Stuck In A Rut

Again we had more snow overnight. As I took my daughter in my van to the end of our long driveway it became clear it would be a challenge not to get stuck. I tried to stay in the half filled tracks, but at the end slipped sideways. After she was on the bus, I tried going back and forth until I was back in the tracks. I did make it that far, however, the snow had become packed under my van. There I was, stuck in a rut. I was able to shovel enough to get out after about thirty minutes or so, and my wife got off to work once I was out of the way. Then, on the way back into the driveway and headed for the garage, well, you guessed it. Again, I got stuck in a rut. As I proceeded to dig out the entire section of driveway that led up to the garage, I began to pray and talk to God about my situation. That is when it occurred to me that what I saw in the situation depended at least in part on what I wanted to see.

Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

As I thought about this scripture, it occurred to me that it could be applied to how we view life. If we look at life with a heart that wants to see the world around us as bad or disappointing, then we will see just that for sure. But with a heart towards God, trying to find His ways to walk in them, then when we will be able to see God in the world. I stopped shoveling to look around. What good could I see? I saw a winter wonderland of snow covered trees. Everything was white and fluffy and beautiful. It made me smile, and I thanked God for this wonderful place to live and the snow to shovel. And especially for the shovel!

Today, as life presents itself to you, try to look at life as if you are looking for God in the world, and you will see Him, and the beauty around us everywhere.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. Thank You for the beauty in the world. Let that same kingdom that is in the heavens with You come to us here, and in our hearts. Send us Your overwhelming provision today. Forgive us when we falter. Help us to overcome this world. Help us to see the world through Your eyes. Heal our hearts and eyes that we might see like You. In Yeshua’s (Jesus’) name. Amen.

Under The Eves

Our weather here has been quite the eye opener. We had enjoyed a reduced winter impact for the month of December. Alas, winter has finally returned. As I was thinking about this weather, an image came to mind for me. I could envision being crouched beneath the eves of a building in an attempt to stay out of the weather. There was a certain comfort in this image to the shelter provided by these eves. Under that overhand, as small as it was, there was less exposure to the elements. As i thought of this image it reminded me of another form scripture.

Psalms 17:8 Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,
9 From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about.

Here we see the psalmist crying out to God to be hidden under His wing. This verse clearly reminds me of the feeling from the image I had. The person, me, in my image looking for shelter. The person appreciating the shelter received but clearly looking for something more than a man made eve. The idea of the perfect covering of God’s wing.

Today, as I think of what we as believers need, we need the perfect covering of our God. We need the mercy that His covering brings. We need the grace of His protection.

He alone is our comfort.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You as our Protector. We need Your kingdom here in this earth, filled with that perfect covering. Send us today your abundant provision, Your prosperity. Forgive us when we sin. Heal and deliver us that we might walk in Your ways. Show us a sign for good. In Yeshua’s (Jesus’) name. Amen.

A Snowy Sabbath Is Still A Sabbath

As we were thinking about attending fellowship today we were faced with the challenge of considering the weather and the road conditions. And there is a matter of getting out of the driveway. We have a long driveway, and the end that leads into the road gets plowed in by the snow plows. To get out today I will have to shovel that snow on the Sabbath. I believe the Messiah addressed these issues when He was accused of violating the Sabbath by the church leaders of the day.

Luke 14:1 And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him.
2 And, behold, there was a certain man before him which had the dropsy.
3 And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day?
4 And they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go;
5 And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day?
6 And they could not answer him again to these things.

Here we see our Messiah saying to us the church leaders that the Sabbath is about life. Doing what brings life on the Sabbath is a perfect fit. Including healing, or rescue, or what promotes life.

My driveway is unsafe at the end and if it remains clgged, we could get stuck hanging part way out into the street which is slippery. WE could easily be hit. Some may say that this is too much attention to this point and that of course one would shovel the snow. For me and my house, we will take the time to consider the ways of God, even if we think the answer is obvious. It is the consideration that for us is a way of honoring Him.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You as the Most High god. We need Your kingdom on this Sabbath day. Send us Your overwhelming provision. Make a way for us all to clear our physical and spiritual driveways. Forgive us when we get off track. Heal and deliver us. In Yeshua’s (Jesus’) name. Amen.

Snow Bound

This post is a day late. Yesterday we were snow bound in the morning and the overall result was a day filled with delay. It wasn’t until after I went to bed that I realized what had happened. My apologies to the readers. We as believers are most blessed. God is with us every day, without fail.

Psalms 68:7 O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah:
8 The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
9 Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, whereby thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary.
10 Thy congregation hath dwelt therein: thou, O God, hast prepared of thy goodness for the poor.
11 The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.
12 Kings of armies did flee apace: and she that tarried at home divided the spoil.
13 Though ye have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold.
14 When the Almighty scattered kings in it, it was white as snow in Zalmon.
15 The hill of God is as the hill of Bashan; an high hill as the hill of Bashan.
16 Why leap ye, ye high hills? this is the hill which God desireth to dwell in; yea, the Lord will dwell in it for ever.
17 The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place.
18 Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them.
19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.

If we can look to those in the past, like the psalmists, we can see that they knew this, and that they knew that to praise His name was to honor Him and gain access to His kingdom.

Psalms 68:1 Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.
2 As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.
3 But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.
4 Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name Jah, and rejoice before him.
5 A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.
6 God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.

This was what David believed. David was one of the greatest kings of all time, victorious in battle. He knew that our God, Yahuah, responds to us praising his name.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You are our King and You ride in Your majesty in the heavens. Let Your kingdom come among us. Send us Your overwhelming provision. Forgive us when we doubt You. Heal and deliver us from the evil of this world. We love You. In Yeshua’s (Jesus’) name. Amen.

When The Dawn Comes

Last night we got more snow and wind. Even before the snow began, businesses and schools were bracing for what was to come with closings to hunker down and make it through the day. The night was interesting as I looked out the window into the whiteout of snow against our outside lighting. The wind could be heard whistling its chilly tune. This morning, everything was white and beautiful in the sunshine. When I went out to feed the chickens, I discovered that there was a subzero windchill. Somehow it didn’t matter though, because the morning made everything beautiful. Yesterday I spent considerable time praising the name of our God, Yahuah, as the scriptures indicate we are to do.

Psalms 20:7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.

The word “LORD” in this passage is really the name “Yahuah” (or Yahweh as some pronounce it). It was a good time praising Yahuah and His name. In the night I had a most unusual experience. I had a spiritual dream at some point in which a man that was once blind was getting up out of what appeared to be a hospital bed and he could see clearly. Also, sometimes when I have woken in the night in the past the thoughts of the day come rushing in and challenge my rest. Last night was different. I actually had songs playing in my head, as if I were singing them in my mind. When I noticed this was happening I became extremely peaceful and had sweet rest. For that I am very thankful. We can trust in the name of our God to defend us.

Psalms 20:1 The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;

And as I think of that sweet singing while I was resting, I am reminded of another scripture.

Psalms 117:1 O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.
2 For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever. Praise ye the Lord.

Let’s give our thanks and praise to Yahuah our God today!

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are worthy of our thoughts and our praise. We long to be with You in Your kingdom, and for that kingdom to be here on earth. Send us Your prosperity today, Your overwhelming provision. Forgive us for our going away from Your ways. Deliver us from temptations that come our way. Help us to endure. Be our Deliverer. Heal us. In Yeshua’s (Jesus’) name. Amen.

Only God

It is only our God and His name that can deliver us. Thinking about this today amidst the snow storm I found myself lingering on the way the name of God is referred to in certain places. One of those places in scripture was in the Psalms.

Psalms 20:1 The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;
2 Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion;
3 Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah.
4 Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel.
5 We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the Lord fulfil all thy petitions.
6 Now know I that the Lord saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.
7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.
8 They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.
9 Save, Lord: let the king hear us when we call.

Somehow reading this I saw it differently than in the past. It seems that David found something special in the name of God, which can be said as Yahuah. In verse 5 we see that David was setting up the banners over them in the name of Yahuah, and he believed God would save them. In this same breath he concludes that Yahuah would fulfill all that they asked of Him. The beginning of 9 actually uses a form of the name of our Messiah Yasha Yahuah, or Yeshua, as a proclamation to state that David needed God to hear him when he called out to him.

Today, as we fight our battles, let us proclaim the name of God, Yahuah, as our victory. He never leaves or forsakes us. He alone is worthy to be praised. He WILL deliver us.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You as the Most High God. You alone are worthy of our praise. We raise the banner of Your kingdom here on earth, and we do this in the name of Yahuah, Send us today prosperity, Father, as the psalmists also cried our to you. Forgive us our sin. Help us to overcome temptation. Help us to be victorious. Heal and deliver us. In Yeshua’s (Jesus’) name. Amen.

His Mercy Is Forever

As I pondered the walk we as believers have this morning I found myself slipping into an old mindset of “not good enough” that I learned as a child. It goes something like this: I am not good enough now to ask God for help, but I will work hard to get better and then He will help me. WRONG! God helps us BECAUSE we are not good enough on our own. None of us are.

Romans 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

Paul was aware that God’s goodness toward us is because of who we are as people. God does not think like we think. He does not wait to help us until we do everything right. He helps us because we ask for help and acknowledge that He is the one that can help. Paul was in part quoting Solomon when he spoke, and there is more to that message.

Ecclesiasties 7:18 It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from this withdraw not thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all.
19 Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.
20 For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

Solomon said to take hold of this piece of wisdom, that just men also sin. Paul further acknowledged this in his letter to the Romans.

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

And it was David that told us why this is true, why God is on the side of us as humans and not as perfect beings. It has little if anything to do with us. We are to but call out to Him and praise Him.

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.

Today, let’s give thanks to our God and praise Him forever.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You and declare You our King. We love You and long for Your kingdom on this earth. You alone can give us that kingdom. We want our sustenance to be from You. Send us today Your abundant provision. Forgive us our sin, and free us from the darkness and bondage of it. Let Your people be set apart and free unto You, O King! We love You. Heal us. Deliver us. Show us a sign for good. In Yeshua’s (Jesus’) name. Amen.

The Nature Of Encouragement

This morning as I considered what encouragement really is, a different thought came to mind. Perhaps our idea of encouragement is entangled in what the world around us shows to us as relationship. There are some generally accepted ideas about encouragement that we inherit from society. But I would suggest that like other aspects of our walk as believers, society’s view in general may not be completely correct on this point. For many of us we are taught from the time we are little that we encourage good behavior, usually through reward. We also are taught to discourage bad behavior, usually through punishment or reward withholding. These seem logical to us as a society. But what if God’s way is different? Take the example of the children of Israel in the desert. His initial response to “bad behavior” in the form of them accusing Him of trying to kill them by thirst (remember they are His children saying this) was to give them water from the rock.

Exodus 17:1 And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the Lord, and pitched in Rephidim: and there was no water for the people to drink.
2 Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt the Lord?
3 And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?
4 And Moses cried unto the Lord, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me.
5 And the Lord said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go.
6 Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.
7 And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the Lord, saying, Is the Lord among us, or not?

Unfortunately these particular individuals never learned their lesson, but their children did, and their children inherited the Promised Land.

The message I take away from these passages from scripture is this. God is on our side, always. When we make mistakes and say or do the wrong thing, He is still on our side. He will reach out to us to help us. WE need to continue to believe that He is on our side, and not accuse Him of doing something bad to us. He will encourage us to make the necessary course corrections to get back on His path. he will show us that way. In fact, He has given us a pretty good set of directions already in the scriptures. But He also wants to speak to us, one on one, like a loving Father to His child.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You as the Most High. You alone are worthy of all praise and honor and glory. We praise Your name, Yahuah (Lord) and long for Your kingdom in the earth. We ask that You send us today overwhelming provision, such that we cannot hold it all, and it overflows to those around us. We need Your forgiveness and ask that You forgive us for those things that we have done which are not pleasing to You. We need Your deliverance and Your healing. In Yeshua’s (Jesus’) name. Amen.

Monkey Bread And Other Comforts

This morning my daughter was up bright and early. The reason… she remembered I promised to make Monkey Bread with her. If you have never had this sweet concoction, you should look it up on the web. It is very easy, and tastes delightful. It would definitely qualify as comfort food for sure. But as I think about my daughter and her eagerness to make it. I think there was an additional comfort in the mix for her. She was comforted as much by the fun of making this treat with dad as she was eating the sweets afterward. It is like that for us. We can be comforted in knowing that we get to spend time with our Father when we are involved in our lives routine.

Psalms 67:1 God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah.
2 That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.
3 Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.
4 O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.
5 Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.
6 Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us.
7 God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.

Here we see that the people apparently were people that raised food from the land. When they took time to spend with God, the very land gave increase, and the people were blessed. This is just the way God has ordained things to work. Where God is, there is life and there is increase, in His time. Praise God!

Prayer
Father, we exalt you as the Most High God. You alone are worthy of all praise and honor. We love to be in Your presence, in Your kingdom here in this earth. We love and exalt You, and praise Your name, Yahuah (Lord), above all. Send us today Your overwhelming provision. Forgive us when we fall short. Lift us up. We will praise Your name forever. Heal us and deliver us. In Yeshua’s (Jesus’) name. Amen.

A Resting Place

When we approach the Sabbath, we think of rest. That rest has been ordained from the beginning.

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.

The time of rest was first shown to us by God. He rested on the seventh day, the Sabbath. It was a set aside day, really for us. But as a loving Father, he showed us how to rest by being the first to rest. And Paul says that we are to continue this today.

Hebrews 4:9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.

Here the word “rest” is the word in the Greek for “Sabbath” and is translated everywhere else as Sabbath. So we are to rest. But what is the place of rest?We might think that the pace of rest is at church or some special place we go. Actually, the place of rest is most likely the temple of God. Today, where would that be?

1 Corinthians 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

We are that resting place. We rest on the Sabbath wherever we are at that time. This is God’s plan. We bring the kingdom to earth when we do those things that God has ordained.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You as the Most High. You alone are worthy of our praise, and we love You. Let Your kingdom be in the earth. Send us Your overwhelming provision. Forgive us when we cannot get it right, when we fall short, when we sin. Heal us, and deliver us from the temptations of this world. We need You now. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.