Lift Him up and behold the glory of our G-D and King! The head of His family and all the earth. Lift Him up and let His Name reign and be not afraid for He is good and desires to demonstrate His love for each of us.
Why are we so afraid and consumed with the affairs of this world? Oh how we have preoccupied ourselves with the activities of others who hate G-D and His people, especially with the hype and disasters surrounding COVID-19, the election, violence, scandals, and more.
There are so many commentaries about 2020 that it is hard to keep it all straight, no less who or what to believe. So much more negative than positive to say the least! Don’t you get tired of the “downers”, “doomers”, “gloomers”, “haters”, “violence-whores” and I’m sure you could add to this list. However, this blog is not about the wretched and the evils which attempt to torment our souls consistently on a daily basis! This blog is about and a reminder of the goodness of our L-RD.
I just want to list some positive personal points about 2020.
If nothing else it has deepened my appreciation for my family and friends. I had the opportunity to see most of them twice this year and that was a true blessing. See, we live in various states and countries, so seeing them was extra special this year.
I was blessed to buy a townhouse in the summer and that was a real blessing! I have had lots of homes and lost them all for various reasons. However, G-D blessed me with another home I can call ours…the L-RD’s and mine.
I was invited to teach at a middle school after losing my position at an elementary school. Initially, I was worried and upset about being placed in the right teaching position, but G-D worked things out better than I hoped and prayed for. I am also working at home, so I am grateful that I do not have to commute and I am grateful to work for a principal who believes and honors her staff.
Gyms were closed for a while, but they are back open. I put on some “COVID” fat, so I need to exercise. I am so grateful to get out of the house and workout on a regular basis.
On Friday nights, friends and myself usually get together for dinner, Torah Study and discussion of social issues. I am grateful that we did not allow COVID-19 to keep us apart and G-D has blessed us and our study for being faithful to Him. We’ve even had several new guests share a meal with us and fellowship.
Family Chats have also become part of our norm! We ZOOM from various places in the country in order to stay connected. Seeing family and laughing is so much fun on Zoom. I am grateful for this technology which allows us to interface.
My health has been great for the most part this year. I did, however, hurt my knee between the gym and missing the stairs not once but twice. My knee is on the mend, but it has been a process. I am seeing a physical therapist who has really helped me. I appreciate him and the work he is doing. I am grateful.
I am also so grateful for more things that I can name including my ability to think, write, read, see, hear, feel, walk upright, laugh, cry and even embrace boredom at times. Also, for all the provisions G-D has afforded me during this past year, including the very special man in my life.
So yeah, just like you I am so OVER COVID-19, but COVID-19 nor the ills of the world will determine my perspective. G-D as always proves He is greater than all the evils and mayhem of this world. We as believers, must believe He is greater and He will be with us always because He loves us.
If you have not received Yeshua (Jesus) as your Savior, L-RD, Redeemer and brother, you are missing out on Salvation and Shalom in this life and the life to come. Asking Yeshua to come into your heart and rule your life does not mean we will not face challenges, but He will always be with us every step of the way listening to our prayers, protecting and guiding us.
The state of affairs in the United States of America is beyond anything that I could have imagined. Violent eruptions seem commonplace…mayhem, hatred, bitterness, discontent, sickness, loneliness and more. People very close to me are depressed and distraught about the election, the pandemic, isolation, loss of income, loss of life and so much more. On some days, it just seems like life can’t get any worse.
And, on and on goes the world. What can we do? We are helpless in this evil world without the help of Yeshua. We can pretend, cry, fight, shout and even die hopeless and helpless, if we believe the lie; we can overcome anything without our Savior. We must depend on Him for our strength, protection through His love and goodness.
If you haven’t noticed, this world is extremely dark. It is easy to become wrapped up in the ungodly affairs spread via the media. It is easy to worry and fret and forget about living purposefully. It is so easy to focus on the diabolical and forget that in spite of the wretchedness which surrounds us, G-D is still on the throne, and very aware of all that has attempted to imprison our minds. He knows and understands better than we do, though we question His thinking…at least I do.
However, regardless of my thoughts as inaccurate as they may be, I still trust and love the L-RD and desire to please Him. I get scared, worried and depressed about the state of this world like many others. But, I attempt to keep my focus on His promises and not on the lies and the monstrous happenings in this country, which are trying to kill, steal and destroy us. Is it easy…you know it isn’t! It is a process…an arduous process!
Now there are folks much greater than me who are praying for this country and the leaders we find ourselves stuck with. We all must join in praying and repenting, as we seek a miracle and a life-stay from our Creator. We cannot entertain the thought that we can continue to submerse ourselves in national odious behaviors or personal vileness, and think that G-D will be down with that! I think not!
G-D, Yeshua, I truly believe loves us more than our limited brains and hearts can even fathom. Yet, He is just and His patience with our foul living cannot/will not be tolerated indefinitely by Him…remember the epic about Noah and the Ark, Sodom and Gomorrah?
So, what is the answer…keep our eyes on the L-RD and listen to Him. Be sensitive to His leading and instruction and know that evil has already failed. G-D is our Ruler King and His WILL will prevail. Stand in faith and when all else fails, STAND… STAND FIRM…Ephesians 6:13.
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!