Another Day

There is a friend of mine I was speaking with last night that has an interesting story. His property was almost stolen. That property is his house. It was almost stolen by the banks in the Land Grab of ’08, as he tells it. His story was indeed fascinating. He even has the court documentation and many letters to the bank to prove it. But it was not the story of how white collar criminals have gone free that was the most striking to me. It was his sheer thankfulness at every day that the Father allows him to stay in the property, against all odds. Pretty much all those around him abandoned him, sadly even those naming the name of our Messiah. But he just smiles and thanks God for the deliverance so far. He told me that every day is another day, every day holds promise, and every day hold the opportunity to be set free from the tyranny. Just listening to him tell of his hope and his trust in Messiah encourages me. God is on our side.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
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.

Today, let us rejoice in another day.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You are the only King for us. We long for Your kingdom. Praise the name Yahuah! Send us today Your overwhelming provision. Forgive us our sins. Heal us up from the inside. Deliver us from the thief that has stolen and continues to steal. Destroy the destroyer, take back from the thief what You have given to Your people. Restore one hundred times one hundred fold, and even hundreds of hundreds to Your people now. We ask all of these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). Amen.

Sleep Comforts

Over time I have come to realize that our enemy is not know for fighting fairly. He will attempt to attack us when we are most vulnerable. For may, that is in the night, whether while we are asleep or during brief waking moments throughout the night. When I was younger it was the former, and as an older person the latter. But we can take comfort in knowing that just as in other situations, our Father has provided a way for us to overcome these situations. Last night I had an example, and Yahuah (Lord) gave me a vision along with it.

As often happens, I awoke in the middle of the night several times. In that groggy state the enemy often tries to bring to mind some fear, or some distraction, or some lust… anything to get me to focus on something other than God. In those moments I can get distracted, half asleep, and begin to dwell on them. When I do, I lose the sleep I need to take on the next day, and there are times when a strong fear have prevented me from sleeping anymore at all. Over the past year Yahuah has shown me to fight back by calling out to Him. Last night as it was happening after several times of waking up, I again cried out to Yahuah for deliverance, and I was exhausted. I felt truly in need of His help, because I needed to sleep. I asked God to show me how to win. I saw a picture of a brick wall. I then said out loud “Brick wall! Brick wall! Praise You Yahuah! You are my brick wall!” and immediately the thoughts vanished. I went to sleep. This morning I searched for a scripture that would help me to keep this victory, supporting victory even in sleep.

It was a short search. Here is that scripture.

Psalms 4:1 Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.
2 O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.
3 But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I call unto him.
4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord.
6 There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.
7 Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.
8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You are our King. Your are everyone’s King, just some do not yet know that fact. We praise the name Yahuah (Lord)! Send us today Your overwhelming provision. Heal up our broken hearts. Give us inner strength that we might believe You only. Deliver us from the enemy that steals and destroys, even while we sleep. Come my King! Rise up, Yahuah (Lord)! Crush the works of the enemy to powder and blow them away upon the whirlwind. Restore to Your people one hundred times one hundred fold, even hundreds of hundreds. We ask these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). Amen.

Desert Crops Will Come

When I think of the wilderness in scriptures, I have to remind myself from time to time that it really means the desert. Their desert was their wilderness. It is not like all the forests we have here that we might consider the wilderness. The desert can also be a metaphor for the way we find the spiritual condition of life for ourselves or for the world around us. Last night I had a dream from God about the desert.

In my dream I was driving in a jeep with the top down in the desert. The wind was blowing in my hair and I was driving with a purpose. There were several different views with the sun in different positions. I was always driving with a purpose, sometimes even standing to peer forward over the windshield. The interesting part was what was happening in the desert as I drove through it. On the right and left of me and behind me, suddenly loaves of bread sprung up, completely covering the ground. These loaves stood up vertically and looked like perfectly formed, very smooth, slender loaves with a French bread like appearance. When they sprung up they came up to full height in seconds, waves and waves of bread. I could see them as I drove, but it was if I was driving to make them come up, like it was part of the intent. I had to drive through as much desert as I possibly could. Then I woke up.

This morning I remain in prayer about the meaning of this dream. I believe in part I am to help as many find sustenance, both physically and spiritually. I was in a place that was dry and dusty, parched by the lack of physical and spiritual water. But our Father Yahuah (Lord) blessed by mission, for I believe He has given it to me. Please pray that He will continue to reveal His will and bless the manifestation of this vision, to His glory.

Exodus 16:4 Then said the Lord unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.

John 6:25 And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?
26 Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.
27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
30 They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?
31 Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.
32 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.
33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.
34 Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.
35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are King. We need Your kingdom on this earth. This is a dry and thirsty land. You are our only hope. Send us today Your overwhelming provision. Forgive us our sins. Heal up our hearts and minds. Deliver us from the evil that steals and destroys. Restore unto us one hundred times one hundred fold, and hundreds of hundreds. In Yeshuah’s (Jesus’) name. Amen.

Messiah Born

Since 1870, here in the United States, this day has been set aside to celebrate the birth of Yeshuah, called Jesus by many, the only begotten of the Father. He is Messiah to those of us that choose to believe in Him. He is our Brother, and our Friend. I do not want to belabor the point, but to those who seek truth, there is something to know. Yeshuah (Jesus) said something very important to us about truth.

John 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

So from His words we can know the truth. It is important to remember that when He said this, the only written “Word” was the Hebrew scrolls. There were also those that were around when He spoke. When He spoke, He spoke about these same Hebrew scrolls. And what did He say about them?

Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

It would appear from Yeshuah’s (Jesus’) own words that it is the Law and the Prophets, and keeping them, that is the light to shine before all men. We see this further expressed by Yeshuah (Jesus) himself.

Matthew 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

What we call “The Golden Rule” is actually the Law and the Prophets. Yeshuah (Jesus) Himself said so. He also said none of that passes away until all is fulfilled. We know it is not yet fulfilled because Yeshuah (Jesus) has not yet returned. Therefore, according to Yeshuah (Jesus), keeping the Law is shining our light before men and treating others as we want to be treated.

Back to my beginning point. It does make me happy that so many want to show respect to our Messiah by celebrating His birth. But if I would want others to celebrate my birthday on my birthday, then would I not show them the same respect. We know for many reasons that December 25th is not the birthday of the Messiah, not the least of which is this calendar did not exist then and the Jewish people have a different calendar. More importantly, our Father left a trail in the scriptures for those that would be diligent to actually find the day that the Messiah was born. It is a day that was celebrated according to the Law by the Jewish people long before Yeshuah (Jesus) was ever born. It is a part of the mystery of the gospel that our Father locked in the heavens since the foundation of the world. For thaose that might want to discover the mystery, I will here leave a big clue. Those that the Father wants to have find out will search out the rest. It was on the 15th of Tishri (a Jewish calendar month and High Holy Day).

In the meantime, it is my prayer that we all hold the truth higher than any belief of man. That is what Yeshuah (Jesus) said everywhere He went. It is the only way to find freedom for once and for all.

John 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You are King. Thank You for Your Son, our Messiah, that came and died that we might live. We bless the name Yahuah. Send us today Your overwhelming blessing. Forgive us our sins. Heal us up from the inside that we might promote Your kingdom. Deliver us from the thief that has come to steal and destroy, and even now is so doing. Rise up my King! Crush this evil work! Restore one hundred times one hundred fold, and hundreds of hundreds, to Your people now. We ask all these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). Amen.

When We Cry Out

Today I have had several people ask for me to pray for them for sickness they were experiencing. As I prayed for my friends, I thought about how most fortunate and blessed we are to have a God that hears our prayers and responds to us! It also made me sad to think that there are people that have to face the world on only their own ability. They do not believe in our Father and His great love toward us.

John 11:38 Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.
39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.
40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.
42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

This we know. Our Father loves us and hears us when we pray for His blessing upon His ways in our lives. Today we can be thankful that the Master of the universe hears us and loves us. Praise Yahuah (Lord)!

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are the One True King. We cry out for Your kingdom to be among us. We bless the name Yahuah! Send us today Your overwhelming blessing. Forgive us our sins. Heal up our hearts. Deliver us from the one that steals and destroys Your people even now. Rise up, my King! Come and grind to powder these evil works! Raise up Your people out of the ash heap and set them on high that all men might know that You alone have done this thing. Return to us one hundred times one hundred fold, and hundreds of hundreds, quickly. We ask all these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). Amen.

Preparing For The Dawn

As I look to the day ahead, while it is yet dark, I think about the battle we are in. This battle is for our very existence. We may think that there is plenty of time. Our needs are met, we can pay our bills (even though more than 1/3 of our take home pay is spent on interest), there is food on OUR table, and so on. We can forget that there is a battle around us, and we are slowly being lulled to sleep. We are being stolen from every day, yet we go on, oblivious to the theft. In some cases we know and pretend we don’t. In times like these God has a way of getting our attention. He allows the world around us and our enemies get closer. Eventually we cry out for His help and guidance and deliverance.

Jeremiah 17:13 O Lord, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the Lord, the fountain of living waters.
14 Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.
15 Behold, they say unto me, Where is the word of the Lord? let it come now.
16 As for me, I have not hastened from being a pastor to follow thee: neither have I desired the woeful day; thou knowest: that which came out of my lips was right before thee.
17 Be not a terror unto me: thou art my hope in the day of evil.

When trouble comes, if we turn and cry out to our Father, He will hear us and come to our aid.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. Your kingdom is near our hearts. Send us today Your overwhelming provision. Forgive our sins. Heal our minds, and deliver us from the thief that has stolen so much and continues to steal. Come in Your power and crush his works now! We ask all of these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). Amen.

Shedding The Old Man To Build The New One

Often as believers we are faced with things we need to change in our lives. Depending on how we were raised it is possible for us to be very harsh on ourselves for no being perfect. I have a friend that tells me when he was younger his earthly father never really praised him for anything. His father was always trying to get him to do better. The result was my friend spent his adult life feeling never good enough. But it is not that way with our heavenly Father. He is always there to encourage us to improve and get better. He is there to help us defeat our faults.

Dueteronomy 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.

Today, let us remember whom we serve, and that our Father, Yahuah (Lord), is on our side.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are our King. We need Your kingdom. Bless the name Yahuah! Send us today Your overwhelming provision. Forgive us our sins. You alone are worthy to be praised. Heal up our hearts and minds. deliver us from the evil that steals from us. restore to us one hundred times one hundred fold, and come swiftly to destroy the works of our enemies against us. We ask all these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). Amen.

Only If We Try

Today I thought about how cool it is that we have a God that never loses. What does that mean for us? Well, since He is on our side, I guess we win! But there is one requirement. We do have to try. God never forces anything on us. We have to be willing participants in our own lives.

Romans 10:6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)
7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)
8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Here Paul speaks about wholeness (salvation). That is everything really. So we have to believe and speak. Then things can change and God will move on our behalf.

Praise Yahuah!

Prayer
Father, we exalt You! You alone are our King. We long for Your kingdom. We love You. Bless the name Yahuah! Send us today Your overwhelming provision. Forgive us our sins. Heal us and deliver us mightily from the thief and destroyer. We ask all these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). Amen.

Not Worth The Thought

Today more than ever before I felt the presence of the Father touch me as I was getting up. I had prayed in the night when I awoke. Often in the middle of the night I wake up and feel moved toward prayer. In those moments I pray for myself and ask forgiveness, I pray for my family that they might have good days, and I pray for people I know and don’t know, that the Father would touch them. These are the things that I prayed last night, and again when I awoke this morning. Briefly I returned to sleeping, and was awakened by what I can only call the blessing of the presence of the Father. I have been praying for some time for Him to touch my life and my heart, and it seemed this morning that He had so done. When I woke up there were a number of chores that came to mind to do. But it seemed good to pray for a time. The Father directed me to several scriptures.

Proverbs 24:7 Wisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate.
8 He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person.
9 The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.
10 If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.
11 If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain;
12 If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?
13 My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste:
14 So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.

We see here that we need to seek wisdom. When we find it we receive our expectation. We are being told that it is wisdom that helps us to have our expectations come into reality. This is in keeping with earlier verses as well.

Proverbs 24:1 Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.
2 For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.
3 Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:
4 And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
5 A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.
6 For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.

At our house we have had troubles from people this year that did evil to us. Ultimately they took a large portion of our livelihood. As the year has pressed on, we have struggled as a result. It has been challenging for us, and for me as a husband and father. I was lamenting yesterday to the Father, telling Him of our challenges and my sadness. Today He blessed me with His presence and with hope. Evil people are not worth thinking about or envying, for our Father will most certainly address their evil. We need only stay the course in the tough times, and let the Father reveal himself as the Deliverer that He alone can be. Praise Yahuah!

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are our King. You alone have provided for us a kingdom, and we long for that kingdom. We bless the name Yahuah! Send us today Your overwhelming blessing of provision such that we cannot contain it all. Forgive us our sins. Heal up our hearts, Father, that we might know You more. Deliver us from the evil that has stolen and continues to steal from us. Grind their works to powder. Confound their efforts and have them suddenly come to nothing. Restore unto Your people one hundred times one hundred fold, and hundreds of hundreds, that all men might know that it is You alone that are God, You alone have done this for us. We ask all these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). Amen.

Sabbath Psalm

Today, we had a psalm to read that was a real blessing. For this Sabbath, I thought I would merely post it.

Psalms 11:1 In the Lord put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?
2 For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart.
3 If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?
4 The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord’s throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.
5 The Lord trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.
6 Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.
7 For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You are King. We long for Your kingdom. We want to be with You and serve You. Send us today Your overwhelming provision. We want to have Your provision in such quantity that it overflows to those around us, that we might promote Your kingdom. Forgive us our sins. We ask for Your healing and deliverance. We ask that You smite the evil that has stolen and is stealing from us what You have provided. We need You to move quickly. We ask all these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). Amen.