Relentless Pursuit

Some days I just look for one thing to focus on to help me in the spiritual battles we all face. Often for me, that is one scripture that reminds me of victory in spiritual warfare. Something that will inspire me to fight on. We need this at times because our enemy is relentless. He does not let up in his attacks on us, our family, and the possessions that our Father, Yahuah (Lord) has given to us. Today I thought about how Yahuah (Lord) is even more relentless that our enemy.

Psalms 121:4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

This morning in particular I found comfort in this scripture. Our God created our enemy originally. Whatever relentless characteristics the enemy has, our God Yahuah (Lord) has even more, because He is the originator. He is the Creator. With that in mind, reading this entire psalm is very powerful in the time of battle.

Psalms 121:1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
2 My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.
3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.
6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
8 The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

Today, if you find yourself mindful of battling for yourself or others, remember that Yahuah (Lord) does not slumber or sleep. He preserves us in our coming and going, forever! Praise the name of Yahuah!

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are worthy of all our praise. We lift up Your name, Yahuah (Lord), above all the earth. Let the name Yahuah ring through the heavens! Let Your will from heaven fall upon the whole earth. Send us today Your overwhelming abundant provision. Forgive us our sins, great and small. Heal and guide us. Deliver us from the evil around us that is here to kill, steal, and destroy us. We love You. We need You Yahuah (Lord). Be our Protector and King. Show us a sign for good. In Yeshua’s (Jesus’) name. Amen.

The Blocks For Building

Our heavenly Father is so wise. This morning as I gazed out the window into the barren forest, The thought of how he has balanced everything just hit me. For instance, I think of us, the body of believers. He created us to be together, to be a part of each others lives. When we do that, life just goes better.

Psalms 133:1 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.

In this psalm David makes somewhat of a connection between us being together in community and eternal life. No person is meant to stand alone. We are meant to be with the rest of our fellow believers.

Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Paul admonishes us to not separate ourselves but to gather together to encourage each other in the faith. He does this more on more than one occasion.

1 Thessalonians 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

Peter told us to do this with a good heart.

1 Peter 4:8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

So, we believers are called to be a family, to love one another. We are called to try to help each other make it day by day. If we will respond to that call, we have the chance to live much fuller lives, in a closer walk with our Father God, Yahuah (Lord). We do this with our words and our actions.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. Thank You for Your wisdom in giving us each other. We long for Your kingdom here, which is made up of Your followers. Let us enjoy each others lives and be a blessing to each other. We exalt Your name, Yahuah (Lord). Send us today Your overwhelming provision. Forgive us for our sins. Help us to overcome in times of weakness and resist the enemy that we might not sin. Heal our hearts. Deliver us from the evil around us and from those that would take from us what You alone have given to us. We praise and exalt You. We love You. In Yeshua’s (Jesus’) name. Amen.

The Cry For Help

This morning as I await the dawn it occurred to me that we are in a most cherished position when we are in need. I say that because we can cry to our Abba Father for help, and He will help us. He never says no to helping His kids. We see this over and over again in David’s writings.

Psalms 34:1 I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
3 O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
5 They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
8 O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
9 O fear the Lord, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.

Here David shows that He is always blessing Yahuah (Lord). He sought Yahuah (Lord), and exalted His name Yahuah (Lord) and was found. Yahuah (Lord) delivered Him from all his fears.

Psalms 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

We see hear that David believed God was always present to help him. God alone steps in on our behalf. He does wonderous things and makes the mighty get out of the way. David knew that God would be there for him. He just had to be patient and watch.

Psalms 46:8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth.
9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

Today, I will call out to Yahuah (Lord) for all that read this, that in this day, in our sight, we will see God raise us up.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You the Most High. You are our Mighty King. Come, Yahuah (Lord), judge the earth. Set things right here like they are in Your heavenly kingdom. We exalt Your name Yahuah (Lord) above the earth. Send us today Your abundant provision. Forgive us for the times we have gone astray. Heal us from our past. Deliver us from the evil that would steal the blessings You alone have given to us. Do Your mighty works again in this earth. Show us a sign for good that all men might know today that You alone have done these things and that You alone are God, Yahuah (Lord) You alone are our God. In Yeshua’s (Jesus’) name. Amen.

When We Fail

Growing up I can remember many times I disappointed my parents, not quite doing everything the way they wanted me to do it. It was not that I necessarily did anything wrong, although there were those times as well. It could be as simple as not performing as well on a test as they thought I should. But in all cases, my father in particular would express his disappointment with my performance. I was frequently in a state of wanting to do better but feeling that I could not do better. Over the years I have heard variations of this same story from many. But as believers we have good news. Our heavenly Father does not deal with us in this way. When we seek forgiveness, He grants it and then the sin is gone. Yes, there may be earthly consequences, but our Father does not hold these sins against us. Scriptures tell us that He is full of mercy and removes our sin from us.

Psalms 103:10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.
14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
17 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;
18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
19 The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.

Yahuah (Lord) removes our sin as far as the east from the west. He gives us great mercy. When we repent, turning our hearts to Him again, we can receive this forgiveness. If we will allow ourselves to receive this in our hearts, we can rejoice as David did here.

Psalms 103:20 Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
21 Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
22 Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul.

Today, if your heart is troubled because of past hurts, or maybe you have stumbled in Your walk, turn to our God and Father Yahuah (Lord). Ask for healing for the hurts, and forgiveness for the sin. Heal will lift you up.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You as the Most High. You alone are worthy of our praise. We praise Your holy name, Yahuah (Lord) above all names. Let Your kingdom reign. Send us Your overwhelming abundant provision today. Forgive us our sins. Heal up our broken hearts. Deliver us from the evil of this world. Defend Your people now. In Yeshua’s (Jesus’) name. Amen.

We Can Do This

Today I read of many of the kings of Israel. One that struck me was Josiah. He turned the nation around by returning to the commandments and precepts of Yahuah (Lord).

2 Chronicales 34:1 Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years.
2 And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left.
3 For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images.

It was amazing that an eight year old would be king. But then, to have the wisdom so early to seek after God is truly remarkable. When a priest found a copy of the law, his final reaction was to have all men hear it, and then do it.

2 Chronicles 34:29 Then the king sent and gathered together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem.
30 And the king went up into the house of the Lord, and all the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the priests, and the Levites, and all the people, great and small: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant that was found in the house of the Lord.
31 And the king stood in his place, and made a covenant before the Lord, to walk after the Lord, and to keep his commandments, and his testimonies, and his statutes, with all his heart, and with all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant which are written in this book.
32 And he caused all that were present in Jerusalem and Benjamin to stand to it. And the inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the covenant of God, the God of their fathers.
33 And Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries that pertained to the children of Israel, and made all that were present in Israel to serve, even to serve the Lord their God. And all his days they departed not from following the Lord, the God of their fathers.

Today, on this Sabbath, let us recommit to the new covenant, the Law written in our hearts, to walk in the ways of our God, and to praise His mighty name, Yahuah (Lord).

Prayer
Father, we exalt You as our only King. You alone are worthy to be our King and to receive our praises. We magnify Your name, Yahuah (Lord), above all the earth. We love You and long for Your kingdom to be here in the earth. Send us today Your overwhelming abundant provision. Guide us in Your ways and forgive us for when we have strayed from them. We need Your healing and deliverance. Send Your judgment in the earth to deliver us from those that would oppress us and steal from us what You have given to us. Rise up and defend Your people. In Yeshua’s (Jesus’) name. Amen.

Alters Of Earth

In scripture there are some interesting points made about our God blessing us. One of those is in Exodus. The children of Israel have come out of Egypt, being delivered mightily by God. God called them a kingdom of priests.

Exodus 19:4 Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself.
5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:
6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

At the end of three days of purification, the people approached the mountain where Yahuah (Lord) appeared in smoke. He spoke the ten commandments to them there. He also spoke of blessing them.

Exodus 20:24 An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.

Today, that alter of earth is us. People were made from the dust of the earth by God at creation. When we keep the Passover (not Easter) we create place where God records His name, that memorial, that mark for God.

Exodus 12:14 And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the Lord throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.
15 Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel.
Exodus 13:1 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
2 Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine.
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.

God wants us to commit our hearts to Him. We are the alter and the living sacrifice all in one.

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

We can enjoy the blessing of Yahuah (Lord) our God, for He is our Father and loves us.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You as the Most High King. You alone are our Creator. We love You, and long to be with You in Your kingdom here on earth. We praise Your name, Yahuah, the name above all names. Send us today Your overwhelming blessing and provision. Forgive us our transgressions. Heal us and our land. Deliver us from the evil here. Deliver us from those that would steal what You alone have given unto us. Guide us in Your ways. Show us a sign for good. Your name Yahuah (Lord) is recorded with us, and we call to You to bring Your great blessings here. In Yeshua’s (Jesus’) name. Amen.

Let Our Hearts Cry Out With Thanks

Our hearts hold the secrets to what we truly cherish. When we cry out with thanksgiving to God, and praise His name Yahuah (Lord), it is because within us our hearts are overflowing with emotion. We realize all that Yahuah (Lord) has done, and that we need Him in this earth.

Psalms 105:1 O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.
2 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.
3 Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.

Here we see David said to give thanks to Yahuah (Lord) by calling out His name saying what He has done. This is an act of thankfulness. Singing to Yahuah (Lord) is an act of thankfulness. Talking about His great works is an act of thankfulness. Glorifying the name Yahuah (Lord) is an act of thankfulness. When we do these things, and when we seek Yahuah (Lord), our hearts become overwhelmed and rejoice. And our God responds as He did in the days of the children of Israel in the wilderness.

Psalms 105:42 For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham his servant.
43 And he brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with gladness:
44 And gave them the lands of the heathen: and they inherited the labour of the people;
45 That they might observe his statutes, and keep his laws. Praise ye the Lord.

Today, if we feel down trodden, if the challenges we face seem like mountains, or if we just want to tell our Father how much we appreciate all He does for us, let us call out the name Yahuah (Lord) and declare to the heavens all of the great wonders He has done. Our God will respond to our thanksgiving, and He will life us up.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are worthy of all praise. We lift up Your name, Yahuah (Lord) to declare all Your works before all creation. You created this earth, and Your will is what need be done here. So let it be. Send us Your overwhelming provision. Send that provision today. Forgive us when we get away from Your ways. Bring us back to the right path that You have established from of old. Heal our hearts from the hurts and pains. There are many that are round about us that want to enslave us and to take what You have given to us. Judge their actions and bring those actions to nothing. Deliver us from this evil. Rise up, O King! Ride upon the winds in Your majesty and show Your strength on our behalf. Show us a sign for good, that all men might know it is Yahuah (Lord) alone that has done these things in our lives. In Yeshua’s (Jesus) name. Amen.

Praise And Battle

Waking up this morning I thought about what to write here. A scripture came to mind that is very much a scripture about spiritual warfare and how David approached God about it. I will quote the entire passage here.

Psalms 118:1 O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.
2 Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
3 Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
4 Let them now that fear the Lord say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
5 I called upon the Lord in distress: the Lord answered me, and set me in a large place.
6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
7 The Lord taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.
8 It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.
9 It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.
10 All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the Lord will I destroy them.
11 They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.
12 They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.
13 Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the Lord helped me.
14 The Lord is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.
15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly.
16 The right hand of the Lord is exalted: the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly.
17 I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.
18 The Lord hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death.
19 Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the Lord:
20 This gate of the Lord, into which the righteous shall enter.
21 I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.
22 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
23 This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.
24 This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
25 Save now, I beseech thee, O Lord: O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.
26 Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord.
27 God is the Lord, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.
28 Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.
29 O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

We see that this passage begins and ends with praise to our God, Yahuah (Lord) and speaks of His eternal mercy. Between these two are various descriptions of coming under attack from the enemy, and of David destroying them. This is a song. David knew that by praising Yahuah (Lord) in song, he would defeat his enemies because Yahuah (Lord) would deliver him.

Prayer
Father we exalt You as the Most Hing King. You alone are worthy of our praise, and we give it to You and to Your name, Yahuah (Lord). Send Your kingdom and Your overwhelming provision today. Forgive us our sins. Heal and deliver us. In Yeshua’s (Jesus’) name. Amen.

Being Well Fed

As followers of our Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) we are drawn to Him and His words. As humans we are drawn toward eating our food each day. In America the custom is to eat three times each day. This may or may not be healthy, or the “correct” timing for a diet, but it is the generally accepted practice. We get it engrained in us by our parents. I noticed this morning that I was running on autopilot as I mad breakfast for the family, started the coffee, and packed a lunch. There was this routine about food. Our physical bodies give us certain cues that we have come to associate with the need to consume food. But we also need to be filled each day with the things of God to feed the spiritual person within us.

Psalms 119:145 I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O Lord: I will keep thy statutes.
146 I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.
147 I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.
148 Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.

Here we see that the psalmist is crying out to God. He cries out in the morning (prevent the dawn) and in the evening (prevent the night watches). Morning and evening comes every day. Here we see that twice a day at least David cried out to God for His deliverance, provision, and judgements. And this is affirmed again elsewhere.

Psalms 55:16 As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me.
17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
18 He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.
19 God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah.

If we want to experience Yahuah (Lord) closely like David did, as our deliverer, let us follow the pattern that he set. Then we will be filled in our spiritual man as well.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are worthy of all praise and honor and glory. We praise Your name, Yahuah (Lord). You made the heavens and the earth. You are our King. We long for Your kingdom to be here on the earth. Send us Your overwhelming abundant provision today, Father. Forgive us our sins. Deliver us from the evil here. Hold back our enemies that would steal from us what You have provided. Heal us, and heal our land. In Yeshua’s (Jesus’) name. Amen.

Perspective Matters

This morning as I was thinking about the challenges different people face, I tried to understand how to offer some encouragement. Then it occurred to me that the scriptures give us a very good idea just how to do this.

Psalms 119:24 Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.

The testimonies here refer to the might works that God has done that have been observed. When we think back on these things, they become a hope to us. They are our counselors and “tell” us what to expect from God, and what to ask of Him. Take for example the children of Israel crossing the desert wilderness. The land is pretty barren. There is not a great deal of water or food. Yet Yahuah (Lord) our God provided both for them.

Exodus 16:12 I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel: speak unto them, saying, At even ye shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be filled with bread; and ye shall know that I am the Lord your God.
13 And it came to pass, that at even the quails came up, and covered the camp: and in the morning the dew lay round about the host.
14 And when the dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilderness there lay a small round thing, as small as the hoar frost on the ground.
15 And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the Lord hath given you to eat.

If we think on this story when we are faced with challenges, we can know that Yahuah will provide for our every need. He alone is the One with the power to deliver every person on this planet. He alone created all that is here. He alone is our King, and our hope is in His commandments and testimonies.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You as the Most High God and King. We praise Your name, Yahuah, and exalt You forever. We desperately need what You have in heaven here with us on earth. Send us Your overwhelming provision today. We love You. Please forgive us when we transgress Your ways. Heal us from within, and cleanse our hearts. Deliver us from the evil in this world. Defend us from those that would seek to take what You have given us. Show us a sign for good. In Yeshua’s (Jesus’) name. Amen.