My Grace is Sufficient

 

Our Daily Bread

While most routinely thank YHWH for leading us each day and giving us “our daily bread”, few actually know the reality of what that means. 

This concept can only be understood when we are immersed in a situation in which YHWH is the only form of support, relief, and deliverance.

Only then can we internalize the reality that YHWH is the source for all good, and not we ourselves.  When faced with a trying situation, too often the independent believer will rally to inject worldly actions to alleviate any form of discomfort and to guide and control the events.  

Instead, we must accept the situation that YHWH has put us into with thanksgiving, understand that any dissatisfaction with the circumstances is tantamount to questioning YHWH.  We must look immediately to our Creator for direction and resolution. We must resist the temptation to take matters into our own hands.

This grasp of a concept foreign to the independent, self-sufficient western mindset is a critical precursor to spiritual preparation for troubled times.   It is a vital step to obtaining the degree of humility which is necessary to be meek enough to inherit the earth. 

Blessings to the faithful few.

Faithfulness

 

Hosea 4:1-2 (1) Hear the word of YHWH, ye children of Israel: for YHWH hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of Elohim in the land. (2) By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood.

Faithlessness, when it has infected every area of a culture, blurs the distinction between right and wrong, good and evil, morality and immorality. Without truth, there is no reliable ethical basis for government, commerce, or social relationships. There are no solid standards. Without virtues upon which a majority agree, one can never be quite sure how another will conduct himself, and so everyone becomes untrustworthy.  In this context, mercy connotes steadfast love rather than a singular act of kindness toward somebody in need. It means, then, that people waver in their loyalties. They pursue whatever fad comes along. We might say today that they “blow hot and cold.” When they are “hot” they are “hot,” but they can never seem to sustain it because, when their eyes are lured by some new, exciting interest, they are off in that direction until yet something else catches their imagination. The “knowledge of Elohim” includes two elements: First is the knowledge about Elohim, of His existence, Word, and way. The second is acknowledging Him. This denotes commitment, a steady loyalty to Him personally and to His way of life as a pattern of living. The context demands the second element, since Elohim would have no reason to accuse people who were not aware of Him and His way of life. Because He is addressing those who have that basic knowledge, His complaints are directed at faithless, uncommitted people. In America, it is becoming almost impossible to find responsible and trustworthy people.   This article from John Rittenhouse, The Berean.  The Restored Names were substituted.

 

Wait on YHWH

Too often we get out ahead of YHWH and we try to manipulate sitations to meet our own timing and desires.  Believers should act in faith to prayerfully and obdediently WAIT on YHWH.

And Moses said to the people, Do not be afraid. Take your stand and see the salvation of YHWH, which He will prepare for you today. For as you see the Egyptians today, you shall not continue to see them again forever. 

YHWH will fight for you, and you be silent.  (Exo 14:13-14)

 

Read our new page  WAITING ON YHWH

 

 

 

What Did Yahshua Teach?

Yahshua Messiah came to earth as a messenger from YHWH the Father:

Behold, I send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me. And YHWH, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight. Behold, He is coming,” says YHWH of hosts. (Malachi 3:1)

Yahshua did not speak His own words, but the words that the Father gave Him (John 8:38-42; 12:49-50; 14:24). His message was not primarily about Himself, but rather the good news that the Father ordained to be announced on earth. While Yahshua Messiah was categorically the most important individual ever to walk this earth, the Bible shows clearly that the gospel that Yahshua brought was not simply about Himself:

·         And Yahshua went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. (Matthew 4:23)

·         And Yahshua went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. (Matthew 9:35)

·         Now after John was put in prison, Yahshua came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of YHWH, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of YHWH is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:14-15)

·         [Yahshua] said to them, “I must preach the kingdom of YHWH to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent.” (Luke 4:43)

·         Now it came to pass, afterward, that [Yahshua] went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings [gospel] of the kingdom of YHWH. (Luke 8:1)

·         The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of YHWH has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it. And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail. (Luke 16:16-17)

The inspired Word of YHWH makes it abundantly plain: The “good news” that Yahshua Messiah brought was about the Kingdom of YHWH! The “gospel of Yahshua Messiah” is simply the message of good news that Yahshua preached – not a message about Yahshua. It is not primarily a message about the events in His life and of His becoming the Savior of the world, although it most certainly does include all that. But if the events of His life are not seen in the proper context, the resulting “faith” will be full of error and ultimately disastrous!

The announcement of “good news” – the very best news that could be heard today – which the Father gave through Yahshua Messiah, was about His Kingdom. But what is a kingdom? It is a nation, with all of its citizens, land, and laws, ruled by a government. In biblical usage, a kingdom can also mean a family from a single parent grown into a nation.

A kingdom has four basic elements: 1) a king, supreme ruler, or governing agent; 2) territory, with its specific location and definite boundary lines; 3) subjects or citizens within that territorial jurisdiction; 4) and laws and a form of government through which the will of the ruler is exercised. If we ignore any one of these essential elements, we will have a distorted faith?one that may not bring salvation.

 

 Adapted from The Berean

Fear and Control

The carnal mind has desired ever since the fall in the Garden of Eden, to control itself and others. It desires not only to control itself according to its ideas, but also to make others conform to what it believes is correct.

The drives motivating the carnal mind are pride and fear. We think we have a special knowledge or calling,  Or we think we know better due to our pride. We want to control because we fear things will not work out in our best interest and we will suffer. We try to seize control of the situation so that we will not be inconvenienced or suffer pain. To insure that which we fear will not happen, our deceitful heart motivates us to a variety of responses.

Some people get belligerent and they threaten harm or pain and they bully their way, overpowering the opposition through intimidation. Others go out and they gather friends to agree with them and force their way on others through sheer numbers.

Others manipulate by argument, by not letting the issue go and they talk until the other person gives up in exasperation, just to get rid of the subject. The manipulator works to control so their fear of unwanted events do not occur.  Another manipulation technique is to bribe through gifts, harmony, love, friendship, or offers of inclusion. Sometimes pouting, anger, and silent treatment is used to manipulate other’s actions by trying to make them feel guilty.

Others declare, “Well this is the way it is going to be, and if you do not like it, you can lump it.”  Because they are threatened with the loss of control.  The manipulator’s pride fears someone else may have a better idea, or a better way, and may make them look dumb.

The human nature and the carnal mind wants to control. The only solution to fear, is dwelling in the spirit, living in faith  and waiting for YHWH to open the doors we should walk through. YHWH cannot lead when our carnal mind is leading.  Only, when we submit and, in faith, wait on HIM, will HE lead us.  When we allow HIM to lead, HE will fight for us.  Scripture cannot be broken…and there are numerous promises of just that.

Exodus 14:14  YHWH will fight for you and you be silent.

I Corin 16:13 Watch! Stand fast in the faith!  Be men!  Be strong!

(Adapted from an article by John Rittenhouse.)

Fear VS. Faith

Fear is dangerous to your faith because it will always call you to play it safe. Faith, on the other hand, calls you to step away from what seems safe.

Here are some other ways that fear and faith collide in the internal battle of your heart:

• Fear calls you to place your trust in what you can see; faith calls you to place your trust in what’s unseen.
• Fear calls you to trust in the world’s logic; faith calls you to trust in YHWH with all your heart.
• Fear hugs the status quo; faith calls you to something new, fresh and life-changing.
• Fear requires a false sense of security; faith calls you to place your security in YHWH and His Word.
• Fear causes you to base the possibilities on what you can do; faith calls you to imagine possibilities based on YHWH’s unlimited resources.
• Fear hesitates; faith calls you to make the most of every opportunity.
• Fear needs every answer in place; faith calls you to trust that YHWH has all the answers.
• Fear reduces the output and legacy of your life; faith increases your eternal impact and Kingdom legacy.
• And ultimately, fear is Satan’s tool to slow the growth of YHWH’s Kingdom; faith is YHWH’s tool to advance His Kingdom.

Finally, my brothers, be made powerful in YHWH and in the might of His strength. Eph 6:10 

Harvest Faith or Fear?

For As a Man Thinks In His Heart, So Is He… Proverbs 23:7

Just as there are laws of physics and gravity, there are laws of reaping and sowing.  We always harvest what we plant.  Thoughts have POWER, and they create after their kind. Habitual thoughts of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, meekness, gentleness and self control lead to the manifestation of these things.

 

Likewise, thoughts of fear, sadness, lack, and sickness will produce those conditions.

 

For that which I greatly feared has come upon me, and that which I dreaded has overtaken me. Job 3:25

 We must understand there is a definite link between what we habitually think and what we actually experience… We become what we think!  Our thoughts are a self fulfilling prophesy. Our lives will move in the direction of our most dominant thoughts… So, if we can change our thoughts, we can change our world!

Blasphemy of the Spirit

What is blasphemy against the ruach ha Kodesh (Holy Spirit)?

The Pharisees committed it when they attributed the works of the ruach ha Kodesh (Holy Spirit) by whose power Yahshua wrought his miracles (Matthew 12:28) to the devil.

That sin was without excuse and would not be forgiven in their age or in the coming one(Matthew 12:32).

Can people commit the unpardonable sin today?  The forgiveness of sin is the exclusive domain of YHWH, so we do not make that judgement. But scripture cautions us not to ridicule the manifest work of YHWH’s ruach in men’s lives and attribute that work of the ruach ha Kodesh (YHWH’s spirit) to the devil.

Profile In Faith

This is a testimony from a precious sister who lost triplets who were born prematurely.

Most Christians just want all the fruits of the spirit to simply drop in their laps.  I was one of those…..and sometimes in my cowardly or just plain lazy moments, I still am.

I remember watching my mother-in-law lose our beloved father about three years ago. Theirs was what most people would call ‘the love of a lifetime’. They had been married for 38 years and were both believers. They had just gotten to a place where both were equally committed to serving in missions together. They thought they were about to embark on a wonderful adventure together with their Creator.

Dad became ill very suddenly and died three months later. It was harsh and unexpected. Mom went through pain that is still unimaginable to me…..but I noticed that her faith became extremely strong during that time and has continued to strengthen since. It was as if she took a GIANT leap forward.

I remember thinking back then, if that’s what it takes to have that kind of faith…..if that’s what it costs, I don’t want it.  

I realize now that the lessons we learn through experience….especially the ones that bolster our faith……are eternal. They are worth more than our suffering. I’m not on this earth to party anyway. There are times that are actually appointed for mourning. This is just another reason for us to set our hearts on our eternal home, not this temporary one.

When I long for the children that are not with us, I remember how good they have it. How can I begrudge them a life without sin and suffering to awaken in the presence of their loving Creator? This is one of my most comforting thoughts.

The other thought was inspired by King David in 2 Samuel. He was referring to his little son (from Bathsheba) who had just died. He said, “He cannot come to me, but I will go to him.”   We will see them again. All three of them