Wrestling VS. Fighting

We are meant to be involved in spiritual warfare. When I think of wrestling, I flash back to high school and to college, and men and boys in tights. However, that is not what is meant for us by spiritual warfare. Let me try to explain.

Ephesians 6:For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Two things to note here. We are not at war with humans. We are at war with non-humans of some degree of capability. This does say wrestle. However, what follows is the detail that makes it plain that we are to go beyond wresting to what appears to be full blown armed combat.

Ephesians 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

There are many interesting things to say here. One is that we have only one weapon listed, which is the rhema (in the Greek) of God, which Paul seems to indicate is prayer in the Spirit. Many refer to this as praying in tongues. For those that might get distressed over this writing, let me only ask that you pray and ask sincerely for wisdom. When our Father reveals it to you, then do that.

This we can be assured of, our Father is on our side, and our enemy is out to kill us, our families, and our friends.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You are our King! Praise the name YAH! Let Your kingdom come here, let Your will be done here, as it is in heaven. Send us now Your provision for this day. Forgive us our trespasses and transgressions, and help us all to forgive those that have trespassed or transgressed against us. Deliver us from the evil here. Wipe away all thoughts or memories of the evil done to us or by us. In their place let there only be thoughts and memories of You. Warm us from the inside with Your anointing oil. Let us be more like You such that the image of You that we are, resonates with the universe. Send in now the $424,523,962.53 that the kingdom might go forth in this time. Restore unto Your people one thousandfold all the good that has been taken or held back in any way, and the more besides. Show us a sign for good that all men might know that You alone Father, King, have done these things. We ask all these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). We ask all these things of You, Father, in Your name YAH. We ask all these things in the name YAH Yeshuah. Amen.

Building In Unity

When we build together, we need to be like a crew that is building an intricate structure. There are those that survey the land, and those that clear it appropriately. There are those that Dig deep to find the most solid base, and those that lay a foundation. There are those that build the floor, and those that frame the first levels. Then come a roof, which must be soon finished with shingles to keep out the weather. Then the rough framing is completed, walls are covered and finished. Finally, the finishing is last, and there is a house that can become a home. If any of this gets out of sequence by much, there is at least a struggle to get complete, if not a tearing apart to do over. Watching a crew that has worked together for some time create a home is quite amazing, like watching a great play or listening to a symphony orchestra. The scriptures speak of this beauty.

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.

It is not necessarily easy for us to be people that work in unity. It can in fact be quite difficult because we are individuals with different passions and concerns. But we can see clearly that it is important. If we are willing to try to work together in unity, then it should be like everything else we do in our Father’s kingdom. Where we fall short, if we cry out to our Father, He will make up the difference.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are our King. Praise the name YAH! Let Your will be done here and let Your kingdom come here, as it is in heaven. Send us today Your provision. Forgive us our trespasses and transgressions, and help us all to forgive those that have trespassed or transgressed against us. Wipe away all thoughts and memories of evil done to us or by us. Help us to be like the children that embrace Your kingdom. Help us to believe and trust in You. Help us to build one another up in Your kingdom. Send in quickly the $424,523,962.53 that Your kingdom might be pushed forward. Show that path plainly, Father. We need Your mercy and truth. We need Your wisdom. Please give Your servant great favor today. We ask all these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). We ask all these things of You, Father, in Your name YAH. We ask all these things in the name YAH Yeshuah. Amen.

Deliver Us

Each time we pray what is commonly referred to as the “Lord’s Prayer” we ask our Father in heaven to deliver us from evil. This is a good prayer. It is a good request. It is also good for us to know that our Father never ceases from His work. He will always rise to the occasion to deliver His people. We must remember that He is about a very big picture, a plan, to demonstrate the presence and power of His kingdom, which is our inheritance. We get to have that kingdom, in whatever state it is in around us. The question becomes how do we co-operate with this effort to advance the kingdom? We need to move it from heaven to earth.

Matthew 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

And we also know where it is to reside.

Luke 17:20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

The kingdom of heaven is the reign of God in heaven. The kingdom of God is the reign of God in a person.

Today, let’s focus on the kingdom of God and pray that we might enter in and remain.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are our King! Praise the name YAH! Let Your kingdom come, let Your will be done here as it is in heaven. Send us now Your daily provision such that it overflows to those around us. Forgive us our trespasses and transgressions, and help us all to forgive those that have trespassed or transgressed against us. Deliver us from the evil here. Wipe away all thoughts or memories of the evil done to us or by us, and in their place let there be only thoughts or memories of You. Send in quickly the $424,523,962.53 to promote the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of God. Restore unto Your people one thousandfold all the good that has been taken or held back in any way from Your people, and the more besides. Rise up now, Father, and show Yourself strong for those that choose to follow You. We ask all these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). We ask all these things of You, Father, in Your name YAH. We ask all these things in the name YAH Yeshuah! Amen.

Willing To Receive

This morning as I was considering our Father’s love, I thought of how challenging it can be for a child of God to actually receive that love. It can be that we do not understand this love because we have not received this love. We all are looking for the love and admiration of someone else, maybe several someone else’s. But the message of the scriptures is a bit different from what we naturally feel.

Mark 12:28 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?
29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
32 And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:
33 And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.
34 And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.

We first must be totally given to our Father. Once we are, we can then also learn to forgive, trust, and love ourselves. From that base, we can forgive, trust, and love others. It is somewhat natural for a human to see their own shortcomings and feel less than sufficient. However, that is where understanding our Father becomes so important. It is not about us, but about Him. He sees us through the blood of the sacrifice of the Messiah. With that assistance, we can make a difference for ourselves, and then for others.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are our King! Praise the name YAH! Let Your kingdom come within us, and let Your will be done here 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. Deliver us from the evil here. Wash away all thoughts or memories of the evil done to us or by us. In their place let there be only thoughts or memories of You. Send in quickly the $424,523,962.53 that we might use it to promote the kingdom. Help us to care for the widows and orphans. Let there be love in our hearts and minds toward the brethren. Restore unto Your people one thousandfold 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 Yehsuah. We ask all these things of You, Father, in Your name YAH. We ask all these things in the name of YAH Yeshuah. Amen.

Peace Will Reign

We are a truly blessed people to serve the Creator, the one true Living God, who will usher in peace. When I say there will be peace, I do not mean to imply from now going forward complete and perfect peace forever. That will one day occur and no man could ever stop that from happening. However, there is also a peace we can have now.

Hebrews 4:1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
4 For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.

We see that there is a certain peace that is available to us if we will enter into resting from our own works on the Sabbath. Those works were finished from the foundation of the world. If we will follow after our Father in faith, we can find our way to peace. He has set aside the Sabbath for us to find His rest.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are our King! Praise the name YAH! Let Your kingdom come here, let Your will be done here, as it is in heaven. Send us now Your overwhelming provision, that we might bless others in need. Forgive us our trespasses and transgressions, and help us all to forgive those that have trespassed or transgressed against us. Deliver us from the evil here. Wipe away all thoughts or memories of evil done to us or by us, and replace them with only thoughts and memories of You. We need You today, Father. Send in quickly the $424,523,962.53 that we might use it to promote the kingdom. Restore unto Your people seventy times seven of all the good that has been taken or held back from them in any way, and the more besides. Let us rest with You today, Father. Our only hope is You. We ask all these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). We ask all these things of You, Father, in Your name YAH. We ask all these things in the name YAH Yeshuah. Amen.

Never Alone

We are never alone as believers. Our Father is always with us, always ready to help us. And help us He will.

Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

The writer of Hebrews quotes this scripture.

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.

He does not only not leave us, He does not fail to help us, and He does not forsake us. Those are all characteristics of mankind. He is not like us.

Isaiah 55:6 Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
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.

Today, lets remember that we are not alone.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are our King. Praise the name YAH! Let Your kingdom come here, and let Your will be done here, as it is in heaven. Send us now Your overwhelming provision that we might overflow to others. Forgive us our trespasses and transgressions, and help us all to forgive those that have trespassed or transgressed against us. Wipe away the thoughts and memories of evil done to us or by us. In their place let there be only thoughts and memories of You. Deliver us from the evil here. Send in quickly the $424,523,962.53 that we might promote the kingdom and care for the widows and orphans. Restore unto Your people one thousandfold all that has been taken or held back in any way that was good, and the more besides. Rise up, my King, and come to our aid quickly. We ask all these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). We ask all these things of You, Father, in Your name YAH. We ask all these things in the name YAH Yeshuah. Amen.

Thankful For Blessings

Recently a friend suggested that I consider joining him in a journey of thankfulness, reflecting on the past year. Setting aside the counting of time, it is always good, I think, to spend time in reflection on being thankful to out Father for all he has done for us. For me, I have four wonderful children and a wonderful wife. A dog that goes crazy when I come through the door. A piece of ground where I can raise food. Vehicles that are reasonably reliable. All in all, I have a wonderful life.

Psalms 103:1 Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
6 The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are King! Praise the name YAH! Let Your will be done here, and let Your kingdom come here, 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. Deliver us from the evil here. Wipe away our tears, and wash clean our hearts and minds. Let us think thoughts of only You, and have memories only of You. Deliver us from the evil here. Send in quickly the $424,523,962.53 that we might use it to spread the good news that You are on our side, that You never leave us or forsake us. Restore unto Your people seventy times seven all the good 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). We ask all these things of You, Father, in Your name YAH. We ask all these things in the name of YAH Yeshuah. Amen.

Fighting Back

We must never quit fighting the good fight. It is our destiny. It is our calling. As challenging as it may seem at the time, we are actually designed for it. If we will believe that above all else, we will win.

Joshua 1:3 Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.
4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast.
5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
6 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.
7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You are King! Praise the name YAH! Let Your will be done here, let Your kingdom come here, as it is in heaven. Send us now Your provision for this day. Forgive us our trespasses and transgressions, and help us all to forgive those that have trespassed or transgressed against us. Wash us clean and we will be refreshed. Deliver us from the evil here. Restore unto Your people all the good 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 Yehsuah (Jesus). We ask all these things of You, Father, in Your name YAH. We ask all these things in the name of YAH Yeshuah. Amen.

Always Building

As we try to live our lives aligned with the scriptures, there will be times when we do it well and times when we do not do so well. But in all those times we will be building something. Some things will be solid and strong as they are. Still others will need repair eventually. It seems important to remember that we are watched over by a Father that not only loves us, but that will help us get to the end.

Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Let’s build with the knowledge that we build for the King, who is on our side and helping us!

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are our King! Praise the name YAH. Let Your will be done here as it is in heaven, and let Your kingdom come here among us. 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. Deliver us from the evil here. Help us to be more like You, and build as You would build. Restore unto Your people all that has been taken or held back in any way, and the more besides. Rise up, O King, and deliver. WE ask all these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). We ask all these things of You, Father, in Your name YAH! We ask all these things in the name YAH Yeshuah. Amen.

Traveling

This was a travel day for me. For any of my regular readers, I ask that you give me mercy and grace for not posting timely. I looked up traveling mercies and could not find a specific scripture. But generally, our Father is always with us. Next time you travel try to find a scripture that seems to be a blessing and go with that – it never hurts.

Deuteronomy 28:6 Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.

This is a pretty good travel scripture – even for walking down the street!

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You are our King! Praise the name YAH! Let Your kingdom come here, and let Your will be done here, as it is in heaven. Send us now Your overwhelming provision that we might overflow to those around us. Forgive us our trespasses and transgressions, and help us all to forgive those that have trespassed or transgressed against us. Deliver us from the evil here. Wash clean our hearts and minds, that we might stay steadfast on You. We want to be like You. Send in quickly the $424,523,962.53 that we might advance Your kingdom. Restore unto Your people seventy times seven all that has been taken or held back that was good, and the more besides. We ask all these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). We ask all these things, Father, in Your name YAH. We ask all these things in the name YAH Yeshuah. Amen.