Thursday, December 31, 2009

Be Bold!


Wow, a new year! 2010. Oh how Yah has kept and delivered me from all of my troubles up until this very day! I've had far more joyful days than sorrowful ones due to His grace.

"I sought Yahweh, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears." Psalm 34:1

Fear can paralyze us out of commission, making us timid and unable to share the Gospel. The first members of the church knew this and prayed this way:

"Now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness," Acts 4:29

Everyone who stands up for the true teachings of the lord Messiah will be mocked, scorned and threatened. If we do not enlist God's help, we may fall silent in the face of such opposition. What a loss that would be! People need to hear the Gospel so that they may respond to it and be saved. Some have "sugar-coated" the Good News so that it would appeal to those of pagan, polytheistic nations. Still, as Paul said, this is another message and not the one delivered to us by the Messiah:

"I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel--which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ." Galations 1:6-7

Yeshua Ha Messiah said that his Father is the only true God. "Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." John 17:3

Proclaiming the Gospel means believing what Yeshua says about himself and his Heavenly Father. Yeshua is the heir and we are co-heirs with him in ruling the coming Kingdom where God's will shall be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Yeshua is our King who sits on Yahweh's throne ruling with God's power and authority. This is not because Yeshua is God but because this right has been given to him for his faithfulness on the cross:

Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Matthew 28:18

If we are not willing to proclaim the Gospel of Yeshua because we fear what people may say or do, now is the time to ask for boldness! If we are ashamed of Yeshua and his words before men, he will also be ashamed of us before his Father. As Yeshua is our only mediator between God and man, we really can't afford to let that happen.

PRAYER: Almighty Yah, open my lips that I might praise You before all in what you have done for us in Yeshua our Messiah. Strengthen me with your spirit to bodly profess the Gospel in good season and in bad. In Yeshua's teachings, Amen.

Monday, December 28, 2009

Five Loaves & Two Fish


It seems very difficult to trust that we will be able to make it through yet another year of economic down turns, (read "recession"). The economy is still the number one topic and concern as we head into 2010. I've already heard Yah whisper that He will prosper me. Now when I heard that, I was thinking not just of economic blessings but those for my music ministry and well being. Then I had a dream in which Yeshua was reclining on a couch and said to me, "You will have enough."

So in spite of what the experts say, I know I can take these promises to the bank. Our Heavenly Father and His Son are able to deliver on such assurances. That's very encouraging! These past three years of my music ministry has seen a sharp rise in gas prices, many having a hard time paying for any extras and a drop off in charity. Still, I have to think of the time that Yeshua told his disciples to give the assembled crowd something to eat in a desolate area:

"They told him, "We only have here five loaves and two fish." Matthew 14:17

I think Yeshua probably knew this already but had faith that his Father in Heaven would provide enough to eat for him and all the others. So with confidence...

"He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass; and he took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, broke and gave the loaves to the disciples, and the disciples gave to the multitudes." Matthew 14:19

Not just a few ate but upwards of 5,000 not including women and children! So just as Yeshua asked of his Father, we can now ask of him to multiply our meager resources to bless others in the ministry.

"You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." John 14:14

So Yeshua's speaking to me in my dream agrees with scripture. See, he wants us to add to his body. He is actively looking for people to be co-heirs with him in the Age to Come. All have to hear of this opportunity in order to respond. Heaven when we die is not the promise of Scripture. We are to prepare to serve others on this restored earth. Using our talents, (gifts, money, resources), now in preaching the Kingdom is the way to do that. Just bring what you have to Yeshua and he will multiply it just as he did the 5 loaves and 2 fish. I can not tell you how many times I have been blessed with funds, supplies, equipment and good health to continue serving in the ministry. It is a joy and when Yeshua says there will be enough! This encourages me to keep going in his service. Let him encourage you too!

PRAYER: Gracious Father and Lord Messiah, all that I have is yours. I bring what I have, great or small so that you would bless my resources to continue preaching your Kingdom to all who will hear. I know I will have more than enough of everything to do this. In Yeshua's name I thank you! Amen

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

The One True God


Priorities. As the New Year approaches, many of us are considering what is truly important in life. Many will put family and friends at the top of their list, making resolutions to spend more time with people who matter most in their lives. This is a start but the Bible puts things in a slightly different order and perspective. When Yeshua was asked what was the greatest of all the commandments he answered,
" 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22:37-40

Look at the order here: To love GOD with all our heart, soul and mind is first. Yeshua is telling us that THIS is the first and greatest commandment and he followed through by doing his Father's will all the way up to an ignoble death on the cross. We can only love ONE person in this way. To divide our affections among other "gods" is polytheism. The Bible clearly teaches that Yah is ONE, not three in one or one in three. "And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord." Mark 12:29

Yeshua confirmed this fact among his monotheistic peers: "There is one God; and there is no other but He." (Mark 12:32) There is no mystic language here. The Hebrew word for one used in the Shema, ("Hear O Israel") is "echad". It simply means one. Yeshua never himself claimed to be God Almighty but his chosen agent. Under the Hebrew law of agency, acting as God's representative, his word's would be in effect his Father's. That is precisely what the office of Messiah is and exactly what Yeshua said himself!
"So Jesus said, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me." John 8:28 Now do we accept what Yeshua said? Does it honor Yeshua to ascribe to him titles he never used of himself? It is quite human to make "gods" of that which we can see but the Bible clearly says:
"No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us." 1 John 4:12 This was written well after Yeshua had appeared to his disciples and ascended to heaven. If Yeshua was "God in human flesh" then this scripture is false because thousands saw him. Believe me it is not for
Numbers 23:19 says,

"God is not a man, that he should lie, Neither the son of man, that he should repent: Hath he said, and will he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and will he not make it good?"
No, God is not a man nor did He ever become a man. The scriptures promised a human Messiah from the fleshly line of David. Yeshua was created in his mother's womb by the Father so he would have no sin nature. That is why Yeshua is also called the Last Adam. He had to be whatever Adam was before his fall. Yeshua is NOT God but our wonderful High Priest & King!
The scriptures say: "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus," 1 Timothy 2:5 This one scripture tells us several things: 1) There is only ONE GOD, the Father. 2) There is only ONE Mediator, the MAN Christ Jesus. 3) As Yeshua fills the office of Mediator between God and man he can not be God himself. Life in the coming reign of Yeshua will be based on this one truth: "and this is the life age-during, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and him whom Thou didst send -- Jesus Christ;" John 17:3

The qualifier, "only" means there can be no other god who is THE True God. Yahweh alone holds that title. Yeshua chose not to include himself in the Godhead. Paul said,
"But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by means of whom are all things, and we by means of him." (I Cor. 8:6). It really doesn't get any clearer. To us Christians, there is only ONE God, the Father and ONE Lord Messiah, Yeshua.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please help me to truly love you with my whole heart, soul, mind and strength. Let me hear Yeshua's voice rather than others and not be ashamed to speak what I know is true. In Yeshua's faith, Amen.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Looking Forward to Good Things


During his ministry, Yeshua, (Jesus), knew that many would be opposed to his Messiahship. As the Son of God is equivalent to King and Messiah, his enemies were rejecting his claim to being anointed as God's king. This is for the most part because the Jews who refused him as Messiah were quite happy with the way things were. Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas, had been appointed high priest by the Roman legate Quirinus in the year 6 A.D. Caiaphas had been removed as high priest by Roman procurator Valerius Gratus for imposing and executing capital sentences which had been forbidden by the imperial government. Although he was now only an ex-high priest, he was still the most powerful man in the affairs of the Jews, presiding over the Sanhedrin at times, and practically dictated its decisions.

This was the status quo that Yeshua challenged with speech about the coming Kingdom of God of which he was King designate. Yeshua speaks of their attitudes with this parable about evil tenants of a master's vineyard: "But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, 'This is the heir. Come, let's kill him and take his inheritance.' Yeshua is that son and heir. Those opposed to his reign killed him in order to take his inheritance. His inheritance is rulership over all the earth under his Father's authority! Here is what Paul said of those of us who are looking for Yeshua return to rule the earth: "in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing." 2 Timothy 4:8

These power-mongers or tenants come in all shapes and sizes and have shown up throughout the ages. The fact that they are tenants shows that they are not the owners but simply leasing under a temporary arrangement. Yeshua said the meek shall inherit the earth and people who grab at power, oppressing others are certainly not meek. These are the same people who are not looking forward to his return because it will mean an end to their evil rule and domination. Like it or not, Yeshua will return and his Kingdom will prevail. All those who have loved his coming will be included in that rulership which will bless the entire earth with peace, plenty and righteousness! We will sit down at the table with Yeshua to enjoy fellowship and love in the coming age.
PRAYER: Merciful Heavenly Father, I acknowledge Yeshua Ha Messiah as the king of your coming Kingdom. I have loved his appearing and look for his return to rule this earth, his inheritance. Thank you for such a wonderful King, High Priest and Servant. Amen

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

God's Gift to You

Gifts come in all shapes, sizes and wrappings this time of year. So its no wonder that many miss the most amazing gift of all. That Gift is everlast-
ing life in the Age to Come with the Messiah, Yeshua! Our Heavenly Father's Gift is freedom from sin and its wages, death. Through His Son, were are also given the prospect of becoming His children, co-heirs with Yeshua.

Now to people whose hearts are vested in the present things, ruling with Christ at his return may not be very appealing. If someone is used to telling lies, cheating and being immoral, the Messiah's return will spell an end to that lifestyle. That is why Yeshua said: "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Luke 12:34)

So then the question turns to what things do we truly value? Do we love righteousness enough to be willing to suffer for it? Are we storing up treasure with God by showing mercy, love and forgiveness? Do we appreciate this Gift enough to share it with others? See the focus of our time and pursuits will show where our hearts are. James 4:3 shows why many prayers are unanswered. "When you pray for things, you don't get them because you want them for the wrong reason-for your own pleasure."(God's Word Translation)

The Father delights to give us good things but see what the scriptures say? We often want things for the wrong reason, our own selfish pleasure. Some translations say, "Ye ask amiss". Yes, we miss the point of asking God for things. We should pray for lasting things to share with others! Look at what Paul did: "You know that these hands of mine have worked to supply my own needs and even the needs of those who were with me." (Acts 20:34) Paul worked as a tent maker to support his own ministry while also taking care of his fellow ministers. They all were busy sharing the Gift with others. No material thing can deliver us from sin and the grave. Nothing wrapped in a box can give us everlasting life in God's earthly Kingdom. I can see how this is the most precious Present of all time!

PRAYER: Almighty God, help me to see that this world and its desire are passing away but You have provided the most wonderful free gift through Your Son, Yeshua. Strengthen Your servant to share this Gift with all who will accept it. In Yeshua's name, Amen.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

The Message


At Christmas, we often hear the account in Luke of how the sheppards were the first to be notified of Yeshua's birth. Did you ever think out how awesome the Heavenly Father was for doing this? To understand that God is no respecter of persons you would have to understand the status of sheppards in 1st century Palestine. Somewhat like the cowboys of the old western United States, they were known to be wanderers and drifters. Not really your most reliable members of society! It didn't matter to God. He saw their hearts and that they would be obedient to taking the news of this glorious announcement to Joseph and Mary. When the sheppards conveyed the message of the angelic host, all those who heard them were amazed:

"But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart." (Luke 2:19)

Mary wasn't in the fields to see or hear the angel chorus herself but believed the sheppards report. This proved to be a great treasure for her in such perilous times! It was Yah's assurance of what the angel Gabriel had spoken to Mary some nine months before. She would give birth the Son of God who is the Messiah.

So even though these sheppards were lowly and rough bred, our Heavenly Father choose them to be the first ones to receive tidings of great joy which will give hope to people of all nations. When Yeshua returns to establish his Kingdom, then will be the fulfillment of "Peace on Earth, Good Will to Men." God is calling all types of people as He did the sheppards to tell the Good News of that Kingdom. Will you answer the call?
PRAYER: Gracious Heavenly Father, help me to see that You do not care where we come from but are more interested in where we are going. Let me be like those sheppards of old, boldly bringing tidings of Good News to a world that needs it. In Yeshua's strength. Amen.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Rock Solid!


"You search the Scriptures, because you suppose that in them you will find the Life of the Ages; and it is those Scriptures that yield testimony concerning me; (John 5:39)

Now this was what Yeshua, (Jesus), said to the Pharisees who prided themselves on the orthodox reading and application of the Torah. They knew at the basic level that Life of the Ages which is often translated as Eternal Life hinged on Yah's Word. The irony was that they failed to recognize the Living Word of God which the scriptures had testified! These religious leaders still clung to the shadow of things to come when the reality was standing right in front of them.

All of Yeshua's teachings can apply to us today too. Our fallen flesh encourages us want to make ourselves righteous before God by our own works and efforts. This of course never works and can lead to prideful self -righteousness and delusion. Many times we reason that if we could just find the right church, Bible studies, fellowship, religious organization, pastor, etc. we would find salvation and be pleasing to our Heavenly Father. This is the same trap that the Pharisees fell into. This is also the same mistake most Christian denominations have made as well. They have traded Yeshua as the Truth and replaced him with their own enterprises. In fact some groups, (read cults), have gone as far as to call their particular religious sect, "The Truth"! Trust me they are not. Only Yeshua himself rightfully bears that title. This is because at this time we only see in part as Paul said:

1 Corinthians 13:8-10 (NKJV) Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

Anyone claiming to know all the truth and have all the answers is simply deluding themselves and unfortunately others as well. The wisest course is to accept the fact that when the perfect comes, i.e. Yeshua returns, we will know in full. Right now we can still ask Yeshua to disciple us and be our only true Teacher or Rabbi. In fact he commanded his followers in just this manner:

Matthew 23:10 "And don't let anyone call you 'Teacher,' for you have only one teacher, the Messiah."

Wow, now that's a new thought! Going elsewhere for instruction is like going to those cracked cisterns that can hold no water as spoken of in Jeremiah 2:13. Only Yeshua can offer us living water, fresh and flowing! Once we stop making idols of our church and it's "leaders" we can better hear the voice of the true Teacher. Most denominations or sects are based on one man, woman's or elite group's understanding and interpretation of the Bible. Baptist beliefs are based on Calvin, Lutherans on Martin Luther, Mormons on Joseph Smith, Jehovah's Witnesses 0n Charles Taze Russel, the Seven Day Adventists on Ellen G. White, etc. The list goes on. The problem is that trusting in any of these as "leaders" and "teachers" is a big mistake. This is building on another foundation other than Yeshua who is Rock Solid!

PRAYER: Merciful and Gracious Heavenly Father, I pray for all to see the Living Word standing right in front of us. Help me to trust Yeshua fully as my Teacher and Master. I build my faith on him, the Chief Cornerstone! Amen.

Friday, December 4, 2009

What Do You Need?


Believing prayer, trusting prayer. Each day we have the sublime privilege and joy to intimately communicate with our Heavenly Father. Keep in mind that anything that concerns us is up for discussion with the Almighty. That is part of building a relationship with God. Taking the time to lay our cares at His throne and ask for His grace. Over time, that trust begins to build as we see things working out for our good and our prayers being answered.

Mark 11:24
Yeshua
, (Jesus), says: "That is why I tell you, as to whatever you pray and make request for, if you believe that you have received it, it shall be yours."

How about boldness to share the Gospel of Yeshua with others? Done! What about wisdom to make a difficult decision? Yours! Maybe something that's been your heart's desire for God's glory? You will have it! So many times I have wanted to back off from advancing in the ministry or even life itself. "I'm not ready." "I don't have the time right now." "How can I possibly afford this?" Just pick one of these or invent one of your own!

James 1: 5-7

5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord;

Yeshua
says only PRAY and BELIEVE. Well, I think I can do that. It seems simple enough. The reality is that you've got to get out of the boat, so to speak and onto the water when your faith can be tested and strengthened. Each victory encourages you towards the next! That trusting relationship you've developed lets you move ahead and prepare for the work Yah has for you. Each day He is effectively pleading, "Let Me show you what I can do!" So ASK and do not be timid. Be bold! In this we bring glory to our Heavenly Father for He delights in responding to our needs so that we may serve others. I am a witness of Yah's kind provisions and blessings. Even though I could not see when or how, He's done numerous miracles for me in my music ministry. Bless You my Father!


PRAYER: Most Gracious Father of all Creation. Thank you for all of your gifts and answered prayers. My trust and faith are in You through your Son, Yeshua who said pray and believe I have received and I will have them. In his teachings I pray, Amen.