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.
Sunday, January 6, 2013
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."
Sunday, July 22, 2012
The New Covenant - Part II
In my previous post, I quoted Jeremiah 31:31-33 saying that the new covenant was to be made with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It would not be like the former covenant God made with their fathers at Sinai, but would be written upon their hearts and in their minds, so they would want to obey him. It wasn't a different covenant with new conditions, but the same covenant written within them rather than on tablets of stone.
Where do Gentiles fit into this covenant? Exactly where they fit in within the framework of the Old Covenant. When Israel stood at the foot of Mt. Sinai to meet with God and enter into covenant with him, a mixed multitude of peoples who had joined themselves to Israel during the Exodus stood shoulder to shoulder with them. The terms of the covenant were for the twelve tribes of Israel and the strangers that sojourned with them. The stranger within their midst was to be treated as the "homeborn", if they were willing to worship and obey the God of Israel. Ex 12:49, " One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you." Provision was always made for any who would follow the God of Israel.
Caleb was one of the twelve spies sent to search out the promised land. He and Joshua were the only two who brought back a good report. We are told in Nu 13:6 that he was the son of Jephunneh, from the tribe of Judah. In Nu 32:12 we are told he was the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite. We find in Gen 36:11 that Kenaz was the son of Eliphaz and grandson of Esau, Jacob's brother. But see how God spoke of Caleb in Nu 14:24. " But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it." He was counted among the tribe of Judah, not by blood, but by joining himself with Judah and serving the God of Israel.
Other examples we read of in scripture are those of Rahab the harlot and Ruth the Moabitess, who sought to follow Israel's God. Both of these Gentile women are in the geneology of our Lord.
Gentiles have always been allowed access to God in accordance with the terms and conditions of the covenant. Israel was instructed not to oppress the stranger that sojourned with them, but to remember that they were once strangers in Egypt.
Where do Gentiles fit into this covenant? Exactly where they fit in within the framework of the Old Covenant. When Israel stood at the foot of Mt. Sinai to meet with God and enter into covenant with him, a mixed multitude of peoples who had joined themselves to Israel during the Exodus stood shoulder to shoulder with them. The terms of the covenant were for the twelve tribes of Israel and the strangers that sojourned with them. The stranger within their midst was to be treated as the "homeborn", if they were willing to worship and obey the God of Israel. Ex 12:49, " One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you." Provision was always made for any who would follow the God of Israel.
Caleb was one of the twelve spies sent to search out the promised land. He and Joshua were the only two who brought back a good report. We are told in Nu 13:6 that he was the son of Jephunneh, from the tribe of Judah. In Nu 32:12 we are told he was the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite. We find in Gen 36:11 that Kenaz was the son of Eliphaz and grandson of Esau, Jacob's brother. But see how God spoke of Caleb in Nu 14:24. " But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it." He was counted among the tribe of Judah, not by blood, but by joining himself with Judah and serving the God of Israel.
Other examples we read of in scripture are those of Rahab the harlot and Ruth the Moabitess, who sought to follow Israel's God. Both of these Gentile women are in the geneology of our Lord.
Gentiles have always been allowed access to God in accordance with the terms and conditions of the covenant. Israel was instructed not to oppress the stranger that sojourned with them, but to remember that they were once strangers in Egypt.
Saturday, July 21, 2012
The New Covenant
There's a well-known concept gaining ground in Christianity today regarding the new covenant. It is defined as replacement theology, and teaches that God has rejected the Jews/Israel and replaced them with the Gentiles via a new covenant. Christianity is "spiritual Israel". The old covenant, i.e. the Torah, is no longer valid. Those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their savior are now under grace. The Old Testament law has been nailed to the cross and we are no longer under it's authority. Many actually go so far as to practice and teach a license to sin, or disregard for the commandments of God given at Sinai. Is this what the bible teaches? Did Jesus really come to do away with the law and replace it with grace? What do the scriptures say with regard to this important subject?
First, the word "LAW" speaks of bondage to a modern Christian; something that imprisons us or burdens us with unreasonable demands. Actually, the English word LAW is translated from the Hebrew word TORAH, which means teaching or instruction. It was never meant to be a means to salvation, for Jews or Christians. The Torah was given to instruct us in the ways of God, to define the way of life. The Torah does three things; it instructs, it blesses obedience and curses disobedience. It does not save anyone. Salvation comes only though Jesus, whose Hebrew name means salvation.
Second, mercy is not a New Testament concept. God has always granted mercy to his people. In fact, the ark of the covenant that housed the tablets of stone containing the ten commandments, was covered with a mercy seat, signifying that Torah and grace were always meant to be joined.
The children of Israel were saved by grace from Egyptian bondage. They were saved by grace, through faith, when they applied the blood to their doorposts. Their faith in God's promise of redemption brought forth obedience, resulting in their freedom. It should also be noted that a mixed multitude also came out of Egypt with the Israelites.
The concept of grace is actually very prevalent in the Old Testament, appearing 39 times from Genesis to Malachi, and mercy appearing 212 times. King David wrote of God's mercy over 100 times in the Psalms alone.
So, how are the Covenant and mercy/grace connected. God wants his children to be blessed and knows that these blessings are the result of obedience to his instructions. Although Israel entered into covenant with God at Sinai and promised to follow him in obedience, they continually failed and incurred his wrath, resulting in ten of the tribes being removed from the promised land and dispersed among the nations. They eventually lost their culture and language, their very identity as they were merged among the Gentiles. The world lost sight of all except the tribe of Judah (Jews). They are spoken of today as the lost ten tribes of Israel. But, are they really lost to God? Has he put away Israel forever, replacing them with the New Testament "Church"? No! Even now he is extending Israel grace through his mercy. They may be scattered throughout all the earth and they may not know who they are, but they are as numerous as the stars of heaven and the sands of the sea, according to the Word of God spoken to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and they will once again return to their creator.Many already are. How do I know? Because of God's promise.
Jer 31:31-33 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
First, the word "LAW" speaks of bondage to a modern Christian; something that imprisons us or burdens us with unreasonable demands. Actually, the English word LAW is translated from the Hebrew word TORAH, which means teaching or instruction. It was never meant to be a means to salvation, for Jews or Christians. The Torah was given to instruct us in the ways of God, to define the way of life. The Torah does three things; it instructs, it blesses obedience and curses disobedience. It does not save anyone. Salvation comes only though Jesus, whose Hebrew name means salvation.
Second, mercy is not a New Testament concept. God has always granted mercy to his people. In fact, the ark of the covenant that housed the tablets of stone containing the ten commandments, was covered with a mercy seat, signifying that Torah and grace were always meant to be joined.
The children of Israel were saved by grace from Egyptian bondage. They were saved by grace, through faith, when they applied the blood to their doorposts. Their faith in God's promise of redemption brought forth obedience, resulting in their freedom. It should also be noted that a mixed multitude also came out of Egypt with the Israelites.
The concept of grace is actually very prevalent in the Old Testament, appearing 39 times from Genesis to Malachi, and mercy appearing 212 times. King David wrote of God's mercy over 100 times in the Psalms alone.
So, how are the Covenant and mercy/grace connected. God wants his children to be blessed and knows that these blessings are the result of obedience to his instructions. Although Israel entered into covenant with God at Sinai and promised to follow him in obedience, they continually failed and incurred his wrath, resulting in ten of the tribes being removed from the promised land and dispersed among the nations. They eventually lost their culture and language, their very identity as they were merged among the Gentiles. The world lost sight of all except the tribe of Judah (Jews). They are spoken of today as the lost ten tribes of Israel. But, are they really lost to God? Has he put away Israel forever, replacing them with the New Testament "Church"? No! Even now he is extending Israel grace through his mercy. They may be scattered throughout all the earth and they may not know who they are, but they are as numerous as the stars of heaven and the sands of the sea, according to the Word of God spoken to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and they will once again return to their creator.Many already are. How do I know? Because of God's promise.
Jer 31:31-33 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Growth - A Product of Resistance
In my early morning meditations I was contemplating the many trials and tribulations we humans go through in our lifetime. Pressures assail us on every side, bombarding us daily with the accurate precision of a marksman hitting the bullseye of his target.
As we live out our Christian walk with our Savior, we encounter many obstacles along the way that sabotage our most sincere efforts, leaving us to question our faith. To be sure, life is a mixed bag of successes and failures and no one is immune to their share of hardships and setbacks. How do we reconcile the two, making sense of our journey upon this earth?
There is much to be learned through nature, or the natural world, that is mirrored in the spiritual. Have you ever witnessed a tiny blade of grass or a flower emerge through a crack in concrete and marvel how something so tiny and delicate could possibly break through a barrier many times stronger than itself? The answer is that it will stop at nothing to get to the source of its' life, the light.
Yeshua (Jesus) reveals that he is the light of the world. Do we seek to walk in that light? Are we willing to allow him to make his abode with us and lead us in his paths (cycles) of righteousness. Are we willing to stay on course regardless of the obstacles that appear in our path? Will we scratch, claw, climb, push or crawl our way to the light? If so, there is a reward at the end of days for those who overcome.
1Pe 1:6-7 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
1Pe 4:12-13 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
If a delicate seedling can overcome great obstacles in order to fulfill its' intended purpose, how much more should we let nothing deter us from becoming all that we were created to become....the very Elect of God?
As we live out our Christian walk with our Savior, we encounter many obstacles along the way that sabotage our most sincere efforts, leaving us to question our faith. To be sure, life is a mixed bag of successes and failures and no one is immune to their share of hardships and setbacks. How do we reconcile the two, making sense of our journey upon this earth?
There is much to be learned through nature, or the natural world, that is mirrored in the spiritual. Have you ever witnessed a tiny blade of grass or a flower emerge through a crack in concrete and marvel how something so tiny and delicate could possibly break through a barrier many times stronger than itself? The answer is that it will stop at nothing to get to the source of its' life, the light.
Yeshua (Jesus) reveals that he is the light of the world. Do we seek to walk in that light? Are we willing to allow him to make his abode with us and lead us in his paths (cycles) of righteousness. Are we willing to stay on course regardless of the obstacles that appear in our path? Will we scratch, claw, climb, push or crawl our way to the light? If so, there is a reward at the end of days for those who overcome.
1Pe 1:6-7 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
1Pe 4:12-13 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
If a delicate seedling can overcome great obstacles in order to fulfill its' intended purpose, how much more should we let nothing deter us from becoming all that we were created to become....the very Elect of God?
Sunday, April 1, 2012
The Recipe
The bible continues to be the number one best seller of all times and has become, I would say, the most accessible book available today. Even the poorest among us can buy one at a very economical price and I would dare say that the majority of homes in America contain at least one version.
Despite this, it also remains the most misunderstood of all books; the most maligned, the most mis-translated, it's words the most disregarded, misrepresented, reinterpreted or removed from some versions. The vast majority of mankind can't understand it, most have never actually read it and those who have are clueless as to what it really says. Even the vast majority within traditional Christianity have been taught from the pulpit that two-thirds of it (the Old Testament) does not even apply to us today and not worth studying.
I have been a bible student for almost thirty years and would wholeheartedly disagree with any who would dare disclaim one word from this most sacred of all books. I believe that it is God's instruction book for mankind and should be considered the source of all knowledge and understanding of how we are to live before our creator.
For those who do make it a part of their lives and seek it's wisdom and guidance, I offer an analogy, allegory, parable; call it what you will. I will liken it to a meal.
Some snack on it. They start their day with a bible verse or daily reading. In most cases that is the only spiritual food they partake of all day. Some end the day with a small scripture reading before retiring for the night. On Sunday, many flock to the church of their choice and receive a sparse meal served by the pastor. I remember those days. In the denomination I was once a part of, the pastor would begin his sermon by having the congregation open their bibles to a certain passage and follow along as he read it. He would then close the bible and continue to preach on the subject at hand for about twenty to thirty minutes. The topic would be primarily concerning behavior, moral character or the like, nothing too deep, nothing too long, lest his audience begin nodding off from sheer boredom. After the service, all would rise for a brief closing song and prayer and then depart to pursue what they were really interested in, their "duty" for the day taken care of. How utterly sad, and to think that was once MY "normal"!
Others sit at the table for a full meal, maybe several times a day. These are those who study the bible to a greater degree and desire to find deeper meaning within it's pages that will give purpose to their lives. They are nourished as they partake of it's wisdom, but the understanding wears off quickly when they close the bible, leaving them hungry again. They enjoy the word at the moment, but it becomes a temporary satisfaction that lingers but a short time, leaving them hungry yet again. They can't seem to discover that abiding fullness that never leaves, due to a lack of understanding. Even a very good meal can't satisfy forever.
The final group is likened unto those who, not only want the meal, but the recipe! You see, the real understanding of the bible is in the bible itself. The bible interprets itself. It doesn't need man to tinker with the recipe, or change the ingredients. All the ingredients are there, in just the right amounts, and the instructions are clearly laid out. If followed exactly, we can duplicate the recipe every time. Like kind begets like kind, as we read in Genesis.
The instructions found within the pages of our bibles are the recipe for life.....abundant life. Contained within it's pages, however, is also found the recipe for death. We are admonished throughout the word of God to choose life. The word of God is the final authority on how we are to conduct our lives before our creator. He warns us repeatedly in that word that altering the recipe in any way will most assuredly lead to death.
We are to seek and heed the bible's instructions from Genesis to Revelation and not leave out one ingredient. Women have learned that, if a recipe is not followed exactly, the end product will not be what we want. She doesn't start pulling ingredients together in the middle or two-thirds through the recipe. Neither can we discard any part of the bible. In Christianity we are often taught that we only need the New Testament. That is ludicrous. That is only part of the recipe. In fact, when the New Testament was penned, the only recipe the authors had to draw upon was the Old Testament. For them, that was the authority and understanding for everything they wrote. Just a cursory glance at the writings of the apostles reveals the numerous quotes from the Old Testament that they drew upon for their teachings.
Neither Yahshua (Jesus) nor the apostles discarded the earlier teachings of. the Torah, writings and Prophets, nor did they ever teach their followers to do so. If we have been taught anything to the contrary, we have been served a recipe for disaster.
Despite this, it also remains the most misunderstood of all books; the most maligned, the most mis-translated, it's words the most disregarded, misrepresented, reinterpreted or removed from some versions. The vast majority of mankind can't understand it, most have never actually read it and those who have are clueless as to what it really says. Even the vast majority within traditional Christianity have been taught from the pulpit that two-thirds of it (the Old Testament) does not even apply to us today and not worth studying.
I have been a bible student for almost thirty years and would wholeheartedly disagree with any who would dare disclaim one word from this most sacred of all books. I believe that it is God's instruction book for mankind and should be considered the source of all knowledge and understanding of how we are to live before our creator.
For those who do make it a part of their lives and seek it's wisdom and guidance, I offer an analogy, allegory, parable; call it what you will. I will liken it to a meal.
Some snack on it. They start their day with a bible verse or daily reading. In most cases that is the only spiritual food they partake of all day. Some end the day with a small scripture reading before retiring for the night. On Sunday, many flock to the church of their choice and receive a sparse meal served by the pastor. I remember those days. In the denomination I was once a part of, the pastor would begin his sermon by having the congregation open their bibles to a certain passage and follow along as he read it. He would then close the bible and continue to preach on the subject at hand for about twenty to thirty minutes. The topic would be primarily concerning behavior, moral character or the like, nothing too deep, nothing too long, lest his audience begin nodding off from sheer boredom. After the service, all would rise for a brief closing song and prayer and then depart to pursue what they were really interested in, their "duty" for the day taken care of. How utterly sad, and to think that was once MY "normal"!
Others sit at the table for a full meal, maybe several times a day. These are those who study the bible to a greater degree and desire to find deeper meaning within it's pages that will give purpose to their lives. They are nourished as they partake of it's wisdom, but the understanding wears off quickly when they close the bible, leaving them hungry again. They enjoy the word at the moment, but it becomes a temporary satisfaction that lingers but a short time, leaving them hungry yet again. They can't seem to discover that abiding fullness that never leaves, due to a lack of understanding. Even a very good meal can't satisfy forever.
The final group is likened unto those who, not only want the meal, but the recipe! You see, the real understanding of the bible is in the bible itself. The bible interprets itself. It doesn't need man to tinker with the recipe, or change the ingredients. All the ingredients are there, in just the right amounts, and the instructions are clearly laid out. If followed exactly, we can duplicate the recipe every time. Like kind begets like kind, as we read in Genesis.
The instructions found within the pages of our bibles are the recipe for life.....abundant life. Contained within it's pages, however, is also found the recipe for death. We are admonished throughout the word of God to choose life. The word of God is the final authority on how we are to conduct our lives before our creator. He warns us repeatedly in that word that altering the recipe in any way will most assuredly lead to death.
We are to seek and heed the bible's instructions from Genesis to Revelation and not leave out one ingredient. Women have learned that, if a recipe is not followed exactly, the end product will not be what we want. She doesn't start pulling ingredients together in the middle or two-thirds through the recipe. Neither can we discard any part of the bible. In Christianity we are often taught that we only need the New Testament. That is ludicrous. That is only part of the recipe. In fact, when the New Testament was penned, the only recipe the authors had to draw upon was the Old Testament. For them, that was the authority and understanding for everything they wrote. Just a cursory glance at the writings of the apostles reveals the numerous quotes from the Old Testament that they drew upon for their teachings.
Neither Yahshua (Jesus) nor the apostles discarded the earlier teachings of. the Torah, writings and Prophets, nor did they ever teach their followers to do so. If we have been taught anything to the contrary, we have been served a recipe for disaster.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
A Way That Seems Right
The most oft quoted passage within the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America reads "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness". As I have been given cause to ponder these beautiful words, and the state of our union today, I question whether or not we the people have the wisdom and heart to preserve these unalienable rights. For that matter, is life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness rights or blessings granted by our Creator to those who obey Him?
Our nation declares that we are "one nation under God". We are a nation that has opened it's doors to the world and welcome all who seek freedom to come to our shores. The first amendment of the Constitution protects our individual religion and expression. We pride ourselves in our right to chooose how we will live. Within our borders are a multitude of beliefs, faiths and cultures; a true melting pot. But, what is our creator's definition of "one nation under God"?
If we look into the word of God, we read the account of the only nation that was ever called out to be His. The children of Jacob (Israel) were separated as a set-apart people to enter into a covenant with their God, whereby they were to become a nation of kings and priests. Their exodus from Egypt remains one of the most awesome displays of God's power on behalf of any people. I want to focus on two very important aspects of this exodus. First, when they escaped Egypt, a mixed multitude came out with them. Not all who departed Egypt were of the twelve tribes of Israel. People from many different nationalities, no doubt many of them slaves as well, joined themselves to Israel, having witnessed the plagues and the power of God on behalf of his people. They were among the "whosoevers" that John 3:16 speaks of. In Acts 10:34-35 Peter testifies, "Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him".
When this mixed multitude came out with Israel, they became assimilated into the families of Israel, and were considered one with them. Second, and this is very important, upon entering into covenant with the God of Israel, they were accepting the Torah along with the children of Israel. The nation of God is a nation that obeys it's God. God is it's King, priest, judge and lawgiver. They were saved by grace but, in order to remain his people, they were to live as the set-apart people of God by obeying his instructions for righteous living. They would be a blessed people, an example for all nations upon earth. God's ways make no provision for every man doing what is right in his own eyes. God instructed Moses in Ex 12:49, "One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you". All were welcome, but were expected to live according to God's ways.
Those who would pursue life, liberty and happiness will only find it by obeying their God. Often we, in Christianity, bristle at the mention of keeping the law or commandments of God. We love to counter with, "We are not under law, but under grace". The King James translators' rendering of the word Torah as law is unfortunate. Torah is not defined as a list of do's and dont's. It means instruction and comes from the root "Yarah", meaning to teach, the point out as aiming the finger, to lay a foundation.
God's Torah is meant to instruct us in the ways of life, liberty and happiness. Jesus, as the living Torah, tells us in the Gospels that he came to give us life, abundant life, John 10:10. He told us that he is the way, the truth and the life, John 14:6. James 1:25 tells us, "But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed". In the beatitudes, the word "blessed" can also be rendered "happy".
When Jesus sets up his kingdom upon the earth, there will be one law, God's Torah. Isa 2:3 prophesies, "And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem".
Only God's ways can bring us real life, liberty and happiness. Disobedience brings destruction and, ultimately death. God saved Israel from Egypt by grace through faith, but then brought them to Sinai to enter into covenant with them, to make them his covenant people. Their subsequent disobedience separated them from their God and resulted in ten tribes being removed from the promised land, finding themselves once again a slave people. The United States would do well to learn from their experience, lest we suffer the same fate.
Our nation declares that we are "one nation under God". We are a nation that has opened it's doors to the world and welcome all who seek freedom to come to our shores. The first amendment of the Constitution protects our individual religion and expression. We pride ourselves in our right to chooose how we will live. Within our borders are a multitude of beliefs, faiths and cultures; a true melting pot. But, what is our creator's definition of "one nation under God"?
If we look into the word of God, we read the account of the only nation that was ever called out to be His. The children of Jacob (Israel) were separated as a set-apart people to enter into a covenant with their God, whereby they were to become a nation of kings and priests. Their exodus from Egypt remains one of the most awesome displays of God's power on behalf of any people. I want to focus on two very important aspects of this exodus. First, when they escaped Egypt, a mixed multitude came out with them. Not all who departed Egypt were of the twelve tribes of Israel. People from many different nationalities, no doubt many of them slaves as well, joined themselves to Israel, having witnessed the plagues and the power of God on behalf of his people. They were among the "whosoevers" that John 3:16 speaks of. In Acts 10:34-35 Peter testifies, "Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him".
When this mixed multitude came out with Israel, they became assimilated into the families of Israel, and were considered one with them. Second, and this is very important, upon entering into covenant with the God of Israel, they were accepting the Torah along with the children of Israel. The nation of God is a nation that obeys it's God. God is it's King, priest, judge and lawgiver. They were saved by grace but, in order to remain his people, they were to live as the set-apart people of God by obeying his instructions for righteous living. They would be a blessed people, an example for all nations upon earth. God's ways make no provision for every man doing what is right in his own eyes. God instructed Moses in Ex 12:49, "One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you". All were welcome, but were expected to live according to God's ways.
Those who would pursue life, liberty and happiness will only find it by obeying their God. Often we, in Christianity, bristle at the mention of keeping the law or commandments of God. We love to counter with, "We are not under law, but under grace". The King James translators' rendering of the word Torah as law is unfortunate. Torah is not defined as a list of do's and dont's. It means instruction and comes from the root "Yarah", meaning to teach, the point out as aiming the finger, to lay a foundation.
God's Torah is meant to instruct us in the ways of life, liberty and happiness. Jesus, as the living Torah, tells us in the Gospels that he came to give us life, abundant life, John 10:10. He told us that he is the way, the truth and the life, John 14:6. James 1:25 tells us, "But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed". In the beatitudes, the word "blessed" can also be rendered "happy".
When Jesus sets up his kingdom upon the earth, there will be one law, God's Torah. Isa 2:3 prophesies, "And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem".
Only God's ways can bring us real life, liberty and happiness. Disobedience brings destruction and, ultimately death. God saved Israel from Egypt by grace through faith, but then brought them to Sinai to enter into covenant with them, to make them his covenant people. Their subsequent disobedience separated them from their God and resulted in ten tribes being removed from the promised land, finding themselves once again a slave people. The United States would do well to learn from their experience, lest we suffer the same fate.
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