Author: cj

Servant of Jesus; i have seen the good, the bad, and the ugly of the church. i choose to love her with all her flaws. my life verse, which i will mention often, Micah 6:8 "Do Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly... author, “Staying the Journey, the narrow road” published December 2019

On Earth as it is in Heaven

“. . . They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, ‘Worthy are You, our Adonai and Elohim, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they existed and were created.’” Revelation 4:11

As we continue breaking down Adonai’s Prayer i think it is important to keep in the forefront of our minds whom we are talking to, the Creator of all things. Let us not lose perspective of this for when we do i believe that is part of the slippery slope which leads to the great falling away Yahoshua mentions in Matthew 24:10. For when tribulation comes, and it is coming to us in the western culture; Yet, many in the world already suffer great tribulation everyday, and i believe what see’s them through it is reminding themselves they are serving the Creator of all things. So when we pray, “one earth as it is in Heaven” we are stating we want Elohim’s will to be done with no distraction between heaven and earth. In the High Priestly Prayer recorded in John Yahoshua says:

“I do not ask that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As You sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate Myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word, that they may all be one, just as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You have sent Me.” John 17:15-21

Remember sanctify means set apart. Yahoshua is praying that we be set apart from the world but not removed from it. Israel was to be the people in which Elohim was known to all nations. They were to be set apart and what set them apart was following the Commandments of YWHW. This covenant between Elohim and man begins with Abram, later Abraham; “Now YWHW said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you ALL THE FAMILIES OF THE EARTH SHALL BE BLESSED.’” Genesis 12:1-3 Fast forward to Exodus 19:5-6 “Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you shall be My treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”

This covenant has changed the people of Elohim are to be priests and to be set apart from the world. This was done through the redemption we have through Yahoshua. “Worthy are You to take the scroll and to open its seals, for You were slain, and by Your blood You ransomed people for Elohim from every tribe and language and people and nation, and You have made them a kingdom and priests to our Elohim, and they shall reign on the earth.” Revelation 5:9-10. Knowing this should help us to live Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test
and approve what Elohim’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.”
AND
“Since you were raised from the dead with Mashiah, aim at what is in heaven, where Mashiah is sitting at the right hand of Elohim. Think only about the things in heaven, not the things on earth. Your old sinful self has died, and your new life is kept with Mashiah in Elohim.” Colossians 3:1-3 — i am one who believes that understanding this puts the words of Yahoshua ha’Mashiah into greater perspective.

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:17-19

The key part of this passage i believe many miss is the heavens and earth passing away. Instead, they look at the word accomplished and relate that to the work of the cross. i am of the camp that sees this as a wrong interpretation. what was being finished on the cross was the redeeming work of the Lamb of Elohim. Read Psalm 22 and then the accounts of the crucification found in the gospels. i believe Yahoshua was quoting this Psalm while on the cross and when he said, “It is finished” Yahoshua was ending the Psalm not abolishing the Law or the prophets. For reference look at Revelation 21 where we see the passing away of the heaven and earth.

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the Holy City, New Jerusalem, coming down out of Heaven from Elohim, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from. The throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of Elohim is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and Elohim Himself will be with them as their Elohim.’” Revelation 21:1-3

Do you truly want the WILL of Elohim “on earth as it is in heaven” if so what does that look like?

You are loved,
cj

Thy WILL be done

Luke 6:46 “Why do you call Me ‘Adonai Adonai,’ but not do what I say?”What is the Will of Elohim? Yahoshua when asked what the greatest commandment was, responded, “To love your Elohim with all your heart, soul, and mind; and the second, love your neighbor as yourself.” Many take this to mean Yahoshua was setting aside the 10 Commandments, yet that couldn’t be further from the truth. Some will assign the first of the greatest to the first 4 or 5 depending on how you see honoring your father and mother. Likewise, assigning the second of the greatest to the latter half of the 10 Commandments. This i would say is the most accurate of the two. However, going a bit further what if Yahoshua was saying the greatest is and the second is like it . . . The Whole of the 10 Commandants are essentially one. To disobey one is to disobey all; Thereby sinning and to obey one is to honor all. But is this fulfilling the Will of Elohim?

As many of you already know my go to verse in life is Micah 6:8 “. . . Act justly, love mercy, walk humbly with Elohim.” Is this fulfilling the Will of Elohim? James (1:27) writes: “Pure and undefiled religion before Elohim and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their tribulation; to keep oneself untainted from the world.”

Who was Yahoshua teaching this prayer to? In the account found in Matthew Yahoshua presents it as part of His sermon on the mount, Matthew 5-7. In Luke however it appears that the disciples went to Yahoshua and asked Him, “Adonai, teach us to pray . . .” Some argue this is a contradiction, some will just brush it off with some sort of slight of hand answer. What if Yahoshua taught it in His sermon on the mount and then later when asked by His disciples He simply stated the same prayer? Wouldn’t that then also lend more to its purpose then merely an outline? That aside, (although food for thought) in the sermon on the mount He was teaching His disciples specifically (see Matthew 5:1) and by proximity those that gathered unto him, a mixed multitude probably made up of mostly Jews. In Luke He was teaching His disciples during a personal time of prayer (see Luke 11:1). So the question should be how would the Jews interpret, “Thy Will be done”?

Is this a point of order to draw the Hebrew nation back to the Torah? What about the Church. Many believe that the Church is on a different track than the Jews. Yet, we are grafted in. See Romans 11:11-31 for full context. Let me point out; “But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in (speaking of gentiles) among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. Then you will say, ‘Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.’ That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear.” Romans 11:17-20

We are told to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12-13). “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is Elohim who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” What was the purpose of the chosen people? Exodus gives us a snapshot, “‘Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you shall be My treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.” Exodus 19:5-6. Has that changed with gentiles being grafted in? No it has not. “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Mashiah Yahoshua.” Galatians 3:28

Peter writes: “But you are a chosen people, a holy nation, royal priests, a people of Elohim’s own possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (1Peter 2:9) Paul writes to the Corinthians: “Therefore we are ambassadors for ha’Mashiah as though Elohim were making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Mashiah: Be reconciled to Elohim.” (2 Corinthians 5:20

Should we not then as a chosen people, or as one grafted in, seek to know and do; Thy WILL be done? Not to blend into the world but to be that city on a hill? We will be hated for the name of YWHW and His Son Yahoshua we cannot allow that to stop us from doing the Will of the Father. Thy WIll be done.

You are loved,
cj

Thy Kingdom come

When we pray The Lord’s Prayer, who’s kingdom is Thy? Of course, Thy is YHWH. We are making a proclamation that we desire that Yahweh’s Kingdom come. Not our kingdom, or what we think His Kingdom should be it is His and we, if we truly desire it to come, shouldn’t we do our best to understand what that means? i will be digging into this over the next couple of posts but first we need to go back to the beginning.

Yahoshua said, “This, then, is the way you should pray: Our Father . . .” Yahoshua is the King but the Kingdom is of the Father. Yahoshua is the revelation of the Father, the Word made flesh. Isaiah 7:14 says, “Therefore YHWH Himself gives you a sign: Look, the maiden conceives and gives birth to a Son, and shall call His Name Immanuel.” Emmanuel means, Elohim with us. You see the Kingdom was present in that moment and the Kingdom dwells in the people of Elohim.

And having been asked by the Pharisees when the reign of Elohim would come, He answered them and said, “The reign of Elohim does not come with intent watching, nor shall they say, ‘Look here!’ Or ‘Look there!’ For look, the reign of Elohim is within you!” Luke 17:20-21

“And what union has the temple of Elohim with idols? For you are a temple of the living Elohim, as Yahweh has said, ‘I shall dwell in them and walk among them, and I shall be their Elohim, and they shall be My people.’ Therefore, ‘Come out from among them and be separate, says Yahweh, and do not touch what is unclean, and I shall receive you. And I shall be a Father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me, says Yahweh El Shaddai.’” 2 Corinthians 6:16-18

Given the times in which we live, wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes in diverse places, famines, disease etc. i hear and see lots of posts about wanting the Kingdom of Elohim to come or as one post i saw earlier, “Whoa! Scary stuff. It can’t be much longer before our Lord Jesus rescues us!” It is this sort of thought pattern that is so prevalent within the Church today. What i believe we fail to understand is that the Kingdom is within us as the Spirit dwells within the believer. And that Kingdom will remain until the King comes on the clouds to sit on His throne and reign for a thousand years. If one believes and lives like the Kingdom is yet coming, VS the Kingdom within us, do you see how one might live in fear and anxiety?

Thy Kingdom come, is a call to action, to faith, to love, to grace, to mercy, to living not for ourselves but for the King!

“For the love of Mashiah compels us, having judged this: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them, and was. Raised. So from now onwards we know no one according to the flesh. And if we have known Mashiah according to the flesh, yet now we no longer know. Therefore, if anyone is in Mashiah, he is a new creation – the old has passed away, see, all have become new! And all is from Yahweh, who has restored us to favour with Himself through Yahoshua ha’Mashiah, and has given us the service of restoration, that is, that Elohim was in Mashiah restoring the world to favour unto Himself, not reckoning their sins to them, and has committed to us the word of restoration. Now then, we are ambassadors for Mashiah, as though Elohim were pleading through us: we implore you on Mashiah’s behalf, be reconciled to Elohim. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of Elohim.” 2 Corinthians 5:14-21

In the Yahoshua’s prayer recorded in John 17:14-19 He says, “I have given them Your Word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do NOT pray that You should TAKE THEM OUT of the world, but that You should keep them fro the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.”

Do you pray for the Kingdom to come? The Kingdom is within you and you have arrived.

You are loved,
cj

Hallowed be THY name

“Thou shalt not take the name of Yahweh thy Elohim in vain; for Yahweh will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain.” Exodus 20:7

“I am Yahweh, that is My name; and My glory I will not give to another, nor My praise unto graven images.” Isaiah 42:8

“Let them know that you alone, whose name is Yahweh, are the MOST HIGH over all the earth.” Psalm 83:18

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Hallowed means; holy, consecrated, sacred, revered, sanctified — set apart. To set something apart in a way that is Hallowed is to show honor. We are instructed over and over in Scripture to revere the name of Elohim, to set it apart, for there is no other god but Yahweh. i have written about this before, see links here: “What’s in a name”, “You shall have no other gods”, and “You shall have no other gods (part 2)”. Now as i am set to write on what we know today as the Lord’s Prayer, this causes me to pause even more . . . What does it mean for us to honor this: Hallowed be thy name.

There is no other god but Yahweh. He chose to reveal Himself through the Hebrews. And we know that in Scripture He is understood to be the Elohim of Israel. He is also the Elohim of all who call upon the name of His Son Yahoshua. In fact, no one comes to the Father except through Yahoshua, for He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Yet, we have so set apart the name of Elohim that we are using a translation 3 times removed for His Son by calling Him Jesus. Did you know there was no letter “J” until 1524? How honoring. Not only do we not use His name we don’t even call His Son by name, we basically made a name for Him and have said, you will take this name and like it. Prove me wrong. Outside of the name Jesus, we don’t use names only titles. We say, “god” and “lord”, putting titles for names.

His name is used by many. When showbiz people say they want to “thank god” who are they talking about? Can you tell? When you look at their lives, their music, their movies and tv shows, can you tell whom they worship? What about us? When we speak, when we talk about God, when people see us, do they know which God we worship? i have gone back to the Hebrew because i don’t want there to be any confusion that i am following the Elohim of Israel. That i have put my faith in the Way, the Truth and the Life, the only begotten Son of the Elohim of Israel, Yahoshua. In a time such as we live with so much confusion, and misrepresentation, itching ears, and false doctrines, let there be NO mistake about whom you worship.

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve Yahweh, choose you this day whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the river, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve Yahweh.” Joshua 24:15

You are loved,
cj

Which art in heaven

Titles are all around us and we use them on a daily bases. Simple titles like sir, ma’am, Mr. Mrs. are to show respect. Mr. President, shows honor to a position as do military rank. i am sure you can think of dozens of examples where you use a title to show respect to someone’s position or authority and in normal day to day we use them without even thinking about. Elohim is the greatest title there is and we often use it without blinking. Today i want us to blink.

“In the beginning Elohim created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1

One can reason from this first line in Elohim’s book to His creation that there are levels or layers to what we see around us. Yahoshua in teaching His disciples/us to pray begins; “Our Father which art in heaven . . .”. Which heaven? Where did Yahweh exist before creating the heavens and the earth? The simple answer and really the only one we have is beyond, He lived beyond.

There is no place we can go to escape His presence. “Where would I go from Your Spirit? Or where would I flee from Your face? If I go up to the heavens, You are there; If I make my bed in the grave, see, You are there. I take the wings of the morning, I dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, there too, Your hand would lead me, and Your right hand hold me.” Psalm 139:7-10 It seems like a cheap answer, an easy out, to say that Elohim existed beyond. But if He is truly Elohim with no beginning and no end then there is no other way for us to describe it, Elohim lived beyond.

This is something we have to believe simply by faith. We can see throughout Scripture that faith is a necessary part of our relationship with the Father. Yes, we have Yahoshua who reveals Yahweh. Clear history, written eyewitness accounts, and a constant reminder; “The heavens are proclaiming the esteem of El; And the expanse is declaring the work of His hand.” Psalm 19:1

i am sure we will get this answer when we see Yahoshua face to face. We will get understanding. But for now we have; “Then Yahweh answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, ‘Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Now gird up your loins like a man, and I ask you, and you answer Me. Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if you have understanding. Who appointed its measurements, if you know? Or who stretched the line upon it? Upon what were its foundations sunk? Or who laid its corner-stone, when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of Elohim shouted for joy?’” Job 38:1-7

The point, Yahweh, El Shaddai (God Almighty) is above, is beyond, is under and is through, He is the creator of the universe. And when we pray we are to begin by reminding ourselves of this fact. Elohim is El Shaddai; “Let them be ashamed and alarmed forever; and let them become abashed and perish, and let them know that You, Whose name is Yahweh; You alone are the Most High over all the earth.” Psalm 83:17-18

This is the perspective Yahoshua is presenting. “Our Father which art in heaven . . .” El Shaddai is above us and He is worthy of our trust, love, and respect. “He has declared to you, O man, what is good. And what does Yahweh require of you but to do right, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your Elohim.” Micah 6:8

Act justly, love mercy, walk humbly . . . What better way to enter into prayer than to recognize the one to Whom you are speaking?

You are loved,
cj

Our Father

“… therefore pray ye: ‘Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed by Thy name.’” Matthew 6:9

Today the king of England was coronated. i didn’t watch it but saw a few posts of it on twitter. The kings son, Prince William, said during the coronation: “I William, Prince of Wales, pledge my loyalty to you, and faith and truth I will bear unto you, as your liege man of life and limb – so help me God.” As i have been thinking of this post and Adonai’s Prayer, “Our Father,” i couldn’t think of better timing for an event to line up with this writing. The imagery, the spectacle of it all, and then to think and read and reflect on the Son of Elohim and His instruction to pray and His life’s example.

“So Yahoshua replied, “Most assuredly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing by Himself, unless He sees the Father doing it. For whatever the Father does, the Son also does.” John 5:19

Couple John 5:19 with perhaps the most intense statement from the passion, “It is finished.” John 19:30 – And what do you get, well, you get a lot of things but absolute submission is the biggest. Yahoshua, fully submitted Himself to the Father, so when He opens His instruction on prayer with “Our Father” if you don’t pause, and reflect on that you are missing out on the true nature and relationship of Father and Son, Yahweh and Yahoshua.

Where have i read something like this . . . Oh yeah, Exodus 20:12; “Honour your father and your mother: that your days may be long upon the land which Yahweh your Elohim gives you.” Now imagine the implication of this commandment if applied as understood from Yahoshua, “Our Father.”

i am currently reading in 2 Chronicles. It is a retelling of 1st and 2nd Kings. Some of the kings did what was good in the sight of Yahweh and some did not, and some had their heart in the right place but didn’t fully follow through. The kings that did what was right had long reigns and those that didn’t did not. What it seemed to boil down to was how they viewed their relationship with Yahweh. It is the same for you and i. How do you view your relationship with Yahweh? Are you willing to live as Yahoshua? To the end, “It is finished.” You see the Son came to reveal the Father, our relationship and understanding don’t stop with our faith in the Son.

Yahoshua said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6 – Comes to who? The Father. When we pray we ought to pray, “Our Father . . .” The relationship that Yahweh Elohim wants to have with humanity is that of a Father. WOW. To honor Him as Father is in line with His commandments, His instruction to Israel, His Son’s example, and His coming again. To set as King His beloved son in Whom He is well pleased. What do you think about when you pray, Our Father or my Father as we are instructed also to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. Philippians 2:12-13

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is Elohim who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”

To fully understand that if Yahweh Elohim is Father, therefore we are sons and daughters and by rule heirs certainly takes things to a new level. As we come and submit to Elohim, we then fully submit to His Son Adonai and King Yahoshua as He is the true heir, we are still princes and princesses in a Kingdom without end. If we endure, if we finish the race, if we surrender, if we die to ourselves . . . Then we are new in ha’Mashiah Yahoshua.

Our Father, is more than a title and opening line to a prayer, it is a call to relationship. Tell me your thoughts in the comments below.

You are loved,
cj

“Teach us to pray.”

What follows the request by the disciples of Yahoshua, “teach us to pray,” is referred to as The Lord’s Prayer. Even if you don’t personally use the KJV chances are that is the version you know by heart.

9 …Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Matthew 6:9-13

If you attend a Bible believing and teaching Church it is more than likely you will have recited this at least once as a congregation. Maybe even had a sermon devoted to it where highlights are made and attention given to the Holiness of “God,” daily bread, forgiveness, temptations, and deliverance. It was probably a well crafted message full of cross references and anecdotes, personal or otherwise. You may have walked out of the Sunday message uplifted and maybe even prayed the prayer a few times with deep conviction. But like most things in life, other things, sermons, devotions, podcasts, enter your space with new things and soon this prayer is relegated back to “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name…”

Do you want to go on a journey with me, to explore this beautiful memorized prayer? Over the next several posts i am going to dive deep into it. Believe me when i say i pray this prayer every single day. It has been a constant thought of mine. Each word, line, and phrase. i don’t use the KJV however, although i do like it, i use words, lines and phrases that more easily roll off my tongue.

You can prepare for this journey by reading the following passages:

1. Matthew 6:5-15
2. Luke 11:2-4
3. Although not the “Lord’s Prayer” John 17:1-26

Here is the portion of my daily prayer in which i have integrated Adonai’s Prayer:

Gracious Heavenly Father, Yahweh our Elohim,
Thank you for this day, thank you for Your love, Your grace and Your mercy. Grant us wisdom to know You and discernment to choose You, continued grace and mercy, and teach us to love as You love and not as the world. For You are Holy and True, Your name be set apart. Your Kingdom Come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Grant us today the provision we need and forgive us of our sin, as we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one, for Yours is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory forever. Set Your angels around us to guard and protect us, and keep us healthy and strong that we may do Your will. In Yahoshua’s Name i pray, Maranatha . . . Amen and amen.

See you on the next post where we will dive deep into this OFTEN recited but under appreciated prayer.

You are loved,
cj

Feeling ???

Have you ever wanted a personal assistant who would do all the things in life that you didn’t want to do, thereby giving you more time to enjoy the things in life you want to do? For instance, i want to clean up my blog, link topics better, maybe create page links for specific topics, that sort of thing. This project will take quite a bit of time. It will be tedious and require good notes, good memory, and good organizational skills. As far as note taking goes, i am not the best, and my organizational skills, although not terrible, are not necessarily the greatest, my memory however is great, at least at the present time anyway.

Now left with the reality that i will have to do this myself, i lack the necessary motivation required. Time isn’t really an issue. i live alone if one neglects to count Shiloh who although is dependent upon me is not a dependent but a friend. my present employment is flexible allowing me to work when i want, for instance its snowing today and i decided that i didn’t want to work, so here i am. i can be both a night owl and a morning person, as long as a meeting isn’t involved in that morning or at anytime for that matter. In fact, i lack any good excuse whatsoever. All that to simply say this, i want it done, but i don’t want to do it.

Any success in life, is about finding purpose that ignites desire and motivation, hard work and discipline, dedication and drive. You can have desire but if you lack motivation, it’s not happening. You might be a hardworking person but if you lack discipline, forget about it. You can be dedicated but without drive, you are not going anywhere. Finding ones purpose is essential to success, it is the root answer to the question, what is the meaning of life? Want to know why depression is on the rise, look no further than purpose. People who lack a sense of purpose are going to naturally be depressed.

The easier life gets with technology and various inventions, the harder life becomes in finding purpose. There are different depths to purpose it isn’t just your purpose in life. Which i believe is the root cause of depression in younger people. It’s not always as profound as life, it could be work, school, hobbies, family, or any subcategory of life itself. If i were to ask you what is your purpose how would you respond? Some having trouble answering, are asked to start with what motivates you, what is your passion? They will say, answer that and you are on your way to finding a purpose. However, be careful as this purpose or lack of is a trap to a false sense of purpose.

Case in point my blog, it is not my purpose. No matter how much i want it to be it simply isn’t my purpose. But i could fool myself into thinking that it is, dedicate myself to it, pour myself into it, and in the end feel unfulfilled as if my life has no purpose. No the purpose to life, the answer, it is spiritual and it involves understanding the bigger picture of the meaning of life. Knowing your purpose will be what gives you the ability to get through any obstacles.

Purpose:
“The Son of Man came to seek and save the lost.” Luke 19:10

“Then Yahoshua answered and said to them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.’” John 5:19

“Come and See” John 1:39

“Follow Me” John 1:43

“Not My will . . .” Luke 22:42

“Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote—Yahoshua of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.’ And Nathanael said to him, ‘Can anything good come out of Nazareth?’ Philip said to him, ‘Come and see.’” John 1:44-46

What is your purpose?

“And Yahoshua came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen.” Matthew 28:18-20

“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Adon Yahoshua, giving thanks to Yahweh the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:17

Your purpose isn’t your job, it isn’t your family, it isn’t your hobby, it isn’t your friends, your purpose is to glorify Elohim. So with your purpose known, when you go to work, when you serve your family, when you are out with your friends, when you are engrossed in your hobby, when you are all alone, ask yourself, “How can I do this in a manner that is befitting the name of Yahoshua?”

Let His life, death, and resurrection be your desire and motivation, hard work and discipline, dedication and drive, He is our purpose.

You are loved,

cj

You shall have no other gods (part 2)

Understanding the Father is the key to being able to adhere to this commandment. If one doesn’t take the time to understand and know Elohim, (Elohim is Hebrew for God) one will easily be swayed by the wind. Someone right now is saying, “We know God through Jesus.” This is where my fear begins. We can easily see in the Torah and from the Prophets that their is a name for Elohim. Out of reverence for the third commandment they used what is known as the tetragrammaton, YHWH, in Hebrew it is the letters, Yod, Heh, Waw, and Heh. Many will pronounce this Yahweh, YAH being emphasized here. Some pronounce His name Yahovah, and there is some debate, i believe the important part is in the Yah. Think of it this way, Chris is short for Christopher, same name technically, it can be spelled, Kris, Kristopher, Kristofer, Christofer, Cris . . . You get the idea. Anyway, all are the same name and in some instances pronunciation can be slightly different, that’s a little harder to explain in writing without dots and tittles which i am not able to do in this program easily. Probably another reason the scribes were more comfortable writing YHWH.

Moving on, when the angel Gabriel came to Joseph he didn’t say name the boy Jesus, he actually said, name the boy Yahoshua. To really get the significance here we need to go back a bit further. Moses, by Elohim’s instruction, appointed Joshua as his successor. However, Joshua wasn’t always Joshua, his name was Hoshea, which means, salvation. If you didn’t already know, names in the Scriptures are important. They have meaning, and purpose, and help drive the narrative of Elohim’s story. Moses, changes Hoshea to Yahoshua, (Numbers 13:16) or in English, Joshua, which means YAH is SALVATION. Joshua was going to lead Israel into the promise land but it was through YAH (Yahweh). The true meaning of the name Jesus is simply Salvation, like the name Hoshea. Some good pastors and teachers who study have added to the meaning of Jesus, God-Saves or God is Salvation. It’s at least a step in the right direction but why the change? Compromise? We know the real name and its meaning is glorious. Yahoshua, the only begotten Son of Elohim, came to reconcile us to the Father, and through His blood we are brought into the promise land. Yah truly is salvation. “I and My Father are ONE.” John 10:30

Here is why i feel this is more significant now, than it is being considered within the Body of Messiah. John 5:19 “Therefore Yahoshua responded and said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son is able to do naught by Himself, but only that which He sees the Father doing, because whatever He does, the Son also does likewise.’” It goes on and actually the entire fifth chapter shows the relevance of knowing the Father. In fact if we spent a little more time in the Old Testament we would actually come to know Yahoshua even more and certainly appreciate more of the writings of the Gospels as they are full of Prophecies being fulfilled. Outside of this time of year of course when many look at a few Prophecies in Isaiah. John 5:46 “For if you believed Moses, you would have believed Me, since he wrote about Me.” i certainly don’t want to take anything away from the New Testament Scriptures, so don’t hear that in any of this; However, we should understand that what we have today in the New Testament was not widely available until a relatively short time ago.

What did the early church have and look to? What were they encouraged to know and understand, and told to use? Paul wrote to Timothy, “All Scripture is breathed by Elohim and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for straightening, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of Elohim might be fitted, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) What many fail to understand is that when Paul wrote these words the New Testament wasn’t a thing. In fact at the time of his writing this letter, only roughly 17 of the now 27 books of the New Testament had been penned, and were not widely circulated as many were being written at roughly the same period of time. So for Paul to tell Timothy what he wrote above gives validity to us today to search and know our Father YHWH and His Son Yahoshua, through what we call today, the Old Testament.

Why am i so concerned about this given since roughly 350 AD Iesus later translated Jesus has been used and as many have said to me, “this is how we know Him and He is faithful.” Yes, i would agree. However, as the day approaches of His return i feel pressed to express to this generation, the generation that is talked about being around during a time of great deception. “For false messiahs and false prophets shall arise, and they shall show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the chosen ones. See I have forewarned you.” (Matthew 24:24-25) There are many other passages that talk about this but this blog is already longer than i like but i will share one other critical passage on this point. “I have come in My Father’s Name and you do not receive Me, if another comes in his own name, him you would receive.” (John 5:43) We should not, no, we cannot separate the two there is POWER IN THE NAME, imagine if we went back as a Body of Messiah to His true name?

In Micah chapter three there are many warnings and if you take the time to read them you will see that not all false teachers and prophets are easily recognized. Listen to this and see if it fits what you see and hear in many churches today. “Its head give judgment for a bribe; its priests (pastors and teachers) teach for a price; its prophets practice divination for money; yet they lean on YWHW (the Lord) and say, ‘Is not YWHW (the Lord) in the midst of us? No disaster shall come upon us.’ Therefore because of you Zion shall be plowed as a field; Jerusalem shall become a heap of ruins, and the mountain of the house a wooded height.” (Micah 3:11-12, parentheses added by me)

i am going to leave it here for now. There is much more to be said, there is much more i want to say! But for now chew on this, think about it, read through Micah 3. Just start praying about it and try using the name Yahweh when you talk to Elohim the Father and do it in the name of Yahoshua. Search Him out in Scripture, the whole of Scripture. Seek for Him as for hidden treasure. You will not be disappointed.

You are loved,

cj

You shall have no other gods

We assume this is an easy commandment to follow. It isn’t like we have high places in which we offer sacrifices to other mighty ones. Most people i know who would identify as Christian would even say that this is “one of the commandments that still applies in its entirety”. i was going to at this point look at other ways we as a community of Yahshua have inadvertently placed other gods before YWHW. However, as i have thought about this for some time and have already written part three of this series before parts 1 & 2. i have come to the conclusion that rather than talk about other ways we slip in unacceptable mighty ones it would be best to understand YWHW. More precisely, understanding the ways He desires us, as His creation, to worship Him.

Have you ever heard of the 5 love languages? There is a book out there and some quiz you can take to find out how you give and receive love. What the quiz reveals is your love languages. You might receive love through words of affirmation but express love by acts of kindness. Knowing this helps you and your spouse, if they are willing, to understand how to love you better, and how to better understand the way you love them in return. If you are both on the same page ideally you will begin to love them intentionally in ways they receive love and appreciate more the ways they are already showing you love, and vice versa. The only problem with this idea is that as humans we change and so does the way we receive love, express love, even appreciate love. We in short are fickle. This can also be exciting for couples who are truly committed to making things work, and a massive barrier for those that think love is the emotion rather than the act.

In regards to our relationship with YWHW our Elohim there is one vast difference. Although, understanding takes time, and because we are flawed, flesh driven, sinful, humans, the way we want to express love changes; His doesn’t. Our Elohim never changes. He is the same, yesterday, today, and forever.

“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our Elohim will stand forever.” Isaiah 40:8

“For I YWHW do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.” Malachi 3:6

“But the kindness of YWHW is from everlasting to everlasting upon those who revere Him, and His righteousness to children’s children.” Psalm 103:17

“Yahshua ha’Mashiah is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8

This should make it completely clear, we ought to find out how YWHW wants us to love, honor, and yes worship Him, out of a desire to be faithful, pleasing, and even obedient in our love. When we begin to love Elohim in our own way, we begin to allow compromise into our relationship and it is at this point we are susceptible to worshiping other mighty ones, in layman’s terms, gods, even elevating our religion, traditions, and church community, above Elohim. In turn breaking the first, second, third, fourth, take your pick, tenth, commandment. We need to start asking the question, how does Our Heavenly Father desire us to love Him? And in turn begin to love that way.

“SO why do you keep calling Me ‘Adonai, Adonai!’ When you don’t do what I say?”

You are loved,

cj