"Life, What is It"

The holding of a loved one's hand;

Stepping out in Faith into a new venture,
Not knowing if it will succeed or fail;

Camping with the family in the mountains
In the early spring in order to smell the moist air,
Feel the brisk wind, and hear the laughter of children;

To walk on foreign soil rescuing families from gunfire
While death's stench fills the restless air;

To fall on my knees before G-D and Creator to ask for guidance,
and to breathe in His eternal Breath.

LWK
02/2008

The L-RD's Prayer (Matt 6:9-14; Luke 11:2-4)

I would like to address a few concerns over some loose translations I have read and heard lately pertaining particularly to the L-RD's Prayer. I will mostly be addressing the passage in Matthew 6:9-14. I will try to stay in the sequential order of the text except for the first entry; which, will come from Matthew 6:11.

Matthew 6:11

'Give us this day our daily bread.

Lately people have translated this passage as "Give us tomorrow's bread today", because of the Greek word  

 . 

Here’s a thought: if G-D wanted us to have tomorrow’s bread today, it wouldn’t really be tomorrow’s bread, would it? It would be today’s bread. G-D is the creator of the Universe, and all mankind; can He not take care of us? Why would he have to give us tomorrow’s anything? Doesn’t He feed the birds of the air, and clothe the flowers of the field? Doesn’t G-D say, “don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself”? In Matt 6:34 the Greek word used here is “aurion” the word for tomorrow. To interpret the L-RD’s prayer by saying “Give us tomorrow’s bread today” would contradict what G-D says in the entire chapter of Matthew 6.

I would suggest Matthew 6:11 literally states: Give us this day, and the ensuing day, and the day after that forevermore through eternity our bread. Keeping in mind the passages of John 14:1-4 & Matthew 26:29.

What G-D is trying to say is that this contract (our prayer and relationship with Him) is not only for a single day, or for tomorrow, but is a contract to provide bread for us through eternity. By praying we are seeking the righteousness of G-D and His Kingdom; we are reminded that G-D is in charge, and He is in control. 

Once again, we should look first to G-D’s Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to us. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:33-34

Three Biblical Feasts

These are the commands, decrees and laws the L-RD your G-D directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess… Hear, O Israel:  The L-RD our G-D, the L-RD is one.  Love the L-RD your G-D with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. (Deuteronomy 6:1, 6:4,5)[New International Version by the Zondervan Corporation, 1989]

A birth, a sacrifice, a promise kept - these three elements are integral components of G-D's plan of redemption for His people. Not accidentally do the Jewish festivals of Sukkot, Pesach, and Shavuot illustrate each of these ideas. These holidays were meant to serve as a reminder of what G-D was doing for His people. But because many Americans have grown up attending a westernized church, the richness of the meaning of the Scriptures through the perspective of the feasts of the Hebrew culture has been neglected. 

Jesus Himself declared that He came not to end the Law (which included the commands to celebrate the various feasts), but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17).  The Gospels record many instances in which Jesus observed the feasts.  The biblical feasts of Sukkot, Pesach, and Shavuot provide unique insights into G-D's plan of redemption for His people.

Sukkot, which means "huts, booths or tabernacles", is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the seventh month of the Jewish calendar.  This celebration is also known as the Feast of Tabernacles and was instituted by G-D (Leviticus 23:33-44).  "We dwell in the booths because G-D sheltered the Israelites in the wilderness on the way to the promised land" (Trepp, p.125).  On the first day "we" (the Jews) are directed to build a booth made from foliage, palm branches, and beautiful trees.  For seven days the people are to live in these booths and tabernacle with G-D.  

It was John, an apostle of Jesus the Messiah, that stated "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14).  This Word was also known as Immanuel, which means "G-D with us" (Matthew 1:23).  For the first time G-D came to dwell with man in human flesh.

A second festival of significance in G-D's plan of redemption is Pesach.  Pesach means "to pass over" or "skip" which is how we derive the more familiar name "Passover" for the holiday.  The festival begins on the fourteenth day of the first month and is to last seven days (Deuteronomy 16:13,14).  "Pessah commemorates the Exodus wrought by G-D…" (Trepp, p.173).  "It celebrates the liberation of Israel from Egyptian slavery" (Trepp, p.168).  In the original Passover seder ceremony, the blood of the lamb was used to protect the Israelites from the judgment of the Angel of Death by spreading the blood over the door posts of each house.  The Angel of Death was the last plague on the Egyptians and was the means for ushering in the liberation and redemption of the Israelites.  Likewise if we have the blood of Jesus placed over the door posts of our hearts G-D's judgment will pass over us (Romans 5:17).

  The contemporary seder ceremony is comprised of several elements.  Matzah is unleavened bread (bread with no yeast) that is to remind all who partake that the Israelites left Egypt in such haste that their bread didn't have time to rise.  A hard-boiled egg represents Pharaoh's hardened heart and also symbolizes a voluntary peace offering.  The roasted shank-bone of a lamb represents the old Temple sacrifice since proper sacrifices can no longer be made.  The salt water represents the tears of the Hebrew slaves as they cried out to G-D for freedom.  The greens (parsley or celery) symbolize a new nation, and safety across the Red Sea.  The bitter herbs(horseradish)are a reminder of the misery of slavery.  Charoset (chopped apples and nuts) resembles the clay/mortar used by the slaves to build the great projects for the Pharaoh.  Elijah's cup represents the hope for the coming/return of Messiah.  The afikomen shows the death, burial, and resurrection of the Messiah.  

The L-RD's Supper is the Passover feast celebrated by Jesus and his disciples (Luke 22:7-20).  The celebration of the Passover feast is a beautiful feast that not only celebrates being free of the bondage of slavery, but also celebrates being free of the bondage of sin.   

Shavuot [Pentecost] is celebrated on the sixth day of the third month, in accordance with the Jewish calendar. "Shavuot is the Hebrew word for 'weeks'… Shavuot celebrates the first fruits of the wheat harvest seven weeks later [after Pesach]" (Zimmerman, p.104).  The first fruits is a time to give G-D the first fruits of the spring harvest to commemorate when the Israelites entered the land that G-D had promised and reaped the harvest (Leviticus 23:9-14, Exodus 34:22-26).

"In Acts 2 the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost [Shavuot] to fulfill the prophecy of David (Acts 2:33-36) so that Christ would be recognized by Israel and known as the Son of the living G-D." (Zimmerman, p.106) In this particular celebration of First Fruits, the twelve disciples themselves became the first fruits of G-D's harvest (the Church).

Sukkot is a time to tabernacle with  G-D and it is during this time one remembers that G-D sent His Son to dwell with mankind.  Likewise, Pesach reveals the redemption of humanity through G-D's self-sacrifice.  Finally, Shavuot reveals the gift of G-D's Spirit to complete the redemption of His people.  

Many Churches in the United States look only to the New Testament deeming the Old Testament to be outdated and perhaps not as applicable for today.

"You cannot bypass the Old Testament and go straight to the New.  Those who try not only misinterpret most of what the Bible has to say, they also sadly miss it"  (Card, 1989).

The point of observing the Old Testament customs is not to obtain righteousness, but to discover what is behind the roots of the New Testament.  In doing so one will have a greater depth of understanding and appreciation for all the Scriptures.

Seek G-D; The Dawning of Faith Has Emerged from the Horizon

            One morning a little over a week ago I woke up and was talking with my wife. In mid-sentence, a vivid vision came to me. I was staring at the threshold of a huge doorway with a Foot-man standing there appearing very much as I last saw him nearly ten years ago in a previous vision/dream. The threshold was wooden but sturdy, and the Foot-man's feet had sandals and very strong, toned calves. In the last vision, the Foot-man lifted his leg and was about to cross the threshold, but instead left his foot suspended just above it. In this new vision I saw the foot descending, and my heart pounded as I cried out for the Foot-man to stop. I was too late; his foot hit the dry ground and dust scattered in the air. I heard a voice say,  "Have faith for I am in control".    See Mt. 14:27, 8:23-27

27But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." 28Peter said to Him, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." 29And He said, "Come!" And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" 31Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?"

23When He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him. 24And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being covered with the waves; but Jesus Himself was asleep. 25And they came to Him and woke Him, saying, "Save us, Lord; we are perishing!" 26He said to them, "Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?" Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm. 27The men were amazed, and said, "What kind of a man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?"

            This vision is one of a series of visions over a period of approximately 30 years. The first one occurred when I was between the ages of ten and twelve. In the first vision, I saw army personnel and flying machines battling like I'd never seen before - not even in comic books. I saw large buildings destroyed and people crying out for help. 

          I saw such darkness across the land that I was sickened with fear. The people in the vision were isolated and remote. Being a kid in the mid-1970's and growing up in a healthy neighborhood, I couldn't understand why people in the vision were so withdrawn and so distanced from other people. There appeared to be no community, everyone was cut off from each other.

            Approximately ten years later I had a second vision. This was the first time I saw the Foot-man. At first I saw the legs and sandals of the Foot-man approach the threshold of the doorway. Just as the feet got to the doorway they stopped and the voice stated,  "Have faith for they're on their way".

            Another ten years passed and I again saw the Foot-man. This time he raised his foot.  In the same moment, a most horrifying sight flashed before my eyes. I was in the middle of a battlefield, surrounded by blood and carnage. Even though I've been deployed with the military in war situations, I've never seen anything like what I saw in that vision. The technological capabilities that were displayed are of things yet to come, and yet I could comprehend some of that very technology. It is not so greatly advanced from what is available today.

            There is still time for things here in this world to change – before the impending doom reaches us. We must do what G-d has commanded of us – to seek Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. (Deuteronomy 6:5) By seeking Him now and submitting our lives to Him, we shall have faith to not only move mountains, but to heal the blind and raise the dead. See Mt. 11: 4-6

4Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and report to John what you hear and see: 5the BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the POOR HAVE THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM. 6"And blessed is he who does not take offense at Me."

The following are other Scriptures the Holy Spirit brought to mind within the vision.

Mk 7:20-23  - regarding the heart of man

20And He was saying, "That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. 21"For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, 22deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. 23"All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man."

Jn. 13:20

 20"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me."

Mt. 10:40-42

40"⁾He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. 41"⁾He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. 42"And ⁾whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward."

 "Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission."

 

Shalom: Peace of G-D, To Walk in Faith

To walk in Shalom is to walk in Faith. Shalom and Faith both can only come from G-D our Father. Seek first the Kingdom of G-D, and His Righteousness and all these things will be added unto you. Matt 6:33

Shalom is a state of blessing, peace, wholeness, completeness, one of being safe, state of prosperity, restfulness => being blessed is the state of being Happy and content in, through, and with G-D our Father. 

When you say "Shalom" to an individual you are extending a blessing, peace, wholeness towards them that can only be extended through the power of the Holy Spirit (the same Spirit of G-D that moved across the face of the waters when G-D spoke the earth into existence).

24 " ' "The LORD bless you 
and keep you;
25 the LORD make his face shine upon you 
and be gracious to you;
26 the LORD turn his face toward you 
and give you Shalom." '

Numbers 6:24-26

A Look at “The Twelve Days of Christmas”

 

The song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is a song about the twelve days between the time of the Messiah's birth and the appearance of the Magi at the manger. The earliest known printed version of the song dates back to 1780 in an English book entitled Mirth Without Mischief. However, it is believed the song is much older than this and likely has French origins.

 

Urban legend would have one believe this song was created as a secret way for believers to pass on the doctrines of the Church. While there is no evidence to show that the "Twelve Days of Christmas" was designed to teach people the tenets of the faith  (see: www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/12days.asp), the following interpretation can serve as a helpful reminder of the focus of the Christmas season.

 

The "true love" refers to G-d Himself, and the "me" is every baptized person. The partridge is the Messiah, who appearing injured, is acting as a decoy to keep predators from the young hatchlings. This is also said to refer to Messiah's lament over Jerusalem. "Jerusalem! Jerusalem! …How often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!" Lk. 13:34

 

According to the legend, the other symbols mean the following:

 

two turtle doves = the Old and New Testaments

three French hens = faith, hope, and love (a.k.a. the theological virtues), or the             Holy Trinity

four calling birds (a corrupted form of "colly" – or "black as coal" birds) = the             Four Gospels, or the 4 major prophets of the Old Testament (Isaiah,             Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel)

five golden rings = the first five books of the Bible (the Pentateuch)

six geese a-laying = the six days of creation

seven swans a-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, or the seven             sacraments

eight maids a-milking = the eight beatitudes

nine ladies dancing = the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit

ten lords a-leaping = the Ten Commandments

eleven pipers piping = the eleven faithful apostles

twelve drummers drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's             Creed

 

 

Again, there is no substantiation to the "hidden catechism" theory within the Twelve Days of Christmas, but like many other borrowed Christmas traditions, perhaps this might serve as a reminder of the many good reasons to celebrate Messiah's birth.

Author: Spouse

Date: 22 December 2007

Wave of Faith

With every breath I take,
I take in faith;
For it's You who sustains me.
With every step I take,
I take in faith;
For it's You who sustains me.
With every grasp I take,
I take in faith;
For it's You who sustains me.

Oh glorify You, Mighty G-D,
Oh glorify You, L-RD;
For You are the Great I AM.

With every word that I speak,
I speak in faith;
For it's Your Spirit that indwells me.
With every prayer I utter,
I utter in faith;
For it's Your Spirit that dwells in me.
With every praise I proclaim,
I proclaim in faith;
For it's Your Spirit that indwells me.

Oh I praise You, G-D.

Written:1989
Author: Ask