Knowing When To Battle

Today I was thinking about the need for direction in spiritual warfare amongst believers. There seems to be much interest in this area. I believe it is because we have this inner knowing that we are meant to battle and that we will face battles. Perhaps it is because we know that we frequently have events in our lives that occur that are not pleasant, or not as we feel they should be. It seems we are not alone in this. David often inquired of God about the battles that he was about to enter, when to move forward and when to hold.

1 Chronicles 14:9 And the Philistines came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.
10 And David enquired of God, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? and wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the Lord said unto him, Go up; for I will deliver them into thine hand.
11 So they came up to Baal–perazim; and David smote them there. Then David said, God hath broken in upon mine enemies by mine hand like the breaking forth of waters: therefore they called the name of that place Baal–perazim.
12 And when they had left their gods there, David gave a commandment, and they were burned with fire.
13 And the Philistines yet again spread themselves abroad in the valley.
14 Therefore David enquired again of God; and God said unto him, Go not up after them; turn away from them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.
15 And it shall be, when thou shalt hear a sound of going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt go out to battle: for God is gone forth before thee to smite the host of the Philistines.
16 David therefore did as God commanded him: and they smote the host of the Philistines from Gibeon even to Gezer.
17 And the fame of David went out into all lands; and the Lord brought the fear of him upon all nations.

We see here that David knew he had the promise of God. However, David still prayed to God to know what to do when and where. This is an important key for us if we are to be victorious against our enemy. Yes, when spiritual darkness descends upon us we should respond if we need to immediately. But there is also the case for waiting until the right moment for God to show us the path to victory.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You as the Most High God. This earth and the heavens belong to You. Let Your kingdom reign in them today. Send us Your overwhelming provision today Father. Let Your Spirit guide us and deliver us from temptations. Forgive us when we fail to resist. Heal us from within. Deliver us. In Yeshua’s 9Jesus’) name. Amen.

Hearing Clearly

As believers we have several things of common. Perhaps the most obvious is, we are humans. As humans we are thinking creatures and have desires and expectations. We want things to go a certain way. Sometimes the desire is strong enough for us to have challenges hearing from God just what He wants us to do. But we can still get to that place where we can hear him.

John 10:1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

As I sit here I cannot help but think that there are times that I hear the voice of another, and that makes me sad. But I will keep moving forward because it is important that I do because only if we try can we affect any type of change. And it is change for the good and the better that we truly seek.

We have a great God. Let’s serve Him today.

Prayer
Father, we love and adore You as our King. You have made so many marvelous things, and Your kingdom is something that is beyond our ability to describe it. We need You and we need Your abundant provision today, Yahuah our Father. Please heal us and deliver us today. In Yeshua’s (Jesus’) name. Amen.

Begin Anew

Each day that we are here on this earth is a new day, a new beginning. Each day we have the opportunity to reconnect with our family, our friends, and our God. Unlike the others, God never holds grudges, keeps a list of wrongs, or doubts our abilities to do good. He is always expecting us and encouraging us to make it.

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

If we will but believe and trust in God, the creator of the heavens and the earth, then we can make it. We can overcome what is around us with Him on our side.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are worthy of all praise and glory and honor. We are nothing without You. We need You and Your kingdom in our lives. Please send us today Your abundant provision. Please keep us safe and watch over us.Forgive us our wrong doings. Please give us the strength to resist temptations when they come. Please guide us today, and help us to help others in need. Heal us and deliver us. In Yeshua’s (Jesus’) name. Amen.

From Corruption To Perfection

Our God is both all knowing and all powerful. Often I have had people ask me, and at times I have asked myself, why does God allow bad in people? After all, a snap of the fingers by Him and all could be well. Yesterday we read Luke 13-14 at fellowship, and got into the parable of the kingdom of God being the leaven in the three measures of meal.

Luke 13:20 And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?
21 It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.

The odd thing here is that Jesus was saying that the kingdom is like something normally associated with sin – leaven. So the question becomes why does He make this comparison. Certainly the kingdom being spread through the earth would be a good thing. This morning I received an email from one of the members with a link to a very well done lengthy bible study showing that both this parable and the one just before it about the mustard seed represented the bad things or evil that enters in to the church. The author makes a good case for that teaching as well. That brings me to a thought in general about parables.

Parables are just that – generalizations told in a story format. They create opportunity for thought, prayer, and discussion. Like many of the things God says, they can have more than one meaning, and these meanings can be true. I do believe God would warn us about the sin in the church. I do believe Jesus was in particular here warning church leadership not to teach the docrtines of men as God’s word, which today does happen frequently. But I also believe the good interpretation is also true. God will spread His kingdom. God will move as He wills, in spite of what leaders may do. The overall message I take away is that we are human and will sin. If we repent, we can be saved from that sin. Jesus (Yeshua) died for all of our sins. He loved us just that much. He will finish the work in us.

Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

If we will call out to God every day and at all times, He will hear us and deliver us, every time.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are worthy to be praised and glorified. Your kingdom is under attack. We need Your help as we fight the enemy and resist temptations. Please send your kingdom, and send us today abundant provision. Forgive us when we do give in to temptation. Help us to love You more than anything else. We want to do that, but we get off track at times. Heal us and deliver us. In Yeshua’s (Jesus’) name. Amen.

Listening Closely

Praying is one of those things that we as believers do frequently. In fact Paul implied that we should pray almost continuously.

Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Paul knew that it takes prayer to get close to God. Through prayer we can get to know God and His ways. When we know Him, it makes it much easier to trust Him and to hear Him when He speaks to us. If we can hear Him, we can go forward knowing we will be victorious in all we do.

2 Samuel 5:24 And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the Lord go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines.

Today as we rest with God on the Sabbath, let’s pray and listen closely. God will win our battles for us.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are the Most High God. It is Your kingdom that has the light of life. We need Your kingdom in the earth. Send us today Your overwhelming provision. We need You to hold us and never let go. Forgive us, heal us, and deliver us. Let us be Your people. Help us to be holy unto You. In Yeshua’s (Jesus’) name. Amen.

Leading Edge

When I hear the phrase, “leading edge”, my first thoughts up till now were that of technology. Today I was thinking about it a bit differently. In our battles with the enemy, there is also a leading edge. Now, that can make us think of a sword, and that is partially true too. But the leading edge is just that – leading. That also includes the first of things, like the first thing someone notices about us, our first words to someone, our actions, and more. Our lives can be the first thing people see about the good news. What then should that message, that leading edge be?

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.

If this had been easy to do, as in everyone does it all the time, it is likely that Paul would not have mentioned it. But the fact that he did mention it means that there is a reason to believe we would need to hear it. I know for me that this is certainly true. Our God is good and He will help us to be that leading edge.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are worthy of our praise. We need Your kingdom in our lives. Help us. Send us Your abundant provision. Forgive us when we fail, and please help us to be more like You. Heal us and deliver us. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

Happy Thanksgiving!

As I sit here with my coffee this morning and look out on the snow, I think about this day and giving thanks. There is so much to be thankful for it can be difficult to begin. Mostly I think I am thankful that God does not give up on me. It is difficult to understand His long-suffering towards people. I know that as I try to walk through life becoming a better person by walking in His ways, I continue to struggle. It is that heaviness that Peter spoke of when we are trying to get past something. But God never gives up on us. This is a good thing, a blessing, and something we can all be thankful for today.

Psalms 100:1 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.
2 Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
5 For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

Today, let’s enter into His courts praising Him for the day.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You as our King. Let Your kingdom be among us today on this day when we give thanks. We need You and Your kingdom today. Help us to know more of Your ways and to serve You better. Give us abundant provision today. Please guide us. Help us to be more like You every day, even if it is just a little more each day. We love You. Thank You for this day. Heal and deliver us. In Yeshua’s (Jesus’) name. Amen.

Hearts Hold On

When we battle our enemy the devil and his minions, we are fighting for something. There is a reason this war exists. It exists because there is a prize to be won, or so our enemy thinks. The prize is creation. You, me, our families, the planet – all of these things he wants to take or destroy. Our God has never, is not now, nor ever will lose to our enemy.

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

This is what Jesus (Yeshua) was referring to when he spoke of the thief. A wise warrior, knowing the battle is coming, will prepare for it. God promises wisdom to those who ask.

James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

As I sit here this morning, the truth of one of our Messiah’s teachings is hitting home for me. I seem to have a more real understanding of it today than other days. It is about where the battle is really, although He does not say it that way.

Matthew 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

You see, if the enemy can win the battle to draw our hearts away, he wins. At least for that moment. We must be strong in the power of the might of our God, Yehuah (LORD). Our Messiah, Yeshua (Jesus) took on the challenge of the heart and won. We are mere mortals alone, but with God we too can learn to win this battle.

We need only ask for His help and His heart to be with us and in us. Then we win.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You as the Most High. Today Your kingdom is needed here in the earth. Let Your kingdom reign today. Send us Your overwhelming abundant provision today. Dislodge the enemy in our lives and hearts today. Forgive us our sins. Please, hold us. Heal us and deliver us today. Help us to be Your ambassadors here. In Yeshua’s (Jesus). Amen.

Building Well Is Work

Thinking about how we walk out our walks as believers this morning it made me think of construction. It is cold and windy and snowy here this morning. When I was much younger I worked construction in weather like this. I can remember getting to work and starting fires in 55 gallon drums to try to warm our hands throughout the day. The company I worked for had a good reputation as a builder of quality homes, and we did good work. But it was challenging at times. I think it is the same way for us as believers, building our walks with God one day at a time, one hour at a time, moment by moment.

Philippians 1:1 Paul and Timothy, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
2 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,
5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;
6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

We see from this letter from Paul and Timothy that they understood that there was a process we go through as believers. Be change over time as we grow in our understanding. For me this is challenging many times. Like many others here in America, I have become accustomed to things happening at a faster pace, a pace that I control. In our walk, God is working to get us to be more like Him, and to have that be engrained in us as our most natural way to be. We become those people of faith, doing the works of God and living after the manner He wants us to live.

1 Peter 1:6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:

Back in the times of home construction there were times when we would get something crooked or damaged and have to redo that particular trim, wall board, or some other material in an attempt to build a good building that we could be proud to have done. It is that way with us, as Peter says. Sometimes the temptations of life give us a sense opof heaviness when we give place to them. But God is faithful to work together with us and in us to help us mature and become the sons and daughters of God that He has called us to be. We just need to do the work.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You as the Most High God. You alone can help us in this earth. We need Your kingdom and Your presence here today. Send us today Your abundant provision. We ask that You forgive us our mistakes and failures to walk with You, and help us to be with You always. You never leave us or forsake us. We want to do the same toward You. We need Your love in our lives today. Heal us and deliver us. Show Your people a sign for good today. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

Longing For The Presence

Recently another believer shared with me some information about how the bible was translated. He and his wife were bible translators for 15 years and know a great deal about the original languages. He said when in the bible, the Old Testament in particular, it says “LORD” in all capital letters, even though the “ORD” are smaller capital letters than the “L”, it does not really say “Lord” or “God”, but His actual name. It can be pronounced “Yaweh” or he thinks “Yahuha”. The latter sounds just like Jesus’ real name in Hebrew, which is Yeshua. Over the last month I have been reading this name in when I read the “LORD” in the Old Testament, and it is having a big impact on me. God is much more personal to me know than He ever was. This morning I keep thinking about how people sought out Jesus because power flowed out of Him to heal them. I have an image of him sitting on a hill side, maybe in the sand and dirt of the desert there, telling people about their heritage in the God of Abraham.

Luke 6:17 And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases;
18 And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed.
19 And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.
20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
21 Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.
22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.
23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.
24 But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.
25 Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.
26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also.
30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Our Messiah lived in troubled times, much like today. People were ruled by sometimes harsh rulers that did not always care for the rule of law. The religious leaders taught doctrines of men as though it was from God. Yeshua came to set things straight spiritually. He will soon return to set the physical world correct as well.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are the Most High God. We love You and worship You Yahuha, for You alone are God and King. Let Your kingdom come upon us and this earth. Give us Your overwhelming provision today. Guide us and keep us. Please forgive us when we get it wrong. We are weak and need Your help. Heal us and deliver us. Come quickly. In Yeshua’s (Jesus’) name. Amen.