Good News!

If Christmas doesn't do anything else, it should at the very basic level remind us of the Good News.  Not just the Biblical account of Yahushua's birth or geneo (beginning), but of the Good News that he himself preached.  In the synagogue He read the following scroll of the prophet Isaiah and finished saying this prophecy is now fulfilled in your hearing:

“The Spirit of THE LORD YAHUWAH is upon me, and because of this He has anointed me to preach The Good News to the poor; He has sent me to heal broken hearts and to proclaim liberty to captives, vision to the blind, and to restore the crushed with forgiveness,”  Luke 4:18

No human authority, government or earthy power could stop this fulfillment and it was executed with precision and completeness during Yahushua's three year ministry.  See the Jews in the first century were looking for a powerful king who would immediately free them from oppressive Roman rule.  The only problem is in their quest for political liberation, they failed to recognize their present spiritual slavery to sin and evil.  This was the Messiah's primary mission, to preach the Good News of salvation to both the materially and more importantly spiritually bankrupt of the House of Israel.

So while the Good News or Gospel is certainly about the Lord Messiah, it also is his message to his spiritual brothers and then to us.  As the apostle Paul summed it up:

“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile” Romans 1:16  

Now that is the power of God.  The message of salvation delivered through the one whom it would ultimately be advanced.  First the Jews were told and then it was spread to the Gentiles.  

But glory, honor, and peace, to every man that works good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:  Romans 2:10

We just can't hold that sort of good news in!  We've got to tell it because it is a once in a lifetime opportunity to become right with God through the saving power of Christ's finished work and blood.  When he said, "It is accomplished", he had done all that the Father had asked of him.  Like our Master, we can be faithful too and proclaim the good and acceptable year of the LORD while there is still time.  It won't go on forever.  So yes, rejoice this Christmas as it calls to mind the loving act of our Heavenly Father and His obedient son.  It still holds out the gift of salvation and the promise of everlasting life to those who believe.

Be Our Strength

O Yahuwah, favour us, for thee we have waited, Be their arm, in the mornings, Yea, our salvation in time of adversity. Isaiah 33:2

I read this in my YouVersion Bible Reading this morning and was so moved by the poetry of this verse that I had to share it with you.  I read "Be their arm in the mornings", I though of the word "army" and to arm oneself.  The main sense is that Yah was being called upon to be the strength of a nation in adverse times.  Isaiah the prophet wrote these words and you can hear him praying both for his people and the success of those fighting men of Israel.

This is such a blessing to know that our God is indeed a strong tower where the righteous run in and are saved:

A tower of strength is the name of Yahuwah, Into it the righteous runneth, and is set on high.  Proverbs 18:10

Imagine a place to run to, really a name and the authority it bears that allows the righteous to run in and be set up high and away from those seeking our harm.  Yahushua is our righteousness due to what he accomplished for us on the cross.  So through Messiah our sins are obliterated and we are now the righteousness of God:

“For HE HATH MADE HIM TO BE SIN FOR US, WHO KNEW NO SIN; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2nd Corinthians 5:21)

I've had the sublime joy of running to Yah as my tower of refuge many times when I was hard pressed and in trouble.  I made a request like Moshe and had a vision where I asked to be placed in the cleft of a high rock.  I could then see Yah pass by but with his hand covering me.  This was so I could see His glory pass by but also it was a place of immense peace and safety.

"I have put My words in your mouth and have covered you with the shadow of My hand, to establish the heavens, to found the earth, and to say to Zion, 'You are My people."  Isaiah 51:16

So I have been able to stand against adversities and troubling storms of life by placing my full trust and confidence in the everlasting arms of Yahuwah my Salvation.  You can too as He is only a prayer away.

PRAYER: Oh Yah, how great and mighty is the power of your set apart name!  I also know that there is no other name given under heaven by which we must be saved.  That is Your Son Yahuwah and your name is truly in him.  Thank you Father for Your divine strength and power through Christ when mine so often fails.

Amen. 

Thankful No Matter What

I can remember working with a wonderful scientist, Dr. Lester Weintraub, who always said, "Could have been worse!" when describing something unpleasant that just happened to him.

Really, he had the right attitude of gratitude when I think back.

"Let the peace of the Messiah also rule in your hearts, to which you were called in one body, and be thankful". Colossians 3:15

First you see the peace ruling in one's heart as we are part of the ONE Body of Christ.  Yahushua taught about obtaining that peace by not being overly concerned with what we will drink or eat or put on.  This excessive worry is given to those whose hearts are ruled by  anxiety and therefore LACK such peace.

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?  Matthew 6:25

He places things in the proper order of importance.  You are alive right now which shows Yah's divine providence.  Many people in the world did not live to see this new day.   Young, old, rich and poor did not wake up this morning.  So if God cares to allow you another day of life, will He not also provide the sustenance needed to maintain it?  Likewise our bodies are fearfully made, miracles of creation.  So what are clothes as compared to the beauty and complexity of the human form?

We really need to consider these things because this will lead to greater trust and faith in Yah's ability to take care of us.  So...

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  Philippians 4:6

Prayer:  Yahuwah Yireh, my Provider!  Thank you for sending your Son so that I may have my sins forgiven and the hope of everlasting life.  No matter what my circumstances, let me be thankful and rest in Your given peace.  In Yahushua's name, Amen.

 

Yahuwah Yireh, My Provider

¹⁴ He makes grass grow for the cattle,
   and plants for people to cultivate—
   bringing forth food from the earth:
¹⁵ wine that gladdens human hearts,
   oil to make their faces shine,
   and bread that sustains their hearts.  Psalm 104:14-15

I read this only this morning as part of my daily reading plan and though about Yah's going above and beyond filling our basic needs.  He not only cares for us but He also has great concern for the animals of His creation.  If the grass does not grow, even today, ranchers can not sustain their cattle.  The drought in Texas was so bad this past summer that many had to sell of a large part of their herds to keep them from dying.  If God withholds His provisions for them, they are dismayed,

²⁷ All creatures look to you
   to give them their food at the proper time.
²⁸ When you give it to them,
   they gather it up;
when you open your hand,
   they are satisfied with good things.
²⁹ When you hide your face,
   they are terrified;  

Many agricultural problems today are often caused by poor land stewardship or natural changes in weather and seasons.  Still it says ALL creatures look to You.  We depend on animals for meat and hides plus many other products.  If they suffer, we also suffer.

Yahuwah cares deeply for us.  Giving us water would suffice to keep us alive but notice He also offers us wine to gladden our hearts.  That shows God is also concerned with our enjoyment of life.  Rely on Him for even more than just our basic needs.  Whatever our lot, we should trust Yah to provide for us.  Paul summed it up this way:  

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 1 Tim. 6:17

PRAYER:  O Yah, bless Your name forever!  Thank you for not only providing so richly for my temporal needs but also for giving us Your Son and life everlasting through him.

Authority

^"1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— ² for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. ³ This is good, and pleases God our Savior, ⁴ who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." 1 Timothy 2 1-4

We often think one political party has the upper hand or the other is causing all the trouble but that may only be part of the whole picture.  When we look at Paul's instructions to Timothy, we see that he was in fact asking 1st century Christians to pray for a rather corrupt, oppressive government, that of the Roman Empire.  This same empire under the prodding of the Jews had put their leader to death.  Still Paul asks fellow believers in Yahushua Ha Messiach to pray for representatives of this brutal order?

This is because he knew that there is no authority except by God.  In other words, even today, the rulers are in their position because our Heavenly Father allows it.

¹ Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. ² Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.  Romans 13:1-2

Does this mean that God condones the evil and lawless things these governments do?  Certainly not but if we read further in Romans we'll see that God understands that the absence of authority is anarchy.  Can you imagine life with no structure or authority at all?  Believe me, you wouldn't want to live in a country like that but many of our fellow Christians abroad do.

⁴ For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. ⁵ Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. Romans 13:4-5 

Even though the various governments are far from perfect, they do serve God's purpose in protecting the lives and property of its citizens.  With that protection, we are able to carry out peaceful lives as chaos would be the likely result of no government authority at all.  As far as it goes with us however, each Christian should consult their conscience in choosing godly people for political office. 

Free Will

Every once in a while God gives me an epiphany.  As imperfect humans, we often think that our Heavenly Father can and will do anything we ask, including change other people.

This is unrealistic because each of us has been given "free will" to choose to do good or evil.  It is the choice to do evil that causes others so much pain and suffering.  Still we are not pre-programmed robots.  God would not want us to love Him because we have to but because we choose to.

“I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants,"  Deuteronomy 30:19

This verse also tells us something else.  Contrary to the teachings of Calvin and other so called theological sages, predestination is not a Biblical teaching.  If certain people were predetermined to be saved and others not, why then would the Bible tell anyone to choose life in order that you may live?  Something is not adding up and when in doubt, I'd rather rely on the authority of God's words.

As much as we'd like to see positive world changes such as peace and brotherhood, the success of that is largely dependent with others.  Right now God is changing those who are willing to avail themselves of the precious blood and sin atoning sacrifice of the Lord Yahushua.   Each man, woman and child must step up and confess their sins and wish to be made over in Christ's image.  Some people will never do that, even when they see others who have been completely transformed by this holy process.  They would rather live for themselves and die in their sins because of pride and their love of decadent pleasures.  So we can only ask God for things He has under His authority.  God does not rule our wills.  We look forward to the day when the whole earth will be filled with those who willfully submit to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Encourage Someone

"I will bless Yahweh at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth." Psalm 34:1. Later on in David's Psalm of praise and exhalation he invites others to join him in worship by saying:

"Oh magnify Yahweh with me and let us exhalt His name together." Psalm 34:3

Although there was no specific mandate at the time for Israel to proselytize to the nations, it is obvious that David was calling on members of the covenant. How are we today? We are to speak to one another with Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. This can be like giving one of Christ's believers a cool drink of water. We all need to be refreshed especially with the constant drone of economic woes, natural disasters and human tradgedy playing 24/7. Focusing on God's superlative goodness and power gives us confidence to work and walk victoriously knowing our labors are not in vain.

As the Proverb says, iron sharpens iron, so we can find others of like faith to encourage and be encouraged.

Put Your Hope in God

Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 2 Timothy 4:2

We should be so ready to to share the gospel with those who do not know it.  Still Paul here is not just speaking of those ignorant of the Good News.  He is reminding Timothy to keep those in the Body of Christ on alert as well.  How do we know that Paul is including those who have already been exposed to the Gospel Message?  We can look at the next verse which says:

For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 2 Timothy 4:3

No longer means that they did listen to sound teaching at one point.  We can see this now with "prosperity preachers" or the "name it claim it crowd".  Paul said he knew how to be content no matter what his circumstances because he could do all things through Him who gave him strength.  Why wasn't he preaching that God wants you to prosper and have material wealth?  Well, probably because it wasn't part of the Good News!  Instead Paul warned:

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 1 Timothy 6:17 

Uncertain is right!  Here today, gone today.  If that is the sum and total of our lives then when we loose our possessions we may feel we have nothing to live for.  Now tornadoes, floods and other disasters have taken more than people's property.  It has cost hundreds of Americans their lives too.  Yahshua said seek first the Kingdom of God all these other things will be added to you as well.  Since he also said we can not serve both God and mammon or money at the same time, we have to make a choice as to what or who will have first place in our affections.  The greatest command is to love Yahweh our Elohim with all our heart, mind and strength and our neighbors as ourselves.   

Whom God Raised from the Dead

Paul said, "For if the dead are not raised, then the Messiah has not been raised," 1 Corinthians 15:16 

Just reading this verse will give us a lot of understanding.  Some people believe in myths such as the immortality of the human soul when the Bible flat out says "None can keep alive his own soul" (Psalm 22:29).  These stories were introduced by Greek philosophers who believed in other things the Jews did not such as multiple gods and their gods coming down in the form men.  Paul saw all of this for what it was, pagan belief.
So if inside we believe that the Messiah Yahshua raised himself up because he was really "God in human flesh", the above verse from Paul makes no sense.  The Bible clearly says over and over again that GOD raised Jesus from the dead.

"but put to death the Prince of life, the one whom God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses." Acts 3:15

The apostles were witnesses to the fact that GOD raised Jesus from the dead, not that Jesus raised himself!  If we believe that Jesus is God and as such was able to raise himself from the dead by his own power, where does that leave us?  We are not God!  Paul was facing the same sort of pagan philosophies in his time hence his letter to the Corinthians.  Gnostics and other 1st century groups were saying that Jesus was really only a spirit (God) and not a flesh & blood man or human.  To these heretics, he only appeared to be human but did not sweat, urinate or perform any other normal bodily functions.  Some cults to this day believe that Jesus was originally an angel despite the first chapter of Hebrew's clear testimony to the contrary.  Paul stated:

"By this ye know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ hath come in the flesh, is from God:"  1 John 4:2

In the Hebrew mind and religion, these is no such thing as pre-exisitance so when they speak of "come in the flesh" they are simply saying that Jesus was a flesh and blood man and not a spirit.  Remember that only God Almighty Yahweh is immortal meaning not subject to death.  If Yahshua was equally immortal, he could not have really died and been raised from the dead.  It follows that if this is the case, Paul says:


"And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless." 1 Corinthians 15:14

So it is very important to 1.) Test the spirits.  2.) Believe that Jesus was 100% human and truly died.  3.) Believe that God raised him from the dead as a reward for his faithfulness.  If we overlook these key points, our faith and preaching will likewise be in vain.

Then We Will Know

Corinthians 13:12 says, "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known."

The Apostle Paul was describing how difficult it is right now to fully see or understand who Yahshua is as Messiah.  It is like looking through dark glass.  The features may be there but the clear perception of Christ is not yet in focus.

However Paul speaks of the time when we will see and know him face to face.  Yahshua already knows us!  We are precious to him because he declared:

"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me--" John 10:14 

He is well acquainted with those of us who will stray, end up in trouble and need rescuing.  All the same he was willing to lay down his life for the sheep which is the most selfless act the world has ever known. So as much as we would like to say that we know Jesus, truth is, he knows us even better.  We will have to be patient until the day he returns for his bride.  We will be caught up to meet him in the air along with all of the other faithful saints being resurrected from times past.

"For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with God's trumpet. The dead in Christ will rise first," 1 Thessalonians 4:16  

Make no mistake.  Then we shall see and know him as he truly is.  What a joyful day!  

Like a Tree

"He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers." Psalm 1:3

Now that spring is coming around, I see the trees starting to bud and the earth coming back to life.  It makes me think of my Christian walk in that I can be encouraged by this short Psalm.  It mentions yielding it's fruit in season.  Well, the Bible says that we need to be ready in season and OUT of season to preach the Word of God.

"Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction." 2 Timothy 2:4

Doing God's will might be likened to bearing fruit.  Now that can look like a lot of different things according to each person's ability but it always includes preaching the same Gospel that Yahshua taught.  If we do otherwise or preach another gospel or even another Christ, then that is like preaching no Gospel at all!

"another Jesus whom we have not preached… or a different gospel" (2 Corinthians 11:1–4).

So the Psalm mentions producing fruit in season but the leaves do not wither.  That makes me think of the life water within us, that would be likened to Yah's set apart spirit.  He gave this same spirit without measure to Yahshua who began pouring it out on fellow believers at Pentecost, (read the book of Acts).  This is what keeps us alive spiritually and empowered to continue doing what our Heavenly Father desires.  He wants no one to be lost so our bearing fruit and having leaves that do not wither means being very active in preaching the Gospel to all who will hear.

Pure as Fresh Snow

22“Have you entered the storehouses of the snow,
         Or have you seen the storehouses of the hail,

23Which I have reserved for the time of distress,
         For the day of war and battle?"  Job 38:22-23

Yahweh rightfully asked these questions of Job who for a moment lost perspective of his relationship to the Almighty.
It is easy to do in the midst of adversity and trial.  We may even begin to think that God owes us answers for why things are not going as we'd like.  Guess what?  Sometimes that's they way things turn out!  Our Heavenly Father is not a puppet master, controlling every move and decision we or our fellow humans make.  We were given free will and the choice to either obey or not.  More times than not, our own poor choices cause problems and other times the careless decisions of someone else is to blame.  This is why true religion is based on how we treat others in relationship to ourselves.

"Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world."  James 1:27

I like to think of how clean and fresh, un-driven snow is!  It is so pure and without any spots or contamination.  This is how we should keep ourselves in this world.  All the same look what is listed first: "to visit orphans and widows in their distress."  A lot of  religious emphasis today is on looking good rather than actually doing good!  We can't afford to let that be the case especially if we call ourselves servants of the Most High God and His Son Yahshua.  We may not understand why things turn out the way they do but faith in a God who is able to save to uttermost will keep us grounded in an active faith:

²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who^[a] have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Job didn't have all the facts before trying to justify his righteousness before God which is why he was given some pertinent things to think about.  No we haven't seen nor do we know of all of God's wonders but we certainly can trust Him to work towards the achievement of His perfect will in our lives.

Follow Me

Luke 9:23, Yahshua says to those who would truly belong to him: "²³ Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me."

What does that mean? Well, first it tells us that we have a personal responsibility to be faithful in our walk with the Savior. He will help us but notice he is saying that we have to take up OUR cross and follow him daily. Sometimes we are erroneously told that becoming a Christian means all of our problems will be solved. Yes, at one time we all enemies of Yah. "Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior." Colossians 1:21

Turning from our former evil deeds and thoughts is part of denying ourselves. Now while leaving things like smoking, drinking and illicit sexual practices can often make life better, it will not absolve all of one's problems. However, no matter what the issue, we can make our Heavenly Father rejoice each day by obeying His Son especially when under trial and temptation. The cross is just that, a torture stake that we gladly bear each day because we are on our way to a sublime destination. The place? God's Kingdom here on earth as co-heirs with Yahshua!