet or one who speaks presumptuously, after eating his ham sandwich he purchased from the deli on the Sabbath. Deuteronomy 18:22 says, “When a prophet speaks in the name of YHWH, if that thing does NOT happen or come to pass, that is the thing which YHWH has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.” There are a lot folks who are still following and promoting some of the ‘Great American Prophets’ which pretty much got every aspect of the 2020 election wrong. Yet, folks still cling to every word and are hopeful still about more ‘prophetic words’ that again have yet to come to pass.

The Word says to test: “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from Elohim, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1

We are called to be like Bereans: “These were more fair-minded than the Thessalonians, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” Acts 17:11

i don’t know for sure but it seems to me that if YHWH were going to speak to a prophet today, He would do so using His name and not a translated title. He says He is not the Elohim of confusion. He isn’t going to contradict Himself, He isn’t going to mislead His prophets, He isn’t a liar. Yahoshua came in the name of YHWH and was rejected. He warned that others would come in their own name and be received. There is power in the Name of YHWH Elohim (For more on what’s in a name click here).

What causes so many to remain loyal to modern day ‘prophets’? The word is clear about the way to recognize a false prophet. It is also clear of the warnings. For further study here are some verses you can look up on how to spot, and the warnings about listening to, false prophets.

Jeremiah 14:14
Jeremiah 29:8-9
Deuteronomy 13:1-4
2 Peter 2:1-3
2 Timothy 4:3-4
Add more in the comments:

As Paul wrote to the Ephesians, “Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way MORE AND MORE like MESSIAH, who is the head of His body, the church.” Ephesians 4:14-15

Be watchful, be like those in Berea, study to show yourself approved.

You are loved,
cj