Moving Forward

There are times when we look at life and are puzzled at the path we are traveling. As believers we can become people that expect only good times to be in our path. It is true that our Father wants to bless us at all times.

Deuteronomy 28:1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:
2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God.
3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.
4 Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.
5 Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.
6 Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.
7 The Lord shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.
8 The Lord shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
9 The Lord shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God, and walk in his ways.
10 And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the Lord; and they shall be afraid of thee.
11 And the Lord shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers to give thee.
12 The Lord shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.
13 And the Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the Lord thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:
14 And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.

So we have our Father’s promise of blessing. But what might that look like? He might use us to teach those that do evil about Him and His protection and His deliverance. Notice in verse seven that our enemies will still come out against us. But if we hold fast this promise and keep Yahuah’s (Lord’s) commandments, He will cause them to flee in seven directions from us. This is Yahuah’s (Lord’s) judgment upon evil. That is what happened to Pharaoh when he went after the children of Israel in the desert.

Exodus 14:1 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
2 Speak unto the children of Israel, that they turn and encamp before Pi–hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, over against Baal–zephon: before it shall ye encamp by the sea.
3 For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in.
4 And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, that he shall follow after them; and I will be honoured upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I am the Lord. And they did so.

21 And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.
22 And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.
23 And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.
24 And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the Lord looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians,
25 And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the Lord fighteth for them against the Egyptians.
26 And the Lord said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.
27 And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the Lord overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea.
28 And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them.
29 But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.
30 Thus the Lord saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore.

So we see that our Father, Yahuah (Lord), keeps His promises. If we can but cry out to Him and remember that He is our deliverer, He will deliver us from the enemies. He will fight for us. He will overwhelm them with the water of His word. Our Father alone is Yahuah of hosts. He delivers us with a strong hand every time.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You are our King. We thank and praise the name Yahuah (Lord). Send us today miraculous provision that overflows our borders, that is overwhelmingly abundant. Forgive us our sins. Heal us up from within. Deliver us from the evil that would steal from us what we have received from You. Deliver us today by Your strong hand. In Yeshua’s (Jesus’) name. Amen.

Rest With The Land

This year, if we read the calendar correctly, is a year that we let the land rest. I believe it is called a shmita year. Every seven years Yahuah (Lord) said for the land to rest. For me it raises many questions. Is this all land everywhere, or just the land in the nation of Israel? If I by potting soil or add ground above the existing land, does that count? These are curious questions indeed. For me they are interesting because they make us think about resting. Since they happen every seven years, they also make me think about the Sabbath.

Leviticus 25:1 And the Lord spake unto Moses in mount Sinai, saying,
2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye come into the land which I give you, then shall the land keep a sabbath unto the Lord.
3 Six years thou shalt sow thy field, and six years thou shalt prune thy vineyard, and gather in the fruit thereof;
4 But in the seventh year shall be a sabbath of rest unto the land, a sabbath for the Lord: thou shalt neither sow thy field, nor prune thy vineyard.
5 That which groweth of its own accord of thy harvest thou shalt not reap, neither gather the grapes of thy vine undressed: for it is a year of rest unto the land.
6 And the sabbath of the land shall be meat for you; for thee, and for thy servant, and for thy maid, and for thy hired servant, and for thy stranger that sojourneth with thee,
7 And for thy cattle, and for the beast that are in thy land, shall all the increase thereof be meat.
8 And thou shalt number seven sabbaths of years unto thee, seven times seven years; and the space of the seven sabbaths of years shall be unto thee forty and nine years.
9 Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the jubilee to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month, in the day of atonement shall ye make the trumpet sound throughout all your land.
10 And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubilee unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family.
11 A jubilee shall that fiftieth year be unto you: ye shall not sow, neither reap that which groweth of itself in it, nor gather the grapes in it of thy vine undressed.
12 For it is the jubilee; it shall be holy unto you: ye shall eat the increase thereof out of the field.
13 In the year of this jubilee ye shall return every man unto his possession.
14 And if thou sell ought unto thy neighbour, or buyest ought of thy neighbour’s hand, ye shall not oppress one another:
15 According to the number of years after the jubilee thou shalt buy of thy neighbour, and according unto the number of years of the fruits he shall sell unto thee:
16 According to the multitude of years thou shalt increase the price thereof, and according to the fewness of years thou shalt diminish the price of it: for according to the number of the years of the fruits doth he sell unto thee.
17 Ye shall not therefore oppress one another; but thou shalt fear thy God: for I am the Lord your God.
18 Wherefore ye shall do my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them; and ye shall dwell in the land in safety.
19 And the land shall yield her fruit, and ye shall eat your fill, and dwell therein in safety.
20 And if ye shall say, What shall we eat the seventh year? behold, we shall not sow, nor gather in our increase:
21 Then I will command my blessing upon you in the sixth year, and it shall bring forth fruit for three years.
22 And ye shall sow the eighth year, and eat yet of old fruit until the ninth year; until her fruits come in ye shall eat of the old store.
23 The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is mine; for ye are strangers and sojourners with me.
24 And in all the land of your possession ye shall grant a redemption for the land.

The scriptures seem clear about the land of Israel. But not so clear about the rest of us. What I do know is Yahuah (Lord) never fails. Today on the Sabbath, I will ponder these things and rest with Yahuah (Lord).

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are the King of all lands. We praise and thank the name Yahuah (Lord). We love You and lift our hands to You. Send us today Your overwhelming provision. Forgive us our sins, for they are many amongst us. We long to serve You with a clean heart and ask You create that in us. Heal us. Deliver us from temptations to go astray from You and Your commands. Deliver us from the evil people that would steal what You have given us. Bring down their strongholds and let the smoke of their destruction rise that it is seen from the seas. Let all men Know that You alone have done this, that You alone, Yahuah (Lord), are our King and our God. In Yeshua’s (Jesus’) name. Amen.

Being Human, Loving God

Personally I find it difficult at times to be human. What I mean by that is I love our Father in heaven, but because of my humanity I make mistakes. It would seem that somehow we should be able not to make mistakes. I do think it is possible to get pretty good at not making mistakes. The issue we all must address is that we are and will continue to be human until our Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) returns. Paul dealt with this as well.

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.

So we see that even Paul, the writer of much of the scriptures in the New Testament, had many challenges in dealing with his human nature. And James spoke of these same issues.

James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.
18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.
19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;
20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

We see here James acknowledges this. He even points to Elijah as having the same issues. Yet, Elijah was able to do great things, as did Paul, even though they struggled with their humanity. We are no different than them. If anything, being so far removed from the days that they both lived in close to the many repeated signs and wonders of God, it can be a greater challenge for us to break free from the cares of this life.

Yahuah (Lord) is God. We are human. Though we love Him, we will make mistakes. Being God, He calls us to return to Him, and He will turn to us.

Zechariah 1:3 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, do not give up. Turn to Yahuah (Lord) of all, and He will turn to you.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You for You alone are King. We ask that You hear us. We praise and thank the name Yahuah (Lord). You alone are worthy to be praised. Send us today Your overwhelming provision. Forgive us when we miss the mark. Heal us and deliver us from temptations. Deliver us from the evil that would steal from us. We need You in our lives. We need Your strong hand of deliverance from the bonds in our lives. We love You. In Yeshua’s (Jesus’) name. Amen.

We Are Covered

Our Father in heaven has sent His Son Yeshua (Jesus) to die for us that we might be covered. The children of Israel had the covering of the blood on the doorposts and lintel to keep them from the death of the firstborn, and ultimately to set them free from bondage. We have the blood of our Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) to cover us from the sin that results in death, and also to set us free from bondage. Just like the children of Israel, Yahuah (Lord) our God wants to set us free from the bondage of oppression. For many of us today that includes things like debt or some form of oppression from outsiders.Whatever our situation, Yeshua (Jesus) died that we might be free. His name, Yeshua (Jesus) means “Yahuah is Salvation” or instead of salvation we could say “wholeness”. This salvation in Hebrew includes material goods and prosperity, deliverance, victory, and wholeness. It is a very big and very complete change, which we sometimes miss when we use our word salvation. Isaiah spoke of this.

Isaiah 12:2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.

Isaiah here has spoken both literally and prophetically, if we read the Hebrew here. Let me substitute some of those words and we shall see how.

Isaiah 12:2 Behold, El is my Yashua; I will trust, and not be afraid: for Ya Yahuah is my physical strength and my song of praise; he also is become my Yashua.

When we read this in the Hebrew, it is so much more powerful! Our Lord (Ya) Jehovah (Yahuah) is our physical strength and our song of praise. Our God (El) has become our Yashua!

Today, we can be thankful that Yahuah (Lord) never gives up on us and always delivers His people. Praise the name Yahuah!

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You are our King and our slavation! We praise and thank the name Yahuah. Send us today Your overwhelming provision. Let Your wholeness rain down and reign in our lives today. Heal us. Deliver us from the bondage in our lives. Deliver us from debt and lack and oppression. We thank You Yahuah for You have become our Yashua! In Yashua’s (Jesus’) name. Amen.

The Fight Within

As believers we are frequently presented with the cares of this life to dwell on in our thought life. Most of the time we think about actions before we take them. Since our actions then seem to originate in our thoughts, it becomes important to guard our thought life. In fact, this is one place where our enemy will try to attack us regularly. The scriptures give us wisdom in what to do in these situations.

Philippians 4:6 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.

We can address these things by giving them the litmus test with the scripture. If we are angry with someone, or wish we had what someone else has, or are not content, or in lust, or thinking of deceiving someone – all of these fail the litmus test of this scripture. A good question is how to apply this scripture. Here is an answer to try. Make up some 3×5 cards with an example of each of these good things listed, and keep them with you always. When the temptations come, pull out the cards and go through them, one at a time. Keep doing it as long as there is temptation. Eventually you will win, because our Father (Yahuah (Lord) always comes when we turn to Him.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You as the Most High King. We praise and thank the name of Yahuah. You alone are worthy of our praise. We ask that You send Your overwhelming abundant blessing in the form of overflowing provision today. Forgive us our sins, and help us to overcome them. Heal us from the inside. Deliver us from temptations here. Deliver us from the evil that would take from us what You have provided. You have given us the power to get wealth that we might establish Your kingdom. You have given us great provision when You set us free. Please renew that freedom and set us physically free as well from the bondage we suffer here. Deliver us with a mighty hand that all men may know that You alone are God, Yahuah (Lord) of Hosts. In Yeshua’s (Jesus’) name. Amen.

Watching And Waiting

Just over 2000 years ago today was going to turn out to be a very special day. It would be a day that we as believers would look to as the source for our lives changing forever. It was the end of the third day after Yeshua (Jesus) had died on the cross. There was only one sign given to the Jews, the sign of Jonah.

Matthew 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.
39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

We see from this scripture that Yeshua (Jesus) had to be three days and nights in the earth, just as the prophet Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale, or Yeshua (Jesus) would have been considered a false prophet. Since we know He did not lie, then we know that He was there three days. We know that sometime near twilight today is the anniversary of the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Messiah Yeshua (Jesus Christ)! Isn’t it interesting that today many who profess great authority in the spiritual kingdom tell us contrary to the words of Yeshua (Jesus), just as the Sanhedrin of His day?

For me and my house, we will go with what our Messiah said.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You as the Most High King of the universe. We praise and thank the name of Yahuah (Lord). You alone are worthy of all praise and glory. Send us today Your abundant provision. Magnify our ability to get wealth as You said in Your scriptures. Make men to know that You alone are the One True God. Forgive us our sins. Heal us up that we no longer look at our past to define our future, but that we look to You. Deliver us from those that would steal from us what You have provided. Crush their efforts to powder. Confuse them and those that follow them. Make their comings and goings froth with confusion. Show Yourself strong on our behalf. In Yeshua’s (Jesus’) name. Amen.

Peace With God

The sky out my window is imperfect layers of salmon, steel blue-gray, and light cream colors as the world wakes up to another day. Our Father has created the most beautiful canvas on which to paint our lives. As I pondered this creation this morning, the idea of peace with God came to mind. I know it is a phrase oft quoted in the movies, but we as believers actually do have access to such a place. We have such access because of what our Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) did for us through His death and resurrection.

Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

We have access to a very special place. We have access to that place where humans can be at peace with God. Yahuah (Lord) is our Friend and Deliverer, and we can stand before Him because of the blood that was shed for us by Yeshua (Jesus) our Messiah.

Today, if You have not, make peace with God. Ask Yeshua (Jesus) to forgive you of your sins and be your Lord and Savior.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are worthy to be our King. We praise and thank the name Yahuah (Lord). By Your mighty hand send us Your overwhelming provision today. Forgive us our sins. Heal us from the inside out. Keep us from the temptations of this world. Deliver us from the evil that would steal from us what You alone have provided. Show us a sign for good that all may know that You alone have done this. In Yashua’s (Jesus’) name. Amen.

The Journey Begins

Again looking back about 3500 years, the children of Israel and the mixed multitude (yes, it was not just Hebrews that left Egypt) began their trek out of Egypt toward the promised land. There were about 600,000 men of the Hebrews, plus the women and children, and the mixed multitude.

Exodus 12:36 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.
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.
39 And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt, for it was not leavened; because they were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any victual.

Our Father heard His people cry, and He delivered them. They were beginning a very different journey that would test their trust in Yahuah (Lord). He was delivering them from bondage, oppression and poverty into freedom and prosperity forever.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You are our King. We praise and thank the name Yahuah (Lord). Send us now Your overwhelming provision. We need Your healing. Please forgive our sins. Deliver us from the evil that would steal from us what You have provided. Deliver us today with a strong hand from the bondage and oppression of debt and poverty. In Yeshua’s (Jesus’) name. Amen.

Day Of Deliverance

About 3500 years ago, it was the daytime of the 14th of Nisan, the daytime of the first Passover in Egypt. Last night the firstborn of all living things in Egypt were slain. We survived because we had the blood of the lamb on the doorposts and lintel of our house, so we were passed over. Today, the Egyptians are giving us jewels and gold, and cattle and all manner of wealth. Yahuah (Lord) our God is taking us out. We are being taken to the land flowing with milk and honey.

Exodus 12:35 Now the children of Israel had done according to the word of Moses, and they had asked from the Egyptians articles of silver, articles of gold, and clothing. 36 And the Lord had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they granted them what they requested. Thus they plundered the Egyptians.
37 Then the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides children. 38A mixed multitude went up with them also, and flocks and herds—a great deal of livestock.

Flash forward to 2015. We can have these same blessings. Our Father wants to deliver us with His mighty hand.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are King. We praise and exalt the name Yahuah. Give us today Your overwhelming blessing. Forgive us our sin, especially of unbelief. Heal us. Deliver us from the evil around us with Your strong hand that all might know that You alone have done this. In Yeshua’s (Jesus’) name. Amen.

A Great Gift

Just about 2000 years ago a great gift was given to us. It was a repeat of an earlier story that had happened to the children of Israel. If we can learn of the first Passover, we can better understand what our Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) did when He bled and died for us, and rose again that we might have eternal life. Here is that story.

There have been nine miracles in the form of plagues here in the land of Egypt. Now Moses is telling us that tonight Yahuah (Lord) is going to pass through the land to kill all the firstborn of every living thing, and also judge the gods of Egypt. We have to kill a lamb outside our house and put the blood on the door posts and across the top of the opening. Then we have to go inside and eat it with bitter herbs and unleavened bread. And we have to stay inside all night. Yahuah (Lord) will pass over any house marked with the blood. I am worried that our masters will be angry, but we have seen so many things that Yahuah (Lord) has done. I know He will protect us.

Exodus 13:21 Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover.
22 And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the basin; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning.
23 For the Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the Lord will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.
24 And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever.
25 And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which the Lord will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this service.
26 And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service?
27 That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the Lord’s passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped.

So they did what Moses said. Tomorrow we will discuss what happened. Feel free to read ahead.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are our Kin. We praise and thank the name of Yahuah (Lord). Send us Your overwhelming provision. Forgive us our sin. We need Your mighty hand to deliver us. We are crying out to You today. Pass through our land. Deliver us again. In Yeshua’s (Jesus’) name. Amen.