Tuesday, September 28, 2010

The Outsiders


"John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in your name; and we forbade him, because he follows not with us." Luke 9:49

Reading on after this, you'll see that Yahshua was not pleased with his disciples' actions:

"But Jesus said to him, "Do not hinder him; for he who is not against you is for you." Luke 9:50

There are so many denominations, doctrines, sects and factions in the Body of Christ. Each of them is puffed up in believing that only they have the truth! They have all taken their eyes off the truth who is Yahshua himself! They want to supplant him as God's agent of salvation by saying you can only be saved by joining their "club". Not true! That is SO not what Jesus taught! Just as the man who the disciples hindered had faith in the authority of Yahshua's name & teachings, anyone today who believes in him has that same access. You will note that this rebuke came at a time when the disciples themselves could not cast out a demon who was tormenting an epileptic boy. They had just botched an exorcism but thought it proper to forbid someone else who was being successful!

"Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not." Mark 9:18

So it goes on today. We need to stop criticizing and demonizing each other. Yahshua knows who are his own and he says bless, do not curse. There is no reason to try thwart someone's ministry when it follows the Word of God because the Bible tells us if it is of men, it will fail. However if it is from Yah, you may find yourself fighting against God.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Who is Like Our God?



Who then is like our El, (God), Yahweh of Hosts? There are so many wonderful attributes of the One True El that we can praise and acknowledge. Did you know that the Muslim god, Allah is given many wonderful features but is never, ever called "Love"? Allah is the Moon god of Saudi Arabia and his worshipers believe in the Koran as their holy book. The Bible speaks of trading the image or glory of the One True God for the abasement that can only come from the worship of false gods.

"and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles". Romans 1:23

This includes the worship of created things such as the sun and moon:

"They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator--who is forever praised. Amen." Romans 1:25

This means that the glory that we could have has been bartered for something much less luminous. This will effect not only our world view but how we treat others. Yahshua said that his followers would be characterized by love. Since Yahshua reflects his Heavenly Father so perfectly, we would recognize and respond to love immediately.

"Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." 1 John 4:8

So who is like our God? Well, first Yahshua because he gave his life so that we might live in a renewed relationship with the Father and then those who truly love God and others. If we submit to Yahshua, we will find ourselves being changed into the image of Yahweh just as he is.

"The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation." Colossians 1:15

So we are given this wonderful promise if we are in Messiah, (Christ):

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18