I sometimes wonder how many of us can look back over our lives and really sense that a higher power was at work in the milestones along the way, the events that framed our existence. I often have and I am fully persuaded that my entire life, the good, bad and ugly, was orchestrated by my creator. With that said, I don't mean to insinuate that he took full control of my faculties and that I operated as a puppet in his hands. I see it more as he declares in Jer 29:11, " For I know the thoughts (intention, plan) that I think (weave, fabricate) toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace (health, prosperity, favor), and not of evil (adversity, affliction), to give you an expected (literally a cord, as an attachment, figurately an expectation, hope) end (future, reward)."
His plans for me have always been for good. Ro 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." I believe that his intention was always to call me into his family, long before I could ever have conceived such an outcome. In looking back, I realize that even as a child of eight or nine, his hand was upon me. The events of my life, although not always what I would have chosen, literally moved me into a deeper and deeper relationship with him. He carried me along, revealing himself to me more and more, as I was able to receive revelation.
Today, I trust him with every major decision I have to make. Experience has taught me that, each time I prayed and asked for his direction, he was always there with an answer. Now I immediately go to him and await his leading. I have learned not to burst headlong into a decision, based on my own thoughts or emotions. I understand Jer 10:23 " O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps".
Whenever I've faced major issues in my life, Yehovah has always been more than ready to lead my family to a favorable outcome.....when I've prayed and asked for his assistance. He never pushed his way into our lives. He has given us free moral agency and he respects and allows us to choose for ourselves the path we will follow. We just need to understand that he has set in motion blessings and cursings within the very fabric of creation, natural laws that will dictate the ultimate outcome of our choices in the day of judgment. De 30:19 :I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live." Sometimes, I've had to learn that the hard way, but chastisement and correction have driven the rebellion out of me.
Today, I know I need him. I know that his thoughts are not my thoughts and his ways are not my ways. I've learned that his ways will always lead to blessings. Mine have a tendency to result in disaster. There was a time when I would cry out to him as a last resort, when I had already made a mess of things. Now he is the one I go to first, before any decision is made, and then I wait. I wait upon him to direct my steps, to give me wisdom and insight. I wait for his season, for I know that he knows the end from the beginning, he sees what I cannot see.
I have come to imagine my life as a circle within a circle. Yehovah has created all things and he has an ultmate plan for this earth and mankind. His plan trumps ours every time. Through the ages he has orchestrated the workings of nations and governments, the rise and fall of kings and kingdoms for his own purposes. His is the big circle. My individual life is but a very small circle. The world does not revolve around me. It's not about me! It's about HIM! If I am in his will and allow him to possess my being, I know that blessings are sure, for he has promised. With that said, he does care about my life, each detail, great and small. He wants to share that life with me and he wants it to be an abundant life. I want that too. I want to be aligned with that larger circle, not only in this life, but throughout all eternity.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
The House of God
In the Christian community, there seems to be a difference of opinion about the subjects of grace and works with regard to salvation. I have contemplated both concepts over the years, and been confused often about the role each plays in the salvation process.
However, as with most biblical teachings, our physical experience often mirrors the spiritual and makes clear those topics that otherwise seem hard to understand.
In the beginning, God instituted marriage and the family structure. Laying aside the present-day controversy over their definition, let's assume for a moment that we are speaking of a father, mother and children. When a man and woman bring forth new life, that child is theirs, 100%. The child has done nothing to deserve being born. As a newborn, the child is totally dependent upon it's parents for food, shelter and clothing. As the child grows, the parents instruct the child in an age-appropriate manner how to function in the family structure and within society at large. There are rules in the household that each member is responsible to abide by. Oftentimes, correction is needed to take rebellion out of a child's heart. The child does not decide for him or herself how they will conduct their lives, but are taught obedience (hopefully in the fear of Yehovah). A child does not yet have the capacity to make wise decisions without direction. They must be guided and directed along the way until they reach adulthood. Their parents know the perils that they will encounter along the way and offer wisdom and instruction to save them from pain or bodily harm. Their greatest joy is to watch their children grow up to be fine young adults, to be prosperous and happy, physically, mentally and spiritually whole. Sadly, some children refuse instruction and correction. They are unruly, disobedient and disrupt the entire household, creating havoc for all family-members. They have no respect for their parents, doing everything in their power to disregard all attempts at bringing them under authority. In these cases, many parents have been forced to sit them down and lay down the law, as it were. The conversation might go something like this. "You are our child and we love you dearly. However we cannot condone this disruptive behavior. Your attitude has become a cancer in our family. We have rules in this household and they must be abided by. We provide for all your needs and, in return, you spurn us and have no respect for us as your parents. You think you can come and go as you wish and do whatever you wish. This is about to stop. If you want to live in this home and under this roof, you will come under our authority. If you think you are grown enough to decide for yourself how you will live, then you can pack your bags and get out of our home. Go out into the world and see how you fare, providing for yourself."
Likewise, our heavenly Father has a household. Those who have been saved by the grace of our Lord and savior, Yeshua, are all member of that household. Using the analogy above, we can get a clearer picture of what being in His family is like. Yes, we are saved by faith and not by "works". We have done nothing by our own efforts to become His children. We haven't earned it. He brought us into His family through Yeshua, out of His abundant love for us. However, His is a household of rules and He expects His children to abide by them for their own good. When He brought the children of Israel into the promised land, He instructed them regarding the Sabbath and annual holy days that He wanted to celebrate with them. He gave them dietary laws for good health. He told them He didn't want them to live as the other nations, but to be a set-apart people. He forbid them to make and bow down to graven images, or to follow the customs of the surrounding nations in their worship of Him. He gave them an order of worship that would prove to be a blessing to them. For His part, He would be their safety. He would bless them, provide for all their needs, keep their enemies at bay, give them peace and security in their new home. Their example of disobedience should be a warning to any who would spurn His instructions for righteousness. After many years of chastisement, after proclaiming warning after warning through His prophets, He cast them from their home into captivity among the nations.
You see, order is a necessary part of any family or civilization, for that matter. Otherwise, anarchy prevails, followed by destruction. God doesn't require obedience of any who are not His, but for those who live in His home, obedience is necessary for the good of the entire family. Again, we don't become His children by obedience, for the scriptures teach that, while we were yet sinners, Yeshua died for us. We can't earn a place in His home. Obedience, however, is taught in the home by our loving Father. Have you ever witnessed the destruction an unruly child can cause? What about an unruly fellow-believer within a congregation? The results are the same. The entire family is poisoned by bad behavior. Yehovah will not tolerate such behavior in His home. If we claim salvation through Yeshua, obedience to our heavenly Father is a must. His coming kingdom will be a kingdom of righteousness and the disobedient will not enter into it's gates.
However, as with most biblical teachings, our physical experience often mirrors the spiritual and makes clear those topics that otherwise seem hard to understand.
In the beginning, God instituted marriage and the family structure. Laying aside the present-day controversy over their definition, let's assume for a moment that we are speaking of a father, mother and children. When a man and woman bring forth new life, that child is theirs, 100%. The child has done nothing to deserve being born. As a newborn, the child is totally dependent upon it's parents for food, shelter and clothing. As the child grows, the parents instruct the child in an age-appropriate manner how to function in the family structure and within society at large. There are rules in the household that each member is responsible to abide by. Oftentimes, correction is needed to take rebellion out of a child's heart. The child does not decide for him or herself how they will conduct their lives, but are taught obedience (hopefully in the fear of Yehovah). A child does not yet have the capacity to make wise decisions without direction. They must be guided and directed along the way until they reach adulthood. Their parents know the perils that they will encounter along the way and offer wisdom and instruction to save them from pain or bodily harm. Their greatest joy is to watch their children grow up to be fine young adults, to be prosperous and happy, physically, mentally and spiritually whole. Sadly, some children refuse instruction and correction. They are unruly, disobedient and disrupt the entire household, creating havoc for all family-members. They have no respect for their parents, doing everything in their power to disregard all attempts at bringing them under authority. In these cases, many parents have been forced to sit them down and lay down the law, as it were. The conversation might go something like this. "You are our child and we love you dearly. However we cannot condone this disruptive behavior. Your attitude has become a cancer in our family. We have rules in this household and they must be abided by. We provide for all your needs and, in return, you spurn us and have no respect for us as your parents. You think you can come and go as you wish and do whatever you wish. This is about to stop. If you want to live in this home and under this roof, you will come under our authority. If you think you are grown enough to decide for yourself how you will live, then you can pack your bags and get out of our home. Go out into the world and see how you fare, providing for yourself."
Likewise, our heavenly Father has a household. Those who have been saved by the grace of our Lord and savior, Yeshua, are all member of that household. Using the analogy above, we can get a clearer picture of what being in His family is like. Yes, we are saved by faith and not by "works". We have done nothing by our own efforts to become His children. We haven't earned it. He brought us into His family through Yeshua, out of His abundant love for us. However, His is a household of rules and He expects His children to abide by them for their own good. When He brought the children of Israel into the promised land, He instructed them regarding the Sabbath and annual holy days that He wanted to celebrate with them. He gave them dietary laws for good health. He told them He didn't want them to live as the other nations, but to be a set-apart people. He forbid them to make and bow down to graven images, or to follow the customs of the surrounding nations in their worship of Him. He gave them an order of worship that would prove to be a blessing to them. For His part, He would be their safety. He would bless them, provide for all their needs, keep their enemies at bay, give them peace and security in their new home. Their example of disobedience should be a warning to any who would spurn His instructions for righteousness. After many years of chastisement, after proclaiming warning after warning through His prophets, He cast them from their home into captivity among the nations.
You see, order is a necessary part of any family or civilization, for that matter. Otherwise, anarchy prevails, followed by destruction. God doesn't require obedience of any who are not His, but for those who live in His home, obedience is necessary for the good of the entire family. Again, we don't become His children by obedience, for the scriptures teach that, while we were yet sinners, Yeshua died for us. We can't earn a place in His home. Obedience, however, is taught in the home by our loving Father. Have you ever witnessed the destruction an unruly child can cause? What about an unruly fellow-believer within a congregation? The results are the same. The entire family is poisoned by bad behavior. Yehovah will not tolerate such behavior in His home. If we claim salvation through Yeshua, obedience to our heavenly Father is a must. His coming kingdom will be a kingdom of righteousness and the disobedient will not enter into it's gates.
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Mandatory Evacuation
Having found myself in the cross hairs of three of the deadliest hurricanes to hit the gulf coast; Betsy, Camille and Katrina, I am very familiar with the call for a mandatory evacuation. Recently, as I was meditating on God's word, I was made aware of His call to believers to evacuate the worldly system that will give birth to the greatest storm ever experienced by humankind. Make no mistake, this storm is sure and it's target is this sinful, godless world. It's name is the wrath of God and it's fury and power will eclipse anything man has ever experienced. We have, however, been warned. The evacuation order has been given to all who will heed.
Rev 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
For those who heed the evacuation order in the face of an approaching hurricane, the first consideration is usually, "Where do we flee?" Believers should know where to flee as this future storm approaches.
Ps 91:1-2 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
Unfortunately, as with every storm, there are always those who will not heed the warnings. Some say they have no way of escape. Y'Shua tells us he is the way! (John 14:6). Some trust in themselves and believe they can ride out the storm. Believers are told to trust in the Lord and lean not unto their own understanding. (Prov. 3:5). Others are influenced by family or friends to disregard the warnings. Psa 1:1, "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful." Still others stay behind to protect their earthly possessions. Believers are told in 1 John 2:15, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."
God tells His children to come out of this world, this Babylon of confusion. It goes without saying that, in order to come out, we must be in. Satan has deceived the whole world, Rev 12:9. That means you and me. We have all been deceived. The enemy has corrupted every facet of our lives. His leaven has infiltrated the world's political, economic, educational and even religious systems. We have been deceived into mirroring his rebellious nature against the creator. But God is pleading with those who will heed, "come out of her, my people". Evacuate! Judgment is coming. May we, believers in Y'shua, take the warning seriously and trust in God with all our hearts. May we pray with David, "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer", Psa 19:14.
Rev 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
For those who heed the evacuation order in the face of an approaching hurricane, the first consideration is usually, "Where do we flee?" Believers should know where to flee as this future storm approaches.
Ps 91:1-2 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
Unfortunately, as with every storm, there are always those who will not heed the warnings. Some say they have no way of escape. Y'Shua tells us he is the way! (John 14:6). Some trust in themselves and believe they can ride out the storm. Believers are told to trust in the Lord and lean not unto their own understanding. (Prov. 3:5). Others are influenced by family or friends to disregard the warnings. Psa 1:1, "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful." Still others stay behind to protect their earthly possessions. Believers are told in 1 John 2:15, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."
God tells His children to come out of this world, this Babylon of confusion. It goes without saying that, in order to come out, we must be in. Satan has deceived the whole world, Rev 12:9. That means you and me. We have all been deceived. The enemy has corrupted every facet of our lives. His leaven has infiltrated the world's political, economic, educational and even religious systems. We have been deceived into mirroring his rebellious nature against the creator. But God is pleading with those who will heed, "come out of her, my people". Evacuate! Judgment is coming. May we, believers in Y'shua, take the warning seriously and trust in God with all our hearts. May we pray with David, "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer", Psa 19:14.
Saturday, January 5, 2013
All Roads Lead To Heaven
There seems to be a consistent mindset within Christianity at large that we can choose how we want to worship and where we want to worship. It is common to see religious programming encouraging us to attend the church of our choice. My husband once asked a pastor why there were so many denominations. The pastor responded, "It's like ice cream! Some like chocolate and some like vanilla."
That doesn't quite make sense to me. Denominations vary so much in their understanding of scripture and their teachings. Most do have Jesus at the heart of their messages, however they can't all be expounding the truth of the gospel to their flocks.
Jesus (Y'shua) said in Mt 7:13-14, "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat. Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
He continues in verses 7:21-23, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you (had an intimate relationship with you): depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
We are told in John 1:1, 14 " In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us." Y'shua revealed in John 14:6 "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 8:12 quotes Y'shua, " I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."
If believers accept that Y'shua is the word of God who was made flesh and that he is the way, truth and life, and the light of the world, then we must accept that he is also the Torah. But do we? Haven't many of our religious leaders told us to disregard the Torah? Haven't we been encouraged to base our beliefs entirely on the "New Testament"? Haven't we been told that the "Old Testament" has been done away with, that Y'shua nailed the Torah to the cross, that we don't have to obey the commandments?
Pr 6:23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law (Torah) is light;
Ps 119:151 Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth. and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
The bible is full of verses testifying that the Torah (instructions, commandments) are the way, truth, light and life of the believer. Y'shua is the living Torah. If we do away with Torah, we do away with our savior. He was the physical manifestation of Torah. He came to earth to teach us the way of Torah, to live it fully and blamelessly before us, to invite us to become one with him that we too could live it through him.
Y'shua, in no way, came to destroy the Torah. Mt 5:17-19 "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil (pleroo - fully preach). For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Re 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
Re 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
It is up to every believer in Y'shua to search the scriptures daily and seek truth from the WORD himself. We must never place our salvation in the hands of man, no matter how sincere. Ps 118:8 "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man." Pr 3:5 "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
That doesn't quite make sense to me. Denominations vary so much in their understanding of scripture and their teachings. Most do have Jesus at the heart of their messages, however they can't all be expounding the truth of the gospel to their flocks.
Jesus (Y'shua) said in Mt 7:13-14, "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat. Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
He continues in verses 7:21-23, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you (had an intimate relationship with you): depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
We are told in John 1:1, 14 " In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us." Y'shua revealed in John 14:6 "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 8:12 quotes Y'shua, " I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."
If believers accept that Y'shua is the word of God who was made flesh and that he is the way, truth and life, and the light of the world, then we must accept that he is also the Torah. But do we? Haven't many of our religious leaders told us to disregard the Torah? Haven't we been encouraged to base our beliefs entirely on the "New Testament"? Haven't we been told that the "Old Testament" has been done away with, that Y'shua nailed the Torah to the cross, that we don't have to obey the commandments?
Pr 6:23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law (Torah) is light;
Ps 119:151 Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth. and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
The bible is full of verses testifying that the Torah (instructions, commandments) are the way, truth, light and life of the believer. Y'shua is the living Torah. If we do away with Torah, we do away with our savior. He was the physical manifestation of Torah. He came to earth to teach us the way of Torah, to live it fully and blamelessly before us, to invite us to become one with him that we too could live it through him.
Y'shua, in no way, came to destroy the Torah. Mt 5:17-19 "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil (pleroo - fully preach). For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Re 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
Re 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
It is up to every believer in Y'shua to search the scriptures daily and seek truth from the WORD himself. We must never place our salvation in the hands of man, no matter how sincere. Ps 118:8 "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man." Pr 3:5 "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
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