Take a breath and listen
Moving Rendition
This is almost 20 minutes long, so take a few moments to rest in the Ruach and worship along. Blessings for your week.
Tag: Jesus in the old testament
Torah Is Nearby
Do you ever feel like evil is closing in like the bad guys in a 70’s Karate movie?
When Trouble Surrounds…
We must remember two things from today’s scripture in Psalm 119:150-151.
- God is near.
- The evil ones are far from God and His law.
God Is Near.
“The word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it”
Deuteronomy 30:14
“The word is near you, even in your mouth and in your heart (that is, the word of faith which we preach)”
Romans 10:8
When the evil people of your community come against you… When your trusted institutions (media, government, medicine) seek your harm… When mythical levels of secret forces mock your way of life and attempt to round you up and push you away…
Your Father is near. He is with you and He is in you. Hear His words, feel His breath (spirit) in your very lungs. Read His Word (living and powerful) out loud to draw near and to provide a barrier, an offence to the lawless ones. Remember His angels are here to. He commissions them to stand for our cause. Halleluyah.
Though they threaten, they are lost
The evil ones are the walking dead, slowly encroaching upon your space. Do not give them your mind, your soul, your strength. Those belong to your King (Deut. 6). They are focused but they are lost.
Jerks will be jerks. Without God’s ways in their hearts, the sinners will do sinner’s stuff. They will be trusted, in a way, to be untrustworthy. Don’t take your eyes off your God. Don’t let your heart cheer for their demise.
Pray for those who persecute you.
Do it now. It is super important to take every available moment to use your weapon. The time is short. You may see that Cruella DeVille turn into a meek child of God. Pray salvation, pray Deliverance. Pray the revival will come. You and I were outside God’s will and Kingdom, outside His rescuing grace. Now we need to serve as a lifeguard.
Using wisdom, of course. Let’s love our neighbors.
Prayer
Father in Heaven, sometimes I feel that I’ve known you forever. Sometimes I forget that I lived in a state of being unsaved from my sin. Let me have compassion on the very people who come after me. Bring them to mind in my prayer closet. Hear me when I pray. I pray for my protection and favor in all interactions. Keep us from their evil and their games. If they can be saved, let them turn to you. Amen.
Torah Is Eternal Truth
So do you ever look truth in the eye, and turn away because it is uncomfortable? Have you ever seen people all around turn to a lie in the presence of loads of evidence? This happens every day. This was foretold.
But know this, that in the last days, grievous times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good, traitors, headstrong, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; holding a form of godliness, but having denied its power. Turn away from these, also. For some of these are people who creep into houses, and take captive gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
II Timothy 3:1-7
Still Truth
Check back with this website in one thousand years and… Truth will still be Truth.
We have already seen scriptures within Psalm 119 which state Torah is truth, but this time, we look at the truth that lasts forever. This is the truth that never changes. This is etched in stone, as they say. (Think about where that catch phrase likely started.)
If Torah was done away with, was truth done away with?
Torah is eternal truth.
According to the Word of Jesus/Yeshua, Torah did not die. It is still true. Covenants can be broken and they need to be renewed or re-entered. Torah can be broken. I’ve done it. You’ve done it. But there is hope.
God does not lie. He holds fast to His word, to His Promise.
Think not that I am come to destroy the Torah, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
Matthew 5:17 – Cepher
God doesn’t give up on you.
He is faithful to His covenant and He is faithful to you. The Savior gave himself to bring us back into righteousness through His blood.
Reading through Psalm 119 connects to the words of the Messiah in that it praises Torah over and over. There must be a reason for that, right? There must be a reason why Yeshua said that we should not even think that He did away with one tiny bit of Torah.
Torah did not die.
- Our relationship did not die.
- Our dependence did not die.
- Our obedience did not die.
- Our inheritance did not die.
- Our blessing did not die.
- Our promise did not die.
- Our Savior DID.
Torah – Broken By Me. Messiah – Broken For Me.
The concept is simple, but the walk is detailed enough to take a lifetime of pursuit.
Do not turn from Torah!
It is profitable. It is given to us for our well-being. Let Torah serve as our teacher – as an unsaved one, to lead us to the need of a Savior. As a redeemed believer, it can continue to teach us about the will of God.
Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness,
II Timothy 3:16
Keep in mind, when Paul wrote this to Timothy, the only scripture was the Tanakh, commonly known as the Old Testament. If it was truth before Messiah died, and true after He died (when II Timothy was written), it makes sense that it is true today.
…And Forever.
Have you been told that we should turn away from Torah? After you have been saved from sin, have you been taught to repent from God’s law? Do you think that’s a turn in the wrong “way?”
Jesus/Yeshua is the way, the truth, and the life.
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, we worship you and lift up our praise to you. Hear our prayer as a sweet scent before your throne. Blessed be your Name. Help us to understand your Torah. Help us to understand your sacrifice. Help us to understand your Holy Breath (spirit) inside our lungs and to hear your guidance. Let me not add, let me not take away from your forever Word. Thank you for the living Word in our lives. Let us glorify You as we seek to do your good deeds before you and the nations who are watching us so closely. AMEN.
Torah Is A Target
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
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.
Torah Is A Lifeline
Bring me to safety!
The cords of the wicked have encircled me,
But I have not forgotten Your law.
— Psalm 119:61
I think of Jonah. He was pulled down by the kelp and the weight of his sin.
The waters closed in over me to take my life;
the deep surrounded me;
weeds were wrapped about my head
Jonah 2:5
Be gracious to me, O Lord!
See my affliction from those who hate me,
O you who lift me up from the gates of death,
that I may recount all your praises,
that in the gates of the daughter of Zion
I may rejoice in your salvation.
The nations have sunk in the pit that they made;
in the net that they hid, their own foot has been caught.
The Lord has made himself known; he has executed judgment;
the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands.
– Psalm 119:13-16
This is great. I love how Jonah tells us of the parallel. Death wraps around us. Evil tries to ensnare us and bring us down into the depths. But YHWH saves. His Torah is a lifeline.
But the evil will be brought down in the end. The wicked will be caught in their own trap. The end will be a literal pit. The pit that the fallen angels experience now will one day be a forever pit of fire.
This same pit will be the judgement of all the evil ones. No longer will they have a hand to touch the chosen (us). No longer will we be a target.
But we have hope. We have it now. We have it eternally. We follow His Torah. We receive comfort. We grab onto the inheritance through the bloodline of the Messiah.
Embrace your adoption. Your heritage and draw near to Him with teaching (Torah) that brings life, that brings light.
Prayer:
Father, you are beautiful. May we flee from evil. Keep us from the wicked that we not be ensnared. Keep us in your love. Keep us in your covenant. Redeem us and feed us through the bread of Messiah.
Father, thank you for the hope in your Torah. Thank you for the promise of your eternity, your kingdom come. May your will, your Torah, be done in our hearts and in our hands. Amen.
My friend. Cling to Torah. It is a life-saver. Have you ever been snared by the cords of death and evil? How did you find the shore and safety?
Torah Is: Not Liked By Some
Who are they.
According to the Word of God, it is the wicked, the guilty ones, who forsake His Torah.
David expressed a burning that seized him because of that lawlessness.
Sometimes I know the feeling.
I think we are too much on the defensive these days. Lawlessness has become a thing off popular culture. It has become the norm in many (mostly urban) strongholds across the USA.
But we see it in school boards and city councils in small towns too. The guilty ones, the wicked ones, have achieved a level of authority in many places.
It is wake-up time (or a few exits past it) for a follower of Messiah. We need to be busy, busy, not just taking things back, but jailing the law of the land breakers and keeping the vigilance.
Much to be said of such things
There’s no time for this post to wake up the masses. But I can ask you a question or two. What do you feel when you see lawlessness/torahlessness? Are you immune to a burning in your soul? Or does zeal spark up a flame?
How do you pray? Do you simply pray that everyone will be saved? Accept Jesus? That would be fine. Some are coming to repentance. Or do you pray for Justice? Biblical prayers for Justice abound.
He is YHWH Elohaynu: his judgments are in all the earth.
TEHILLIYM (PSALMS) 105:7 את CEPHER
Many times, when the psalmist asks for Justice, he’s speaking of his times but also of a prophetic time in the future when the Messiah embodies one of His end times roles. Judge.
And He uses a sword.
Use that sword now.
The sword of the Messiah is the Words of His mouth. As He left, he willed something to His apostles. That thing is the very Breath (Spirit) of YHWH in our lungs and in our presence, walking with us and the authority of ambassadors. We can speak the actual words of God.
That is what Jesus did, and the Devil and his spirit slaves (demons) had to flee.
You and I wrestle with the spirit realm. It would be best to to three things to be mighty warriors.
- Learn about the armor of God
- Draw closer to the Breath of YHWH within.
- Use his Sword. Speak it with true faith and authority.
Simple – Not Simple
Which side are you on. Sometimes it takes a thief to discover the truth.
What?
Have you been stolen from? Have you been mocked or hurt deeply in your emotions by a loved one, a long time friend? You have been robbed of your trust. You have also seen the light.
Our national leaders, some of our neighbors, some family, friends, even pastors have robbed us.
They speak lies to us and even about us.
Step Back
I believe the Father provides a refuge for us if we step back into safety as we identify the spiritual enemies. And await His charge.
You are not alone.
You are strong because the Breath of God is in you. You are powerful because the blood of Yeshua and His DNA is at your core. And you are victorious because you wield the mighty Sword of His Word. Stronger than the demons weapons.
Prayer
Father in Heaven, we worship you, the maker of heaven and earth. Hosannah. Come save us. Father I receive your helper. I receive your Breath into my lungs, into my temple. Give me guidance and strength through your mighty Word. Lead me in the paths of righteousness and restore my strength in the mighty name of YESHUA. Give me zeal enough for each day and give me compassion enough to perceive when your gospel is working it’s good work. Thank you for your Torah. May I never be one who is guilty, who seeks evil and torahlessness. May the blood of YESHUA cleanse me and make me more than whole. Amen.
Torah Is 