Kingdom

Luke 13:18-21

So he went on to say, “What is the Kingdom of God like? With what will we compare it? It is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in his own garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds flying about nested in its branches.”

Again he said, “With what will I compare the Kingdom of God? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with a bushel of flour, then waited until the whole batch of dough rose.”

 

As believers when we come to trust in the sacrifice of Yeshua and accept the indwelling of the Ruach, it is then the Kingdom of ADONAI fills us. Just like the example Yeshua gave, there is nothing we do that isn’t touched by our understanding of the Kingdom. Abba fill me more so that there is no doubt in others that I stand for You and Your love in this land. I ask this in Yeshua’s name, amen.

Words

Luke 12:11-12

“When they bring you before the synagogues and the ruling powers and the authorities, don’t worry about how you will defend yourself or what you will say; because when the time comes, the Ruach HaKodesh will teach you what you need to say.”

 

Never worry about witnessing to others about ADONAI’s power and love. God will always place the words that you need to speak on your heart. Abba thank You for Your guidance through the Ruach. Praise Your Holy Name, amen.

Light

Luke 11:33-36

“No one who has kindled a lamp hides it or places it under a bowl; rather, he puts it on a stand, so that those coming in may see its light. The lamp of your body is the eye. When you have a ‘good eye,’ [that is, when you are generous,] your whole body is full of light; but when you have an ‘evil eye,’ [when you are stingy,] your body is full of darkness. So take care that the light in you is not darkness! If, then, your whole body is filled with light, with no part dark, it will be wholly lighted, as when a brightly lit lamp shines on you.”

 

Many have said that we have to protect our “eye gate”, keep from seeing things that would bring us to sin and there is much merit in that. Yet in this passage Yeshua is explaining that our eye shines out as well. When we are filled with the Ruach haKodesh and looking to the well being of others, the light in our eyes sees hope and love and brotherhood. Other pick up on this and see there is a difference that they are interested in. When we become selfish and self-centered focusing everything that happens about us, that light of love and brotherhood is extinguished so there is nothing left but the darkness of separation and loneliness. Lord let me always walk in Your love and compassion. Let it shine out from me like a beacon in someone’s storm. I ask this in Yeshua’s name, amen.

God First

Haggai 1:7-9

“Here is what ADONAI-Tzva’ot says: ‘Think about your life! Go up into the hills, get wood, and rebuild the house. I will be pleased with that, and then I will be glorified,’ says ADONAI. ‘You looked for much, but it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?’ asks ADONAI-Tzva’ot. ‘Because my house lies in ruins, while every one of you runs to take care of his own house.

 

ADONAI is chastising the nation of Judah for failing to rebuild the temple, the very reason He allowed them to return to the land. Instead they focused on their own creature comforts and neglect their duty to God. The same holds true for us, when we place God as the center of our lives and worship Him as He has called us to do, then life becomes easier to live. Deny God and daily one has to struggle to attempt to find satisfaction, only to fail day in and day out. Abba keep me on the narrow road where You are my focus first and foremost in all that I do. I ask this in Yeshua’s name, amen.

Selflessness

Luke 9:23

Then to everyone he said, “If anyone wants to come after me, let him say ‘No’ to himself, take up his execution-stake daily and keep following me.

 

Yeshua isn’t telling us that we only have to do this one time and we are good, but daily every waking moment we have we have to choose to follow Him. I have failed at this my whole life. In my youth misunderstanding grace, I thought one baptism and I am done, my ticket punched, good to go. Then as I truly started to study the Word, I get convicted of all kinds of things that I never thought of being wrong before. It is only in daily prayer and study do I find myself drawing nearer to ADONAI. Yet to do so I daily have to set aside my selfishness and focus to follow Him, just as Yeshua said. Abba You hold all the wisdom of the earth, how can I argue with You. Keep me Lord and focus me to always follow You. I ask this in Yeshua’s name, amen.

Beginnings

Ezra 3:4-6

They observed the festival of Sukkot as written, offering daily the number of burnt offerings prescribed for each day, and afterwards the regular burnt offering, the offerings for Rosh-Hodesh and those for all the designated times set apart for ADONAI, as well as those of everyone who volunteered a voluntary offering to ADONAI. From the first day of the seventh month, they began offering burnt offerings to ADONAI, even though the foundation of ADONAI’s temple had not yet been laid.

 

This passage is about the first time the nation Judah returned to the land after 70 years. This population didn’t wait for buildings to be built, or certain rituals to be performed but went immediately to praising and worshiping ADONAI. We to should do this not wait for an event or date or being in a certain building but we should praise God with all our being first above everything else as we start new each day. Lord keep me focus on serving You. I ask this in Yeshua’s name, amen.

Honor

Ezra 1:1

​ In the first year of Koresh king of Persia, in order for the word of ADONAI prophesied by Yirmeyahu to be fulfilled, ADONAI stirred up the spirit of Koresh king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his whole kingdom, which he also put in writing, as follows:

 

There is no doubt that ADONAI is faithful and true. These mighty men of trust, like Sh’mu’el, never let the Word of God touch the ground but followed and delivered what ADONAI entrusted with them. And for their trust and service ADONAI stayed and will stay faithful to His Word. In this case after 70 years as he was told ADONAI honored Yirmeyahu by letting His people return for the first time to the land. He honored Dani’el who prayed for forgiveness so the nation could return. He honored Ezra and Nechemyah in their prayers and standing with the king so that the people could return and rebuild. How can one doubt God with such examples. Abba build in me a trust that is equal to these mighty men, men who first and foremost sought Your will in their lives. I ask this in Yeshua’s name, amen.

Discernment

Daniel 11:33-35

Those among the people who have discernment will cause the rest of the people to understand what is happening; nevertheless, for a while they will fall victim to sword, fire, exile and pillage. When they stumble, they will receive a little help, although many who join them will be insincere. Even some of those with discernment will stumble, so that some of them will be refined, purified and cleansed for an end yet to come at the designated time.

 

Discernment does not keep one from sinning. Nor does it protect one from persecution or bad decisions or laziness. Discernment allows believers to understand the heart of the matter in relation to the Word of ADONAI. It is a gift of the Ruach HaKodesh, the Holy Spirit with which to edify individuals and the body of believers as a whole. As believers we all have different gifts we bring before God. I think it might be time that we pray for more discernment so as to know how to use those gifts the best way possible. Abba, You have given me a heart for others and a position of service. Yet I feel like I don’t hear You as often as I should. Remove the veil from my eyes and unstop my ears so that I may come to know You better and stand as a witness for You always. I ask this in Yeshua’s name, amen.

Mercy

Psalm 123:3-4

Have mercy on us, ADONAI, have mercy;

for we have had our fill of contempt,

more than our fill of scorn from the complacent

and contempt from the arrogant.

 

Lord this speaks to my nation and to the world You created. Forgive us for putting ourselves and selfish desires above You. Forgive us for forgetting that You have commanded us to take care of the widow and orphan, to ensure the foreigner is safe, and to give our worship only to You. Lord forgive us, I ask this in Yeshua’s name, amen.

Trust

Luke 4:23-27

Then Yeshua said to them, “No doubt you will quote to me this proverb—'”Doctor, cure yourself!” We’ve heard about all the things that have been going on over in K’far-Nachum; now do them here in your hometown!’ Yes!” he said, “I tell you that no prophet is accepted in his home town. It’s true, I’m telling you—when Eliyahu was in Isra’el, and the sky was sealed off for three-and-a-half years, so that all the Land suffered a severe famine, there were many widows; but Eliyahu was sent to none of them, only to a widow in Tzarfat in the land of Tzidon. Also there were many people with tzara’at in Isra’el during the time of the prophet Elisha; but not one of them was healed, only Na’aman the Syrian.”

 

Like the citizens of Natzeret we as believers try to demand from ADONAI something, losing our focus of trust and begging from a worldly sense. Instead we should be like the people in Yeshua’s example who trusted in spite of everything they knew from their own minds. It is this trust, a trust even when you are convinced that you are going to die the next day like the widow or the trust cajoled out of Na’aman that the Lord desires of us. Lord build Your trust in me so that there is no doubt with whom I stand with and for in the coming days. Don’t let familiarity bred contempt in my heart or my actions but let me always wonder at the gifts You have for my life, my family’s life and for the lives of Your people. I ask this in Yeshua’s name, amen.