A Word of Patience...

Because thou hast kept the word of my patience....

The Gospel; so called because it gives an account of the patience of Christ, in the midst of all his outward meanness and humiliation; and because it is a means of implanting and increasing the grace of patience, which God is the efficient cause of, and Christ is the example of; that patience, which bears a resemblance to his, in enduring afflictions, reproaches, persecutions, desertions, and temptations, and in waiting for his kingdom and glory; and because both the preachers and professors of the word have need of patience, and should exercise it in like manner as Christ did. This word, the churches, in the Philadelphian state, will keep pure and incorrupt, and observe the ordinances of it according to the directions given in it; and will believe the promise of Christ's personal coming, and patiently wait for it:  John Gill

I am acutely aware of the Lord dealing with me about patience.  It is coming about in my life and heart in various ways, all at once.  He has my attention.  There are several things I have been waiting on; these are not just things that are hoped for in the way of unanswered prayer, but concrete things that have been just out of my reach.  Up until now, it has been a little bit of a struggle to wait for these things to come to pass.  But now, there is a real need and it is still out of my reach.  I thought there was an end date, and my heart was holding on until then...but that too was pushed further out...like the horse being urged on with a carrot dangling just out of reach. 

This is rather painful in a way,  It has causes me to ask “why Lord”?  I know you are good; I know you have a purpose in all things.  The proverbial, so close and yet so far.  As I was in study, I read the above verse and commentary.  The Lord Himself has been in a place of patience for 6000 years.  His Kingdom was promised, and delayed.  Messiah had to patiently endure in the flesh, all the afflictions of life in this world...holy and pure, until injustice, insurrection and hate would see Him put to death in the worst way. 

He had to patiently submit to the Father’s will, For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame;  He did this for us, that we might be saved and made new; He did this so we could live with Him, in His Kingdom and enjoy Him forever, to see His Glory and be His people. The Lord Jesus is still waiting...

So the Lord asks us to wait patiently...to endure; through trials and sufferings; through want and heartbreak.  God is faithful who promised.  He is the One who supplies all of our needs according to His riches in Glory.  With the Lord it is “Yes” and “amen”.  But when we are waiting for test results, or word on a job; if we are waiting for the loan to go through or the judges ruling... whatever we are waiting on, no matter how agonizing it may seem...we must remember, God is faithful. 

He is the Sovereign ruler of all Creation and He is in control...we are so small we feel like He doesn’t notice our comparatively insignificant problems...(which are huge to us).  But Jesus assured us, if the Father is aware of every little sparrow, the most common (insignificant) little bird...that it should have food, protection...if it fall to its death, God sees.  How much more does He regard His own children...we of little faith.

Heb 12:3  Consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary in your souls and lose heart.

Let us not despair and let go of our faith when we are in times of pressing , considering our Lord and Father to be disinterested in our affairs, lest we think He is uncaring... for we are tried in this life to prove our faith, to see if we will endure, to know that it is true...

Mat 13:20  “The one sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy.  13:21  Yet he has no root himself but lasts only a short while; and when trouble or persecution comes because of the word, immediately he falls away.

Jas 1:12  Happy is the one who endures testing, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to those who love Him.

The greatest thing we must patiently endure for, is Yeshua’s coming.  Do not let the hype and “prophecies” and explanations discourage you from hoping for and watching for His coming.  He will come!  Just as He said.  Be diligent to guard your heart not to fall into unbelief or become so discouraged you abandon your hope and become complacent. 

2Ti 4:8  Now there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that Day; and not to me only, but also to all those who love His appearing.

Heb 12:1b-2  So let us run with endurance the race set before us, focusing on Yeshua, the initiator and perfecter of our faith and He has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of God.

Maranatha loved ones...

I am pondering the Book of Enoch.  There is much attention being given to it these days, and many true believers are being persuaded that it is authentic.  I do not accept it as legitimate.  There are many, many direct contradictions to scripture.  

Even though there are “truths” in it, especially the exaltation of the Son of Man, what good is a counterfeit unless it comes very close to the true. I believe that is the very snare for Christians.  They see the Son of Man lifted up and revealed and so they believe it is a genuine document, some even argue it is scripture because it fills in the gap on so many silent issues.  But the Bible is not silent, you just have to search for it.  Messiah was concealed in prophecy, He is alluded to, but not plainly.   It was not yet revealed who He would be or how he would come.  

I would suggest, that it is the enemy himself that is the inspiration of the Book of Enoch.  This is speculation, but where else would various writers get this information and understanding from.  We know that many world leaders over the centuries were directly influenced by fallen angels, the rulers of this world. It is suspected that much of the technology of the 20-21^st centuries is “angel” technology.

That is why they were/are worshipped as “gods”.  Many Christians today argue that it is God who released this book in our day because we are in the time of the end.  But that is not true.  Everything we need to understand about where we are and how to prepare is found in the Holy Scriptures.  If we conclude that the Cannon is purely the device of men, then we make God, by the Holy Spirit weak, unable to watch over His Word and that cannot be.  

2 Pt 1:19-21 We have the more sure word of prophecy; and you do well that you heed it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns, and the morning star arises in your hearts: knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of private interpretation. For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke, being moved by the Holy Spirit.

2 Pt 2:1-4 But false prophets also arose among the people, as false teachers will also be among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master who bought them, bringing on themselves swift destruction. 2Many will follow their immoral ways, and as a result, the way of the truth will be maligned. 3In covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words: whose sentence now from of old doesn't linger, and their destruction will not slumber.4For if God didn't spare angels when they sinned, but cast them down to Tartarus, and committed them to pits of darkness, to be reserved for judgment;

The growing popularity of this book is causing people to doubt the Bible, to believe in heretical doctrines like flat earth; even more, it creates instability. The contradictions found will leave the reader to decide for themselves which is correct, the Bible or the Book of Enoch.  This is what Satan did in the garden, causing the woman to choose who was telling the truth, the Serpent or God! Proponents will cite the Book of Jude as quoting from the Book of Enoch. 

Jude 14 About these also Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, "Behold, the Lord came with ten thousands of his holy ones, 15to execute judgment on all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their works of ungodliness which they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the hard things which ungodly sinners have spoken against him." 16These are murmurers and complainers, walking after their lusts (and their mouth speaks proud things), showing respect of persons to gain advantage.

Indeed, the Bible refers to other non-canonical books like Jasher, for historical purpose.  But here, the “Book of Enoch” is not referenced, but the words of the prophet.  Perhaps the varied writers of Enoch plagiarized or borrowed from scripture or known quotations.  Let us examine the verses and compare...

Jude - Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment on all, to convict/convince all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.”

Now notice the wording of 1 Enoch 1:9:

And behold! He cometh with ten thousands of His holy ones to execute judgment upon all, and to destroy all the ungodly: and to convict all flesh of all the works of their ungodliness which they have ungodly committed, and of all the hard things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.

A vast difference between Convince and destroy...Several points should be considered about Jude’s citation of Enoch’s prophecy. Because it is so difficult to date the origin of The Book of Enoch, and because numerous portions of the book suggest that the writer was influenced heavily by the New Testament, Guy N. Woods, commentating on Jude, wrote:

“There are sharp variations between the statement allegedly cited by Jude and the actual statement as it appears in Jude. There is more reason for supposing that the book of Jude is older than this so-called “Book of Enoch” and that the author quoted from Jude rather than Jude from him! In the same fashion that Peter knew that Noah was a preacher, that Lot was vexed in Sodom, and that Paul knew the names of the Egyptian magicians; Jude learned of Enoch’s prophecy—by inspiration” (1962, p. 399).

Very clearly, the fallen angels who pathetically appeal to Enoch to intercede with God for them are creating a false narrative, appearing weak and frightened of God who is seemingly unreasonable. They look for the reader to be sympathetic to their plight.   In truth, these fallen angels are not like men who are weak.  They were made in perfection, they fully understood the omnipotence of God and His Sovereignty; They, with knowledge rebelled against the Creator and followed His creation, HaSatan.  It is Satan who induced the angels to fall with him and rebel they were not just a group of angels overcome with lust who make a pact.  Satan had shown them his transgression in the garden with the woman who was made for Adam. 

It would appear, that nothing was done to him...he seemed to get away with it.  Perhaps following after his example, is why they were willing to rebel.  This is the lie, “you will not surely die; using the same words the YHVH Elohim used, the serpent is literally saying, “you will not begin to die, nor die”.  How did she get there?

While she was explaining to the deceiver, that indeed they could eat from every tree, but the tree in the midst of the garden, she adds, they could not eat nor touch ... God did not say anything about not touching... This is what is called a “fence” in rabbinic Judaism. 

Wikipedia: A Fence/khumra is a prohibition or obligation in Jewish practice that exceeds the bare requirements of Halakha, (Jewish laws). One who imposes a khumra on oneself in a given instance is said to be strict about adherence. The rationale for a khumra comes from Dt. 22:8, which states that when one builds a house, he must build a fence around the roof in order to avoid guilt should someone fall off the roof. This has been interpreted by many as a requirement to "build a fence around the Torah in to protect the mitzvot.

The problem with this kind of “well intentioned” addition is, in time, it bears as much weight as the Word itself.  This is what Messiah condemned because of the heavy burdens they had imposed upon the people in addition to the requirements of Torah. 

Gen 3:7 And the woman saw/looked and considered that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes to look upon and a tree to be desired to make one wise  and having taken of its fruit /took hold of .... she touched it and did not die... she ate...

She was deceived because the Khumra she added, do not touch was transgressed, and she did not die! Therefore, she considered the “tree”, Satan to be the one to make her wise!  Death did not come as she expected...sudden, instant.

Gen 3:6 For God knew that in whatever day ye should eat of it your eyes would be opened, and ye would be as gods, knowing good and evil. 

Satan dangles something before us, knowledge he claims God has withheld from us... for He fears you will be like Elohim and have the ability to discern good and evil and rule yourself. But we cannot discern it on our own...that is the point.  Chava was deceived by something she perceived to be “good”.  Many have been deceived by seducing spirits that have the appearance of being good! 

  

Look at the apparitions of the Catholic “Mary”, the messages that come from this entity contradict the Gospel, uphold heretical Catholic doctrines and put God’s seal of approval upon the Pope! Many claim to have been contacted by Angels and even “jesus,” who bring false teaching and heresy.  We are warned not to believe every spirit, but to test the spirit to see if it is of God1Jn 4:1-3.

How many of us are doing that?  Every teaching has a spirit connected to it, if it is Truth and from the Holy Spirit it is life and light and compatible with the whole counsel of God, Gen-Rev.  Most things that are outside the Bible are in conflict and of another spirit.   

Once you accept a spurious (at best) writing and begin to give credence to it and accept it as truth, you will be dangerously close to accepting a lie that will lead you astray.  There is a reason the Bible says, “a little leaven, leavens the whole lump” Just a small part has to be false, but if a small part is false, then all of it is false.  The Word of God is Truth, it does not contradict itself.  The Book of Enoch contradicts the Bible. 

If a preacher preaches the truth most of the time, but only preaches heresy once a month or so...he is a heretic!  Do not be deceived by the Book of Enoch.  It is a glimpse into the unknown.  The Bible tells us what we need to know.  Like the woman in the garden, Satan wants to draw us in to see this so-called history from their perspective; even evoking sympathy for the fallen angels that had no recourse after their sin.  When you deliberately sin with knowledge of the truth... there is no forgiveness.  They were perfect...not flawed humans.  They knew all about God, there was no ignorance.

Heb 10:26  For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins, 10:27  But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 

So, we also, if we come to the very Truth of God, know who He is and understand His plan of redemption through His only begotten Son, Yeshua the Messiah and His substitutionary death  on the cross for the sins of mankind to all who will receive Him; if His offer of salvation is reject and we walk in our own way or neglect the offer, we will be condemned. 

The book of Enoch is not for believers in Yeshua, it is a counterfeit designed to create controversy and error.  It is the work of the enemy and not the inspired work of God.  It is more than a historical document like Maccabees or Jasher, it carries doctrine, false doctrine.  

Standing at the gate with staff in hand, keeping watch over His flock...shalom, shalom b’Yeshua.

Time of the Trees

 Shalom Beloved,

Today is known as Tu’B’Shevat, or the 15^th of Shevat – the 11^th month of the Hebrew calendar. In Judaism it is known as the “New Year for Trees”, like an arbor day.  The sap begins to run particularly in the Almond tree, as it is the first to bloom in Israel.  I am not going to talk about the traditional view of this, but I would like to bring a prophetic view for us to consider.  

Luke 21:29  Then Yeshua told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 1:30  As soon as they sprout their leaves, you see it and you know at once that summer is near. 21:31  So also, when you see these all these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. 21:32  Amen, I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things happen. 21:33  Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away. 

Let us first look at the Almond tree in the Holy Scriptures.  In Numbers 16-17, Korah, a Levite incites a rebellion over Aaron being chosen as High Priest.  There is a jealousy, and they challenge Moses and Aaron with the accusation that they presume too much, they are just as good as they are. The result is the earth swallowing Korah, his household and 250 men who rebelled with him are burned up with fire from YHWH.  But that is not enough, the people still murmur against them and they anger Yah... He is ready to destroy them all, yet Moses and Aaron intercede and Moses tells Aaron to take and run into the midst of the people and offer incense (a sweet savor) ...Num 16:47 And Aaron did as Moses commanded and ran into the midst of the congregation. And behold! The plague had begun among the people. And he put on incense and made an atonement for the people. 16:48 And he stood between the dead and the living, and the plague was stayed.

Aaron is a type of the Messiah Yeshua who came into the midst of us (Immanuel) and tabernacled with us; He took His place between the living and the dead and made atonement for us upon the cross.  (Heb 2:17) Therefore He had to be made like His brothers in all things, so He might become a merciful and faithful Kohen Gadol in matters relating to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people.          

(1 Jn 2:2) He is the atonement for our sins, and not only for our sins but also for the whole world.

The next day YHWH commands Moses to bring the rod of every tribal head, 12 in all and lay them before Adonai in the Tent of witness; Num 17:8 And it happened on the next day Moses went into the tabernacle of witness. And behold! The rod of Aaron for the house of Levi had budded and had brought forth buds, and had bloomed blossoms, and had yielded almonds.

So, Yah validated the call upon Aaron and his sons by using a sign of the Almond tree.

 “The seven-branch menorah (candelabra) in the Holy Temple was meant to resemble an almond blossom as described in Exodus: “Three cups, shaped like almond blossoms, were on one branch, with a knob and a flower; and three cups, shaped like almond blossoms, were on the other… on the candlestick itself were four cups, shaped like almond blossoms, with its knobs and flowers.”  A total of 22 cups.  https://www.israel21c.org/11-amazing-things-you-didnt-know-about-almonds/

The month of Shevat has everything to do with two words - watching and awakening!  For it is during the month of Shevat, that the almond tree first begins to blossom. And, the almond tree is the first tree in Israel to bloom or awaken, while, the other trees are still dormant or sleeping (could this be connected to the parable of 10 virgins all asleep while they were waiting for the Bridegroom?) and is the last to lose its leaves. In fact, the Hebrew words for almond tree and watch are almost the same word.

Shaqad: Hebrew word # H8245  שׁקד Strong’s Concordance – “to awake, watch, be alert”, and, to “keep watch of, be wakeful over”.

Shaqeid: Hebrew word # H8247 שׁקד Strong’s Concordance – “almond tree, almonds” 

So, with that in mind, consider the verse from Jeremiah 1:11-12 – “The word of the LORD came to me, What do you see, Jeremiah?  I see the branch of a “shaqed”/almond tree, I replied.  The LORD said to me, You have seen correctly, for I am “shaqad”/watching to see that my word is fulfilled”.

Therefore, we can see that the almond tree and the concept of watching are inextricably tied together.  Messiah is the Lampstand in the Holy Place, He is the Light of Life, and the Light of the World.  Those who belong to Him, become like Him, for we also have become the light of the world while we are in it.

The Hebrew month Shevat is quite interesting in itself.  H7627 שׁבט shevâṭ - “a rod”; so, we have Aaron’s “shevat” that produced “Shaqeid” and the month Shevat produces Shaqeid.  Let’s look deeper into the month. 

Every Hebrew month is associated with one of the twelve tribes.  Shevat is associated with the star sign Dli/Aquarius. The tribe of Reuben is connected to water.                                                                        Gen 49:3  Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:  49:4  Unstable as water...Reuben means “see a son”

In the camp in the wilderness, the company on the South was head up by the tribe of Reuben.  It is believed the symbol on the ensign was a man.  Taking the symbolism from the 4 living creatures, “a man’s face, that of an ox, an eagle and a Lion” 

We are looking for a man with a water jar...Aquarius. Mar 14:13 He sent two of His disciples and told  them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him, 14:14  and wherever he enters, tell the homeowner, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is My guest room, where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?”’

It is here I will share a few connected dreams from several years ago that I am still deciphering. 

1 Dream: went to visit someone named “D’li”/Aquarius; gloomy sky, yet warm…summery.  I held out a baby boy to D’li…”see a son/sun?”… next scene: in a small kitchen (small space of preparation) her “husband” walks in.. ( it is Yeshua) lifts her hands up; an extremely passionate look came upon her face; instantly transformed, dressed as a kingdom bride, new eye makeup (the “make-up” of her eyes had changed-like the eagle) still holding her hands, He backed her out the door (precession of mazerot/zodiac goes backward – Age of Aquarius)

Interpretation: when we see the sun in Aquarius,(sign in the heavens) it will be a short space of preparation before we (His Bride) are lifted up and transformed...the end of the age (of Pisces).

I was looking for information about today’s Blue-Blood, Super-moon on Stellarium.  I accidently noticed how close the sun was to Aquarius.  So, I advanced it day by day to see when it would actually be in Aquarius/D’li.  It seems to fully enter the star sign on February 15 / Shevat 30 and leaves it on February 22 /Adar 7 the day Moses died.   (Deut. 34:5-8):  “So Moses the servant of the Lord died there,” and it is written, “And the Israelites bewailed Moses in the steppes of Moab for thirty days.”   And it is also written, “After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord” (Josh. 1:1), as well as, “My servant Moses is dead.  Prepare to cross the Jordan,”(The Jordan floods its banks throughout the harvest and Yah pushed the flood waters back in a heap all the way to the City of Adam; Jordan means descent) and, “Go through the camp and charge the people thus:   Get provisions ready, for in three days’ time you are to cross the Jordan,” (Short space of preparation)(v. 11), and, “The people came up from the Jordan on the 10th of the first month.”   Subtract thirty-three days, and you arrive at the seventh of Adar as the date of Moses’ death.

In keeping with shaqad/watching; we must keep watch at this time, from the 15-22^nd of February/ 7^th of Adar for the next 30/3 days... or just in the coming season...beloved, remember, you who love Torah, Moses Torah/works could not bring them into the promised land.  It was Y’hoshua/Yeshua alone who can bring us across and only those who believed were able to enter. 

It is possible we are seeing the preparation for our departure.  In Rev 12 we see a war in the heavens between the fallen angels and the devil and Michael and Yah’s Holy Angels.  The fallen ones are cast to the earth, thrust out of the heavens (yardan – descend- as in the days of Noach) and the overcomers/man-child who will rule with a rod of iron (Rev 2:26-27) is caught up, out of the flood ‘of evil’.  The Flood comes from the mouth of the serpent/Devil. 

2 A dream shared by someone else I knew… his name means John/Jeanne Dark..‘Joan of Arc” he came to “world harvest church” was asked to go with “rod (shevat)-parsley (Passover)”(possible time frame?) got into a limo and the vehicle began to ascend.  It flew over New Orleans (had the dream in 2010  - Superbowl –“Saints Win”) and then went upwards to the UPPER ROOM… heaven! (New Orleans Saints means “New Golden Saints”)

3 My first rapture dream -  I was in a large room with high arches and pillars… (later discovering it was the Upper Room in Jerusalem) I was with a lady named Macel Anderson…(Hebrew Mazel, aka: sign/ Anderson -Son of man) we heard the sound of the Shofar, we grabbed each other and said, “this is it”!  Sign of the Son of Man. 

Recap: the Almond tree, the first to bloom – play on words almond/watching, or watchful over Yah’s Word.  Shevat – means “rod”; the Babylonian name of the month- the letters spell Shabbat as well, we must find HIS rest - Heb 4. If we are to be saved.  We are saved by grace through faith alone...no fine print or addendum...we rest in the finished work of Messiah Yeshua on the cross.  Only trust in His death, burial and resurrection provides salvation.  As in the days of Noach the fallen ones descended and polluted the world and the DNA...as it is, and will be today.  But Noach was perfect in his genetic composition, untainted by Genetic Modification.  Noach is spelled Nun-chet it means “rest”, spelled backward Chet-nun means Grace.  Very plainly our Abba Father has told us the Truth.  Let us watch for the sign of the Son of Man in the coming days... may it be soon and in our day... Next time in Heavenly Yerushalayim!

Are You Common?

  

Shalom Beloved, I want to share some thoughts with you in this Holiday season; we have just finished the Festival of Chanukah/Festival of Lights and we are rapidly approaching Christmas.  As a Messianic, I don’t observe Christmas, but I don’t condemn anyone who does, that is a heart matter... my decision is based on my understanding of the Scriptures and history... we acknowledge Yeshua’s birth at the time of the Feast of Tabernacles in the fall.

Whatever holiday you celebrate, there is sure to be traditions that were handed down from generation to generation.  So, are traditions important? To quote Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof  “I don't know. But it's a tradition... and because of our traditions... Every one of us knows who he is and what God expects him to do.“  There is an element of truth to that statement.  Traditions are supposed to help us know who we are.  Every family has customs that are passed on to each generation. It tells us something about our country of origin, what our ancestors did, a legacy from our families.  As each child grows and marries, they add to the legacy by creating their own traditions as well. 

As far as what God expects from us...Jewish life revolves around a religious calendar, each festival or Holy day has “traditions, or customs” associated with it.  These customs all have a teaching element, something that reminds us of the Biblical/Spiritual truth that the day conveys.  In passing along these traditions, we keep the understanding of the day alive in a real and practical way.

But something has happened to this generation, and we “the baby boomers” are at fault, we were not paying attention.  The culture and society has radically changed it seems in a blink... and they have stolen the legacy from our children and grandchildren.  To be sure it is our fault; we were the generation of crusaders for civil rights, women’s equality...those who would transform this world for the better... we also were the apathetic who didn’t feel there was a need to do anything, spiritually asleep.  We were raised and surrounded by tradition from our immigrant parents and grandparents and great grandparents.  But somehow, we failed to instill in our offspring the importance of heritage and the world swept it away from them. 

This is true in the secular world as well as within Christianity.  I am not talking about cookie recipes or whether you gather on Christmas Eve or Christmas day, I am talking about a frame of mind.  So many think it is too much trouble to go all out and decorate or set a beautiful table, to get up early and fix a special breakfast or dinner... too much work, just make it easy as possible. 

But it was that beautiful labor of love a mom or grandmother made that made the day special; the table, a place of intimate family fellowship where we don’t always get to see those lovely faces so often.  If we just throw a take-out bag on the table with a bunch of paper plates and plastic forks because it’s easier... it is really no more special than “a chilly Thursday” to quote Rabbit from Winnie the Pooh’s Thanksgiving special.

So many beautiful customs that seemed to connected the believers in Jesus for countless generations... are not so important anymore in this modern and progressive world.  The sense of things once looked upon as special have become profane...a word the Bible uses to mean “common”.

The church has suffered from this casual Christianity movement.  It seems, we needed to provide an informal atmosphere that doesn’t inconvenience anyone in order to be“seeker friendly”.  I was taught, we should give God our best, if our best was a pair of old pants with patches, if they were clean...it was our best.  But now, we give God what is common, and we save our “best” for special occasions.   Clothing and decorating isn’t the point, but it is a symptom of a bigger problem.  The things we regarded once as Holy have become common or profane. 

What does “holy” mean?  If something or someone is holy, they are set apart for God!  We have raised our children to do and say what we would never have dreamed of.  As children, we never spoke to non- relatives or older adults by their first name without adding a term of respect, ie: Miss Julie, Mr. Jones...” Aunt” Bertie... but now there is no honor, or respect... no distinction. 

(Ezek 44:23) They (the Priests) will teach My people the difference between the holy and the common and explain to them the difference between the unclean and the clean.

John Gill states in his commentary, that it is important to know the difference between the impure persons, doctrines, and manners, and those which are agreeable to the word of God; the sense is, that they shall take pains to instruct persons in the knowledge of divine things, and shall do it truly, faithfully, and sincerely.

This is now the job of Pastors and teachers, but I fear that is not happening.  There is no distinction between what is OF the World and being IN the World.  We are here, no doubt, but we are not to love the things of the world, nor are we to worship God in the manner of the World.  But to be seeker friendly, we have invited the world in.  We no longer can distinguish between the Holy and profane.

Warning Against Apostasy

Speaking of Messiah Yeshua our Great High Priest in the Order of Melchizedek...

Heb 5:11  Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing you are dull of hearing. 5:12  For when for the time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and have become those who need milk, and not strong meat. 

Heb 5:13  For every one that uses milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 

Heb 5:14  But strong meat belongs to them that are mature, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. 

We emphasize Grace so much in regard to Salvation, as we should; but once a person has come to faith we continue to speak about Grace in a way that removes any moral need as a follower of Christ to do what is good and right in the sight of God.  It is not for blessing or salvation, but it is a love issue.  We failed to instill honor and appreciation for our Savior’s sacrifice,  our love response should be a heart of gratitude the results in obedience. 

Rom_6:15  What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

2Ti 2:19 Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord keep away from unrighteousness.”

It begins with Clergy.  I was told by a “pastor” that we do not have to do everything the Bible says.  Since there is no demand to obey God, and no penalty if we do not... , why bother? 

 For LOVE's sake we should desire to do what is good and pleasing to our Father.  This would be real love, not earning blessing or favor, just a love response to Jesus.  Let us not be among those the Bible prophesy’s of in the last days whose love grows cold.

John 14:15 If you love Me, Keep my commands 

So, if you keep Christmas, then do it in a way that honors the Savior in your heart, let it be about Him, don't lose your focus with all the distractions. Ask about those traditions of your elder relatives while you still have them, practice honoring those who are greater in age... embrace your family heritage and practice these things in your secular life that you might live it in your spiritual life... be set apart for God’s glory, let the Light of Jesus be seen and your Father in Heaven Glorified in your life and witness.

 The True Light, has come into the World and gives light to all people; may Yeshua shine upon and through you in the days to come, for He alone is the Way, the Truth and the Life...salvation is found only in Jesus Christ our Lord, God and King. 

Many blessings, love and shalom... till we meet in the air.