Why I Turned Into a Sheep

Why I Turned Into A Sheep

by py thomas
© October 31, 2013

 

Psalm 23 was the meditation of my heart today.  Here are the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart on this day full of the new mercies of our Creator, Elohim stirred my spirit as I considered Psalm 23. 

Abba Father, who is in Heaven, on this glorious new day full of Your mercies, I enter Your gates with thanksgiving and Your courts with praise.  Why?  Because You have given us the Good Shepherd, Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ).  

Not only in Your appearance in our lives when we cry out to You O Most High GOD, Your Son Yeshua the Messiah  is our Good Shepherd.  He is the one that is leading us to the green pastures away from the dried out places and unfertile places in our lives; and besides the still waters of Your shalom (peace) so that our thirst can be satisfied and our souls restored to the Father’s original created purpose before sin corrupted everything.  Thank  You!

ADONAI, I delight in Your path of righteousness, Your Torah – this is the Word that is a lamp to my feet that I might see Your truth and instructions so I CAN be led by it for Your namesake, BECAUSE Yeshua IS the author and finisher of our faith; and is worthy of the credit, the honor and praise.  So I thank You and bless HaShem!

Even in this sin-filled and fallen world shrouded in death, I thank You ADONAI that I never have to afraid, for You are with us as we sojourn in this life, this valley of death.  Now dead to sin, but being made alive in Yeshua, I thank You for Your divine influence (grace) that I can navigate through this valley without being consumed!  It is Yeshua’s rod and staff that comforts me because You Father, Yehovah Shamah are my ever-present God no matter what’s going on in my life.  So I humble myself with gratitude and say “thank YOU!”

How bountiful are the testimonies ADONAI gives to those who worship and follow Him in mind, body soul and spirit, for He continuously makes provision for us in the presence of our enemies, so that the sheep of Yeshua,  will be encouraged and strengthened by ADONAI’s promises because He has remembered and considers that our frames are dust.  And yet, this dusty frame has been given a heart to seek after You ADONAI because of Yeshua.  Oh how I delight in Your presence and bless You!

It is the anointing oil of the Holy One of Isra’el that has mercifully been poured out over His predestined, His chosen for His purposes to be accomplished in our life and the lives of others.   Just as it was as You anointed King David; and as it was with the overflowing of the oil that a woman and her two sons at risk, obeyed YHVH’s prophet, Elisha and received more than enough – taken out of danger – bondage of slavery cancelled and  freed from the debt owed. 

Oh Lamb of ADONAI,  the Messiah Yeshua continues to pay for those who would believe the ransom for their freedom.   So in thanksgiving, along with others, I lift my heart, my head and hands to receive the anointing oil so that it may overflow into the lives of the other sheep who hear the Shepherd’s voice and answer His call.

Truly ADONAI’s goodness and mercy surround me from my conception to eternity as I invite and welcome Yeshua the Messiah to dwell in me, that I might dwell with Him for all eternity…safe and secure in the arms of the Almighty God, ELOHIM.

Abba, Master and Creator of the universe, I thank You and I praise You alone.  A-men, Amen, Amein!

Yeshua (Jesus) IS the Good Shepherd, and that is the truth.  The question of the day is are you one of His sheep?  Whose flock do you belong to?  Who’s voice do you recognize and respond to.  So I leave you with John 10:1-16 for your contemplation (and hopefully study), which paints  a picture to us that takes us to the covenant relationships that Elohim established from the beginning, in addition to the hidden identity of the hirelings (a.k.a. robbers and thieves) who seek to kill and destroy the flock of the Good Shepherd. 

Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. ² But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. ³ To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. ⁴ And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. ⁵ Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” ⁶Yeshua (Jesus)  used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them.

⁷ Then ⁶Yeshua (Jesus)   said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. ⁸ All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. ⁹ I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. ¹⁰ The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

¹¹ “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. ¹² But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. ¹³ The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. ¹⁴ I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. ¹⁵ As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. ¹⁶ And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd. (John 10:1-16)

May the peace of ADONAI through Yeshua forever be in the hearts and minds of those in covenant relationship with Him.  Shalom to those near and to those far off.

The Miracle of My Personal Horror Story

Horrors of My Sin & The Horror of Our Sin
by py thomas
© October 29, 2013

 

From the deep childhood secrets of sins perpetrated against us, and those we perpetrated upon others, these sins You, Yeshua the Messiah bore on the stake of crucifixion on Calvary.  For generations and generations, the sexual immorality, the corruption of justice we have practiced for the sole sake of hiding and not confessing the sin of our very sin-sickened souls…we have walked in the ways of corruption, and few in the direction of ELOHIM’s righteousness.    

We grow older and some know of the grievous and evil deeds, crimes and sins committed against You, ELOHIM and those called to be our family…and like muted zombies, have marched around in the dead skeletons, hoping they will never speak.  The graves we have dug where we have tried to bury our consciences, but with a single utterance, the truth pours forth, for there is nothing hidden from You O Most High and Holy G-D.  For just as the sun breaks through the clouds and illuminates all that it touches, the light of the Son, Yeshua pierces us with the two-edge sword  of the Word to see our depravity and our need for You ADONAI.  

You alone Yeshua in Your innocence who committed none of these sins, took our sins upon Yourself and was beaten, humiliated and died for us, in our place.  You who were innocent bore in a moment of time in everyone’s history, the rejection of the Father, our Creator, ELOHIM for us.  Numbered in the “us,” I was counted guilty.  Not forgotten, we as the “seed” of Abraham can now bring forth the fruit of Your righteousness and be made holy, as You are holy…changed and prepared for eternity to be in Your presence.

And why did You do this for us, for me?  Because You who loves the Father ELOHIM demonstrated by Your complete obedience; and who is merciful and the epitome of love, has given us a second chance in You.  Yeshua, You alone are truly our second chance, and I personally thank You.

So what do we render unto our God ADONAI?  What should we render to our Master ADONAI?  What will I render to my Father ADONAI? Will it be countless arguments of wrangling over doctrine, dogma and devilish deceit?  Or shall I render a heart to be forgiven knowing the shame and the sorrow for having offended You, the Creator?  ADONAI, You have said that You will be a Father to me, who will forgive me and repair the breach caused by my sin.

Every morning it is You ADONAI that greets each us with Your new mercies, and like ungrateful gamblers we continue to play Russian roulette with Your gift of salvation.  Always learning, but few coming to brokenness and a contrite spirit, for these two things You will not despise.

I truly don’t have enough words or the capacity in my brain to express the realization of the horrendous impact that my sin has had on me and others, yet, I again on this new day, ask for forgiveness and am thankful for this contemplation of how great You are, how great are Your mercies towards me and others…and how my heart can render what nothing else can, but my surrender to the Master , Creator and Righteous Judge, ELOHIM.  To the Torah, the merciful instructions on how to live before You, ADONAI;  to Your testimonies for Your namesake, and most certainly not mine! 

A woman at the well, forgiven only because of Your Son Yeshua’s innocent shed blood for me on Calvary, on Calvary, I rightfully so, am now always tasked with forgiving those from my beginning of perpetrated sins against me, including those now and in the future, I pray for their sin-sickened souls as such was mine.  Let Your right spirit be renewed in me continually, all the days of my life, with the constant reminder that I was a sinner, now forgiven.

I understand the reference why we pray in Yeshua’s name, because its only due to Him, that any of us can even enter into Your presence ADONAI, to Your glorious throne room of mercy and grace.  Truly, Your mercy endures forever…it is in forever, resides Your promise of life everlasting.  Thank You ABBA. 

Oh that men would praise Your glorious name ADONAI!   Amein, Amen, A-men!

Sackcloth and ashes…the wailing and weeping women for the Bride of Yeshua the Messiah.  Soon You will come and prepare us to be presented to the FATHER…let those who hear, have oil in their lamps.  Shalom, shalom to those near and to those far off.

 

Personal Prophecy Alert – What Are the Signs of Your Times (Personally)?

WARNING:  Personal Prophecy Alert – What Are the Signs of Your Times (Personally)?
by py thomas
October 19, 2013

All men shall fear, And shall declare the work of God; For they shall wisely consider His doing.
(Psalm  64:9)

² They do not consider in their hearts
That I remember all their wickedness;
Now their own deeds have surrounded them;
They are before My face.
(Hosea 7:2)

While some of us see the signs of the last days in events and those around you, have you considered your own personal spiritual condition?  Can you discern the signs of your own personal time?  I’ve seen so many “prophecy alert” videos, newsletters, etc., to last me a lifetime.  However, wisdom says, we need to have prophecy alert about what our personal spiritual conditions truly are. 

For instance, have you sincerely fasted and prayed with the sole focus to seek YHVH (G-d) to show you who you really are and really are not; and not just stopping there, but come into agreement with what He says?   Or do you fast and pray for a breakthrough(s) that are seasoned down with the hope of blessings that make your life easier, or someone else’s life easier so it’s no longer a personal burden to you?  Hmmmm.

Yeshua reminds each us in His Sermon on the Mount recorded in the Book of Matthew:

² For the way you judge others is how you will be judged — the measure with which you measure out will be used to measure to you. ³ Why do you see the splinter in your brother’s eye but not notice the log in your own eye? ⁴ How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the splinter out of your eye,’ when you have the log in your own eye? ⁵ You hypocrite! First, take the log out of your own eye; then you will see clearly, so that you can remove the splinter from your brother’s eye! (Matthew 7:2-5)

This passage alone should cause each of us to slow down in our finger pointing, and our spirits to become quiet and broken before our Holy G-D, YHVH.  Selah.  And after contemplating what Yeshua warns us about, to move to the next step…consider our ways before Him (present company (me) included).

We cry out to YHVH for many things, but have we ever cried out for this?  Trust me; this is where truth dismantles all faulty rationalizations and vain arguments that have tried to exalt itself over the truth of YHVH’s Word and His righteous requirements of us.

Some of us say we love YHVH, but have stuff in our hearts against our mothers, fathers, or both.  If you do, today would be an excellent day to ask YHVH first for forgiveness, and then His help to get this matter strengthened out.

The Word of YHVH will either testify against you, or provide you with the testimonies of YHVH on how He forgave, healed and delivered you from yourself and sin.  The testimonies of YHVH  include when one takes ownership of their sins (including the secret ones), and surrendered for correction.  The correction will require supernatural surgery - open heart surgery so that His right spirit could be renewed in you; and sustained by Yeshua’s blood transfusion to clean out your old tainted blood to be replaced by His pure blood.

I would venture to say that just because you can see all that is wrong with others and the world, does not mean that you have it together as much as you may want to believe.  And, YHVH’s long-suffering mercy has been the delay in sending Yeshua back to give many of us the opportunity to get rid of those spots, wrinkles and blemishes that will prevent us from being numbered as part of the bride of the Messiah.

²⁷ that He (Yeshua) might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. (Ephesians 5:27)

Want a Long Life, Why?  Over the years I’ve gone back and forth in my mind as to whether or not I would want to live a long life.  It occurred to me that long life has both a good side to it, and a not so good side to it depending on how it’s lived, what one knows/believes about YHVH’s Word; and how they apply His Word. 

For example, on average, it takes a son or daughter in the covenant of salvation years, if not a lifetime to come to maturity in Yeshua.  Given that perspective, I would say desiring a long life for that purpose is a good one.  But on the other side of the fence, to desire a long life just for the sake of having one without the desire to be perfected in Yeshua, is not a good idea (more of those vain imaginings that try and exalt themselves over the knowledge and truth of Yeshua).  To live a long life for self and never coming to the full knowledge and surrender to Yeshua will not be a favorable position for one to be in on Judgment Day.

I shudder to think or even try and imagine how ELOHIM will deal with those who choose to do nothing or very little with the covenant of salvation they’ve entered into, and lived in out in lawlessness – apart from YHVH’s requirements for righteous/believing in Him living (the Torah).  Yeshua gave us insight about how business will be dealt with in the Kingdom of Heaven in the parable about the talents (see Matthew 25:14-30).

In this account we see a servant (employee) of a  master (employer)  where he did nothing with the one talent given to him by his master, but buried his one talent in the ground instead of trying to build, increase and/or improve upon it.  The servant’s excuses for not doing anything included that he “knew” his master “to be a hard man…and was afraid…”  Clearly the servant wasn’t afraid enough to try and do better.  His actions clearly did not line up with what came out his mouth when he had to give an account to his master.  The master rightly pointed out the faulty rationalizations that the servant tried to present for the course of action he chose (or lack thereof); which was that although the servant knew what was right to do, he yet refused to do it; and, he was just plain lazy.  Thus, the reason Yeshua said this servant was described by his master as  wicked and lazy.  He not only had the one talent given to him taken awy and given to another who already had 10 talents, his end was horrible.
 

²⁴ “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. ²⁵ And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’

²⁶ “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. ²⁷ So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. ²⁸ Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.

²⁹ ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. ³⁰ And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ (Matthew 25:24-30)

 

 So, are you as ready as you think you should be to meet your Creator, ELOHIM?  Or perhaps you’re now considering that you need some time to come to the place of confession, asking for forgiveness and starting over again, or at the point of your shortcoming(s). 

Albeit for some, this is difficult to hear, but if you are hearing, yet lack the courage to go through this process of sanctification, then pray and ask YHVH to provide you with courage and fortitude to face the truth about your life, and the commitment to invite the Holy Spirit to guide and direct you in the teaching and application of the whole counsel of YHVH’s Word in your life, that you might be found well-pleasing in His sight.

I did and continue to do so.  I’ve found it is a needful thing to do each day YHVH has provided me with the breath of life and His new mercies I awaken to each morning.  I now adhere to the sign that reads, “Proceed with Caution.” 
 Selah and receive YHVH’s swisdom He gives freely to all who asks and learn of the only true shalom (peace) we can have, that which surpasses all human understanding, and can only come from YHVH.

Righteous Indignation + Conviction = Godly Courage

When Righteous Indignation is Joined with Godly Courage
b y py thomas
© October 17, 2013

I typically don’t weigh in on political matters; however, this caught my attention, as it is an account of one of the Saints of the Most High GOD, YHVH vexed so much in her spirit after listening to countless days of the foolish wranglings of our elected officials trying to come to terms to reopen our government that she opened her mouth and spoke out.    She was the least likely suspect to open her mouth and speak against the corruption of what she had to listen to.  They tried to silence her by removing her from the proceedings.  However, YHVH’s Word can never be silenced by man.    YHVH truly takes the small things to confound the strong and the  mighty - His ways are not our ways - He exposes the ungodliness and lawlesness of those who practice and adhere to the lies of the Devil.

I STRONGLY encourage each of you to read this article contained in the following link. 

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/10/17/stenographer-dragged-off-house-floor-after-protest/

 Dianne Reidy  was truly “a voice in the wilderness” crying out against the corruption of our Government, filled with righteous indignation, and filled with the courage and boldness to speak YHVH’s Word.  The article refers to her behavior as “bizarre.”  Really?   I know the truth of YHVH’s Word is bizarre to those who live in darkness.

The  article stated that they hauled Ms. Reidy off to a hospital for a mental evaluation!  She was more sane and in her right mind than those under the influence of Satan who are in leadership of our broken and falling nation, who love darkness, the praise of men, than the holiness and righteousness of YHVH.    

What happened to Ms. Reidy  is a foreshadowing of the persecution to come against those who proclaim YHVH's Word - they will say we're crazy and take us in for mental evaluations, and worst yet, imprison us or kill us, as they’ve been doing from the beginning.  An example of this is how Saints aare viewed  when they state what YHVH  our Creator says about homosexuality - they are calling that a hate crime!  YHVH calls it an abominable sin, and the world says we’re speaking a hate crime for stating what YHVH says.  Well it is a hate crime – YHVH hates all sin, and all unrepented sin will be punished by eternal death in Hell.  The only answer to forgiveness and cleansing of sin, is through the mercy and love of YHVH to spare anyone from His wrath, is found in His Son, Yeshua.  Period.

Because Ms. Reidy was a voice crying out in the "wilderness" of our corrupt government...great will be her reward in Glory. This was the manifestation of righteous indignation. Too bad many of the Saints sit back quietly and do not speak out against ungodliness, let alone pray and ask YHVH for boldness, even at the cost of ridicule, or their lives. Selah.  But for that does that do, may YHVH continue to strengthen and encourage you to stand for His righteousness!

Please lift up Ms. Reidy in prayer, and that YHVH will not allow the Adversary the Devil to silence the voice of the Holy Spirit that welled up in her. 

 

Why Wait?

Living on Borrowed Oxygen
by py thomas
© October 16, 2013

 

⁷ And ADONAI God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life;
and man became a living soul.
(Genesis 2:7)

⁷And Elohim formed the man out of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils breath of life.
And the man became a living being.
(Genesis 2:7)

In the beginning when YHVH formed man from the dust of the ground, He breathed  His breath into his nostrils and man became alive.  For without the breath of life from YHVH in us, there is no life in us.  So the oxygen we breathe is not our own, but that too is from YHVH.  We are truly living on borrowed oxygen.    So what shall we do with the loan of oxygen?  Shall we bring the sacrifice of our lips to YHVH’s ear?  Shall or can we worship Him with clean hearts, minds and hands?

Its bath time children, let’s be mindful to truly be washed in the blood of Messiah that removes the stain of sin from our lives, that we might enter into YHVH’s holy presence without the stench and filth of unrepentance.

 

⁸ He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. (1 John 4:8)

We say we love YHVH because YHVH first loved us, and Yeshua is love.  But when is the last time you reached out and touched one close to you, a family member, co-worker, spouse, sibling, neighbor, or even a stranger?    Have you called or visited them lately?  Are you even trying to develop a relationship that fosters trust?  Are you someone safe they can open up to, and that you can likewise open up to?  Love is reciprocal, or at least it’s supposed to be.

In the Scriptures, we see a description of the character of love, which mirrors the characteristics of the Father, YHVH, the Son Yeshua and the Holy Spirit.  The Father ADONAI testifies of Himself, Yeshua and the Spirit testify of ADONAI.  When we surrender to the place of obedience to YHVH’s Word and the application of it in our lives we will likewise have/carry the testimonies of YHVH, which is His love in us that can and will crucify our carnal and sinful natures, and making His spirit alive in us.   This is the treasure in earthen vessels we are to always carry about in us – the death and resurrection of Yeshua the Messiah.

⁷ But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it will be evident that such overwhelming power comes from G-d and not from us. ⁸ We have all kinds of troubles, but we are not crushed; we are perplexed, yet not in despair; ⁹ persecuted, yet not abandoned; knocked down, yet not destroyed. ¹⁰ We always carry in our bodies the dying of Yeshua, so that the life of Yeshua may be manifested in our bodies too. ¹¹ For we who are alive are always being handed over to death for Yeshua’s sake, so that Yeshua’s life also might be manifested in our mortal bodies. ¹² Thus death is at work in us but life in you.
(2 Corinthians 4:7-12)

Patience & Waiting is the Partner of Love.  The work of our sanctification (being made holy) is a process that requires our being taught to be patient and wait of YHVH.  Our waiting on YHVH is never in vain, because He is working things out for our good, and Scripture teaches us that all “good” things come from YHVH.  For example, our covenant of salvation in Yeshua, His Word, the Law, commandments and love comes from YHVH.  Believe it or not, all of these things are YHVH’s demonstration of His love to us.  The importance of each of these is learned and applied in our lives through the lesson of being patient and waiting on YHVH.

⁴Love is patient, is kind, love does not envy, love does not boast, is not puffed up, ⁵does not behave indecently, does not seek its own, is not provoked, reckons not the evil, ⁶does not rejoice over the unrighteousness, but rejoices in the truth, ⁷it covers all, believes all, expects all, endures all. ⁸Love never fails…
(1 Corinthians 13:5-8)

The first thing we see in 1 Corinthians 13:4 is “love is patient.”  So as it was stated by the prophet Jeremiah in the Book of Lamentations 3:25, “it is a good thing to wait on YHVH.”   It is YHVH’s love that teaches the teachable the needed character of patient – waiting on Him for our answers.   It is in our waiting on YHVH that any boasting, pride, quick-temperedness, acting indecently, self-seeking, the desire to stand apart from evil; and to be small-minded and rejoice at other’s misfortunes is dismantled. 

When waiting has its perfecting work in us, we will look back one day and see how it has dismantled and put to death self, and increased more of the life of Yeshua, who is the sum total of YHVH’s expression of love to us.   

¹⁶“For Elohim so loved the world that He gave His only brought-forth Son, so that everyone who believes in Him should not perish but possess everlasting life.
(John 3:16)

 Waiting is the Great Instructor of Giving & Receiving.  Are you on the receiving side, or the giving side?  If you are receiving, are you willing to be giving?  If you are giving, are you willing to keep on giving, even though your giving may not be reciprocated by those on the receiving end?   Many say it’s difficult to give until it hurts…and, it is.  If you have given until it hurts, you are now being acquainted firsthand what Yeshua did for all of us. 

²⁵ Adonai is good to those waiting for Him,
to those who are seeking Him out.
²⁶ It is good to wait patiently
for the saving help of Adonai.
(Lamentations 3:25)

Love Waits, Because Love Trusts.  For the last 8 years of my life, the Holy Spirit continually brings me to Lamentations 3:25-42, especially during some of the more trying and hard season in which the Holy Spirit is calling me up higher – to a greater level of decrease of me, and increase of Yeshua in me.

 It’s painful at different junctures of the journey in waiting on ADONAI because my flesh never wants to die without a spiritual fight.  Yes, spiritual warfare starts with our own flesh and needs to be dealt with before we can even engage in spiritual warfare for others.   This is one of the upsides to waiting on ADONAI.  We are literally being changed into the pattern of Yeshua, with His right mind being developed in us.    Any soldier worth their salt must be willing to wait on their instructor for training and use of their weapons.  In the case of Saints, we are being instructed on what the “whole armor of ADONAI “  is, and how it’s to be used.  It is during the seasons of waiting that increases our learning to trust YHVH more, and lessons to learn about being prepared for spiritual warfare.   

Lamentations 3:25-42…

²⁵ Adonai is good to those waiting for Him,
to those who are seeking Him out.
²⁶ It is good to wait patiently
for the saving help of Adonai.

²⁷ It is good for a man
to bear the yoke from his youth.
²⁸ Let him sit alone in silence
when He has laid it on him.
²⁹ Let him submit absolutely;
there may yet be hope.
³⁰ Let him offer his cheek to the one who strikes it,
and receive his fill of insults.

³¹ For rejection by Adonai
does not last forever.
³² He may cause grief, but He will take pity,
in keeping with the greatness of His grace.
³³ For He does not arbitrarily torment
or punish human beings.

³⁴ When anyone tramples underfoot
any of the prisoners of the land;
³⁵ when anyone deprives a person of justice,
in defiance of the Most High;
³⁶ when someone is cheated of justice in court —
does Adonai not take note of such things?

³⁷ Who can say something and have it happen
without Adonai’s commanding it?
³⁸ Don’t both bad things and good proceed
from the mouth of the Most High?
³⁹ Why should anyone alive complain,
even a strong man, about the punishment for his sins?

⁴⁰ Let us examine and test our ways
and return to Adonai.
⁴¹ Let us lift up our hearts and our hands
to God in heaven and say,
⁴² “We, for our part, have transgressed and rebelled;
You, for your part, have not forgiven.

 So while I’m learning to wait on ADONAI with patience and a quiet spirit that is not screaming and complaining internally, this like the many lessons He is teaching me is the direct result of His perfecting love conforming, molding and shaping me into the pattern/image of the Messiah – with the end goal being made “holy as He is holy” – to love the Lord ADONAI with all my heart, mind and soul, as commanded in the beginning.  I pray that the beginning of His commandment is the final result of my preparation and ending in this life, with His assurance and promise of eternal life; as well as for others.

It is my hope and prayer that you too are inspired and encouraged to see the beauty and promises of waiting on YHVH – for this is what love also is.

In the strong & powerful name of Yeshua, His maidservant

py thomas

Someone Saw Your Dirty Laundry...Who Told?

House Cleaning Is Getting it Rightby py thomas
© October 7, 2013

²⁰ And Moses said to the people, “Do not fear; for ADONAI has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.” (Exodus 20:20)

Let's deal with pornography...the closet drunkenness...the secret sins...the greed and cheating...the love of money...the gossiping, let us have Godly sorrow that yields repentance to see the horror of our sin nature that it might be put to DEATH, shall we?

This goes all the way back to the beginning when YHVH provided us with His guidelines in His Torah (Law) for righteous living. If we've entered into the covenant of salvation through Yeshua, we now have the power to be be delivered from the bondage of sin.

Perhaps this is why some are so easily influenced by the spirit of the anti-Messiah (anti-Christ) and want to disavow the importance of YHVH's standards for righteous living. Nothing has changed, YHVH's Word is not disappearing, not one jot, nor one tittle...you may want to reconsider some of the reasoning behind the leadership of men you follow vs. the leadership of Yeshua.

Who wants to sign up first for the pre-op lab tests for their new circumsized hearts, the blood transfusion of Yeshua's blood that will renew His right spirit in them? Who among you are truly in pursuit of holiness? Or, are you of the sort who just likes to argue about doctrinal differences.

You see things lining up in the earth realm, but are you ready to stop being abusive towards your spouses and children? Have you had enough yet of being disrespectful to authorities (whether you like them or not)?

Will you be like the rich man and Lazarus, knowing you have the means to help the widows and orphans, yet ignore them? Are you yet willing to give out of your need like the widow with the 2 mites did?

I know, the Holy Spirit is getting in your business right now...but be thankful He is not calling you out by name publicly. This is the secret place in prayer you can go before our Holy God ELOHIM, confess your sin(s) with godly sorrow, make amends to those you have offended, lied to, hurt and/or used; and worst yet, have not forgiven.

Tomorrow is not promised to any of us...you may not have the time you think you do, or the person you need to get things straight with.

 

Fight Night In Your Gardens

Fighting Within & Knowing When to Walk Away from a Fight
by py thomas
© October 7, 2013

 

This is a letter addressed to the professed Believers in Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ) – the sons and daughters of the covenant of salvation, thus it includes me; and may it enlighten all who read it and be stirred in their spirit-man to take these considerations to heart…leading to a circumcised heart, with the blood of Yeshua cleaning their blood that was tainted with sin in the beginning.  It started in the Garden of Eden and was defeated in the Garden of Gethsemane.  Gardens are the source where life grows, and where death of the old occurs to yield even more fruitfulness.

Theme Scripture

⁹ But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, quarrels and fights about the Torah; because they are worthless and futile. ¹⁰ Warn a divisive person once, then a second time; and after that, have nothing more to do with him. ¹¹ You may be sure that such a person has been perverted and is sinning: he stands self-condemned. (Titus 3:9-11)

Exposing the Ring Master of the Fight.  Is there any real or true love for YHVH apart from obedience?

⁴ “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!^{[a] 5} You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

⁶ “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.  (Deuteronomy 6:4-6)

More and more, I see the strategy of the Adversary seducing those who have entered into the covenant of salvation into a war among themselves.  A house cannot stand if it’s divided. 

²⁵ However, knowing what they were thinking, Yeshua said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not survive. (Matthew 12:25)

CAUTION & WARNINGS.  Being one who now understands the importance of the Torah and the original testament, like many others, have joined the ranks to encourage and exhort others who have made the confession of faith and entered into the covenant of salvation through Yeshua (Jesus), to be completed in their redemption.   And, part of that process and subsequent responsibility lies with the individual – the call to holiness, which is the call to obedience that removes the lawless living from our lives.  Yet, the Adversary battles this call to holiness, with his counterfeit call to carnal and vain imaginations and rationalizations to keep us from holiness / obedience, knowing without obedience to YHVH’s Law and commandments we will be found guilty of the sin of rebellion,  which is lawlessness.   Remember, it was Adam and Eve’s rebellion against the one Law/Commandment that YHVH gave them that ushered in death into the world – both spiritual and natural.   If we don’t heed Sodom and Gomorrah’s destruction because of lawlessness, we too will find ourselves being consumed by the wrath YHVH as stated in Isaiah 66:

¹⁵For — look! — Adonai will come in fire,
and His chariots will be like the whirlwind,
to render His anger furiously,
His rebuke with blazing fire.
¹⁶ For Adonai will judge all humanity
with fire and with the sword,
and those slain by Adonai will be many.

¹⁷ “Those who consecrate and purify themselves
in order to enter the gardens,
then follow the one who was already there,
eating pig meat, reptiles and mice,
will all be destroyed together,” says Adonai.
¹⁸ “For I [know] their deeds and their thoughts.

“[The time] is coming when I will gather together all nations and languages. They will come and see my glory, ¹⁹ and I will give them a sign. I will send some of their survivors to the nations of Tarshish, Pul, Lud (these are archers), Tuval, Greece and more distant coasts, where they have neither heard of my fame nor seen my glory. They will proclaim My glory in these nations; ²⁰ and they will bring all your kinsmen out of all the nations as an offering to Adonai — on horses, in chariots, in wagons, on mules, on camels — to My holy mountain Yerushalayim,” says Adonai, “just as the people of Isra’el themselves bring their offerings in clean vessels to the house of Adonai. ²¹ I will also take cohanim [priests] and L’vi’im [Levites] from them,” says Adonai.

²² “For just as the new heavens and the new earth that I am making will continue in my presence,” says Adonai, “so will your descendants and your name continue.

²³ “Every month on Rosh-Hodesh
and every week on Shabbat [Sabbath],
everyone living will come
to worship in my presence,” says Adonai.
²⁴ “As they leave, they will look on the corpses
of the people who rebelled against me.
For their worm will never die,
and their fire will never be quenched;
but they will be abhorrent
to all humanity.”

[“Every month on Rosh-Hodesh
and every week on Shabbat,
everyone living will come
to worship in my presence,” says Adonai.]

 What the Law & Commandments Truly Teaches.  How can we effectively share the Good News about Yeshua the Messiah with those of Hebrew/Jewish descent without knowing and observing YHVH’s righteous requirements given in the beginning to this group of His chosen?  We can’t.  

1.       They’ll know the Messiah by His Hebrew name, not a Greek name that diminishes His deity. 

2.       They will know our witness is sure and true if we observe and keep the Torah, which enables us to understand the prophets that point to Yeshua as the Messiah. 

3.       They will know our witness is true if we keep YHVH’s holy Shabbats (Sabbaths) and observe the days given to them in the beginning by YHVH that are to be kept Holy.

4.       They will know us by our understanding of the importance of not defiling our temples (our bodies) with that which YHVH says is unclean, for He will not dwell in unclean places or people.

What good does it do one to understand the Law, commandments, statutes, precepts of YHVH if their own hearts are never changed?  Likewise, what good does it do a person to make the confession of faith, enter into the covenant of salvation and not search out and study the whole counsel of the Word of YHVH and their hearts and minds are never changed into the image of the Messiah; and their so-called walk of faith is fraught with lawlessness?  Living apart from the Law (Torah) is sin and the Word of YHVH refers to it as “lawlessness.”

⁴ Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. (1 John 3:4)

²² And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. ²³ And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Yeshua the Messiah and love one another, as He gave us commandment.

²⁴ Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.  (1 John 3:22-24)

Note that YHVH’s requirement for our righteous living, our walk of faith is demonstrated by our willingness to “work out our own salvation with fear and trembling…” (Philippians 2:12), as described in 1 John 3:22-24 – keeping in consistency as to what was stated in the beginning.  But, how will we know unless we search out and apply the full counsel of YHVH’s Word?  We won’t; and worst yet, those that don’t are sadly at the mercy of those who teach in error and/or ignorance falsity and not truth.

·         1 John 3:22 points to the conditions of our petitions being answered favorably, “And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.”  Specifically the requirements are that we keep YHVH’s commandments (plural). 

·         1 John 3:23 directs us to also keep the one commandment that Yeshua gave us, but does NOT invalidate the commandments of YHVH  - here are just a few of the New Testament references to the importance of YHVH’s commandments, which we learn from the Law (Torah):

• 2 John 1:6  This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.
  
  (Note:  In 2 John 1:6 - How can one keep the commandments which were given from the beginning if they are being instructed that the Torah (Law) is no longer relevant where the commandments are given?  They can’t.)
  
  
• Revelation 12:17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Yeshua the Messiah. 
  
  (Note:  In Revelation 12:17 – We see that the spiritual warfare is against those who keep the commandments. If we observe and obey YHVH’s commandments, then we are blessed. If we don’t keep them, it brings  a curse on us (see Deuteronomy 28).  So those who oppose and have dismissed the Law and commandments are those who will and do war against those that do obey the Torah and commandments. 
  
   Further, it calls us to not only keep the commandments, but we must also have the testimony of Yeshua the Messiah, which is to love one another.  Unfortunately, many of the saints are lopsided, they want totalk about love, but omitting loving YHVH first, demonstrated by keeping His commandments. We are commanded to love our God, ELOHIM with all our hearts, mind and soul as stated in the Torah (Deuteronomy 6:5); and then repeated by Yeshua to us in Matthew, Luke and Mark).
  
  
• Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Yeshua.
  
  (Note:  In Revelation 14:12 – We are told that our patience is developed by the keeping of the commandments – there is no hurry up and fix-it quick scenarios in play.  It requires diligence and pattering our lives around YHVH’s commandments, His Sabbaths Holy Days of observances.  It is a reminder to us that it takes time and focus to work out our salvation.  We learn by repetition. Observing YHVH’s weekly Sabbaths for example is our dress rehearsal for entering into the eternal rest.  If we refuse to learn how to observe the Sabbath that He has ordained as Holy, is it no small wonder why He says in Hebrews 4:3-11 –

3For we who have believed do enter into that rest, as He has said, “As I swore in My wrath, if they shall enter into My rest...” And yet His works have come into being from the foundation of the world. 4For somewhere He has said thus about the seventh day, “And Elohim rested on the seventh day from all His works,” 5and in this again, “If they shall enter into My rest...” 6Since then it remains for some to enter into it, and those who formerly received the Good News did not enter in because of disobedience,j 7He again defines a certain day, “Today,” saying through Dawid so much later, as it has been said, “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” 8For if Yehoshua had given them rest, He would not have spoken of another day after that. 9So there remains a Sabbath-keepingk for the people of Elohim. 10For the one, having entered into His rest, has himself also rested from his works, as Elohim rested from His own. 11Let us therefore do our utmost to enter into that rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of disobedience. (Hebrews 4:3-11)

 

• The million dollar question:  Do you consider yourself to be numbered as one of the people of Elohim, Creator & Judge? If so, it is clearly stated YHVH’s requirement of His people (the saints/sons and daughters of the covenant of salvation) to observe YHWH’s Sabbath (Hebrews 4:9).
  
  
• Revelation 22:14  Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.
  
  (Note:  Revelation 22:14 cites yet another example of YHVH’s righteous requirement of us to DO His commandments, which for those that do, will have  the right to the tree of life, and be permitted to enter into the gates of the city – the New Jerusalem.)

Rejecting the Authority of the Law & Commandments of YHWH…Yeshua Didn’t, Why Do Others?  The Adversary is sharpening its weapons with intensity, counterfeiting the Refiner’s fire that is set up to burn out everything in us that is not like Yeshua.   Just as soon as we feel the heat of the Refiner’s fire burning up carnality, soulishness and the self-serving thinking that needs to die in us, the Adversary doubles back and brings faulty rationalizations to our minds to justify our sinfulness.  The problem as it has been from the beginning is SIN. 

I read many posts from the Beloved and they point out what this person is doing, what another is doing…all the atrocities that are occurring, but none are dealing with it from the standpoint about what YHVH says about sin. 

All authority is appointed by YHVH, the good, bad and the ugly.  This is an excellent example of the gazillion posts I have seen regarding the corruption in our government.  Although this is true, the Word of YHVH teaches us by example in the original covenant (Old Testament) that every time YHVH’s people rebelled against Him, He appointed corrupt authority over them that they might repent and turn from their wicked ways.

¹ Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. ² Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. ³ For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. ⁴ For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. ⁵ Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. ⁶ For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. ⁷ Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. (Romans 13:1-7)

The Adversary the devil continues to set up strongholds in the places of faith in the sons and daughters of the covenant of salvation.  While all agree to the joy and prospect of salvation, there are those who believe there is no relevancy to the Law and commandments of YHVH…always wanting to cite what the Apostle Paul stated (who by the way, always referred to what YHVH stated in the beginning  when He gave the Law and the commandments; and upon His conversion, understood the relevancy of the Torah/Law in fulfilling the prophecy of Yeshua being the Messiah, and being freed from the bondage of sin (not the Law) that we could indeed be made holy by obeying the Law and commandments of YHVH).  There is nothing wrong with citing the Apostle Paul, however in doing so, Paul also exorted those in the household of faith the need for holiness,  with holiness being defined over and over again as obedience to the Torah and commandments of YHVH; which subsequently is the outpouring of how we show that we truly love YHVH.

Keeping It  Real – Reality Check.  Let me ask something of those of you who are parents…if your child(ren) constantly disobeys you and the standards and codes of behavior you are trying to instill in them, doesn’t that make it appear as though your child(ren) don’t love you because they won’t listen to you?  How much more so then, would it not be a reasonable requirement for us to obey our Heavenly Father’s code of conduct and standards for being a part of His family (especially now because we’re no longer separated from Him due or sin BECAUSE OF Yeshua’s shed blood and resurrection)?  Even if you’re not a parent, those who had authority of you while you were growing up (parents and/or guardians) at some point you heard this very scenario directed at you.

However, one’s refusal to acknowledge what YHVH established from the beginning keeps them in darkness with respect to YHVH’s righteous requirements of those who enter into covenant relationship with Him through Yeshua.  To the same degree it likewise keeps those of Hebrew/Jewish descent from seeing that Yeshua is the Messiah.   This my dear friends is the in-house fighting that the Adversary the Devil continues to proliferate in both camps.

On the other side of the aisle we have those who observe and keep the Torah (Law) and commandments and can present factual and truthful arguments that align with the whole counsel of YHVH’s Word, but few mention the call and requirement of holiness; and as equally sad those who have rejected the Torah and commandments – both camps going in their own ways and not in the full counsel and wisdom of YHVH’s righteous requirements of us. 

Our Destiny is To Be Holy.  Be ye holy as He is holy.  How can we know what YHVH considers holy without studying His Word from the beginning?  Do we just jump into it in the New Testament without knowing or understanding the history behind sin and holiness?  How can we appreciate holiness apart from the Law, commandments, statutes and precepts left on record for us, and understood through the discernment and help of  the Holy Spirit?  It makes about as much sense to only study and apply the New Testaments writings and think we’re complete in our covenant of salvation, without knowing its origin, history and requirements, any more so than if we only studied the history of the United States starting with the early 1900’s and ignore and/or say that there is no relevancy in U.S. history from it beginning on July 4, 1776 through July 4, 1899.

¹⁵... but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, ¹⁶ because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”^[a]

Footnotes:

a.       1 Peter 1:16 Leviticus 11:44, 45; 19:2; 20:7

As it was from the beginning,  YHWH stated in Leviticus:

⁴⁴ For I am the Lord your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy. Neither shall you defile yourselves with any creeping thing that creeps on the earth. ⁴⁵ For I am the Lord who brings you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.

Having been one who initially came from what I refer to as the “traditions of men” church experience, where the Torah and commandments were seldom referred to(and if so, in a very vague and disconnected way); and  having been influenced by the Holy Spirit to search out the full counsel of YHVH’s Word, embracing the Torah because of my covenant of salvation through Yeshua, and observing and keeping YHVH’s Shabbats (Sabbaths), I am thankful in hindsight as it has afforded me a perspective and understanding that bridges the original testament with the new testament.

More than anything, it has heightened by awareness and desire to “be holy as He is holy.”  Holiness is the call to the surrender to obedience of YHVH’s righteous requirements of His chosen people.    

Building Bridges Together, Not Division.  Albeit the arguments will continue about doctrines, traditions of men and the like.  But at the end of the day, every soul will have to give an account to YHVH about Yeshua.  I am not  perfect, but m truly being perfected.  It is often a horrifying experience to be able to see the impact of sin and sinful choices I’ve made in my lifetime, but I take comfort that YHVH is faithful and just to cleanse me from all unrighteous when I meet His condition of confessing and taking ownership of my sins at the point of having Godly sorrow for having offended Him.

I would be a liar if I said I could not stand against sin and temptation that is my constant battle in this life.  Because I truly now do have the power to say no BECAUSE OF the power and authority of the covenant of salvation I entered into.  Now whether I do it or not, is a matter of choice, a matter of my will.  If I say I love YHVH, yet don’t want to obey His righteous requirements of me, then not only do I not love Him, I don’t truly revere or fear Him.

So in all your discussing and debating about YHVH, remember most of all, its all about dismantling the sinful nature – dying to self; and being made alive in the surrender to obedience to YHVH’s righteous requirements outlined in His Torah…thereby renewing His right spirit within us; creating a clean heart in us that is no longer darkened or under the influence of the Evil one;  making us more than conquerors – the conquering of our sin natures through the might and power of the blood covenant and the teaching and guidance of the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit).

As for me, I don’t want to bring contaminated or profaned worship due to disobedience, knowing that the only way any of us will be found to be well pleasing to YHVH, is by our faith and trust in YHVH’s entire Word being applied and activated in all of our ways.

Many are called, but few are chosen.  Have you ever asked yourself why this is so?  What are YHVH’s requirements of us?  Do you have the testimony of being a partaker in the sufferings of the Messiah?  Have you yet to become the “poor in spirit,” in which you have surrendered to decrease (self) that Yeshua’s example of holy living can increase in you?  Or are you still in denial and refusal about YHVH’s requirements of you?

Even the breath in our bodies belong to ELOHIM, Creator and Judge.  So just what are you really talking about with the oxygen He is giving you to exist with?  Are you caught up in foolish wrangling, or have you learned to shake the dust off your sandals, pray for those in darkness and move forward?

We see these things happening around us and in the world, but are we taking note to our own sinful conditions and willing to be made holy as He is holy?

Selah.

In Yeshua’s Awesome & Strong Name, His maidservant
py thomas