Don’t Judge

Romans 1:32

They know well enough God’s righteous decree that people who do such things deserve to die; yet not only do they keep doing them, but they applaud others who do the same.

I must remember this for everyone who is living a sinful life, “They know well enough God’s righteous decree that people who do such things deserve to die;” and knowing this I cannot judge them for even my own sin has put me in the same position.  I can only pray and counsel that they learn to trust in ADONAI and give up their rebellion, for in the end it is not my judgement but God’s that will reward them for the life that they lived.  Lord let me walk the fine line of condemning the sin but always leaving open a chance at redemption for all who would trust in Your Ruach.  I ask this in Yeshua’s name, amen.

We must work together

2 Thessalonians 3:10-15

For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: if someone won’t work, he shouldn’t eat! We hear that some of you are leading a life of idleness—not busy working, just busybodies! We command such people—and in union with the Lord Yeshua the Messiah we urge them—to settle down, get to work, and earn their own living. And you brothers who are doing what is good, don’t slack off! Furthermore, if anyone does not obey what we are saying in this letter, take note of him and have nothing to do with him, so that he will be ashamed. But don’t consider him an enemy; on the contrary, confront him as a brother and try to help him change.

As believers we cannot just sit on our laurels or expect to be given everything without investment. Without working for something there is no feeling of accomplishment and without a feeling of accomplishment there is no appreciation for the value of something. Sha’ul tells us not to associate with others who have no investment, give no value to working for the Kingdom of God not so that they are forever lost but so that they might see the wrong in their lives and repent. Lord let me be the beacon of Your love to all. I ask this in Yeshua’s name, amen.

Let the love flow

1 Thessalonians 3:12-13

And as for you, may the Lord make you increase and overflow in love toward each other, indeed, toward everyone, just as we do toward you; so that he may give you the inner strength to be blameless, by reason of your holiness, when you stand before God our Father at the coming of our Lord Yeshua with all his angels.

It is only by our full trust in ADONAI that the love of God can flow through us as Sha’ul describes, strengthen the bonds of families and congregations and giving us the strength to stand before ADONAI in that day forgive and washed clean in His holiness.  Lord let me be worthy of this moment and to worship You forever.  I ask this in Yeshua’s name, amen.

Doubt

Mattityahu (Matthew) 26:20-22

When evening came, Yeshua reclined with the twelve talmidim; and as they were eating, he said, “Yes, I tell you that one of you is going to betray me.” They became terribly upset and began asking him, one after the other, “Lord, you don’t mean me, do you?”

I guess I am dumbfounded that the talmidim could have such doubt.  After all they had seen miracle after miracle performed by Yeshua, they had learned things that the crowds would not, they had even received his shekinah and went out teaching and healing under Yeshua’s commission and yet they still had doubt.  Kefa who in hours would draw his sword to defend Yeshua wasn’t even sure of himself.  As people doubt is a part of our lives, and in its most benign form, it gives us pause to evaluate every aspect of a situation, much like 11 of these talmidim.  But left unchecked it can be crippling, stopping us from pursuing God’s will in our lives.  Doubt led Moshe to argue with ADONAI, doubt kept Hadassah from the king, doubt let Eliyahu think he was the only believer left in Isra’el, yet all these people got past their doubt, accepted the correction for the pause in the will of God for their lives and moved forward with power that brought salvation to many.  It is the same for us, we can take a breath when doubt hits us, but then we must move forward and trust that God will see us through.  Lord let my doubt be nothing more that a moment to build up my strength in Your will.  I ask this in Yeshua’s name, amen.

Legacy

Mattityahu (Matthew) 24:1-2

As Yeshua left the Temple and was going away, his talmidim came and called his attention to its buildings. But he answered them, “You see all these? Yes! I tell you, they will be totally destroyed—not a single stone will be left standing!”

There is nothing that is constructed by the power of man that will last forever.  Though Yeshua was speaking to his talmidim about the temple, the thought rings true for all man-made things.  I have traveled the world and seen great castles and buildings of historical note, fall to the elements ADONAI releases on the land and the flora and fauna around it.  There is only one thing that stands the test of time, our trust in God and the witness of that trust that we share with others.  It is L’dor v’dor, generation to generation that our legacy as believers exist, for without Avraham, Yitz’chak, and Ya’akov, Yosef and his brothers, Moshe, the Judges down to Sh’mu’el, Sha’ul and David, Shlomo, and the kings that followed, the Prophets and the remnant that returned all were the foundation for the completion of Torah in the body of Yeshua and talmidim that he released to bring in the lost sheep of Isra’el and the nations.  For my own self without believing parents and grandparents, congregations that provided acceptance of me even when I was rude and foul and rebellious (and yes I was put out for a time until convicted of my own sinfulness) I would not have the foundation to accept the trust that ADONAI has placed in me and granted me children and grandchildren to pass what I know of trusting God on.  It is only that which is built through the Ruach that will last, for only that has the hand of God upon it.  Lord let even my legacy point to Your hand in my life so no one can doubt that You are sovereign overall.  I ask this in Yeshua’s name, amen.

Keep Pursuing

Mattityahu (Matthew) 20:29-34

As they were leaving Yericho, a large crowd followed Yeshua. Two blind men sitting by the side of the road heard that he was passing by and shouted, “Son of David! Have pity on us!” The crowd scolded them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, “Lord! Son of David! Have pity on us!” Yeshua stopped, called them and said, “What do you want me to do for you?” They said to him, “Lord, open our eyes.” Filled with tenderness, Yeshua touched their eyes; and instantly they received their sight and followed him.

We must be like these blind men, the Roman Centurian, the woman with the possessed daughter, the woman with the issue of blood, and the ten lepers.   All these people pursued Yeshua despite the crowds of naysayers, cultural limitations, and self-doubt.  It is this pursuit that brings us closer each day to the workings of the Ruach, the comforter that Yeshua promised, in our lives and sees us move forward on the narrow path that ADONAI has given us to pursue.  For it was Yeshua himself who taught us “Keep asking, and it will be given to you; keep seeking, and you will find; keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who keeps asking receives; he who keeps seeking finds; and to him who keeps knocking, the door will be opened.”  It is the pursuit of God’s will in our lives that gives us purpose and will let us with God’s help achieve all that He would have us do.  Lord let me have the passion of these people to keep seeking after Your will in my life.  I ask this in Yeshua’s name, amen.

Forgiveness

Mattityahu (Matthew) 18:15, 21-22

“Now if your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault while you’re with him alone. If he listens to you, you have won your brother.

Then Peter came to Him and said, “Master, how often shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?”
Yeshua said to him, “No, not up to seven times, I tell you, but seventy times seven!

A lot of us, including myself, forget this is part of the forgiveness process. Rather than confront the person who wronged me, I have in the past told everyone else of the wrong before I even try to find out the reasoning behind the action and if it was a mistake to begin with. All this does is cause gossip and more hurt feelings. Following Yeshua’s teaching, as I try to do now, I find out why the person did what they did and most times they didn’t realize they offended me and apologize. I also know that people unintentionally do the same bad act over and over again. A friend of mine has corrected me several times for interrupting her, to my favor they have happened less and less by the correction, but I do forget every once in a while, and she has to take me aside and show me my fault again and forgive me. By following the Word we are able to keep the body of believers stronger. Lord let me be open to all Your lessons no matter where they come from. I ask this in Yeshua’s name, amen.

Keep Knocking

Mattityahu (Matthew) 15:21-28

Yeshua left that place and went off to the region of Tzor and Tzidon. A woman from Kena’an who was living there came to him, pleading, “Sir, have pity on me. Son of David! My daughter is cruelly held under the power of demons!” But Yeshua did not say a word to her. Then his talmidim came to him and urged him, “Send her away, because she is following us and keeps pestering us with her crying.” He said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Isra’el.” But she came, fell at his feet and said, “Sir, help me!” He answered, “It is not right to take the children’s food and toss it to their pet dogs.” She said, “That is true, sir, but even the dogs eat the leftovers that fall from their master’s table.” Then Yeshua answered her, “Lady, you are a person of great trust. Let your desire be granted.” And her daughter was healed at that very moment.

This woman is the example for all of us Goy, and our commission in the One New Man Sha’ul writes about in Ephesians 2. We have one purpose, to make the Jews so jealous they return to ADONAI. How do we do that? By having the trust like this woman or the Roman centurion. A trust so strong it crosses all ethnic paradigms to show the world who is our God. Lord let me be as trusting as this woman, beseeching and returning to You moment after moment so the whole world can know You are Lord. Abba especially let Your people hear Your voice once again, so they may call out to You in these times. I ask this in Yeshua’s name, amen.

My Cry

Mattityahu (Matthew) 13:58

And he did few miracles there because of their lack of trust.

Lord build in me the trust I need to see Your miracles in this time! I ask this in Yeshua’s name, amen.

Here I am, use me!

Mattityahu (Matthew) 9:9

As Yeshua passed on from there he spotted a tax-collector named Mattityahu sitting in his collection booth. He said to him, “Follow me!” and he got up and followed him.

It is really that simple, when Yeshua calls us he wants our obedience right then and there. Yet I confess still today there are times when I hear the Ruach urging me to move and I drag my feet like a kid on the way to the principal’s office instead of thanking God for the opportunity. Lord let me be like Mattityahu and the saints before him. Keep me from doing a risk analysis from my worldly view but trust in the supernatural blessings You have for me. I ask this in Yeshua’s name, amen.