Monthly Archives: December 2025

He was unrecognizable…

Loving G-d, Loving Others, Loving Others, , , , , , , , ,

Remember the movie, The Passion? It was a very powerful movie about the life of Yeshua (Jesus). During the torture scene at the cross, I wept and covered my eyes. But the sounds of the hammer hitting the stakes thundered in my soul beyond what I can explain. I could hear the cries of so many in the theater in addition to my own weeping. My heart was deeply and disturbingly moved. Oh, that Yeshua suffered and died for humankind. The word of G-D says that Yeshua was so marred or disfigured that He didn’t even seem human.

Just as many were appalled at him, because he was so disfigured that he didn’t even seem human and simply no longer looked like a man. Is. 52:14 CJB

Yet, as we look at some images of the crucified Messiah, the images are extremely sanitized. Just sprinkles of blood on perfectly smooth light beaten-free skin. But, our Bibles paint a very different story. He was beaten, scourged, spat on, and a crown of thorns was placed on His head. He was ridiculed and judged as a blasphemous criminal; yet He was without sin or deceit. He was insulted, but He didn’t threaten or try to defend Himself. He bore our sins in His body. Bore, think about that word. Bore means…make a hole, drill, pierce. He (Yeshua) bore our sins (yours and mine) as if they (the sins) drilled, pierced making holes in His flesh! WOW! What kind of love is this?

red neon light signage
Photo by Maruxa Lomoljo Koren on Pexels.com

He himself bore our sins in his body on the stake, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness — by his wounds you were healed. 2 Peter 2:24

He suffered on our behalf because of His great love for us!

Who does this? Who would give up their son for wicked and evil generations? Who has done this or would do this besides Yeshua the Messiah? NO ONE! Still, we live our lives apathetic to the depth of His suffering for humankind. Oh, that we might turn from our wicked ways, repent and rejoice in all He has done for us, and live on fire for the L-RD! That we might long to be with Him and share His love with others.

This morning when I was reading Zechariah 12:10 CJB –

… and I will pour out on the house of David and on those living in Yerushalayim a spirit of grace and prayer; and they will look to me, whom they pierced.” They will mourn for him as one mourns for an only son; they will be in bitterness on his behalf like the bitterness for a firstborn son. 

The part of this prophetic passage which spoke to me was and they will look to me, whom they pierced. In a biblical commentary, it suggests that when Yeshua returns we will see His pierced and marred body, glorified, but with the evidence of the sins He bore. In John, most of us know the story that Thomas doubted the resurrection of Yeshua until he saw Him and placed his hand in Yeshua’s hand and side. John 20:24-31 CJB

My point… I think, we as believers in Yeshua might consider as best we can the depth of Yeshua’s suffering in His body because of our wickedness. He hung on the cross in our place…my place. (I should be up on that cross because of my own evil deeds.) When we see Him, His body will have the marks of His redemptive work for us. I can only imagine that seeing the L-RD will be overwhelmingly joyous to say the least, but, also, we might experience some sadness with gratitude and love for how he accomplished salvation for us. I don’t know, but His suffering is beyond what I can fathom and His great love is even more astonishing!

Therefore, the next time you look at a sanitized image of Jesus (Yeshua) hanging on a cross with a few drops of blood looking like He’s asleep…know that is a lie! Yeshua suffered, died and it wasn’t pretty! (Isaiah 52:14). Without some understanding of the gruesome torture of our Savior’s ordeal, I believe we are destined to live compromised and truly unappreciative of the profundity of His once and for all redemptive work.  

open bible
Photo by Luis Quintero on Pexels.com

Prayer: ABBA, help us to realize daily that the work of our Savior, Yeshua during His torture leading up to His death was horrifying, gruesome and gut-wrenching for all who witnessed it, as well as for us who believe and are committed to Him. Yet, conversely, this was Yeshua’s act of ultimate love for the world. And we are grateful. You, ABBA, gave your only begotten son, that the world might be saved. (John 3:16-18) Help us ABBA, to never take our salvation for granted, but to grow daily in you by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Strengthen us and quicken our discernment to know and walk in truth and love. Hear our cry, for you are our G-D and there is none like you! Thank you for your gift of grace, mercy, love and salvation through Yeshua and forgive us our many sins as we forgive others. May your Kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

I love you ABBA,

Dee

You are my witnesses…

Loving G-d, Loving Others, Loving Others, , , , , ,

“You are my witnesses”, says Adonai …

What does that mean to be a witness of Adonai (the L-RD)? When or how are we to be His witnesses?

Most of us might answer; to demonstrate the love of the Messiah through kindness, generosity, sharing the great news of the coming Kingdom and more. We might also suggest that being a witness for Adonai should occur wherever we find ourselves in front of others, including spouses, family, friends and enemies. And, I completely agree.

However, I believe there is an intimate time when we should show up as a witness for Adonai. Consider the rest of the Scripture: 

lush green rice terraces in bali with mount agung
Photo by Wictor Sparrow on Pexels.com

You are my witnesses, says the L-RD, my servant, whom I chose, so that you would know and believe me and understand that I am the one. Before me no god was formed; after me there has been no other. Isaiah 43:10 CEB

What do you mean, you might ask? For a moment focus on the words know, believe me and understand … I am the One. Now as most of us know, the book of Isaiah was written to the nation of Israel and speaks of prophetic judgement and redemption throughout the book. Yet, as believers in Yeshua, we are given the same mandate, i.e., to know G-D, believe Him and understand that He is He. How can we do this?

The word witnessing has several meanings. However, for the purposes of this blog, the dictionary meaning which is apropos; be the place, period or setting in which (an event or development) takes place.I believe that this kind of witnessing (development) begins during private prayer, worship and study of the Scriptures. Yes, again, we are called to public witnessing, no doubt about it! But for public witnessing to be authentic, genuine and Messiah centered, we must spend the time in prayer so that we can get to know and develop our knowledge of G-D and thus our relationship with Him. Still, knowledge without trust (believe Me – G-D) and understanding that He is Echad (One); our efforts to share the coming Kingdom of G-D is likened unto a noisy brass cymbal or trying to drink coffee from an empty cup. 

How can we share about our Heavenly Father if we aren’t actively pursuing Him consistently and daily? How can we know and believe Him, and understand that He is G-D and there is no other, if we are not dependent on His Spirit to reveal His love, truth and purposes to us? 

question mark on chalk board
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

There are many brass cymbals banging to the tune of their own agenda and empty cups without drink. But, we believers in Messiah have been called to live and proclaim the truth of His plans for humankind. We have been given two mandates in the Word of G-D which encompasses everything we need to know and do. In Matthew 22:36-40, it reads:

Teacher, what is the greatest commandment in the Law? He replied, “You must love the L-RD your G-D with all your heart, with all your being,[a] and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: You must love your neighbor as you love yourself.[b] All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands. (CJB)

This blog is focused on witnessing or loving G-D first; and in order to love G-D first, we must spend time privately getting to know Him and developing in Him. I believe that this first witness to Him consequently flows into all the public witnessing and the G-Dly living He requires.

My point, consider reevaluating your prayer times and your efforts to read, study and meditate on G-D’s Word. Ask Him to reveal where and how you might improve in these areas so that your public witness might please Him and draw others to Him. Be sure to repent and keep pushing forward to please Him in prayer and study. Make prayer (worship, thanksgiving, repentance, petition, listening and doing) a priority as part of your daily existence. I also believe that our prayer life is a witness to the Father of our gratitude for the redemptive work of our Savior. 

person holding black text
Photo by Tara Winstead on Pexels.com

Before I close, I want to share a quick testimony. The other day, my husband decided to drive us to Blagaj, Bosnia & Herzegovina for sightseeing and lunch. Blagaj is about two hours from our home. This is a beautiful area of the country with gorgeous mountainous terrain. As we were approaching the toll booths, I heard that I needed to pray. So I silently prayed for our safety as we were traveling. Moments later as my husband was switching lanes to the left of him, a car came speeding up and honked as we were merging into the lane, nearly hitting our vehicle. We were both startled, but grateful that we did not have a car accident. Then later that evening as we were beginning to make a left-hand turn close to our home while the ongoing traffic was clear… all of a sudden a car came speeding and was within inches of hitting us, (second time in the same day). All I could see at that moment was the luminous piercing lights of a speeding car about to hit the middle of our car on the passenger side. My husband swerved out of the way and I am here writing to you. My husband was shaken and admitted that he was scared. He said, he knew he was clear to make the turn. The car came out of nowhere! We were both shaken but grateful we were not in an accident. I was in awe that I had been warned to pray prior to these two events in one day, and I was reminded that I hadn’t prayed before we left home. [Shame on me] But, praise the L-RD, we serve a loving Father who wants us to be safe and have times of enjoyment on the earth. He will remind us to pray at times when we forget because He cares for us.

Be encouraged…never give up on doing the intimate work with the Father through prayer, study and meditation. Our private witness sets the momentum for overflow into our public display. Be encouraged to work on your relationship with the Father daily through Yeshua, empowered by the Holy Spirit because you/we are His witnesses.

Growing,

Dr. Dee

A Grateful Heart…

Loving G-d, Loving Others, Loving Others, , , , , ,
thanksgiving turkey with mashed potatoes and green beans
Photo by Rufina Rusakova on Pexels.com

How was your Thanksgiving to my American friends? Here in Central Europe, Thanksgiving as a holiday is not a thing. Thanksgiving is just another day. No turkey, no mac and cheese, no collard greens, candied yams, sweet potato pie…man, I am getting hungry! Wow, I miss those Thanksgiving feasts with my family and friends.

However, as believers in Messiah, thanksgiving is more than food and fellowship. Thanksgiving is a heart-felt deep gratitude for our Savior who died that we might have life abundantly in Him. Abundance in grace, mercy, forgiveness of our sins, protection, eternity and anything else ABBA chooses to grace or bestow on His children.

So, what are you thankful for today? I’m sure the list is extensive, but have you thanked the Father for what you have? Are you content with what you have or are you grappling for more?

In these fleeting moments of life, let me encourage you to be grateful and thankful for everything in your life…the good, the bad, and the ugly.  Take nothing for granted, but in all things praise the L-RD for He is the author and finisher of our faith. He loves us, grows us and sustains us as we continue to trust and love Him.

selective focus photography of yellow school bus die cast
Photo by Nubia Navarro (nubikini) on Pexels.com

Know that we are holy people traveling this life to eternity. On our journey, it is imperative that we live like we have accepted Yeshua as our Savior, learn to love our Creator, obey His teachings, study His Word, love our neighbors and do good. We must learn to love Him for who He is and not just for what He can give us.  We must be thankful for our wonderful and majestic Creator. And, when we fail, and we will fail, we need to confess, repent and receive His forgiveness. 

He, ABBA is clear that we can do all things through Yeshua our Messiah, but we have to lay down the idols in our lives and humble ourselves before Him. Today, my friends…be encouraged, as I am encouraged as well. Let’s forge ahead in our pursuits to love and honor G-D with all of our hearts, thoughts and actions. Let’s remember to pray for each other and keep the eyes of our hearts on the One True and Living G-D. 

36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the L-RD your G-D with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments. ”Matthew 22:36-40 NIV

I am thankful for all things in my life whether I “feel” grateful or not…can you say the same? If not, ask Him to help you develop a grateful heart. I Thessalonians 5:18; Philippians 4:6.

Loving Him,

Dr. Dee