Thinking It Through

We are an interesting lot, are we not? Faced with various choices to believe or to doubt, often we choose doubt. And yet history shows that there is good reason to be encouraged. I think of the story of something better than silver and gold.

Acts 3:2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;
3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.
4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.
5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.
6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

Whether we have such miraculous healing in our own personal experience to recall, we each do have some moment with the Father where we can see His workings. When faced with thoughts, if we can just meditate on what is written in scripture, and also on our own experiences, we will overcome any negative thinking that might plague us. We just need to give ourselves that one chance to think it through.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are our King! Praise the name Yahuah! Praise the name Yah! Let Your will be done in this earth as it is in heaven. Send us now Your overwhelming provision. Forgive us our trespasses and transgressions, and help us all to forgive those that have trespassed or transgressed against us. Wipe away any thoughts or memories of evil done to us or by us. Heal with Your oil, Your Holy Spirit, replacing these with thoughts and memories of only You. Restore one hundredfold all the good that has been taken or held back in any way from Your people, and the more besides. SHow Yourself strong, my King! We ask all these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). We assk all these things in the name of Yah. Amen.

Sometimes Reading Helps

As I pondered what helps me feel encouraged I realized that often it is just reading scripture. With that in mind, I decided to quote one here that a friend mentioned today.

Isaiah 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
12 For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

We have a good Father.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are our King! Praise the name Yahuah. Let Your will be done here as it is in heaven. Send now Your overwhelming provision. Forgive us our trespasses and transgressions, and help us to forgive those that have trespassed or transgressed against us. Completely wipe away any thoughts or memories of evil that has been done to us or evil that we have done. Replace these with thoughts and memories of only You. Restore unto Your people one hundredfold all that has been taken or held back in any way that is good from Your people, and the more besides. We ask all these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). Amen.

Wealth And Fame

Many years ago as a young man I had a desire for wealth and fame. Then life happened. These days I do not think about these so much, although being debt free is on my “100” list. These days I like to think more about impact. What can I do for impact? A stated goal for me is to get to the place where when I pass on, it matters that I was here. This is true for many people, I believe. There is a drive in us to do something for our Father that makes Him proud. But how do we do this? First we say what it is.

Mark 11:22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

And then we walk it out.

Philippians 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

Today, let us say and do what makes our Father proud.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are our King! Praise the name Yahuah! Let Your will be done in this earth as it is in heaven. Send us now Your overwhelming provision. Forgive us our trespasses and transgressions, and help us all to forgive those that trespass and transgress against us. Heal us from the inside in our hearts and minds, wiping away completely every thought or memory of evil that we have had done to us or that we have done. In their place place thoughts and memories of only You. Deliver us from the evil here. Restore one hundredfold all that has been taken or held back in any way that is good from Your people, and the more besides. We ask all these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). Amen.

Our God Prevails

It is so good to know that no matter what we experience, we can count on our God to win every battle. How do we address the need for us to know He is there, especially in times of trouble? The first thought that comes to mind is to not wait for the trouble to appear. Prepare ourselves in the good times and build up that relationship so that when the tougher times show up, they show up on rock solid relationship that cannot be destroyed. If we have not done that, we can still count on Him because He never changes.

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

In the tough moments, if we have not prepared, cling to this verse and pray. Prayer in the Spirit brings faith.

Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

1 Corinthians 14:2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
7 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.
10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.
11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.
12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

Our God always prevails. We need not fear what man can do.

Psalms 118:4 Let them now that fear the Lord say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
5 I called upon the Lord in distress: the Lord answered me, and set me in a large place.
6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
7 The Lord taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.
8 It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.

Let us call out to our Father, the Winner of all battles, the Healer of all sickness and disease.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are the King! Praise the name Yahuah! Bless the name Yahuah! Let Your will be done i this earth as it is in heaven. Send us now Your overwhelming provision. Forgive us our transgressions and trespasses, and help us all to forgive those that have trespassed and transgressed against us. Heal us from the inside out. Blot out the transgressions. Wipe away the thoughts and memories of evil, and replace them with Your joy. Heal Your people and make them whole. Deliver us from the evil here. Restore unto Your people all that has been taken or held back in any way, and the more besides. We ask all these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). Amen.

Overnight Miracles

Imagine how the children of Israel felt the morning after they ate the Passover in Egypt. Having never tasted anything but slavery and oppression for generations, They awoke to being told they could leave. They were free. Not only were they free, they were given jewels of silver and gold, and clothing. They were given anything they needed.

Exodus 12:35 And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment:
36 And the Lord gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians.

When they left, their numbers were huge. And they were joined by many others from Egypt.

Exodus 12:37 And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children.
38 And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle.

This is a part of the promise that comes from the walking with our Father, and keeping the appointed times (moedim). It was to be spoken of by the Prophets.

Nahum 1:15 Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off.

We can be encouraged that our Passover is a greater one than this, for our Passover Lamb was our Messiah, Yeshua (Jesus).

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are the King. Praise the name Yahuah! Let Your will be done in this earth as it is in heaven. Send us now Your overwhelming provision. Forgive us our trespasses and transgressions, and help us all to forgive those that have transgressed and trespassed against us. Heal us from the inside, and deliver us from the evil here. Restore all that has been taken or held back one hundredfold, and the more besides. We ask all these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). Amen.

Search For Truth

For some believers there is a part of life that drives the desire to know, specifically to know the truth. It could also be the search for meaning. But whatever that is, for some, it emerges as a primary drive from time to time. Throughout my life I know this has happened often. We can be encouraged to know that our Father desires help us learn the truth and to live a full life as a result.

Psalms 119:17 Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.
18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.#Open: Heb. Reveal
19 I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.

Today, let us seek the truth and encouragement from our Father.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are our King! Praise the name Yahuah! Let Your will be done here as it is in the heaven, and let us do it. Send us today Your overwhelming provision. Forgive us our trespasses and transgressions and help us all to forgive those that have trespassed and transgressed against us. Lead us in right ways. Deliver us from the evil here. Restore the provisions that have been taken or held back in any way from Your people, and that one hundredfold with the more besides. We ask all these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). Amen.

Heard In The Heavens

Thinking of my own past, I do not believe I have given much thought to angels in general. This morning, however, as I was praying the idea that what we say in combination with what we do has significance, I began to look into the matter of angels. They are given a job.

Hebrews 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

Even though believers are heirs of salvation, being human, we will transgress the Law. All mankind transgresses the Law, and sin is transgression of the Law. We are given a great gift of freedom of the curse because the Messiah redeemed us from the curse of the Law. Therefore we receive only the blessings of the Law, if we will turn to our Father and repent. When we transgress the Law (sin), we are transgressors of the Law (sinners). When we turn to our Father, there is joy in the heavens.

Luke 15:1 0 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

We are given angels to watch over us when we are little. Perhaps the assignment goes back to the womb and before, but it certainly exists when we are children.

Matthew 15:1 0 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.

At least a portion of their ministry is to protect us.

Psalms 91:1 0There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

In the past perhaps I avoided this subject because I did not want to be guilty of angel worship. But now it is clear that the preponderance of the evidence is that they are here to do what we cannot, which is to go physically before the throne of Yahuah our Father and report and be given direction. And we do what they cannot, which is to exercise free will in our speech and actions. The scripture in in Hebrews is most interesting.

In Hebrews 1:14 It says they are sent to minister for us as believers. The word for minister in the Greek is diakonia which means to execute the commands of others. This verse literally says that they are here to do what we tell them, likely subject only to not go against God our Father. This morning a whole new level of encouragement is given to me, for I was one that thought that giving command to the angels was inappropriate. Yet scriptures clearly show that it is appropriate. They see everything and report to the Father. In turn they are empowered to bring the truth into this world of the Messiah, the price that was paid, and the Father’s will to be done here.

Be encouraged for we have angels with us, to watch over us, and to assist us in bringing about the Father’s will in the earth.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are our King! Praise the name Yahuah! Let Your will be done here as it is in heaven. Send us today Your provision such that we cannot contain it and it overflows to those around us. Forgive us our transgressions and trespasses and debts, and help us all to forgive those that have trespassed or transgressed against us or who are our debtors. Let the great restoration of all things begin now, Father. Use us to help usher in Your will in the earth. Deliver us from past evil, wiping away every memory or thought of it in any way from our minds and hearts, in its place place Your knowledge and joy. Let Your provision, miraculous overwhelming provision, flow out from You today to us. Restore all that has been taken or held back from Your people, and the more besides, setting us on the high places of the cities. Show us a sign for good that all men might know that You alone have done this. We ask all these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus), and by His blood we declare Your will in this earth today! Amen.

It Has Been Written

This is a powerful beginning to a statement made by our Messiah. Interestingly, the devil tried to use it as well. In both cases, the scriptures were being quoted. Why then was there only one that prevailed? Perhaps it is because of what scriptures are meant to be.

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

The purpose of the scriptures is to bring about the will of our Father. It was not His will that the enemy should prevail, but that we His children – mankind – should prevail. That there is great force in scripture is evident from the beginning.

Deuteronomy 4:1 Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the Lord God of your fathers giveth you.
5 Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the Lord my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it.
6 Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.
7 For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for?

And again.

Deuteronomy 6:1 Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the Lord your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it:
2 That thou mightest fear the Lord thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son’s son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.
3 Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the Lord God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey.
4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord:
5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.

We see that we are given wisdom and understanding, and that the commandments are meant to help us possess the land. The scriptures and the doing of them mark us. There is more to be said here about the Passover and the dethroning of the spiritual darkness and the redemption from the curse that we might receive the blessing. But this is sufficient for now.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are our King! Praise the name Yahuah! Let Your will, Father, be done in this earth just as it is in the heavens. Send us today, yes today, Your overwhelming provision such that it overflows to those around us. Forgive us our transgressions and trespasses, and help us all to be forgiving like You Father, forgiving those that have transgressed and trespassed against us. We declare cleansed hearts for our families and friends such that no shred of memory of evil remains, replaced by those good things that You have spoken. We declare healing in our hearts and minds. We declare healing in our physical bodies. Restore, my King, rise up and restore Your people. Restore the substance and all prosperity, showing us a sign for good that all men might know that You alone are our King! Praise the name Yahuah! We ask all these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). Amen.

Always There

No matter what we face in life, we can take heart, we can take comfort, in knowing that our Father is always there for us. This can present certain challenges for us as believers because it takes faith. Faith is defined for us in scripture.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

We see here that faith is the substance (known and accepted reality that we feel) of things hoped for (expected) so much that it is evidence to us that it exists. This is the meaning from verse one. Verse six tells us that we believe that God exists and that He is on our side taking action. If we have some challenge before us, then if we will spend time with the Father addressing this point until we have this kind of faith toward the issue, we will sense the comfort that God is with us in it.

Perhaps the bigger challenge is when things are good, remembering that it was the Father that made them so, and thanking Him for it. In both cases we can get so caught up in the moment that we forget that we are not alone. We can forget that He is always there for us to call upon.

Today let’s be comforted in knowing our Father is with us, no matter what we face, the good or the bad.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are our King! Praise the name Yahuah! Let Your will be done here, Father, as it is with You in the heavens. Send us now Your provision. Forgive us for our transgressions and trespasses, and help us all to forgive those that have transgressed or trespassed against us. Cleanse our hearts and minds, wiping away the bad thoughts and memories that plague us until it is as if they never happened. Fill the empty space left behind with thoughts of You and of Your love. Deliver us from the present evil. Restore substance unto Your people, all that has been taken, lost, or held back in any way. We ask all these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). Amen.

Overcome Evil With Good

Often when I have heard this scripture I have thought of how I am treated by the unbelieving world. If an unbeliever treats me poorly, I am not to treat that person as they treated me. While this may be something that I should in fact do, this scripture is speaking about the body of believers and how we treat one another, I suggest. In fact, this passage begins by telling us to get our mind right.

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

Specifically, when we renew our mind we can learn to accept our fellow believers. This is upheld by other scriptures.

Psalms 133 A Song of degrees of David.
1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;
3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.

We see that unity brings blessing. If we read on in Romans we get to the scripture that is the title of this writing.

Romans 12:9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

We can see that this passage continues to speak about how we as believers treat one another. If we can learn to treat one another well, we can overcome the flesh that is at enmity with the Spirit, something we can all struggle with from time to time. We can overcome the evil with the good.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are our King! Praise the name Yahuah! Let Your will be with us as it is with You. Send us today Your overwhelming provision. Forgive us o ur trespasses and transgressions, and help us all to forgive those that have trespassed and transgressed against us. Cleanse our hearts and minds. Raise up Your people and defend us from those that accuse and would harm our families. Turn the hearts of those in authority such that we can live at peace. Restore unto Your people one hundredfold all that has been taken or held back from Your people in any way, and the more besides, even greater than in the Exodus. Rise up my King, and deliver us. We ask all these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). Amen.