Words Matter: Week 2/Day 4

Read: Romans 8:1; Romans 8:28; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7; Hebrews 10:22

SOAP: Romans 8:1

S: There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Messiah Yeshua, who don't walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

O&A: Condemnation in this verse can also be understood as "damnatory sentence". I am so thankful that our Father so loved us that He gave Yeshua to be our salvation! This passage doesn't say we don't deserve this sentence, but that because of Yeshua, our Father no longer looks upon us as receivers of that sentence. 

Something that stands out to me is right after "to those who are in Messiah Yeshua", it then says, "who don't walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit". I keep hearing in my mind the verse regarding "Lord, Lord", and "Depart from Me, I never knew you". There are many who proclaim to know Him, but are walking according to the flesh, not the Spirit. 

I hope this doesn't come out in a wrong or offensive way, but I was once the fleshly believer (can't say none of that is still there). As long as I knew and believed who God was, and that Jesus was God's Son, and I believed that I was saved, I was good to go. Chased after my own fancies, my own sin, fulfilled my own desires. If I had died then, I fear that I would have been one that was told, "Depart from me, I never knew you." Because I never got to know HIM. I didn't truly understand His purpose; I didn't truly understand or love Him. It was a me, me, me/take, take, take relationship. It was "what can You do for me", not "how can I serve You?" situation. To me, that is all part of (but not entirely) what it means to walk after the flesh. There was no dying to myself, no living FOR Him. 

To be completely transparent, the devotion today mentioned, "Condemnation doesn't come from God, but from the devil. Romans 8:1 says, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” As a child of God, there is no condemnation for you. That's what Christianity is about. You're free from guilt, free from shame, free from fear, free from pain, free from failure." I doubt that I'm alone when I say that the adversary still whispers these words (not good enough, not "this", not "that", you didn't do it right, this person would've done it better, etc.), trying to cause doubt in the freedom that we accepted when we chose to live for Yeshua. Yes, we are still servants, but to Messiah! Not to ourselves, not to the adversary, not to the world... Correction most definitely comes from God (My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor detest His correction; For whom the LORD loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights), but condemnation is not the same. I think maybe I've gone on too long already... :) 

P: Beloved Father, thank You for the freedom to serve You, for the shed blood of Messiah Yeshua that set me free... I ask for boldness to serve You in the way You've called me to serve, and strength to withstand the wiles of the enemy, both haSatan, and my flesh. When the adversary comes whispering, I pray that my ears will be closed to his lies, my eyes with blinders on, looking neither right nor left to see what he offers, and that I would not see what the world offers, just You, right ahead of me, showing me the correct way to go. Thank You for setting me free! In Yeshua's name, Amein.

LGG: Promises of God ~ Week 2, Day 1

Read & SOAP: 

1 Corinthians 15:58

S: Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the L-rd's work, because you know that your labor is not in vain in the L-rd.

O&A: 

-Always abounding in the L-rd's work = Always excel in the tasks assigned by one and to be done for his (Messiah's) sake/business, employment, that with which anyone is occupied

-you know that your labor = intense labor united with trouble, toil - the labor to which love prompts, and which voluntarily assumes and endures trouble and pains for the salvation of others 

- is not in vain in the L-rd = metaphorically, of endeavors, labors, acts, which result in nothing, vain, fruitless, without effect

This passage is begun with a beautiful endearment, one that I use often. All who know me know my husband is so much my beloved that it is one of the ways I refer to him "Beloved Husband". It's an esteemed title. Then to tell us to be steadfast, immovable (which makes think of having ones' chin set like flint, Isaiah 50:7, to be determined)... always excelling in the tasks we are assigned for Messiah's sake... and to know that our toils will not be without effect. 

Oh man. I see a picture in my mind of me sweeping my floors this morning. It's been raining ridiculously here in Texas, so much that last week our car got stuck in deep mud... in our own driveway! Every time we step foot inside our home, we are tracking mud, which dries into dirt. Everywhere you walk, your feet feel gritty. That is, until I sweep. Which I am having to do multiple times a day to keep our feet and floors from being gritty. But the work is not in vain. I don't receive a lot of thanks for the work, until I skip a sweeping. Ha! Then when I DO sweep, it's very welcomed. Whether the work is recognized or not, there is benefit. And so it is with our service to the Master. I may never know why He pointed this person out to pray for as we drive past them, or why He told me to give this person a word from Him, or even why He calls me to do ANYTHING! But I know that His word does not go out and return to Him void - it accomplishes His purpose. So I have to believe that, and desire to excel in what He calls me to do. And know that no matter the difficulty of the task, or the unthankfulness I may receive (not all people want to hear the gospel, after all), my assurance is in Him.

Anyway, that's what it makes me think of. Luke 17:9 says, "Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded? I think not." So we may not receive thanks, or recognition at the time of our service that we ought to excel in, but we toil, and I for one desire these words, "Well done, good and faithful servant." 

P: Oh, Abba, You know my heart. You know it is desperately wicked, it wants to be self-serving when You call me to do the hard things. It wants to self-preserve! It wants to choose life, but Your word says we don't choose life, we have to die to ourselves to receive eternal life in Your kingdom! This word today is so strengthening to me, reminding me WHY we are here, often carrying a broken heart for the lost, for the hurting, for the questioning, for the ones who stand with one foot on either side of the fence... for the ones that spitefully use us for Your purpose. Abba, when my heart says it can't take anymore, Your word says it can! When my spirit is heavy with the troubles of others, You remind me that I am doing what You called me to do, to love others as myself, and to grieve with those grieving, rejoice with those rejoicing. I can't do that if I am immune to their emotions and circumstances. I pray Abba that You would cause my heart to be even more tender towards You and Your purposes. The word labor in our passage today is broken down to " the labor to which love prompts, and which voluntarily assumes and endures trouble and pains for the salvation of others". I pray for more of Your strength to endure these troubles and pains for the salvation of others. I pray that I would understand better that if it's hurting my heart to see Your children who are called by Your name act in these ways, that it's breaking YOUR heart, and how much more so. Help me to set my chin like flint against the adversary, and sometimes even against my own desires, so that I am not a stumbling block to Your works. B'Shem Yeshua/In Yeshua's name, Amein.

LGG: Jonah - Love the Loveless Week 2/Day 2

Read: Jonah 2:3-4SOAP: Psalm 31:22

S: As for me, I said in my haste, "I am cut off from before your eyes." Nevertheless you heard the voice of my petitions when I cried to you."

 In the fourth watch of the night Yeshua came to them, walking on the sea. When the talmidim saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It's a ghost!" and they cried out for fear.
But immediately Yeshua spoke to them, saying "Cheer up! I AM! Don't be afraid." Peter answered him and said, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the waters."
He said, "Come!" Peter stepped down from the boat, and walked on the waters to come to Yeshua.
But when he saw that the wind was strong, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!"
Immediately Yeshua stretched out his hand, took hold of him, and said to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" 

-Gospel of Matthew, chapter 14

O&A: We are not alone in wondering if we've been forgotten when we go through hard times. We are also not alone in the fact that He WILL answer us when we call! HalleluYah! Jonah was in the depths, the heart of the sea; the boat Peter was on was in the middle of the sea, also. 

[Jonah: For you threw me into the depths, In the heart of the seas. The flood was all around me. All your waves and your billows passed over me.]

[Peter: But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, distressed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.]
Really amazing to me is that the Hebrew word for heart (as in the heart of the seas) is לֵבָב lêbâb, lay-bawb', which can be translated as the seat of will and purpose, or intellect and wisdom; the seat of the senses, affections, and emotions of the mind; the soul, life; the heart; the midst. So while Yonah was in the belly of the fish, in the heart of the sea, his own heart was being dealt with by Elohim. I personally notice that often when I've rebelled against Abba, He allows me to be consumed in order for me to recognize my rebellion so that I will make my choice - cry out to Him in my despair, or continue to turn away?? 

Consider this: doesn't His word say that He would rather us be hot or cold? That if we are lukewarm, He will spew us out. I know I'm ahead of the study throwing that out there, but He was giving Yonah the opportunity to show whether he would be hot or cold. Which of course makes me consider MY heart, and MY temperature. This study is not just about Yonah, but about how I must be changed for Abba's glory and perfection. It's so much easier to say, "Oh, Yonah, how could you do that? I would never..." 

But that wouldn't be true.

I spent most of my life running from God, all the while proclaiming to love Him and serve Him. I can't even begin to number the amount of times and situations I sought refuge FROM God, instead of finding refuge IN HIM. Even in my strongest times, and during minor trials, I have asked Him, "Are you sure? Won't this overtake me?" And still, just like Kefa/Peter and walking on the water, "But when he saw that the wind was strong, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Yeshua stretched out his hand, took hold of him, and said to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?"

P: Avinu Malkeinu, our Father and our King, Your righteousness is astounding. Thank You for not having selective hearing, as I sometimes do. Thank You for hearing my cries immediately, even if it's not time for the answer to be revealed. I seek Your forgiveness for every matter that You've called me to that I have run from, for every word you've asked me to speak and I've said, "Huh? What's that, Abba? Are you sure?" Your love is so great, and I fail. Abba, change my heart during this study, so that I seek Your will and Your heart far greater than I seek my own, or even someone else's. I want to burn hotter and hotter for You, so that if I be consumed, it is by YOU! In Yeshua's name, I give You praise and thanks, Amein.

LGG: Truth Over Lies - Week 2 Tuesday

READ: Romans 8:31-32; John 1:16; James 1:5; Ephesians 1:3-8

SOAP: Romans 8:31-32

S: What then shall we say about these things? If Elohim is for us, who can be against us? He who didn't spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how would he not also with him freely give us all things?

O&A: I want to focus on "If Elohim is for us, who can be against us?" We already know who is victorious!

P: Avinu, Malkeinu, My Father and My King, I am so thankful for Your victory, and for Your Son Yeshua, whose name literally means Salvation. Thank You for allowing us the opportunity of redemption and salvation, and thank You for being victorious in the war! In Yeshua's name, Amein.

LGG: Truth Over Lies - Week 2 Friday

READ: Isaiah 43:25; 1 John 1:9

SOAP: Isaiah 43:25; 1 John 1:9

S: (1)I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake; and I will not remember your sins. 

 

(2)If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

O&A: This is really wonderful. "I, even I," (this is the Most High speaking... capable of all things)

"am he who blots out your trangressions" - rebellion/sin/transgression/trespass - פֶּשַׁע [pesha] which is a very similar word to the word that is translated as Passover [פֶּסַח] It is also used in Leviticus 16:16, when Aharon/Aaron makes atonement for for the Holy Place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Yisra'el, and because of their transgressions, even all their sins; and so he shall do for the Tent of Meeting, that dwells with them in the midst of their uncleanness. Also used in Leviticus 16:20-22 "When he has made an end of atoning for the Holy Place, the Tent of Meeting, and the altar, he shall present the live goat. Aharon shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Yisra'el, and all their transgressions, even all their sins; and he shall put them on the head of the goat, and shall send him away into the wilderness by the hand of a man who is in readiness. The goat shall carry all their iniquities on himself to a solitary land, and he shall let the goat go in the wilderness.

"for my own sake" - for my sake- vindicating My name

"I will not remember" - no longer bring to mind; no longer contemplate things called back to memory

"your sins" - the Hebrew word for this means a sin offering, can also be known as a purification offering. It is seen especially throughout the Torah/first 5 books of instruction. This offering is brought during or after atonement for those transgressions that had been committed inadvertently, or in ignorance: intentional transgressions could only be absolved by other forms of atonement, or in severe cases kareth. It was distinct from the biblical guilt offering.

In the second passage, what stands out to me is that God/Elohim is faithful and righteous to not only FORGIVE, but also to CLEANSE us from all unrighteousness/sins. All sin requires the shedding of blood, and in our case, it's the blood of Messiah that atones for our sins. Hebrews 9:22 "Indeed, according to the Torah, almost everything is metohar (purified) by dahm (blood), and without a kapporah (cover) by means of shefach dahm (the shedding of blood) there is no selicha (forgiveness)."

Long story, short (is it too late for that?)... He has covered us by the blood of the Lamb, our Messiah Yeshua, to atone for our sins. He has forgiven us, and will no longer contemplate things called back to memory.. So why do I allow myself to be bogged down with the things I did when I was a totally different person?!? Before I was made new by the blood of Messiah?!? HalleluYah for His redemption and covering and atonement, and that He doesn't hold these things against us. When Yeshua would tell a person, "Go, and sin no more", it became up to that individual to no longer repeat their transgression, and so it is with me. I think sometimes I must have a guilty conscience from doing things that maybe I know I shouldn't be doing, and therefore giving haSatan a foothold in my life.

P: Abba, there are either no words to speak, or so many I can't get to them all. I am in awe of Your love for me, and in love with the sacrifice You made. I know I get so long-winded sometimes in my study, but it's only to dig into the meaning of Your Word. Abba, You are enough. The blood of Yeshua is enough. I will not shrink back in fear of who I used to be, knowing that I am covered in the atoning blood of Your Son, my Messiah. I am thankful. In Yeshua's name, Amein.

James Study: Week 2 ~ Thursday

James 2:8-13

SOAP James 2:8-9

S: However, if you fulfill the royal law, according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you do well.

But if you show partiality, you commit sin, being convicted by the law as transgressors.

O&A: "You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people; but you shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD." Leviticus 19:18 

The Shema: "Hear, Yisra'el: the Adonai/LORD is our Elohim/God; Adonai/the LORD is one: and you shall love Adonai/the LORD your Elohim/God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might." 

Deuteronomy 6:4-5

In my humble pondering, in order to *truly* love our neighbor as our self, we must first love Adonai with all our heart, all our soul, and all our might (or as I saw in transliteration from Hebrew, with all of your muchness). The royal law is of course not from just any monarch, but from our King, the Creator of the Universe. It is a "chief" law, and my mind is making all these connections... about Yeshua being the rosh/"chief" pinah/cornerstone (Psalm 118:22) The cornerstone: an important quality or feature on which a particular thing depends or is based. 

So my word association leads me to this: Anything I have set as my own cornerstone will lead to an unstable foundation upon which all things will be built (in my life). If I follow the Shema (Hear, O Y'Israel) and love Adonai my Elohim, and Yeshua is my cornerstone, and everything else is built upon that, then I will not show partiality/exalt any person over another, thereby committing sin.

P: My AWESOME Abba, You are working wonders to behold! There are many who sing the Shema, but how many of us truly understand and follow the instruction? Thank You, Abba, for Your mercy. Thanks be to Yeshua, who showed no partiality when he walked this earth, and who showed no partiality when He loved His neighbor as himself, laying down his life for His friends. I am so guilty of taking advantage of my position of salvation, and being the servant who did nothing with the talents I was given. Your Word say, ""The King will answer them, 'Most assuredly I tell you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'" Abba, I want to see others with Your eyes, and love them with Your love, and lay down my life so that Your glory will shine and call forth those who see it - Your light on the hill. In Yeshua's name, may it be so. Amein.

James Study: Week 2 ~ Monday

James 1:19-21

S: So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; for the anger of man doesn't produce the righteousness of God. Therefore, putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with humility the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

O&A: I really feel Abba's love, compassion, and righteousness in these readings. Proverbs 18:13 says, "He who gives answer before he hears, That is folly and shame to him." So if I apply being swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger... then I will be speaking not just less, but I will not speak before considering/hearing out a matter. I can't tell you how many times I've jumped to a conclusion, only to have to go back and say, "I misunderstood, and I apologize." I have often told my sons, "If you don't like to apologize, then you better be mindful that you don't say/do something you'll end up needing to apologize FOR. But it's always good to remain humble, and ready to make apologies." 

On the part where it says, "putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness" really causes me to reflect on how much we've been required (by Abba) to give up/forsake to be His, so that the offerings will be a sweet aroma to His nostrils. Think of how many things and how many times the scriptures say something is a foul stench, or odor to Abba's nostrils, and what does it say are pleasant for Him? 

"Now thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Messiah, and reveals through us the sweet aroma of his knowledge in every place. For we are a sweet aroma of Messiah to God, in those who are saved, and in those who perish; to the one a stench from death to death; to the other a sweet aroma from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?"  2 Corinthians 14-17

We have been called to life more abundant in our Messiah, Yeshua... We are being provoked to go further than we have before.

P: Abba, Avinu Malkeinu, our Father and our King, I surrender to You any and every particle of remaining filth and wickedness that is left in me, in Yeshua's name. You have brought me so far, yet I am still in a struggle, and I acknowledge that I am still truly a work in progress, and though I honestly yearn to be the completed work, I realize that as I am now is part of Your plan for me. I submit to You, Adonai, and desire to continue to be changed by You, for Your purpose, how You see fit. I am so thankful that Your ways are higher than mine, and Your thoughts are higher than my thoughts, because You know the end from the beginning, while I stand here on the stepping stone I'm currently inhabiting, awaiting Your voice to step forward to the next stone. I get impatient, and I get frustrated, and I get so wrapped up in what I see around me, so Abba, I pray that I would remember to keep my eyes on You so I won't begin to sink. Also, in accordance to the scripture we focused on today, I ask that You would really inscribe Your word on my heart... not the stone tablets, but this heart of flesh, so that it will remain. In Yeshua's mighty name, Amein.

Week 2 ~ Day 5 - Growing Through Prayer

Growing Through Prayer (A 'Loving God Greatly' Bible Study)

January 22, 2016

Week 2 ~ Day 5

Read: John 15:1-5

SOAP: John 15:5

S:

“I am the vine.  You are the branches.  He who remains in me, and I in him, the same bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” – HNV

"I am the vine and you are the branches. Those who stay united with me, and I with them, are the ones who bear much fruit; because apart from me you can't do a thing.” - CJB

O&A:

The first two statements strike me because they are stated so matter-of-factly by Yeshua.  He knows who he is, and what his purpose is.  Do I?  Do I really know him, and do I know and believe that I am his?  Do I really believe that I am dependent on him?  Do I really believe that everything comes from him?  Sometimes it’s easy to remember it, and believe it, and abide in it.  Sometimes, though, it’s a trial.  Today is what we lovingly know as Prep Day – prepping for Shabbat.  I’m late in my study because of all of the preparation that has taken place, but I kept thinking, “I’ll do my studying after I finish this task,” and then another task came up, and then I realized that I was recognizing a much stronger pain in my back than usual; a certain, unfortunately familiar pain that is associated with a healing herniated disc.  Total monkey wrench in my plans!  It not only caused me to slow down, but brought me to a complete halt of all of my activities.  However, I am refreshed spiritually, although hurting physically.  This is a real-life application of how the Ruach Kodesh/Holy Spirit and my carnal being are at odds with one another, lol.  My spirit sings as my body cries.  If I were not rooted in Messiah, I think my spirit would scream out as my body rallied against me. 

Without Messiah, I cannot do a thing, or as some interpretations say, anything. 

According to the Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, here is a break-down on some of the things that jumped out to me:

The vine: Messiah calls himself a vine, because, as the vine imparts to its branches sap and productiveness, so Messiah infuses into his followers (believers) his own divine strength and life.

The branches: a tender and flexible branch; the shoot/branch of a vine; a vine-sprout.

Bears much fruit: brings forward à fruits – used of men’s deeds as exponents of their hearts; Hebrew word is periy: the result of labor or endeavor

Remains in me: to maintain unbroken fellowship with one; to be continually operative in him by his divine influence and energy; to be rooted as it were in Messiah, knit to him by the Spirit they (we) have received from him; kept continually.

P:

Oh, Abba, this morning You began to speak into me wonderful words of wisdom from this verse, and as many times as our family has come to this scripture passage, I should have so much more to type!  But alas, you are my Elohim, and if you don’t allow me to write it now, I will not force it.  Thank you, Abba, for these that you told me are real-life applications.  It is one thing to read the scriptures, and another to understand them, and even more to apply that which You are teaching us!  How I have called on You today due to this pain, this thing I view as a restriction!  And You have answered, as You love to do with Your children.  Thank you, Abba, for the Vine in which I may abide, and that You abide in me; You give me life-sustaining nutrients, the air I breathe, the Son by which I am able to grow.  I pray Abba that the fruit I bear is pleasing to You, and whatever there is that is in me that is not of You, that You cut it off, my Gardener.  Let all that comes from me bring You glory.

In Yeshua’s name, Amein.

#‎LoveGodGreatly‬

Week 2 ~ Day 4 - Growing Through Prayer

Growing Through Prayer (A 'Loving God Greatly' Bible Study)

January 21, 2016

Week 2 ~ Day 4

Read: Ephesians 3:14-16

SOAP: Ephesians 3:14-16

S: 

“For this cause, I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, from whom every family in heaven and on eretz is named, that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man;”

O&A:

“Is named” is standing out to me above all else in this passage.  In the CJB version, it reads, “receives its character”, and when I looked at the original language usage, it is described as “bears the name of; the one from whom the received name is derived”.  I then saw this: 

{Bride Groom} à gives his name to à [his bride]

We, the believers in YHVH Elohim/God, and His Son, Yeshua the Messiah, are the Bride (of Messiah).  When we take the marriage covenant upon ourselves, we leave mother and father to cling to Him; we take on our Bride Groom’s name, his address, his ways…  We learn of Him, cultivate our intimacy with Him, learn how to Honor Him…  We bear His name and become known as His.

P:

Abba, I had to learn how to become Earl’s wife, and I am still learning how to be Your bride, as well.  Father, I praise You, and desire to know You more and better than ever before.  I want to be worthy of carrying Your name, and that those who see me, and my family, will see You and want to know You.  In Yeshua’s name, Amein. 

#‎LoveGodGreatly‬