Oh how intertwined are the bias and lies of the times. And how entangled in with our own beliefs and practices.

Bias is like ivy.

It’s not native to our region. It was imported. It’s invasive. It chokes out and kills the life we are actually trying to cultivate. And some people find it harmless, while others are as allergic to it as poison ivy. And every time we try to kill ivy or rip it out, it just grows unseen underground to emerge in another place and carry on its destructive work.

All in all, lies in general are like weeds and the removing of them from the garden of our soul works in much the same way. It’s a never ending process, and the only real cure is continuously getting on hands and knees and ripping out the weeds by the roots.

It requires humility and debasement on our part. It may require special tools and much time on our knees, but with enough time we can extract the madness from our lives.

Whether we are dealing with weeds or ivy, what is required of us, if we don’t want to be overrun, is hard work, dedication, and a willingness to do the same thing over and over and over again.

Removing bias and lies, like removing weeds and ivy, is slow and tediously boring work. But with time and attention and diligence, it can be done. And what a beautiful garden will come out of it.

Question Everything
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"Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he taketh away"

Jn 15

Thought for Today -- Tuesday August 20

We are all faced with magnificent opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations. Do not let fear stop you from reaching your goals.

In the midst of life's burdens, find true rest in Jesus. He invites you to lay down your worries and find peace in His presence.

When you make God your priority, joy naturally follows. Start today by putting Him first, and watch how your life transforms with peace and purpose.

Putting God first transforms your life. When you prioritize Him above all else, you gain peace, purpose, and direction. Trusting God opens doors to blessings beyond measure and aligns your heart with His will. Seek Him daily, and experience the fullness of life that comes from a deep, abiding relationship with Him.

Contrary to popular belief, not everyone who believes and follows Yeshua/Jesus is a disciple.

We find in Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34, Luke 9:23; 14:27, that there is a cost to being a disciple.

Being a disciple means being in 100%. Being a disciple involves a profound personal cost. It requires a willingness to deny oneself, take up one's cross daily, and follow Him, even when it means sacrificing personal desires, relationships, or worldly comforts. This path often includes enduring rejection, persecution, and misunderstanding from others. Discipleship demands a reordering of priorities, where Yeshua/Jesus becomes central, sometimes leading to difficult decisions and the loss of things previously held dear. The cost is high, but the rewards are worth it.

So, with God's help, offer your everyday life—your sleep, meals, work, and daily routines—as a living sacrifice to Him. Fully embrace the blessings God gives you, for that’s the best way to honor Him. Please don’t get so comfortable with the patterns of this world that you blend in without realizing it. Instead, focus your heart and mind on God. This will transform you from the inside out. Be quick to recognize His will and respond without hesitation. Unlike the culture that pulls you down, God lifts you up, shaping you into a mature and well-rounded individual.

The Torah Portion reading for this week is now available! Check it out.

#yeshua literally went out into the desert without food in Matthew 4 and was literally tempted by the devil to do tricks to prove his identity.

But there's a lot more going on in this passage than the literal meaning of the words. See vs 3-4, for example. Stones aren't always stones and bread isn't always bread. Sometimes they're people, and waiving a magic wand to turn hard hearted people into faithful servants of the Kingdom wasn't in his mission plan. It takes time, trials, and every word that comes from the mouth of YHWH."
#jesus #discipleship #torah