Our newest sermon entitled, “Loving Elohim - Part 1” speaks on the biblical definition of love for Elohim and how we as believers should love Him. Don’t miss this powerful video because Part 2 is coming soon!
And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
Acts 9:9
Like Yeshua, Paul was in darkness without bodily sustenance for three days. His restoration was analogous to resurrection. He died as an enemy of Yeshua and rose again as Yeshua's greatest champion.
Views on eating food sacrificed to idols? #halal #demons #permitted? #bignono?
How greatly do we honor the pioneers of our faith? That’s the point of Hebrews 11, the “Hall of Faith” chapter that honors the righteous saints of old going back to Abraham. We could bring that list forward to the present, including many who have been on the cutting edge of new moves of the Almighty. But do we think about what life was like for them? The “normal folks” of their times would have considered them radicals, heretics, rebels, outcasts, and many other unpleasant things simply because they were following the lead of the Holy Spirit into something our God wanted to emphasize that the “mainstream” of the day had missed. That’s why people like the Pilgrims, the Puritans, and the Moravian Brethren had to move to new lands to carry out the commissions God had given them.
Does that still happen in our day? Perhaps it does. The journey of Dr. David Jones and the congregation of Ruach Ministries International shares some of the same elements of those stories of the faithful pioneers from long ago. Of course, as David explains, one of those elements is a degree of zeal for the new understanding of scripture that sometimes results in strained or broken relationships with those we love the most. How did that work out for David’s family? That’s what he begins to share in this second of our three-part conversation with him.
This brings up the question of how to apply zeal in a way that uplifts rather than divides. David joins Barry Phillips in discussing that question in the midrash they call, “Zealous.” Their discussion provides plenty of material for pondering as we hear the music of Solomon Lopez and Jimmie Black.
https://thebarkingfox.wordpres....s.com/2022/08/23/reu
How greatly do we honor the pioneers of our faith? That’s the point of Hebrews 11, the “Hall of Faith” chapter that honors the righteous saints of old going back to Abraham. We could bring that list forward to the present, including many who have been on the cutting edge of new moves of the Almighty. But do we think about what life was like for them? The “normal folks” of their times would have considered them radicals, heretics, rebels, outcasts, and many other unpleasant things simply because they were following the lead of the Holy Spirit into something our God wanted to emphasize that the “mainstream” of the day had missed. That’s why people like the Pilgrims, the Puritans, and the Moravian Brethren had to move to new lands to carry out the commissions God had given them.
Does that still happen in our day? Perhaps it does. The journey of Dr. David Jones and the congregation of Ruach Ministries International shares some of the same elements of those stories of the faithful pioneers from long ago. Of course, as David explains, one of those elements is a degree of zeal for the new understanding of scripture that sometimes results in strained or broken relationships with those we love the most. How did that work out for David’s family? That’s what he begins to share in this second of our three-part conversation with him.
This brings up the question of how to apply zeal in a way that uplifts rather than divides. David joins Barry Phillips in discussing that question in the midrash they call, “Zealous.” Their discussion provides plenty of material for pondering as we hear the music of Solomon Lopez and Jimmie Black.
https://thebarkingfox.wordpres....s.com/2022/08/23/reu
The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.
Acts 9:7
Although they weren't blinded like Saul (aka Paul), there were multiple witnesses to his encounter with Yeshua on the road to Damascus. We don't know what happened to them, but one way or another, their testimony would become part of the public record and evidence in Saul's favor in the eyes of the Disciples.
Q54: Who did Paul instruct "to abide still at Ephesus...that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, neither give heed to fables..."?
#quiz
Source: www.biblequiz.biz
PS: Discussions are very welcome, but please do not give the answer away in your discussions.
1 Timothy 1:2-4
I WILL BE WITH YOU – PART 2
2 – YHVH’s Promise of Intimacy Brings us Comfort:
Whither shall I go from Thy Ruach? Or whither shall I flee from Thy Presence? If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, Thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall Thy Hand lead me, and Thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from Thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to Thee. -- Psalm 139:7-12. David realized that no matter where he was and no matter what he was doing, YHVH was there with him, bringing him the comfort that he needed. A couple of weeks ago John was in the delivery room with his wife when their new baby was born. Leading up to the time of delivery he had a job to do. The way I understand it, his job was to try to bring comfort to his wife as she was experiencing the height of discomfort. Now, I am now sure how good of a job he did, I do not know how much comfort he gave her. But I do know that YHVH being with us brings us comfort in difficult situations.
Adonai also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. -- Psalms 9:9. Adonai is thy Keeper: Adonai is thy Shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. Adonai shall preserve thee from all evil: He shall preserve thy soul. Adonai shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore. -- Psalms 121:5-8. YHVH's Promise to be with us is a comfort in our times of heartbreak. Adonai is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. -- Psalm 34:18. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. -- Psalm 23:4. YHVH's Promise to be with us is a comfort in times of failure. Though he falls, he shall not be utterly cast down: for Adonai upholdeth him with His Hand. -- Psalms 37:24.
3 – YHVH’s Promise of Intimacy Demands our Obedience:
On his 16th birthday the son approached his father and said: Dad, I am sixteen now. When I get my license, can I drive the family car? His dad looked at him and said: Son, driving the car takes maturity and first, you must prove you are responsible enough. One way you must do that is to bring up your grades. They are not acceptable. Second, you must read the Bible everyday and finally, I want you to get that hair cut; it looks outrageous. The son began the task of fulfilling his father's requirements knowing that the last might be impossible. When his grades came out, he came to his dad with a big smile. Look dad, all A's and B's on my report card! Now, can I drive the family car? Very good son, you are one-third of the way there, but have you been reading the Bible? Yes, dad, every day, the son said. Very good son, you are two-thirds of the way there. Now when are you going to get that hair cut? Thinking he could outsmart his dad, the son said, well, I do not see why I should get my hair cut to drive the car. Yeshua had long hair, did He not? The father looked at his boy and said, that is right son and Yeshua walked everywhere He went. YHVH expects obedience from His children. I am not saying He is not with us when we are disobedient, but I do believe the Bible teaches us that when we are obedient YHVH's Promise to be with us becomes an ever-increasing reality in our lives. In other words, YHVH is always with us, but when we are obedient to Him, we are much more able to recognize His presence than at times when we are disobedient. Looking back at Joshua it is clear that there are at least two primary areas where YHVH expects obedience and they both are connected with His Word.
A -- Firstly: We are to Obey His Word:
Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the Law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. -- Joshua 1:7. Joshua and the people of Israel's victory depended on their adherence to the Word of YHVH and this is just as true today. We have so much more of YHVH's Word than they had. They had only the five books of Moses and probably the book of Job. This is the entire Bible they had and YHVH said if they would be obedient to it, they would have no need to fear anyone, for YHVH would be with them. You and I have the whole Bible and YHVH calls upon us to search this Word, let it be the man who counsels us, the food of our souls and the sword with which we face our enemies. YHVH promises that if we will be strong and courageous and walk in obedience to His Word, we will never have to dread the conflict; we will not need to fear; we will be able to say with Paul, But thanks be to YHVH, which giveth us the victory through our Adonai Yeshua Moshiach. -- 1 Corinthians 15:57. If you do not have victory through Yeshua Moshiach, I can tell you why. It is because you are neglecting reading and obeying your Bible. Read your Bible as you ought to and obey it and you will be able to live a life of victory.
B. Secondly: YHVH Expects us to Meditate on His Word: This book of the Law, shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. -- Joshua 1:8. It is by meditation that we really make this Word our own. To read attentively is like eating the Word. Meditation allows us to digest the truth. Mere intellectual acquaintance with the letter of Scripture does us little good. It is only as we weigh carefully what YHVH has revealed to us that we obtain from it the spiritual power that enables us to rise above our difficulties and triumph by grace over all our foes.
C -- Thirdly: YHVH makes both Joshua and us a promise in this regard:
In verse 7 He tells us that success comes to those who follow His Word. In verse 9 He says both success and prosperity will come to those who are obedient. I know that YHVH was promising Joshua success and prosperity in the matter of obtaining physical land and riches. But the greater application to both Joshua and to us is that if we obey YHVH's Word, He will grant us spiritual success and prosperity like we have never even dreamed of. We will begin to understand in a deeper way than we ever have before, that YHVH is with us in a real and personal way. YHVH's Promise to be with you is very real, He is just waiting for you to receive this Promise from Him.
I WILL BE WITH YOU – PART 1
Secret Services, employs people to protect presidents or prime ministers and to safeguard nations money supplies. In order to give the president or prime minister constant protection, these agents stick extremely close to him wherever he goes. When he is walking, when he is riding in his armoured vehicle, when he is on vacation at a ski slope or a lake, the Secret Service is there surrounding him, constant following his car, skiing or fishing right beside him. If the president or prime minister goes scuba diving, agents put on masks and tanks and go with him under the water. Would it not be nice to have someone who would always be with you, protect you and help you, not out of duty, but because you were friends? Joshua knew YHVH to be just such an Elohiym as he stood at the border of Canaan, ready to lead the people of Israel into the Promised Land. YHVH makes the greatest Promise of all: [I will be with you.] Let us find out what YHVH means by this wonderful promise:
Now after the death of Moses the servant of Adonai it came to pass, that Adonai spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ minister saying, Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses, from the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast. There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I swear unto their fathers to give them. Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the Law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This book of the Law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I Commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for Adonai thy YHVH is with thee whithersoever thou goest. -- Joshua 1:1-9.
1 – YHVH’s Promise of Intimacy Brings us Strength and Courage:
YHVH tells Joshua that he needs to be strong and courageous. In fact, we find that this is a theme throughout the book of Joshua. Five times in this book YHVH repeats these words to Joshua. YHVH said the same thing to Moses in Deuteronomy 31:6 -- Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for Adonai thy YHVH, He it is that doth go with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. The one important fact in YHVH's Commandment to be strong and courageous is that this Command is attached to YHVH's Promise to be with them and to never leave them or forsake them. What we learn from this is that we can be strong and courageous, not because we are strong and courageous people, but because we know that in our weakness YHVH is right there beside us and that He will never leave us. There are times in all of our lives when we need to be strong and courageous people. In the Moscow circus a beautiful woman lion tamer would have a fierce lion come to her meekly, put his paws around her and nuzzle her with affection. The crowd thundered its approval. All accept an Armenian who declared, [What is so great about that? Anybody can do that?] So, the ringmaster challenged him, [Would you like to try it?] The Armenian's reply came back, [Yes, but first get that lion out of there.] When is it that you need strength and courage?
A -- For Joshua it was when he was called to take over as leader of the people of Israel and lead them into the Promised Land; you would need a lot of strength and courage for a job like that.
B -- For Yeshua it was when He had to face the cross and in the Garden of Gethsemane He prayed to YHVH.
C -- For Yeshua' disciples it was when they had to face a hostile world with the message of the Gospel. But what about us, when do we need to draw strength and courage from YHVH's presence? When we have decided to do something great for YHVH, when we find ourselves with the opportunity to be a witness, when we are dealing with some sin that has taken control of our lives, when we are having marital problems and do not know where to turn to, when we have lost our job and do not know where our next pay check is going to come from. We need strength and courage in both the good times and the bad times. We need to understand that we can be strong and courageous in any and every situation because: Our strength and courage come from knowing that YHVH is with us. Joshua would not take the Promised Land, YHVH would. Joshua knew that it was only through a reliance on the presence of YHVH that he could be strong and courageous while facing the enemies of Israel.
Once a prison warden told a condemned man to order whatever he wanted for his last meal and he offered some suggestions: [Lobster, Filet Mignon, Beef Wellington, Caviar or Shrimp?] [No], the prisoner said, [I will just take a bowl of mushrooms]. [Why mushrooms?] the warden asked him. [Well, because I have always been afraid to eat them until now.] Oftentimes instead of being strong and courageous we find ourselves weak and afraid because we face the unknown. But know that YHVH makes us the promise, [I will be with you], helps us to know that no matter what comes our way YHVH is by our side.
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