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.
There are many articles and blogs on the 2020 COVID 19 pandemic. This pandemic has brought out the best and the worst in folks. People have learned a lot about each other because of the stay-at-home orders; life has changed and some of us have handled the changed well and others miserably.
The world has changed drastically right before our eyes; and at times, I have felt hopelessly consumed by the negativity which blankets the news, and sometimes friends and family. Recently, some of us watched the movie, American Gospel. The documentary detailed the heretical messages being perpetuated in some of the churches in America and abroad. After watching the movie, my mind considered many points I believe pertinent to COVID 19. However, I just want to mention the main focus which is Yeshua (Jesus) – WHO is more than enough in all matters…COVID or not!
Many times, we find ourselves consumed with our own narcissistic desires and/or fears that we fail to see that Yeshua is the cornerstone not just in the Bible and the Universe, but He is or should be the cornerstone to all those who claim to believe and trust in Him. What is the meaning of “cornerstone” anyway?
A cornerstone of a building is an important part of construction as it is the first stone to be set and determines the position of all the pieces to be laid afterwards. Cornerstones have been part of building since the Great Pyramids. (Link: https://www.reference.com/world-view/cornerstone-building-9d8b9413986edfa1) Based on my research, cornerstone is an architectural term which is used twice in the Renewed Covenant of the exalted Yeshua.
Ephesians 2:20… being built on the foundation of the emissaries and prophets, Messiah Yeshua himself being the chief cornerstone…World Messianic Bible
I Peter 2:6… Because it is contained in Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, chosen and precious…World Messianic Bible
So, to those of us who are putting our faith in Yeshua, we realize that He is the cornerstone of our community of believers, our very lives on which our hopes of salvation in this life and the life to come depend. However, to those who do not believe and deny the saving mercy of Yeshua the cornerstone…He is their stumbling block and foolishness to them.
This pandemic has taken us by surprise and has made all of us vulnerable, some of us afraid and has reminded us that life is uncertain. All we have and need is in Yeshua! There is no one greater than Him or who can help us in our times of trouble.
Therefore, my family in the Body of Yeshua, be not dismayed, discouraged, depressed or downtrodden! But rejoice in the L-RD who is sufficient and let not your heart be troubled;(John 14:1) for in this life we will have troubles. But in Yeshua we have Shalom, protection, love, mercy, grace and so much more. Share the Great News of salvation in Yeshua so that others will rejoice in Him regardless of their plight in this life.
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!
