Introducing Torah Testimonies

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Let’s be overcomers.

Once upon a time, I read a scripture and a voice inside said something like this, “How can that mean something other than what it says? How can I be expected to obey this scripture unless I do what it instructs?

The scripture: Matthew 5:17-19.

Do not think that I have come to change the law or the prophets. I have not come to change, but to fulfill [them].

For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one jot or one stroke will pass from the law until everything happens.

Therefore, whoever changes one [jot] of these small commandments (and will teach so to men) will be called little in the kingdom of heaven. But all who will do and teach this [law] will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:17-19

That began my journey…

I asked myself, what if I started reading the “law” and implementing those instructions in my life? It might look weird, or feel weird, but would that be so bad? Would it take me away from God?

“Good Works”

God calls it “Good Works”

I want to do good deeds. Many Christians do, as well. I’m not alone in this…

And neither are you.

This article begins a new series on

Torah Testimonies

I posted for some volunteers for sharing their own testimony. I am in the process of gathering them and bringing them to you.

If you have been discouraged, if you have been shunned or derided by those who are close to you, listen to these testimonies. There are others who have made the choice to run to God instead of becoming lesser in His Kingdom.

Obeying the Father…

I had read the Bible from cover to cover several times and things weren’t adding up to me. There were too many instances where our Elohim said NOT to do certain things. Yet, in every mainstream Christian church I had attended, they did those things.

Learning to love Torah

I kept trying to find a church that actually taught what the Bible and Yeshua Jesus said, did, and taught. Finally, thinking that I was the only person on earth who could see these things, I stumbled across 119 ministries. I read many things on their website, watched a few videos, then discovered their fellowship finder map. I located a group near us and my husband, who was not all in agreement with me, and we went for a visit. After a few more visits and some very loving and kind people who gently explained the truth to my husband, he too finally came in board too.

Now, we live in north east Michigan and are obeying the Father. We have about 8 acres that we are hoping to be able to use for His glory and honor. We are clearing the land, planting fruit trees, putting in a garden and loving our Elohim.Nancy and Nick from Hawks Michigan.

– Nancy and Nick from Hawks Michigan.

Thank you Nancy and Nick for taking the time to bless us with your story.

Do you have a Torah Testimony? Share it with our tiny but growing group of believers.

Torah Is Not Sin, The Bible Says Sin Is Breaking Torah

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This is a simple concept that should clear up any confusion.

Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.

I John 3:4

I shall declare it again.

The Messiah did not come and die to wipe out law so that we can just do sin, but He wiped out our sin so that we could be righteous like Him.

As verse 5 goes on to say, He came so that “He might take away our sins.” And, He didn’t break the law because there is no sin in Him.

He lived a perfect life so that we could be made perfect through His grace. We just need to acknowledge that we have blown it. We just need to add faith to our fear (reverence of God). The faith that we need has actions. If you have the good deeds, Others will see that and in your obedience, you are testifying to Him and His kingdom.

The entire journey through scripture shows us the term “walk” (Halacha) in reference to obedience to God’s laws. In the following scripture, I like how Paul calls it a run, or race. Is this because he was driven to make up for lost time? If so, I can relate.

By the way, this image came from the Bible Strong app.

Paul agrees in Romans 7

What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.”

Romans 7:7

Why do we keep thinking the law was done away with? How can so many of us be wrong – for so long?

I think, for many, it is misunderstanding due to popular preaching. Preaching that is from ones who will be judged more harshly for leading people astray. For some teachers (“fathers” and “rabbis”) it is a matter of selfish fulfilment of the flesh. How fun to think we all make our own rules, or adhere to none that have been given us?

Check this:

Therefore, beloved, seeing that you look for these things, be diligent to be found in peace, without blemish and blameless in his sight. Regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom given to him, wrote to you; as also in all of his letters, speaking in them of these things. In those, there are some things that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unsettled twist, as they also do to the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.

I Peter 3:14-16

Some people are ignorant. Some are unsettled, or unstable. I have been both. Now, by His grace, I understand that His wisdom can be found in the Torah.

Halleluyah.

Have you been ignorant, or unstable in the instructions of YHWH?

Prayer:

Father in Heaven. I only want to know you. I only want to see you. Will you fill me with a fresh puff of your Breath. May I understand you more tomorrow than today, if you choose to give me another day. I know Father that there are many out there who have listened to what the Spirit says in them to follow the ancient ways, just as your Son walked. Walk with me – and run with me in the forest of my faith. Amen.

I am looking for people to help me spread the good news of Messiah’s Torah. Will you share your Torah Testimony on this blog. I would like to eventually include it in my next book, with your permission. Just contact me below. Blessings.

Torah Is Practicable

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Why should we not care?

If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.

I John 2:29 ESV

We will know them by their fruit.

If we know a person who claims to be a follower of Jesus, you expect them to act differently – different from the world, the pagan.

Ask any atheist if we should follow God’s laws, he will say, “H#@* no!”

Then why spend our energy defending the idea that God’s laws were abolished or that they should be ignored? We can do His will. We can serve Him in this way. Here it is called practicing righteousness.

I used to think if I followed the laws (His Torah) that I was being like a pharisee. Since the Pharisees (many of them) were evil, I don’t want anything to do with that.

Listen, God is Not the author of evil. He is not the author of lies. He asks us to follow Jesus’ example, to follow His word. His Torah can transform out thoughts. But we have to relax our hard line against it as a body of Messiah.

We must know and make known that Messiah is our sacrifice. However, we must acknowledge His gift of Torah and Holy Ruach (breath) to guide our actions. This is our reasonable service. Our righteous deeds are evidence of our righteous new birth.

The one who does what is right (righteousness) is born of Him. The ones who seem to do otherwise, we can’t be so sure. We cannot bet our PBJ sandwich on the man who shuns God’s laws.

Clean your Temple.

Yes, as sinners, we can repent and be saved. But we must cleanse our Temple. Our bodies are that special place of God’s presence. Use the water of His word to wash and purify. Yes, it takes effort. It takes some work. We can’t save ourselves with works, but we can use real endeavors to do His will.

Speak it and live it at the same time.

The concept of literally making our disobedience an actual method of serving God sounds ludicrous. However, we often obey with our actions, yet speak against God’s holy Torah. I simply say, let’s be consistent and read further than our misrepresented scripture support for lawlessness.

In every role, we are expected to do the work.

As many of us are employed, we submit to our boss’s authority. Think of our Christian (Christ-like) life as our job, I’d you will. Think of our role as followers as one that has built in responsibilities. At work, as I am offered a duty such as the production of a short video, I wouldn’t look at my boss and say “nope.” I wouldn’t explain that it would be legalism to comply and it is best to reject the request. From cover to cover, God asks for us to do our duties and make the world a better place.

Prayer:

Father, your awesome will be done. May my life align with your will and your Kingdom. May I not bring shame to your throne. I thank you for your special grace to learn as I live. Thank you for your patience with me. Help me to understand the hard sayings of your scripture. If there are personal constructs that are getting in my way, please sanctify my mind to the mind of Messiah. May I live your Torah for my life. May I work to cleanse my way more each day. Amen.

And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

I John 3:3

Torah Is Old, Torah Is New

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Draw closer. Dig deeper.

Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard.

I John 2:7

At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining.

I John 2:8

How can it be old and new? Well, simply, a new law can be the same as an old one but may contain more context for your present life. Through deeper study, we can uncover more detail in order to bring newness to the word.

Messiah did this when He taught on the mount.

You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.

Matt. 5:21-22

The Savior did not destroy the old law against murder. He explained how we can break that law inwardly. The old law became new, if you understand more. The level of obedience was expanded.

Most people don’t realize that New Covenant laws can be actually harder to obey.

For most of us, it’s easy to refrain from doing fatal violence to another. But, most likely, all of us have experienced hatred in our hearts and minds. That’s harder to address, if you ask me. As we draw closer to His righteousness, we become more righteous.

Is it both?

Covenant or Torah?

I want to bring something to mind in regards to the idea of a new covenant. That is that a covenant is not a commandment or law. A covenant is an agreement. The Hebrew word Beriyth (covenant) is not the same as the word Torah (instruction). There are laws or commandments inside an agreement known as covenant. There are even conditions in covenants.

When there is a fault in a covenant, it does not mean that a covenant is faulty or poorly thought out. It simply means it is broken. Someone didn’t keep their part of the bargain.

For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second.

Hebrews 8:7

The drawing board did not happen because the first was silly, or poorly thought out. There was a divorce, of sorts. In order to bring the bride back in, she needs to be married again. Some theologians point out that the term “new” can be seen as “renewed,” as in “renewed mind.”

my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord.

Jeremiah 31:32

I actually believe Torah always was. That, at least at the beginning of earthly time, it was established. Many people would argue with this but the I John 2:7 seem to support this idea. After all, John is the one who gave us, “In the beginning was the Word.”


an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard.

I John 2:7

It appears that Torah was here and given to God’s children before and after the stone tablets. At different times the Father brought it forth in an agreement with key prophets.

I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah,

Jeremiah 31:31

As for me and my house, we don’t only run to Torah (rather than away), we embrace our identity as grafted and adopted into Israel. The New Covenant, which the church embraces in name, is given to Israel and Judah. I figure I must be one of those (or both) if I am to have Torah implanted in my heart and an inheritance called Jerusalem – New Jerusalem.

Prayer:

Father in heaven, may your name be blessed. You are almighty king forever. I thank you Father that there is nothing that can separate me from your love. Thank you that I have been adopted by you. I love your Kingdom. May I always be doing kingdom ministry. Keep me in the ancient way. Let me hear the sound of your voice in the morning and the evening. Let me welcome your instruction. Thank you for Messiah’s teaching to better clarify to me your word and your way. Amen.

Will you be in New Jerusalem? …Old Jerusalem will be there too.

Torah Is a Testimony

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According to the apostle John, obeying the commandments of God is proof that we know Him.

Do you know God?

And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.

I John 2:3 ESV

Today, I start our journey down the road with our tour guide, John, The Beloved Disciple. He has been considered by theologians as a close friend of Jesus as well as a disciple. He was given watch over Miriam, Jesus’ mother, by the Savior as He was on the cross.

The NASB states it in this way, “This is how we are sure that we have come to know Him…” So, seeking to follow Torah is actually a confirmation or an outward sign that we know the Messiah.

Think About It

whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

I John 2:6 ESV

This is how He walked. He followed Torah perfectly. It only makes sense that a disciple at least tries to be like his teacher, his rabbi. Put your earthly relationship in an illustration of how to behave with God. I know dads are not perfect (see a picture of me in the dictionary next to the word “flawed.”) but ideally we seek obedience from our children. We don’t preach to them that they are going to mess up so I want them to stop listening to our instructions. Can you imagine, “Don’t worry about walking across the street. Looking both ways is legalism?”

Who benefits from the testimony of our Torah Testimony?

  • Others
  • Ourselves

John (through the breath of God) says that we are liars if we say that we know God without keeping His commandments. Wow. “Them’s strong words.”

Very simply, we will know them by their fruit.

that they may see your good works, and may glorify your Father who is in Heaven.

Matt. 5:16 ABIPE

The love of God is perfected in us if…

We KEEP His Word.

Prayer:

Father in Heaven. Your name is Holy. Your Word is holy and true. I want to know you more. Let me not fall away into lawlessness. Let me not lean on grace without leaning into your commands. I want to testify to the world and I want my prayers to be heard. Bless my brothers and sisters with the knowledge of your Word and the knowledge of You. May your Ruach bear fruit in us and may we not bring your name low.

In the mighty Name of Yeshua, Amen.

Thank you for reading. Come back tomorrow for another word from God.

If you can help this ministry by sponsoring through “Buy Me A Coffee” we would be honored. If you choose to support us by buying a few stickers from our sticker store, I think you would benefit as well. Who doesn’t like stickers (besides my wife)?

Torah Is From God

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Today we finish our series on the instances of the word Torah in Psalm 119. In the future, we will go further and list within the Psalm.

In Psalm 119, we have 176 verses which explicitly support the gift of Torah. With all this, I lived much of my life with a soft disdain of Torah. These are the myths which I believed, and are still taught as mainstream Christian doctrine.

  • Torah was made by Moses.
  • Torah was done away with by Jesus.
  • Torah keeps us from following Jesus.
  • Grace did not come until Jesus died.
  • The Torah was only meant for people who were Jewish.
  • Seeking Torah is legalism.
  • Legalism is among the worst of sins.
  • Not an exhaustive list.

There’s just something about that name.

This verse would be a good T-Shirt or plaque. How cool to see the actual name of our savior (Yeshua) in the same old testament scripture with the word Torah (law).

He is the great shepherd. He is our Rabbi. He kept Torah and was the only perfect man. He taught individuals to go forth and teach the world His words.

Nowhere in the Gospels is the Torah smeared or cancelled. It is fulfilled by Jesus. It is upheld by His followers. I am one of His followers. As for me and my house, we choose life. We choose blessings.

This book of the Torah shall not depart out of your mouth; but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may guard to do according to all that is written in it: for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success.

Yahoshua (Joshua) 1:8

Yes, Moses delivered and taught the Torah.

He walked down the mountain with the Torah. He did not invent it. He did not inscribe into stone. He did break the tablets after his people broke the Torah with the vile golden idol.

God gave Torah to you.

Not sure about rock and roll, but I am 100 % convinced that

  • Torah is from God.
  • Yeshua/Jesus is God.
  • Grace is from God.
  • Torah and grace are for me.

If there were no Torah, there’s no need for grace.

If we did not break something, we would not need repair. If we did not sin, we would have no need for forgiveness. Torah is the measure of what is sin. Sin is the breaking of the law. The life that we receive through the blood of Messiah and the grace of God, is due to the death curse that was pronounced over our lives within the Torah.

Without Torah nothing is sin. Without Torah there is no wage of sin – which we know is death. Without Torah there is no underserved gift in the blood of Messiah.

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:23

Hacketh thy KJV – law/grace

Our KJV bibles have implied that there is an antonymous relationship between God’s law and His grace. This is seen in the following scripture.

For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

John 1:17 KJV

Notice the italics on the word “but.”

This verse is used by many preachers to somehow assert that the law and grace are the cosmic cage match enemies. No. It’s more like disobedience and obedience. Here’s a better translation of the popular bible verse.

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

John 1:7 ESV

No but

Very simple. Moses was a mighty prophet. He delivered the instructions of YHWH. Jesus was a greater prophet (he is God). He delivered grace through His great sacrifice. Praise Yah! Halleluyah!

Prayer

Yes, Father. I long for your Salvation. I long for your Yeshua. Yes, Father, your Torah is my delight. Please forgive me for missing the mark. Guide me with your very Breath to follow the Way of Messiah. I receive your instructions into my heart, as you have promised in the New Covenant. I receive the blessings over my life proclaimed in your Word. I receive the grace which you gave to me in the shed blood of Yeshua. Teach me each day to walk in your Way. Show me the truth of your love. Grant me the life in your future renewed earth and New Jerusalem with Messiah on the throne. Halleluyah!

This sticker, plus others, is available at my Torah Is Sticker Shop: https://torahisshop.com/

Torah Is Shalom

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A person who lives in harmony with God and His creation, doesn’t just feel peace, but experiences it completely.

The person who kicks against His Heavenly Father’s will, experiences a wide variety of peace stealing forces.

Broken Record

I’m like a broken record here. But I guess repeating certain things is important, because the Bible does it. Over and over we see the results of obedience and of disobedience.

When I was convicted and convinced that honoring Torah is for me, I went from turmoil to peace. Turmoil is, in fact, what dropped me to my knees.

Of course I haven’t been perfect. Pharisees and Roman priests have tried to codify perfection by building up zillions (according to my last count) of man made rules and regulations in an attempt to perfect the pious ones. Still hasn’t worked.

Give me 613

The average person does not know that the pharisees were loading up the people with their cement mixer of minutiae… Even though the Bible tells me so.

You leave the commandment of 

God and hold to the

tradition of men.

Mark 7:8

Then He emphasizes,

But you say, ‘If a man tells his father or his mother, “Whatever you would have gained from me is Corban” ’ (that is, given to God) then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother, thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do.

Mark 7:11-13

We generally don’t think of Pharisees as being particularly peaceful.

We mistakenly attribute this grumpy nature to the fact that they were too busy following Moses’ law.

News alert: To anyone who believes the Law was done away with at the Cross; Jesus was still alive.

The Pharisees clearly were following an accumulation of laws that were not so called “laws of Moses.” They were making stuff up and calling it “oral Torah.” How convenient is that? I’m writing this on the day after Reformation Day. If you remember, Martin Luther (not King) hung up his points which addressed 95 new laws made up by man. He realized that tyrants could just make it up. The church that was called Catholic, was under roman authority. The Pharisees were in authority under roman rule as well. Why do we miss this stuff? That’s why I’m here, I guess.

It is so important to know that our Joy comes from God. He says that His Torah brings Shalom. Peter said to seek Shalom, referencing Psalm 34.

I don’t think it’s an accident that the Psalm relates obedience to peace.

Depart from evil, and do good. seek peace, and pursue it.

Psalm 34:14

Shalom in adversity

When we are walking in God’s will, we walk in peace, even in the presence of enemies.

Now, who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,

I Peter 3:13-14 ESV

Shalom means more than peace, my friend.

The shalom of YHWH is complete. It means wholeness. It includes what we call “wellness.”

This is the kind of peace that passes all understanding. This is the type that is hard to measure, but you’ll know it when you’re there. This shalom is only truly found in Messiah. He is the prince of Shalom.

May He keep you in His perfect peace.

Prayer:

Father in Heaven, I lift up your Name. I lift up my prayer in the name of Yeshua. Please keep my brothers and sisters in your perfect peace. Please shield us from evil and let us rest in your shalom. Help us walk in your Way and shelter under your tabernacle. You are the wise and loving Father, but you always were. You have always shown us more grace than we deserve. Help us to show grace on our neighbors. Amen.