Yom Sheni, Nisan 8, 6003 – April 26, 2018
Climbing Up
Climbing mountains can be a challenging task. Standing at the base of the mountain, even a “small” one, all we can see is a long path up. This is especially true for the first time. We can see the top, in a way, but not clearly. When it is the first time, there is nothing to compare it with from the past. As we begin to make our way to the top, we experience the effort required to actually climb up. How we look at that effort required will help to dictate the level of our success. If we maintain that curiosity, we will likely get to the top, even if it takes longer than anticipated. If we begin to think about all the potential negatives, likely it will eventually overwhelm us and stop us. What do we choose? Likely it will depend significantly on what we believe, and what we say.
Mark 11:12 And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry:
13 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.
14 And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.20 And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.
21 And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.
22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
Those of us that do not come from a Jewish background might not understand the connection to forgiveness that the Messiah is making here at the end of this experience. But it is really simple. Peter knows that if we keep the commandments, YAH will bless us. If we transgress the commandments, we experience the bad things of the Law. Yeshuah (Jesus) was making the point that we must be pure of heart, through repentance and acting like our Father (forgiving others) for us to experience that forgiveness for ourselves.
None of us is perfect. All of us will fall short. That is why we all need to be covered by the blood of our Messiah Yeshuah to be cleansed from all unrighteousness. With that covering, we receive the blessings of the Father.
Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are our King. Praise the name YAH! Let Your kingdom come in the hearts of mankind. Let Your will be done here with the same simple sureness as the sunrise in heaven. Send us now Your provision. Let Your provision be abundant, overflowing to those around us. We want to be a part of Your supply to men, women, and children in need. Forgive us our trespasses and transgressions, and help us all to forgive those that have trespassed or transgressed against us. Deliver us from the evil here, especially in our hearts and minds. Wipe away all the thoughts of evil done to us or by us. In their place let there be only thoughts and memories of You and Your love toward us. We are a weak people, but we can be strong in You. We need Your love and assistance. We need You. Help us to be lights for You, that shine so men want to be near You. We ask all these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). We ask all these things of You, Father, in Your name YAH. We ask all these things of You in the name YAH Yeshuah. Amen.