Today is National and Global Day of Prayer, September 26, 2020.
Let us pray for our nation today and every day; repent from our wickedness as a nation and individually, which grieves the heart of our Creator, G-D, and Savior of this United States of America and this world.
Let us love one another in spite of our diverse differences!
Let us know and respond accordingly that peace will NEVER come about through violence, but only through repentance and our love first for our G-D and King and then for one another!
Let us look to ABBA (Father, G-D) for all that we need for HIS LOVE IS RUNNING AFTER US TO RETURN TO HIM.
Recently, I learned about encouraging videos on YouTube, “Lion of Judah”. I enjoy listening to the various ministers’ words of encouragement. Right now, especially during this pandemic, we need to be encouraged in the L-RD, hold on to Him, believe His Word and act accordingly!
Please listen to the following videos and be encouraged. You can find additional videos on YouTube. If you need prayer, send me an email and I will pray for you!
I am so very grateful to all those who helped me to publish this book. It was written in the hopes that people who say they love G-D, would love their spouses, and choose to stay in their relationship. My prayer…you find some word or phrase in this work of love that will bless your heart and then share that with others.
Without water we all would perish…humans, animals, plants, trees…every single organic thing, which needs water to thrive would die. Pretty basic biology and quite profoundly necessary!
G-D, the living G-D and Creator of the
universe by the way, thinks water is pretty profound and vital in both the physical
and spiritual word according to the Bible. If you look at the very first book
in the Bible, the very first chapter and the second verse…the word water
shows up. Now according to my study,
water or the reference to water is mentioned around 722 times in the Bible. Some
suggests half of that, but my point…water is mentioned many times in G-D’s
word, so thus it must be important to Him and therefore, should be important to
us.
I started thinking about this because last
week’s parashah reading is based on the flood that destroyed the earth
during Noach, Noah’s times. (Genesis 6:9ff). The flood of G-D destroyed
the known world at that time, but also delivered 8 people, as well as pairs of
all the living creatures. This suggests
that G-D’s destruction can also be seen not only as His righteous judgment, but
also as His cleansing and deliverance of His people. In other words, the waters
of the flood are a prefigure of the baptism we need in order to be cleansed of
our sins and vile ways. (2 Peter 3:18-22)
Let’s consider some of the ways in which
water is used in the Word.
Water
speaks of life, the giving of life, physical life: Genesis 1:20
Water
speaks to us of the Word of G-D: Ephesians 5:26, Ps. 119:9
Water
is referenced as a form of purification: Ez. 36:25
Water
refers to spiritual renewal, cleansing, refreshing: Jer. 2:13, Jn 4:14
There are so many more examples in Scripture, but hopefully you get the point of the profundity of water in the word, and its importance to the Father from Genesis to Revelation.
Water’s pervasiveness is seen in humans. The average amount of water in a human being is between 50% to 75% depending on gender and age with babies having the most water at around 75% and greater. The earth is covered by approximately 72-75% of which approximately 97% of that water is oceanic. What about animals, say dogs? A female dog is made up of approximately 55% water, and it varies for other non-human animals. Plants have a large composition of water and can have up to 95%.
Water is the major composition of the human body, feeds the
body physically, sustains animals and plant life, is used for cleaning,
cooking, swimming and many other things. Without water, life would not exist. How
long can a person survive without water? It varies, but somewhere between 2 -7
days. Again, water not only nourishes the body, but it cleanses the body of
toxins. Babies in the womb are housed in water. According to Genesis, we are
housed between water. Water, water and more water.
So, what is my point? Water in and of itself is pure…what’s in the water… defiles it! When G-D originally created man, He intended for man to remain pure. But as we know the story, man was defiled and thus death became a reality, and our need for a Redeemer.
The flood of Noah’s day was a result of G-D’s displeasure with man. Yet, G-D provided a way of escape for the righteous Noah and his family. What made Noah righteous, not perfect, was his trust in G-D. The same principle is applicable for us today. We are righteous, not perfect through Yeshua, if we believe and trust in Him. Therefore, let us be encouraged to live as pure as possible unto the L-RD!
My hearts aches for those who were victims and the families of the last 2 mass shootings. Only loving G-D and each other can conquer the tyranny of hatred.
42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers
also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess
him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: 43 For they loved the praise
of men more than the praise of G-D.John
12:42
We are exactly the same as the leaders of Yeshua’s day. We may call it “PC” (politically correct) or some other nefarious term, but really, we are afraid to speak the truth when it is contrary to the popular belief of others. We, and I meanwe, are afraid of ridicule, persecution, rejection not to mention physical harm or even death! Many times, we are afraid to speak up concerning our beliefs in G-D, because we imagine the worst of what man can do to us, rather than trust what G-D will do for us and through us!
Yet, our actions based in fear are the results of our preconceived notions of how the end will materialize. However, we can’t know the “end” until the “end” comes…which may turn out in a way which was beyond our comprehension, good, and yes, possibly bad. Therefore, we must trust in G-D’s best for us and have faith in Him regardless of the outcome.
Fear, unhealthy fear is a debilitating force, which retards our growth and impedes our obedience to G-D’s teachings. The leaders in the above passage were afraid of being ostracized from the synagogue; and, like many of us, we are afraid of being ostracized at work, in our churches/synagogues, among our friends, family, social media, etc. Contrarily interesting, many of us are also afraid of success in our personal and professional relationships even in our marriages. We are frightened of the “good” or “great” that could be within our reach; therefore, we erroneously judge “our today” by “our yesterdays”. We predetermine our outcome by speaking negativity, and thrive in self-fulfilled prophecy and arrogance when things turn out just like “we knew they would”.
Yet, I believe in the Scripture, which suggests that all things work for our good (Romans 8:28) when we love the L-RD. His forgiveness, grace and mercy allow us chances to experience newness as we grow in Him. A common saying, but apropos; each morning is a new opportunity. What are the new opportunities? A plethora of experiences both great, good and not so good, which bring us closer to the Father, forgetting and forgiving our past and pressing forward in Him. Consider these two Scriptures which align with this truth:
Brethren, I count not myself yet to have apprehended: but one thing I do, forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before… Phil. 3:13
Then Yeshua (Jesus)
declared, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and then looks back is fit
for the kingdom of G-D.” Luke 9:62
Consequently, we cannot walk in newness, if we are hanging onto the horrors of yesteryear and/or the “good ole days”. We must realize that the awful things which happened to us do not determine our final destination in Yeshua. We must choose to forgive ourselves and those who betrayed our trust, so we can freely walk in the newness of being in Messiah. Regardless, of the atrocities, losses, etc., like Yeshua, we must choose to forgive in order to realize true freedom.
I believe, if we view our past as lessons, we would not embrace our negative personal histories and allow them to massage our souls. Yeshua is our story when we trust in Him. He is our Creator, Narrator, Guide, Model and so much more! If we believe His assessment of us as His Beloved, then our lives will always be pressing forward, instead of stuck in the murky or gloomy past of our experiences. Will life always be easy in Messiah? The answer is obvious! Yet, it is better to walk and trust in Him; than wallow in damaging and debilitating past experiences.
I know how difficult it is to let go of hurts, injustices, abuse and terror. But to live festering in all the bad things that others have done or the grievous things we have done to others and/or ourselves… is slavery at its best. Yeshua came to proclaim the Good News of the Coming Kingdom of G-D and to destroy our bondage to the tyranny of sin. (Romans 6:18) Yeshua did His part and continues to do His part. It is up to us to believe in His work on the torture stake, and the work He continues to do in our hearts when we trust in Him. It is our responsibility as His Bride to walk out the faith we claim in Him.
Will you believe in Him today and His ability to help you press forward in His newness? Will you ask Him to help you practically live out your faith? It is a daily-process, but worth the effort when we love the L-RD!
Note: I was looking at some of my old posts and felt this one was worth posting again with some new additions. If you find this post worthy of sharing, please share.
Recently, I found a 2009 journal of mine as I was watching my grandson. As I began reading “my-history”, I was amazed at how far G-D has brought me! Those of you, who know me very well, have some sense of the horrific pain, I endured because of a martial separation and eventual divorce, which began to unfold from many years prior, with the official separation on July 25, 2009.
However, this blog is not to bring up the past in any negative way! The purpose of this writing is to praise G-D for how far He has brought me, and to thank Him for His healing love! As I read my thoughts from the past, truly emotional vomit, I am astonished at how depressed and miserable I was at that time in my life. Some of my entries seemed as though I was reading about a strange woman I had never met. Some of the entries of events were of things I do not even remember! Imagine that! When G-d does a trans-formative work in our hearts, we truly will forget some of the horrific things we may have endured.
My heart was so very broken during that period in my life, I could not see the new beginning and the new life G-D had waiting for me! All I saw was misery, pain, sadness, gloom and doom! When I became single again, I was so scared, and worried about everything that my head, heart and body ached what seemed like all of the time. Yet, few knew of the great agony oozing in my soul for so many months, because I hid behind my smiles, laughs, my false exterior. There was no need to carry my hurt for the world to see….because the world could not help me nor did the world care. Nor did I want to be the topic of gossip, so I appeared okay as my heart bled living my shattered world again.
Then, as time progressed, I sensed G-d telling me to get it together, lose weight, prepare for the husband He was sending and prepare for ministry. So slowing, I began to date, work on my weight, and spend time in prayer and writing in my journal. Now, I feel great, still working on my weight, and I am ready for G-D’s choice (husband) to step into my life. I am also ready for ministry, as G-D has concretely demonstrated to me that He has made me that Proverbs 31 woman by His Spirit in spite of my many sins and errors! Am I perfect, far from it…but I am ready to be what He has destined for me to be.
In closing, I read a quote from David Bryant’s book, Messengers of Hope…. to hope in G-D is not to escape from reality; rather it is to have the courage to look reality straight in the eyes. The MOMENT we hold is not our final in Mashiach (Messiah)! This quote is so profound, because no hurt or situation is greater than the healing, restorative and redemptive work of our Almighty… There is healing, newness and wholeness in our Savior, if we hold onto Him during our times of difficulty, and remember Him when as we are holding unto His promises for those who trust in Him.
Please know and believe that G-D will be with you as you go through whatever it is that may be weighting heavy on your heart as you read this blog. He will see you through. He does hear our prayers. I am so happy that I serve the Living G-D whose arms are not too short to save His people or His ear deaf to our cries!
Be encouraged today and know that this moment is not your final destination in Messiah, nor are you defined by your circumstances. This truly will pass. However, you decide if you will BETTER or BITTER on the other side of your drama. Did you notice one “letter” determines your heart-condition!
