Category: Torah Is

Torah Is Compassionate

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Big Tent

Yah has room under His tent.

As I drive the country, occasionally I see a large tent set up in an open space. There is usually a sign saying something like “Revival” or “Tent Revival.” Whenever we see that, we should pray that lives will be changed. We should root for a true revival. We can lift them up in prayer, both the ministers and the attendees of this event.

The real thing that happens in true revivals is repentance. Simply put, we all get hit with the reality of our sins (no matter what level) and we are drawn to seek forgiveness and (big AND) to change our ways. Here is the door for a continued training after the decision point of repentance.

I have often wondered if anyone would just label the tent event as “Repentance” or “Tent Repent.” Maybe we need to market it in a more positive way, but that is what is essentially the goal. Large changes have followed when a cluster of communities bow down to Yah and repent.

The Weeping Wallow

Occasionally we are moved to weeping for the things that the Father weeps for. Jesus wept. Jeremiah wept. We can weep. This brings today’s characteristic of Torah. Because Torah is good and given by God, we can be sad for those who live without it. Those who live outside His word and His way, live outside His will. Living outside His will denies us the natural benefits, the blessings of Torah.

But Torah also brings death.

Yes the end of sin, is death. The end of Torah (think goal line) is YESHUA/Jesus.

Torah has blessings to the faithful and curses to the ones who reject it (the lawless).

Sadness through our joy

God doesn’t want us to fall into the pit of judgement. He doesn’t desire that we reject what He has to offer. He is compassionate and His Torah Is Compassionate.

Through Eyes Of Love

YHWH has eyes of love. Whenever we hear the words “eyes” or “ears” we need to keep in mind the different levels of our seeing and hearing. We need to see with spiritual eyes as well as our physical eyes. Our eyes of faith can see farther. They can see beyond walls and beyond the constraints of time.

Let us see with compassion. I have realized that my mouth, in prayer is more effective than my blabbing in the physical. I have rarely changed a mind, changed a heart by speaking or lecturing. I’m not that eloquent. However, I have prayed (out loud, with mouth and mind) and seen people change.

Don’t stop believing

Keep it up. Follow Messiah. Speak out when He calls you to do so. Preach the good news of salvation. But don’t forget how powerful it is to pray for the lost ones, and weep over their sins. But for the grace of God, we would all still be lost in our sin and lawlessness.

Prayer:

Father in Heaven, gracious and Holy are You. Be blessed in Heaven and earth. Keep us in your grace and let us not forget the lawless ones. Bring repentance to the lost nations and the lost sheep. Be glorified in your servants. Be lifted up in this land. Halleluyah! Blessed be your Name! Amen.

Torah Is Timely

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His Promise Of Judgement

We don’t like to talk of the Judgement of God. We often dispensation-ize it. We sing songs that tell us that judgement and wrath were for times like the Old Testament Sodom and Gomorrah… “BUT mercy and grace He gave us at the cross,” as if setting the old testament apart from the new is easier to gulp down.

We often forget that the judgement would have been withheld if there were only 10 people who were righteous. The grace of God was alive in 2000 BC as well as 2000 AD. As a matter of fact, ALL of scripture speaks of the judgement at the end of this age. This grace was what kept Yah from destroying the nations who inhabited Canaan while Israel awaited return to their promised land.

Torah Brings Promised Judgement

Judgement is not simply a punishment, it is a vengeance.

The wicked people of the nations do wicked things.

Wicked people do unmentionable things to the “least of these.”

Wicked people fight for the rights of people to do those wicked things. Judgement is, in a real sense, God’s answer to the prayer of the persecuted.

We often ask why so much evil is allowed to exist. “How can a loving God…”

Our loving Savior will come for the very purpose of executing judgement over evil deeds and the people who do them. He will also be setting the captives free and rescuing the little ones who have seen pain and distress at the hands of the wicked.

But Yah Will Save Even The Repentant Evil-doers.

LORD is not slow in regard to the promise, as some count slowness, but is long-suffering to us, not intending any to be lost, but all to come to conversion,

II Peter 3:9 (LSV)

He really does love us. You and I were outside His Way for too long. We can be so grateful that He is so graceful in his judgement.

Not everyone will be saved.

But Yah wants them to.

When will it be time?

When will he deal with the sins of the world? These sins bring death, disease, war, and all types of pestilence. At some point, He will blow the trumpet and take action. There will be weeping, there will be gnashing of teeth. There will be a world of people who say…

Gulp!

At some point, it will be too late. At this point, many of us say,

“Return, Yahweh, to the ten thousands of the thousands of Israel.”

Numbers 10:36

I pray that you are “in that number” when Yeshua returns to reward the faithful with glory and to judge others with the end of their story.

Prayer:

Father in Heaven. You are great and most wise in your actions. Thank you for your patience with mankind. Keep me in your shalom as I wait for the promise. Keep me in your provision as your enemies seek to take away our life.

Your promise will be fulfilled to your perfection, in your perfect time. Help us lead people to the light and away from the dark as we wait for your Hosannah! Amen.

Torah Is Loved

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Can you say you love Torah? Would you say you hate those who are double-minded.

I would say I am frustrated by those who change their mind over and over, but I would not say I hate them. “I mean, pick a lane. Do you want a taco or a beef burrito? Move along here. We got places to go. People to see.” Right?

But I think, as the entire subject of the longest Psalm is Yah’s Torah and righteous living, this double-mindedness is in regards to God’s Ways. In many ways, the double-minded are worse than the ignorant, or the depraved soul.

Maybe that should give us some perspective on this principle.

So—because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to vomit you out of My mouth;

Revelation 3:16 ISV

I do prefer the term “spew” but “vomit” works.

Again, Torah is the key

The hate, if you will, is directed toward those who are double-minded or half-hearted toward God’s Law, His Torah.

As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

Romans 9:13

This can be a confusing concept at first. But, keep in mind two things. 1. Yah is sovereign. 2. Our contemporary definitions are often somewhat off from original context.

However, you will see that this word “hate” is used more in scripture than we often want to admit.

Here’s My Takeaway

Yah spells it out for us clearly in His word that our part of the covenant is to obey His word. I go so far as to say, “obey His Torah.” If we choose to disobey, He can choose to reject (hate) us as he did Esau.

Now… Let me share a good video with you. This ministry does a good job on several subjects. I haven’t seen them all but this one gives, I think, a good perspective on the issue at hand.

As we know, God Is Love. But God can also choose. He can disfavor. He can reject (and He does). Often rejection helps bring us back to His home, under His loving arms of forgiveness. Torah, however, is a huge reason for His choosing (or hating). Even His special seed, Israel, was rejected for a season as they strayed from His Torah.

Let us choose Torah. Let us choose favor. Let us reject evil, even flee from it, to embrace, and run to, His instructions.

Prayer

Father in Heaven. I love you and thank you for bringing me back into your arms with grace, with compassion, with joy as I turned (shuva) from my evil. Help me to love what you love and hate what you hate. Amen

Do you love what God loves?

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Torah Is Memorable

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A Breeze?

My life is continually in my hand,
Yet I do not forget Your law.

Psalm 119:109

This is something we often forget as believers. Our lives are in our hands.

What? I thought we have placed our lives into God’s hands.

Exactly. Our lives are in our hands. Free will in action. Therefore, we, place our lives into the hands of the one who made us. We open ourselves to change, to transformation. In doing this, we have received an eventual glorified body, mind, spirit.

I realize there are ultra Calvinists who reject this scripture. Personally, I’m just not concerned with giving my time to Mr. Calvin.

Instead, I choose, with my own mind, and my own will to trust in Yah, and His directions for my life, found in Torah.

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

John 14:26

Easy Breezy

The very Breath of Yah is our comforter. We have this Spirit, this breeze, in our lungs to guide us in His way of living. The very word of God will be brought to mind, rememberance, as we walk through our days. Amen.

Prayer:

Father of grace and mercy. My life is now in your hands. I surrender to your word. I surrender to the leading of your Ruach, your breath. Help me to walk in the ways of your teachings. Help me to hear your voice as you dwell in me. Fill me with your Breath. Bring to my mind all the words of truth and power that have been written down. Let me speak these words of power with your almighty power and authority. Thank you for choosing me. Thank you for bringing my heart to you and uniting my heart with the heart of Messiah and your will. Amen.

Torah Is Enjoyable

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The pull of Torah

Simply put, the pull of Torah is a lifeline to keep us from destruction.

Torah gives us a hope. Torah gives us something to cling to. Will we go through the life of a disciple without a rope, without a lifeline?

If it was so wretched, I would not crave it.

If you’ve been told that Torah is burdensome, you’ve been lied to. The scripture says that His commandments are NOT a burden. They are to be loved. As Jesus is to be loved, we are to love His instructions.

It is because of that love, we are sustained during affliction, famine, disease, and destruction. We can be held up from the death of the sinners.

It is a Tree of Life

Cling to that central root of the olive tree. If you were grafted on, do not push off. Do not be as one who is pruned off the tree. Live and learn from the Yeshua (salvation) of your soul.

Prayer:

Thank you Oh Father of fathers. Thank you King of kings. You have sent me a lifeline. You sustain me in persecution and distress. Keep your servants in your Way. Help us cling to your lifeline. Help us wander not away. Give us strength to pursue the truth. Thank you that there is joy, and not pain in Torah. Amen.

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Torah Is Shop

Torah Is A Target

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Why is everyone always picking on me?

For those of us who have added the honoring of Torah to our Christian walk, we understand.

Christians, in general, are targeted all around the world, but try being Jewish. Yep. Jews have been persecuted since there was such a thing. What is that? Well, it can be a long discussion, but the point I want to bring out is that anyone, Christian or Jewish who honors “real Torah” will find themselves as a subject of scorn.

The one who honors Feasts and Torah is dishonored by friends and family. The main-stream Christian often speaks of Torah followers as “too Jewish.” On the other hand, the Orthodox Jewish person looks to one who simply follows the living Messiah as a threat. Messianic believers in Israel are often discriminated against.

Arrogance Happens

It takes tremendous humility to look deeper into our own lives and make a huge change. Most Christians live under the construct of a Jewishness out there that threatens the very cross and resurrection of Messiah. Much wind is expelled in fighting Judaism in the church. My friend, Judaism in most forms and Jews themselves are not a threat to your Jewish Messiah.

Arrogance can be a real problem. Arrogant atheists can join hands with Muslims, we are watching that in a significant way right now in this world. But many, many Christians are doing the same; making themselves busy laying traps for the Torah followers. The zeal can be misplaced when one nestles into his religion with a sword and a machine gun.

We only have to look at the pride displayed in the Nazi war machine of the 30’s and 40’s Europe.

Embracing Automatic Curses

If you press against children of Abraham, you instantly accept a curse. This curse was a forever promise. Why not seek the blessings and reject that curse. That’s one of the easiest blessings to add to our being. At the very least, honor children of Abraham. Support Jewish organizations, ministries, and individuals.

Another way to receive the blessing is to lay ahold of, embrace the nature of your Salvation (Hebrew word YESHUA) as being from “the Jews.”

You worship that which you don’t know. We worship that which we know; for salvation is from the Jews.

John 4:22

At the very least, we can say, according to today’s scripture, that those who are laying a trap for the people of God’s kingdom are without Torah, and arrogant.

Perhaps we should humble ourselves in the sight of YHWH. Perhaps we should realize that if we follow God’s true Torah (not the so-called torah of the Babylonian sages) we are on the winning side.

Instead of being in a hole. And more than simply standing on level ground, we will be lifted up.

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will exalt you.

Jacob (James) 4:10

We Will Be Lifted Up

In more ways than one, we will be exalted… By King Jesus. Lifted up in authority as His ambassadors, plus lifted up in the sky to join Him in Jerusalem.

In more than one way, as well, the wicked will be brought low. They will fall into disease and death. They will also be judged guilty, and places physically into the pit with Satan and the evil angels.

We all broke Torah by sinning. We all need a Savior. May the world repent of evil against others. Through God’s grace, I have been saved. I now walk (and sometimes run) the very path that God has set out for me in Torah (God’s instructions for righteous living).

If you are a Christian who has bounced back and forth with a desire to please God (natural) and serve Him. I urge you to humbly look at your inheritance as being more than a Salvation from hell. I offer to you that Torah has always been part of our discipleship learning. And we are always learning.

The arrogant will scheme their plot. But, thanks to our blessings, they will receive their own curse.

Prayer:

Father we love you and lift you up. We ask that you save us from the snare of the evil one and the arrogant ones. Please grant us safety under your wings. Send your angels to provide guard over your righteous ones. May all the world know your true Torah. May there be no false Torah or false sense of a new gospel that is void of Torah. Thank you for bringing me to the humble place where I saw what I was missing as a Christian. Give me endurance as a runner in the race. Let me obtain the prize laid before me. Blessings for your kingdom are many. I receive in the name of Yeshua. Amen.

Again, Torah Is A Delight

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Through compassion, we receive His favor.

“May Your compassion come to me that I may live,
For Your law is my delight.”
— Psalm 119:77

Am I a broken record.

If so, I’m a true record, even in my brokenness. In my life, as gracious Father let me repent and be made new, I was brought to my knees. I was at a point that if I knew one thing, I could at least go to paradise with that one thing in my brain. At least I know that God’s law is truth.

Why do I keep saying Torah is a gift, Torah is a benefit, Torah is, simply good? Because the Bible keeps saying it. God keeps saying it. It wouldn’t be repeated so much if it was insignificant or detrimental.

Halleluyah. I can be like a tree planted by the river. I can bear fruit, even as an old crickety dad.

Compassion is undeserved. Life is borrowed. We have zero life in ourselves. We get breath from God. He is the author of life. He is the giver of life through His loving compassion. And our God has given us a way to live. That way is in Torah. Why would I be like the one who walks in the counsel of the ungodly? Why listen to scornful? I guarantee, demons and deceptive spirits do NOT like God’s principles for living.

Do you like, do you delight in Torah?

this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. His commandments are not grievous.

1 John 5:3

We don’t understand every precept instantly. Let’s be like the new converts in the time of the Jerusalem council. Let’s start following Messiah, then read through and incline our ears to Torah as we go.

“It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. For the law of Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”

Acts 15:19-21

First Things First

As Mike Sundin of One In Messiah, Tallahassee points out. Modern churches don’t really teach the first part of the Jerusalem council conclusions. Take a look and ask yourself if you’ve been taught to be careful of any of these food guidelines.

What about verse 21? Are you hearing the Torah each week? The new converts from Paganism (former gentiles) in that time were being taught Torah. It is not warned against. It is not important, or even possible to make sure a pagan is fully observant before coming to Messiah – entering into the fellowship of Israel.

Let them come to Messiah and turn from immorality, then learn as they go. We all do this. Unless we tell ourselves that Torah dishonors YHWH.

I found Messiah, but many years later, I found His delight in Torah. Guess what. Still not perfect. Good thing I didn’t hold off until I was perfect.

But I know YHWH. I breathe His spirit in my lungs. The Messiah is in me and I am in Him. His Torah is a delight. And this won’t be the last time I tell you that.

Prayer:

Father, I love you and delight in your presence. Thank you for rest, and health. Thank you for shalom in your Way. Keep me inside your compassion and love. I do not call your ways a burden. I call it a delight. Dwell in me and let me forever be in your faith and provision. Amen.