God's Vision for Us

Do you share God's vision for the future? Proverbs 29:18 says, "Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law." Sometimes the obstacles along the road are so high and numerous that it is quite natural to focus on them rather than the One who can bring us over them. Our Heavenly Father waits for us to come to Him through His Son, Yeshua (Jesus), the Messiah.

What God has promised will come to pass no matter how bleak things may appear at the time. We can simply look at the hundreds of prophecies which have already come true in the Bible. What other race of people has all but ceased to exist yet managed to come back to their homeland? Look at the Jews for that answer. Hunted down, exiled, holocausted and deported but there they are returing to Israel just as the Bible predicted. That alone should encourage our faith that Yah's Messiah will return to this earth to rule it in justice and love.

Now is the time to get behind the King of that New Kingdom and be used by him as ambassadors to a dying world. Eyes have not seen and ears have not heard all the wonderful things Yah has in store for those who love Him!

PRAYER: Yahweh Almighty, Your word will not return void. What you have promised, a righteous government here on earth through the Messiah will come to pass. Strengthen me to continue on the path to enter Your Kingdom in victory, bringing as many as possible along with me. In Yeshua's faith, Amen.

Pure Language

God's promises are always true because He is the only one powerful enough to make them happen. We can reflect on Yahweh's promise to Moshe, (Moses). Deuteronomy 18:18 says, "I will raise them up a prophet from among their brothers, like you; and I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I shall command him." This prophecy points to Yeshua, (Jesus). This is telling us that this coming prophet would be from among his own Jewish brethren just as Moshe was. However, he would be a faithful prophet and speak all the words that God would give him. Note how in a moment of anger and frustration, Moshe failed to speak to the rock as Yah commanded him to do. Instead, "Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock, and he said to them, "Hear now, you rebels; shall we bring you water out of this rock for you?" but struck it saying, "Must we give you water from this rock?"

Moses was very angry and it lead him to disobey. He did not speak all that God commanded but struck the rock saying he and Aaron would be getting water for the people. Yeshua is the only prophet who completely discharged his commission without sin or defect. Like Moshe and Aaron, he could have disobeyed. If not the temptations of Ha-Satan in the wilderness would have been empty gestures. No, Yeshua was raised up from among his brothers, the Israelite people. Even though Yeshua had his genesis by a supernatural act of creation in Mary's womb, he was completely human. That is why he is also called the "Last Adam". Unlike the first Adam, Moses and Aaron, he did and said all that our Heavenly Father told him.

John 14:14 confirms this from Yeshua's own mouth: "He who doesn't love me doesn't keep my words. The word which you hear isn't mine, but the Father's who sent me."

Yeshua also stated that life in the coming age would hinge on knowing God and him. John 17:3 "and this is the life age-during, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and him whom Thou didst send -- Jesus Christ; Yeshua is speaking of someone other than himself as "The Only True God". That would be his God and Father who is also our God and Father. John 20:17 Yeshua told Mariam, (Mary the Magdelene), "....be not detaining me for not yet have I ascended unto the Father; but be going unto my disciples and say unto them, I am ascending unto my Father and your Father and my El, (God) and your God.

PRAYER: Almighty Yah, I know you are the Only True God as You put these words in Your Son's mouth to proclaim. Thank you for keeping Your promises to all who put faith in You. Help me to obey all the words You have given Your Holy Servant Yeshua thus showing my love for both You and him. In his teachings I pray, Amen.

Good Vibrations!

There are just some people who rub us the wrong way. They perhaps lack the social graces or ability to phrase things in a pleasant way. Some may say, "At least they are honest and you always know what is on their mind!" Well, not so if you didn't ask for their advice. This is especially difficult when someone is in a position of authority, whether real or imagined. We are all so different and thank God for that! We can still thank God for these people as well. Those rough edges on others can make us a bit smoother while allowing us to learn patience. However, there is no reason to keep silent if we are being mistreated. Make no mistake, there is no reason to tolerate abuse voluntarily.

Romans 12:18 says, "If possible, as far as it depends upon you, be peaceable with all men." Things may be peachy on your end but you can not control how someone else behaves. You may simply need to remove yourself from contact with the person. Paul mentions this regarding the most intimate of relations, marriage. 1 Corn 7:10 “...A wife is not to DEPART from her husband. But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried OR BE RECONCILED TO HER HUSBAND..." Sometimes putting a bit of distance or space between you and the offensive party, (spouse, friend, family member, co-worker), can give each a chance to reflect on the relationship.

The Greek word used for “depart” is chorizo, and it means “to place room between, to separate.”

Both sides then have the opportunity to calm down after time and distance have been allowed to heal fresh wounds. This is not a cure all for every situation but it can be a help in many cases. Also recognize inappropriate behavior for what it is....inappropriate! Candy coating the actions of someone who is completely unreasonable will not hold up here. Toxic relationships can drain the energy and creativity out of anyone. Don't let this happen! Pray for them but put some healthy space between you so that you may have peace. It may give them the chance to consider their actions and whether or not they wish to continue having you in their life.

PRAYER: Oh Yah, You know each and every heart. You also know how much we can bear. Give me a wise heart and good council to live in peace with the many people who come into my life.

Glory Be!

Be Glorified! That really should be our heart's desire towards our Heavenly Father. Matthew 5:16 says, "In like manner, let your light shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father Who is in the heavens." The Bible mentions letting people see our good works so that they will glorify our Father in Heaven. Notice the focus is not to magnify ourselves by doing kind deeds! Yeshua was quite clear about that when he said not to let our right hand know what our left hand is doing. Still when people do see our good works, if such are from the heart and without pretense, God will receive the glory. We are to be the light of the world, a city on a hill for all to see. (Matthew 5:14)

Given the temporal nature of the things of this world, the wise course is to do what we can each day to bless Yah. Serving others and bringing the Gospel of the Messiah to those who have not yet heard is a wonderful investment in future riches. These treasures can not be destroyed by rust or stolen by thieves because they are with Almighty God! Yeshua honors his Father everyday and encourages us to do likewise. Psalm 86:9 says, "...all nations shall glorify thy name." Hebrews 2:12, Yeshua is shown in the scriptures to lead his brethren in the praise and worship of the Father. "saying, 'I will declare Thy name to my brethren, in the midst of an assembly I will sing praise to Thee;' and again, 'I will be trusting on Him;' He glorified his God on earth and does so in heaven now. Yeshua will return and call all of his faithful from the grave and those still alive on earth to rule the nations from Jerusalem. He is still looking for new recruits to fill these administrative offices! His Kingdom rule will glorify and honor the One True God. So perhaps we can ask, "Gracious Father, how may I honor you today? Be glorified!"

PRAYER: Gracious Yah, use my voice, my talents and my possessions to glorify Your name today! You are great and worthy of all my praise so let me join with the Lord Messiah to magnify You before all the nations. In Yeshua's authority, Amen.

Feeling Jealous?

Jealousy! Oh that's a bad one. It usually precedes covetousness. The media is very much geared to making us want what someone else has. The fashion savvy feel they need a specific uniform in order to fit in. This is stressful because if we can not afford what someone else has, we can feel envious. Don't go down that road!

Our Heavenly Father has given YOU exactly what you require to make Him happy and proud. If we take our eyes off ourselves and others but then focus on the shining example of a perfect life, we will see Yeshua. He didn't envy the rich man who came to him with the question on how to gain everlasting life. He didn't say, "Wow, that dyed silk sash would look GREAT on me! What's he doing with it?" Yeshua looked beyond the surface and saw that man's true need. That his riches were a snare but he still had the potential to be one of his talmidim or disciples. A truer translation of what Yeshua said is from the Hebraic Roots Version Scriptures. "It is easier for a large rope to enter through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Eloah (God)". Mark 10:25 The word for "camel" in the Aramaic manuscripts can mean the animal but it can also refer to a large rope which is certainly the meaning here. If you sew by hand you'll surely agree!

There are all sorts of things that we think we need to make us happy. Truth is, once we get them are we then content? Most of the time not! Worse still is when we are jealous of someone else because of their: talents, possessions, spouse, station in life, etc. Just pick one. This is so wrong because God gives freely to all but if He has especially blessed someone, who are we to be angry? Rather than curse that person, (as Cain did and worse), why not turn things around and ask Yah to make to us a blessing? Notice I didn't say give us a blessing. There is a big difference and once we see that, we can expect to be favored ourselves.

PRAYER: Gracious Father, renew my heart and the spirit within me to remove any jealousy and covetousness therein. You are my hope and do fill me with good things each day. Make me a blessing Oh Yah, that others might see my good works and glorify You in heaven. In Yeshua's way, Amen.

The Art of Being Gracious

My father's favorite proverb was "Time and tide wait for no man, (or woman)." When I was a child, I could not wait for anything! It seemed that time dragged on until my birthday, Christmas or that trip to the lake we were promised. What I loved about my father is that he was spontaneous. Many times he would announce that day we were going to the zoo or leaving for Long Island to the house on the beach for the weekend. So to this day I love surprises!

When we do something unexpected or undeserved for others, we can actually imitate our Heavenly Father. If we do something for someone who can return the favor well, that's fine but no bonus points! If we do something for someone who is not in the position to pay us back, then that is when we will have stored up a reward in heaven. He or she who gives to the poor lends to Yah Almighty. Think of that! Lending to God whose resources are already inexhaustible. That is how much He values our giving and doing for others. He loves people and wants us to be charitable like Him. That's what mercy and grace truly are...undeserved kindness and favor.

Visiting the sick and the poor to show them kindness is a wonderful expression of spontaneous giving. Most people living in such facilities are not expecting anything special that day. It really brings sunshine to their life when people come to visit. James 1:28 says, "True religion which is undefiled in the eyes of God the Father is this, to be visiting orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep one without spot from the world." Notice visiting orphans and widows comes even before keeping ourselves spotless from the world! We don't know how much time we have left among the living. It makes sense then to make everyday count and not invest infinite amounts of time in temporal things. In the picture, these musician's are playing in a cemetery behind a church. Do you think any of the people buried there can hear them? As my father said, time waits for no one. It is so good to do what we can today, to bless others by reaching out to those in need.

PRAYER: Almighty Father, please help me to be rich towards others as You are so rich towards me in Messiah. Give me a heart for those who are hurting and hands to reach out in love. In Yeshua's faith and authority I pray.

Giving Thanks is Good!

O let us come before His Face with thanksgiving, with the sounds of strings, let us shout aloud to Him. (Psalms 95:2)

Oh yes, giving thanks is good...very good! These days it is so easy to give voice to our dissatisfaction with things. After all, this is America and it is our right! Perhaps but there is One to Whom we should always be giving thanks. He is Almighty God and the Bible tells how He is the giver of every good and perfect gift. Life, with all its difficulties and trials is still inherently wonderful. Still, do we grumble more about our bills, aches and pains than give praise to God for life itself? Don't fall into that trap! The Israelites did. They thought that Yahweh could not hear their murmuring in the dessert or maybe they didn't care.

When we spend more time complaining than giving thanks we are showing an ungrateful spirit. Satan had such a spirit. It wasn't enough that God made him a guardian over His creation. No! He wasn't satisfied with that and felt he deserved more. If we carry that same spirit, we will come to have the same rebelliousness as Satan. See, the Creator of the Universe does not owe us anything. By grace He gives us rain from heaven so that we have crops in season and even a cup of wine now and then to lift our spirits! In fact, everything we have is ultimately provided by Him. So why not give thanks? Why not bless His name every day for our life? When we do this, we will have joy and peace knowing that God truly cares for us. What He wants is our gratitude and trust. He is worthy of all the thanks and praise we can offer. Lift your hands and bless Yah right now!

PRAYER: Almighty Yah, I have no good thing apart from You! Thank You for my life now and that is which to come. Thank You for Yeshua Ha Messiah through whom You have brought all good things in my life. Bless You Father, in Yeshua's name!