These writings are designed to show you a concept, define a term, and edify you for one purpose: to learn more about Who He truly is while you read your Scriptures.
Prayer: Lord, please take our minds and our hearts as we open them to you for safe keeping. Strengthen us in your understanding as our idea of safety is challenged.
Post: Through constant prayer and meditation we can learn so much from the first chapter of our Word. I call it our Word because God created each and every one of us with His kingdom existing within us.
Messiah Yeshua came to give us life in abundance (as John 10:10 teaches).
Satan was given authority over life on earth, over “l i f e” ON EARTH. In order for evil to have authority over earth, evil must have control of a portion of that which is life, both natural and preternatural. Life, meaning the force that makes us live. “Makes” and not “lets” because entropy shows that it is not natural for the materials in the material world to live, but to slowly die until life no longer suffers to give life to flesh and bone. Evil is the force that makes things die, yet in His wisdom, He for a time has given some of life’s authority to the author of death.
Within day one, God, in the majesty that is He
created darkness among many things that will wither and tatter.
the third day was the land made underfoot with grass green
And with water’s force that makes His nature to gather
The purpose of the stars is to tell us the difference between the night and the day
To mark the seasons. This includes the sun and the moon.
Ever wonder about the stars when the sun is seemingly hidden?
When the day is bright do you wonder about the night?
And when the darkness gathers, how much does the light matter?
God created creation in such a way that magnifies His glory in the ever unfolding symphony of fear and beautiful comfort of His womb. Our God’s power is likened unto the light that shines from the sun. Contrast this with the light the stars and moon show. The carnal cannot understand these thoughts.
We are born into the experience of evil. Believing that evil is limited to extreme evil. Be aware and ready to courageously accept truth regardless of it’s ramifications for you on earth. The consequences of accepting that, I hope, are worth it. God’s faith in me knows it’s worth it. The test I endure on earth continues as I strive for it, only hoping, at times, in this life. The shreds of evidence that, like the ebb and flow of the ocean and my existence residing on the highest of the tide lines, washes over me in such reassurance that turning back would be only a foolish acceptance of a dowie existence, entropy laden, deceived, comfortable in death’s embrace. A life filled with friends and enemies to reassure me that it is anything but that.
“For afore the harvest, when the bud is perfect, and the sour grape is ripening in the flower, He shall both cut off the sprigs with pruning hooks, and take away and cut down the branches.”
You ever notice how the same temperature can feel different? If it’s 72 degrees because the heater is on it feels comfortable. If it’s 72 degrees because the sun is shining through a windowpane it feels glorious. I sure enjoy basking in those sweet sun rays in the middle of a winter’s day. I hope today we get to bask in the glory of Yeshua.
Satan has his version of trees: bad trees that produce bad fruit. All men have things they do in their schedules that they know aren’t quite right but they do them anyway. I for instance drive for a living, and sometimes I have to use caffeine in order to keep up. Caffeine makes me think negative thoughts, so I know God would rather me not use it. I do anyway.
Let’s imagine me using caffeine (that action) is the fruit of a tree. If I take away the fruit once, it will blossom again. I have to to take away the branches too. Isn’t that absolutely miraculous when God takes a problem in our lives away, fruit and branches, trunk and roots? Yeshua is amazing.
The Almighty’s trees are good, and the bad trees are simply counterfeiting those valuable, ornamental trees of YHVH. He uses the metaphor of plants that bear fruit constantly. The fruit will not occur without the seed, roots, branches, trunk and leaves.
The seed is just a little something that may or may not take root.
The roots represent a structure such as a rule, like the law of gravity, a fact such as existence, something to live by or a repetitive result’s source like do good receive good, do bad receive bad (Deut. 28).
The roots support the visible trunk. All of the sustenance that the roots take in are sent to the rest of the tree through the trunk, whose stubbornness supports the rest of the tree.
The branches represent a network of thoughts and actions that come from that seed. The seed is now gone, the earth has made it into something else.
While the roots represent our ability to take in unseen information and sustenance, the leaves represent our ability to take in information and sustenance that is in the open. Things such as other people who relate to us, movies who support our life viewpoint, Bible verses that support us, songs and poems, other phenomena that occurs that metaphorically fit our actions, all the open things designed to support the way we live feed and encourage our way of life. If we are living righteously, our leaves are taking in the light of The Son.
If the tree stays healthy and it’s systems function as they were created to function, it produces good, lasting fruit. This fruit has an effect on everything around it: the reason why active goodness can be controversial to some men: to be kept at arm’s length at all costs.
When we come to realize how deeply deceived the world is, it is generally a result of our coming out of deception. When one of His own see’s the truth, it is so obvious. It is easy to become bitter towards the world who just is not ready to accept the truth. Like the waters at Marah were not ready to quench the thirsts of the parched Israelites, nor is an unripe fruit ready for the belly.
When The Creator brought His children out of the house of bondage and through the Sea of Reeds, all the time He was artistically orchestrating events to point them quietly towards Yeshua. The Pesach screams Yeshua. The parting of the sea points to Yeshua’s not being accepted in His hometown and the people He grew up around, His family and friends, taking Him to a cliff with the intention of throwing Him over before He gracefully passes through their midst, leaving the recalcitrant town that He grew up in. Now, they come to Marah. Do you remember what it was that made the waters drinkable? That’s right, it was a branch, or an “Etz” in Hebrew. An Etz is a tree. There were lots of trees near Marah, but the tree that made the bitter waters drinkable was a specific tree that “YHVH showed Moses”. The tree had to be be cut away from the earth and placed into the waters to give life to a nation on the way to the Promised Land. Marah is a picture of The Savior cutting His people away from our lives to render us unto The Father. Have you ever wondered if you really are saved or not?
His Salvation’s proof can be seen in our works. If our works give sustenance in the desert wilderness that is this world, to a people who desperately need His character to come alongside them and love them with tender lovingkindness, as well as Fatherly stubbornness against the evils within and without, then salvation is indeed true.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Mashiach Yeshua for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”
“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”
Baptism is both a fruit and a seed. Our Father’s creation of a world where baptism is a part of reality is baptism’s seed. Yeshua orchestrated that seed for each and every man who ever lived. The roots of baptism come alive when the Living Word of the Holy Bible are coupled with man’s lost heart, waking up for the first time. The trunk is shown when a man repents from sinful living and decides to start making plans to get baptized. The branches can be seen in all the thoughts and actions that God pours into the man through studying Scripture. Studying Scripture and actively believing are what cultivates an atmosphere for the leaves to function in their intended capacity. So are the believers that God places into our lives that support us as and sharpen us as we do the same for them. That fruit begins to blossom when our plans to get baptized start to form and become solid.
Is getting baptized anything? Baptism is nothing without it’s true purpose: an appeal to The Almighty. What were your intentions when you got baptized? Who were you appealing to? If your appeal was without the cares of the world, focused on He who orchestrated a just path for you to walk, then the intertwining of your schedule with His propitiated plan of baptism for you was a team effort between you and God: the branches. The fruit is the baptism which leads to the washing away of sins and the gift of the Ruach HaChodesh: nourishment. I pray this post has nourished you, my friend
NOTE: I tried to quit caffeine for a long time and could not: thus I found that it was in fact an addiction. Since writing this article so many years ago, through the prayers of a strong brother, coupled with discipline, I have been broken free from the addiction. So free in fact that at times I will have a cup of coffee and not fall back into the addiction again. Like I said, I am not chained to complete sobriety, nor am I chained to continuing to need it: I am truly free from the chains completely. He broke me free from this in 2016. There is hope my brother, as I am nothing special outside of Messiah, but by choosing Messiah in my daily actions, instead of losing my life I have gained it.THIS IS NOT ENCOURAGING DRUG USE OF ANY KIND, WINE IS FOR THE BELLY, NOT THE MIND!
Welcome to all the 55 new folks following GTS Since the last few days of August until this posts publishing! If you are in this group, say Hi in the comments and thank you for joining this Bible Study group in our little corner of the internet.
People tend to convict and devour one another. Often times combating that looks like structuring words and actions to make one seem holier than they really are. Few have become fully pleasing to The King, some have, but few, very few.
Satan’s armies keep people away from the truth: truth from without and within. They make people believe in a relationship that is not there yet, or is not as deep as a man believes it is. In Christian circles everyone agrees that they believe in Our Savior and the power of His work when He sacrificed Himself for us. Satan is using the words in people’s mouths to trick their minds into thinking that their hearts really do believe. If a man were to be blessed with God showing him what his heart really believes, that man’s life would be undone and everything would be changed forever.
How do the previous few sentences begin the final part of Facets of Faith? Take what was learned in the previous post. Remember, this final part is a tribute to those who have pointed the finger inwardly, who read His word and recognize that “the world” and “man” and “Jacob” is talking about flaws they have, instead of pointing the finger to the world around them. Sure, the world is flawed no doubt and needs plenty of finger pointin’. This post is about having faith (operating based on hope) that The Father desires deeply to change you and make you perfect here in this life: The Father, The Son, mom and dad, teachers, the government, your boss, the devil, your spouse, none of them are stopping you from living righteously. You and your decisions are either stopping you, or they are building you into a mature man of Elohim.
<Not that I have already attained, or am already matured; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Messiah Yeshua has also laid hold of me… one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead…Therefore let us, as many as are mature, be of the same mind.>
Let’s comb through this verse knowing that The Savior is real good at saving us from ourselves if we let Him.
For which Messiah laid hold of me: The very reason why Messiah laid hold of Paul, the goal and purpose of their relationship is for Messiah’s maturity to live through Paul. He wants this for as many as are faithful.
Forgetting those things that are behind: There are so many things in a faithful person’s past, but one of those things is the belief that God is not bigger, much much bigger than the enemy: our imperfections, fears, shortcomings and habit to sin is all under The Father’s authority, not the other way around like the world teaches today in church. Make less excuses and apologies today than you did yesterday and you are doin just fine.
Those things that are ahead: What things are ahead? Glory land, matured bodies, mercy for sin and a close relationship with a just and ever loving Father and God whose compassions are as deep and wide as His perfect judgment.
Be of the same mind:Right now, most all people of the world have given up on bettering themselves to the degree that Scripture promises they are capable of. Most men simply settled in the one step they made so many years ago to accept that there is a God, that He sent His Son, and that everything, one day, is gonna be ok; that certainly changes a man for good and for life. Unfortunately though, the belief becomes stale in thinking that for now, just rely on mercy and try not to do anything real bad. That mindset is not life and peace, but corruption, death, heartbreak and despair: all the things that satan has designed for you. Righteousness means not giving up on a path that requires constant learning, challenge and growth into a mature, fruit bearing branch in His garden.
Imagine what it would be like if you and all your friends and family had a different mind? Instead, a mind that sets it’s eyes on the goal to be mature in The Savior, reaching forward to those things which are ahead, and working with The Savior in the very thing that He has patiently endured laying hold of you for. All it would take is a small percentage of people to be of that mind for the mess that this world is in to turn around and save many before the coming of the end of the age.
This here is a bit of a rough subject, but saying you don’t believe is actually the beginning of stepping into the realm of true relationship with The Savior. As contradictory as it seems, it works in a preternatural and sensible way. Sensibly, operating based on true things tends to line up situations better. Spiritually, The Savior works wonders for a man who has found and operates based on truth without and within. In fact, truth is so important that He likens it unto the piece of armor that connects all the other pieces of armor together: the belt.
Not believing has thousands of flavors from full recalcitrance that leads on through the valleys and mountains of self deceit, to skillfully and purposefully masquerading like one believes to deceive and finally intimidate others. A relationship with The Savior on the other hand has it’s foundation in truth in so many ways. You have to be honest with yourself and with Him about your unbelief or you will continue to be deceived. Try to take a step in humility and admit to yourself that even though you say you believe, you don’t always believe deeply. In other words, your life choices do not always reflect the faith you think you have. Dont just admit this, but have faith that He can turn it around if you are obedient to Him. This will make the difference you have been hoping for, or maybe the difference you have lost hope in long ago. Faith that lines up more closely with His will and character instead of the dead man’s desires, self defeating thoughts, and deceitful character is life and anything short of faith is death. But be careful, loved ones, for the ungodly stumble in making the very same decisions that cause His true followers to triumph. If you are not going to be serious about following through, consider taking it seriously. This is another alter call opportunity for you my friend.
If those ancient gates are open, do not squander the opportunity: get on your face before Yahweh and beg Him to change your life. Stop making Him wrestle you, let your heart be soft, and give Him the throne that is on it. Then, follow through when a decision comes that threatens the vows you have just made. Relying on mercy is not without repercussion.
Faith must be buffered. going outside your comfort zone to make decisions is part of everyday life. How can you ensure that your faith is being exercised in maturity? Studying Scripture is far less effective in the matter of regurgitating words to fellow believers in order to prove you or your friends are right. People with misguided thoughts in the Bible will become better guided through prayer in Scripture reading and being around people they trust and would be less apt to argue with.
Studying Scripture is purposed that you can change you. Place yourself into the story and imagine the social network of that story; the implications of the words and actions of the people in the story; and how in the heck that story made it into Sacred Scripture when there are billions of stories in history. Ask yourself, why is that story there?What is He trying to do in my life right now through this story? And how is this going to change who I am to make me a more suitable bride for a King? Be a little selfish, those lessons are for you.
Faith, sometimes, is painful both physically and emotionally. Sometimes, when one exercises faith, the people around them pick up their weaknesses and stab them out of self defense or bad habits. Faith can be built in your life by spending time with The Son a few times a day, alone. Pray to Him. Open the book knowing that it is true, like we talked about in Part One. The King helping you to understand how it is true is part of deepening your faith, like the lesson taught in Part Two. Don’t just study it for deep meaningful conversation with others who love Him, try to get a deep and full understanding of it for His sake and the relationship He has been working hard on with you, as you just took the time to learn. Your potential for being righteous with Him is truly without end.
Ask questions and endure. This will help you in your personal walk. He can’t be there as much for you if your focus is on someone else. Long-suffering is a huge accolade for any warrior and warrior is the job title that over arches every one of us who are truly walking humbly. Are you letting the world change you or are you letting Him change you? You will be humble to one or the other. It is normal to be a little scared. His commands frequently remind us to take up courage and be strong, shunning the fear of the world. God loves you and His desire is for you to be more like Him through changing the decisions you make and the skills you use to handle things. Try to change based on faith in The Savior. He will save those who are ready. If you did not need saving, there wouldn’t be much point for Him: His very name means Salvation The Anointed One. The first thing He did for His children was to get them out of Egypt. Next, He worked for several decades to get the Egypt out of them. Do not stop at being taken out of Egypt, for He shows favoritism to no man. Blessings to you brothers and sisters and be strong in faith.
