We Can If We Try

At times we can become frustrated with our progress in our walk. We do things we think we should not or say hurtful things to someone and after, we shake our heads and wonder what is wrong with us. The answer is – we are human. That is why we have to try every day to get better. We are going to make mistakes and get things wrong. We are going to struggle with getting ourselves down the road loving people the way we know we should from time to time. But that is one of the reasons we are here, I suggest. This is our proving ground. This is where we try to get things right.

Philippians 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
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.
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

We are working it out. But we are not alone. Our Father is with us, helping us make our way. We will make it if we just refuse to quit!

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are King. Bless the name Yahuah! Let us live in Your kingdom. Let us be Your servants. Wash away the evil that still is in our members. Send us today Your overwhelming provision. Forgive us our sins. Heal us and deliver us. Restore unto Your people one hundred times one hundredfold. We ask these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). Amen.

Refocus

The great thing about the Sabbath can be that it allows us to refocus on what is important in out lives. The Father, our Messiah, our families, our friends, and those in the world less fortunate than us. If we can get ourselves to refocus on what is important, we can make our world better for us and those around us. Life is a challenge, but we can make a difference, if we continually seek forgiveness and turn to our Father who loves us.

Psalms 124:1 If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, now may Israel say;
2 If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us:
3 Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us:
4 Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul:
5 Then the proud waters had gone over our soul.
6 Blessed be the Lord, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth.
7 Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped.
8 Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Our help and rest are in Yahuah (Lord).

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are our King. We praise the name Yahuah! Let your kingdom be with us. Send us now Your overwhelming provision. Forgive us our sins. Heal up our hearts and minds. Help us keep Your ways ever in our thoughts. Deliver us from the thief that kills and steals and destroys. Restore unto Your people one hundred times one hundredfold. We ask these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). Amen.

Fail Forward

When we move through life, we make mistakes from time to time. It is just the way humans are. It is important to know when we make a mistake, and then seek forgiveness as we try to move forward in life. Somehow we will move forward if we truly repent, because to repent means to turn away. We are not only turning away from the sin, we are turning to our Father Yahuah.

Zechariah 1:2 The Lord hath been sore displeased with your fathers.
3 Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the Lord of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the Lord of hosts.

Today, let us turn away from even the smallest of things that are not God’s way, and return to Him.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You are King. Praise the name Yahuah! Let us live in Your kingdom here. Send us Your overwhelming provision. Forgive us our sins. Heal us and deliver us. Restore unto Your people one hundred times one hundredfold. We ask these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). Amen.

So Much For So Little

Today as I reflect on the greatness of the Father and all He has done for us, I am overwhelmed. We give so little to Him by comparison. It is these moments that I like to reflect and thank Yahuah for being our Father and our God.

Psalms 108:1O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory.
2 Awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.
3 I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: and I will sing praises unto thee among the nations.
4 For thy mercy is great above the heavens: and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds.
5 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: and thy glory above all the earth;
6 That thy beloved may be delivered: save with thy right hand, and answer me.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are King. Praise the name Yahuah! Let Your kingdom reign. Send us now Your overwhelming Provision. Forgive us our sins. Heal us and deliver us from the thief. Restore unto Your people one hundred times one hundredfold. We ask these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). Amen.

Battling A Paradox

Within all of us as believers there is a war for the truth. That war oddly enough is not only battled against exterior forces, but also our own flesh. As fallen beings, we do things and say things and think things we should not. Yet we are called to be like our Messiah Yeshuah and keep trying to do better. Paul wrote of this.

Romans 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

Our best hope to be like Messiah is first to accept that we are not and will not in this life be perfect like Him, but we need still try. Then, speak life to ourselves with our own mouths. To the extent we can do this, we create the possibility that we can continue to improve each day.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are King. Let Your Kingdom be here. Praise the name Yahuah! Send us now Your overwhelming abundant provision. Heal our hearts and minds. Deliver us from the thief. Restore unto Your people one hundred times one hundredfold. We ask all these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). Amen.

Run To The End

It is very easy for us to get complacent with life. We might decide that things are good enough or bad enough that it does not matter what we do next. When I find myself thinking that way, I remember friends of mine that are in sales. It is the end that becomes most important. Sports is the same way. The end game is very important because we can win or lose right up to the last second. Why would our spiritual life be different? It isn’t. We need to run to the end.

1 Corinthians 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:

We all run the race. Let’s recommit to run to the end!

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are King. WE praise the name Yahuah! Let Your kingdom reign here. Send us today Your overwhelming abundant blessing. Forgive us our sins. Heal up our bodies. Deliver us from the evil that steals and destroys. Restore unto Your people one hundred times one hundredfold. We ask these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). Amen.

When We Remember

In the United States this is a day that we remember those that have served in our military. Though the list is long with reasons to be thankful, it can be easy to forget to say thank you. As often as I can, every time I see someone in uniform, whether that be military, police, or fire fighters, I try to stop and say thank you. We call our day Memorial Day to serve as a memorial, a reminder, about our service men and women. Memorials are a good thing. Sometimes they do more than remind us humans individually. They can become a declaration to the entire physical and spiritual universe. The scripture speak in several places of such memorials.

Exodus 13:3 And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the Lord brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten.
4 This day came ye out in the month Abib.
5 And it shall be when the Lord shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee, a land flowing with milk and honey, that thou shalt keep this service in this month.
6 Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, and in the seventh day shall be a feast to the Lord.
7 Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days; and there shall no leavened bread be seen with thee, neither shall there be leaven seen with thee in all thy quarters.
8 And thou shalt shew thy son in that day, saying, This is done because of that which the Lord did unto me when I came forth out of Egypt.
9 And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the Lord’s law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the Lord brought thee out of Egypt.
10 Thou shalt therefore keep this ordinance in his season from year to year.

Yahuah commanded the keeping of the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread as a memorial on the back of our hand and our forehead. Our Father repeats Himself in just a few verses, so one would assume it is important.

Exodus 13:10 Thou shalt therefore keep this ordinance in his season from year to year.
11 And it shall be when the Lord shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanites, as he sware unto thee and to thy fathers, and shall give it thee,
12 That thou shalt set apart unto the Lord all that openeth the matrix, and every firstling that cometh of a beast which thou hast; the males shall be the Lord’s.
13 And every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb; and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break his neck: and all the firstborn of man among thy children shalt thou redeem.
14 And it shall be when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What is this? that thou shalt say unto him, By strength of hand the Lord brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage:
15 And it came to pass, when Pharaoh would hardly let us go, that the Lord slew all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of beast: therefore I sacrifice to the Lord all that openeth the matrix, being males; but all the firstborn of my children I redeem.
16 And it shall be for a token upon thine hand, and for frontlets between thine eyes: for by strength of hand the Lord brought us forth out of Egypt.

And there is another memorial to Yahuah, our Father God, mentioned in Deuteronomy.

Deuteronomy 6:4 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.

And there is one other place where a memorial is spoken of, that is a memorial to the enemy.

Revelation 13:16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

Memorials are an important thing in this life and in the spiritual realm. Today, thank those that have served and are serving as you have opportunity, and be mindful of our Father’s scriptures.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are King. We praise the name Yahuah! Let Your kingdom be with us. Send us today the abundant provision that You have declared in Your scriptures. Forgive us our sins. Heal up our bodies, our hearts, and our minds. Deliver us from the thief. Restore unto Your people one hundred times one hundredfold. We ask these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). Amen.

Comfort To Win

It can be a challenge to always have to battle for our place in life. Pondering that this morning and faced with choices to do good or not, I recalled a scripture from Philippians.

Philippians 4:1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
3 And I entreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.
4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Repeating verse 8 out loud several times, I was able to retake control of my thinking. Sometimes when we first get up, our thoughts are a little fuzzy. That seems to be when we are attacked frequently by the enemy. Talking to ourselves out loud about what a blessing the day will be helps. Speaking scriptures out loud is very powerful. But we have to do more than just think about it. There is something in the verbalization that helps us to win. And that is a scriptural perspective.

Deuteronomy 30:5 And the Lord thy God will bring thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shalt possess it; and he will do thee good, and multiply thee above thy fathers.
6 And the Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.
7 And the Lord thy God will put all these curses upon thine enemies, and on them that hate thee, which persecuted thee.
8 And thou shalt return and obey the voice of the Lord, and do all his commandments which I command thee this day.
9 And the Lord thy God will make thee plenteous in every work of thine hand, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy land, for good: for the Lord will again rejoice over thee for good, as he rejoiced over thy fathers:
10 If thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if thou turn unto the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul.
11 For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off.
12 It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?
13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?
14 But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.

We see in verse 5 the promise that God will do us good. This is the gospel of God – the true good news. Then we see that we are to follow His ways and receive blessings. then we see that the power to do that is in our mouth!

Today, if you are faced with a struggle, find a scripture that addresses that challenge from a point of victory and say it out loud several times. You can win!

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You are our King, and we love You. Thank You for the power to speak Your words. Thank You for Your kingdom here on earth. Send us today Your overwhelming abundant provision. Forgive us our sins. Heal our hearts and minds. Help us to say the right things, to say Your words. Deliver us from the thief that steals, kills, and destroys. Restore unto Your people one hundred times one hundredfold. We ask these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). Amen.

Enjoying Rest

Simple is good. Today we are enjoying talking around the kitchen table. The Sabbath is about rest, but it is also about family. The very first Sabbath was that way. No kitchen table of course, but the Father reclined with His first kids, Adam and Eve.

Genesis 2:1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.
2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.

That must have been a wonderful day for the Father. Hopefully we will one day get to have the garden rest experience with Yahuah.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You are King. Praise the name Yahuah! Let Your kingdom be with us here. Send us now Your overwhelming provision. Heal us and deliver us. Restore unto Your people one hundred times one hundredfold. Rise up, O Yahuah, come in Your power and show us a sign for good. Come quickly. We ask all these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). Amen.

Relentless Pursuit

There is but one answer to the question of how to win the battles we face daily from our enemy and our flesh. Relentless Pursuit. We must go after our Father and His ways regardless of all else. Even if the odds seem overwhelming.

1 Kings 18:21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.
22 Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the Lord; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty men.
23 Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under:
24 And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.
25 And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under.
26 And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made.
27 And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked.
28 And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them.
29 And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.
30 And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down.
31 And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the Lord came, saying, Israel shall be thy name:
32 And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed.
33 And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood.
34 And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time.
35 And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water.
36 And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.
37 Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.
38 Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.
39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The Lord, he is the God; the Lord, he is the God.

If we will stand with our Father, watching how He works, He will come through and show that Yahuah alone is our Elohim.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You are our King. Praise the name Yahuah! Let Your kingdom be with us Father. Let us be Your servants. Send us now Your overwhelming provision. Deliver us from our sins, and forgive us for them. Heal up our hearts. Help us speak Your words that we might do them. Deliver us from the thief that steals and destroys. Restore unto Your people one hundred times one hundredfold. We ask these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). Amen.