When I answer this question for myself, I know I am not consistent and I hate it, because it is the absolute desire of my heart. I always seem to go to these types of questions in examination of myself, and I believe we should do this regularly; however, it can be heavy as well. Although very important, that is a completely different subject from the main topic of this post.
Verses 1-4 of this psalm (19) has always amazed me... The heavens declare the glory of Yahuah; and the firmament sheweth His handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world... When we look up, we see the work of the Master Creator - the creative work of His hands spread out on a canvas placed there just for us. We can never doubt the power and governance of the great God, Yahuah, who designed it and brought it to pass. We are literally without excuse. Even Psalm 97:6 confirms this again: The heavens declare His righteousness, and all the people see His glory. We see His glory with our own eyes. But yet day after day, some of us tend to forget and simply take for granted the awesomeness of what we behold. Stop and think about this:
Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Psalm 19:2-3 Wow... they speak to us and show us knowledge; we cannot escape it because it is marvelously displayed in the firmament (heavens)! This is why the Word tells us that we are without excuse to know and worship Yahuah. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse... Romans 1:20 These celestial bodies were created by the Almighty God, and they fully and completely obey His command - day in and day out, consistently and without the slightest deviation. His creation truly worships and obeys Him, and they reflect His glory and magnificence in their beauty. When we think of the obedience of these celestial bodies, we have to ask, what are they obeying? The rest of the psalm tells us... The law of Yahuah is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of Yahuah is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of Yahuah are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of Yahuah is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of Yahuah is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of Yahuah are true and righteous altogether. Psalm 19:7-9 The heavenly bodies obey Yahuah's laws, testimonies, statutes, commandments, and have fear of His judgments. By their obedience, the earth functions properly and provides the creation, including man, all that is needed for life. Without their obedience, we cannot live. I find myself thinking about the absolute obedience of our Father's created beings -- everything from the heavenly bodies to molecules to mice to sea creatures, and to the plants and trees and everything that has been created. They all obey instinctively and without fail, and I desperately desire to do the same. Man is the only creation that rebels and insists on doing it his own way. Man is the only one that lacks the unwavering fear and reverence of his Creator. Our loving Father gave us the choice to worship and love Him, so that when we choose this path on our own, it will be real and true. The only way we can obey our Father as the rest of creation is to know Him by His ways... and how do we know His ways? We know that His Son Yahusha, the Word, is "the way", and what did He do? He did the very same thing as the creation... He obeyed His Father's laws, testimonies, statutes, commandments, and had fear of His judgments. He literally did not make a move or utter a word that was not in absolute obedience. How is it that we can avoid this same obedience and be known and accepted by Him? These very words of Yahusha make me cringe... Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Matthew 7:21-23 When we look specifically at the word "iniquity", we see this means "illegality, violation of law, wickedness, and transgression of the law". So in essence, Yahusha is saying that those who oppose and disobey the law of the Most High God are considered to be "those that work iniquity", and He does not know these and they cannot be in His presence. In closing, if the entire creation obeys the law of Yahuah, and we were given the perfect example of how we should obey by His Son -- the One we claim as our Savior -- shouldn't we do the same? The proof is in the heavens, and we are without excuse! May we all love and desire to know Him in full and complete obedience as we observe His creation do the same!
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In these last of last days, it is so apparent that our Father is sharply pruning and cultivating those who belong to Him. This is a message to encourage you to let Him! It will be painful, it will hurt, and it will likely involve a loss or relinquishing of some kind; but it is oh so necessary and oh so bittersweet! He prunes us because He loves us. For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. Hebrews 12:6 He prunes us because we must grow to become holy as He is holy. But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 1 Peter 1:15-16 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:48 He prunes us because no person working any form of evil can enter the kingdom of Heaven (and we can’t be deceived into thinking that there aren’t still evil roots in us – many are very subtle). And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life. Revelation 21:27 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Some of us carry roots, evil roots, that started growing within us at birth (from generational DNA/curses) or as a little child. The demons in charge of these roots do not want to let us go. They feed off us; their reward is in leading us to do things that are contrary to our Heavenly Father. They have literally made their abode with us and must be forced to leave. And many of us have grown used to them and don’t even realize the subtle influences and bad habits that we have as a result. I have found through my own experience that there are four steps to being set free from these roots that bind us:
To bring this overall process to a picture in your mind… picture a beautiful plant with blooming flowers and bright green leaves; it’s thriving and strong. Then picture a weed that sprouts up right beside it. Is that weed a threat to the plant? Of course it is. We know that most weeds do not need any nourishment to grow – they can grow out of control quickly and take over without any care. We need to immediately recognize this weed for what it is and then pull it out. If we allow this weed to continue to grow, its roots can eventually begin to grow into the roots of the plant, wrapping around them, and even choking them out. The plant, unlike the weed, must have regular attention and special care – regular food and water – and plenty of light! We must care for and cultivate the plant, and we must uproot anything that tries to grow alongside it. This is us! Our good roots must be fed with the living water and heavenly meat that only Yahusha can give through our full submission to Him along with regular prayer, fasting, and studying of His word. If we are not regularly nourishing ourselves in this way, the weeds WILL come in and begin to choke us out.; and the weeds that have already been there for some time will get stronger. Then what happens? We can backslide and even possible begin to turn away… our plant becomes dry, fades to brown, and can possibly die! The entire goal of our walk with our Father through His Son is to be transformed from glory to glory into the image of Yahusha. We must not be lukewarm, stagnate, or draw back. Look what our Father says about these things: But we all, with uncovered face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. Hebrews 10:38 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, as newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. 2 Peter 2:1-3 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth. Revelation 3:16 What a beautiful thing to let our Father – our Maker and Creator – have His way in pruning us in these last days. In our love and surrender to Him, we Ask Him to break us of all wickedness, no matter how minor. We ask Him to search our hearts and our thoughts and show us any and every offensive way in us. He will do it, for He searches us from our very guts and will make us face the most secret and deep sins of our being. He longs to purify us! Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. Jeremiah 17:10 But don’t worry, He is meek and humble in heart and will work with us slowly, for He knows our weaknesses. This isn’t to say it won’t hurt, because it will. But He will be with us, strengthening us to get through it. And then He will be there to celebrate with us when we have obtained the victory; we will have His joy in every ounce of our being, giving us the strength to help others and even tackle the next hurdle. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Matthew 11:29 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Psalm 51:8 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:17-18 And remember, there is not one of us – who truly love and seek the Father in Heaven through His Son – who have not been through this, who are not going through it now, or who will not go through it in the near future. We are in this together as brothers and sisters, and we must be there to strengthen each other through prayer and encouragement. It truly is a beautiful thing. Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 2 Corinthians 1:4 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 I leave you with a song written from the depths of the heart of one of my dear sisters who is going through this process right now (click on "download file" below). Listen to the words (and read the handwritten lyrics below) and know that you are not alone. Be encouraged as your fight the good fight, pressing in through the strength of your Savior, fully believing and knowing that you are being transformed more and more into His pure and perfect image, all in preparation for you to join Him in His kingdom! Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Yahusha ha Meshiach… Philippians 1:6
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Special NoteThese writings are written in love and a spirit of servitude. They are not designed to judge but make us think. We are all sinners in need of saving, and we all need encouragement and absolute truth to endure on the narrow road to sanctification and ultimately eternal life. Categories
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