Once again, I have been thrown into the depths of 'life', and whilst I have not forsaken all things spiritual, I have felt slightly lost. My husband sent me a 'Thought for the day', verse a couple of weeks ago, and I felt it was good practice to do this. We recently moved offices, and our drive is such that we do not have enough time on the road to read the scriptures as we used to. However, most mornings we read a chapter at home, then read psalms and proverbs. (Every thirtieth psalm, depending on the date. Today would be 12, 42, 72 etc. Proverbs 12) However, my husband had a very disturbed night last night, and I let him sleep, so our morning reading was non-existent. Occasionally we come to the office early, so our morning reading does not happen. Studying the 'next day's psalms', has become an excellent past time. If we read them the next day, as well, it brings more thoughts. As I have been writing, I have felt like I am meant to share. So, this was my first 'thought for the day'. I doubt that I will post every day, but when I feel that I should, I will!
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Psalm 28:1 To You I will cry, O IAUE my Elohim:
Do not be silent to me,
Lest, if You are silent to me,
I become like those who go down to the pit.
2 Hear the voice of my supplications
When I cry to You,
When I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary
When we cannot hear the voice of IAUE, what do we do? Do we consider that we are 'like those who go down into the pit'? Do we wait until he 'comes back to me'?
We ask that he listen to the 'voice of our supplications'. We ask that he hear our prayers. Yet when he is silent, do we ask Why?
How many times have we 'started again', because we have failed. Just like the alcoholic, who falls from 'the wagon', we wait for our 'binge' to run its course, and then come back to the meeting place, because we can be sure that those inside will take us in, and we can stand there and say, 'My name is...., It has been 1 day since I had a drink'.
We are confident of IAUE's love, yet we throw it around like a used rag. We discard it at will, because it is a 'constant'.
What if he was silent forever? What if we became like those going down to the pit.? How long would it be before we started to cry and beg forgiveness? How long would it be before we forgot that His Kindness is everlasting.
Monday, May 12, 2014
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
WHAT A BLESSING!
My husband and I were recently asked to look at the first few pages of a manuscript, with a view to editing same. I prayed about what I was going to read, as I wanted to be fair, and non-judgmental. The author started by saying he had been charged by the Holy Spirit to write this, and get it published. I read the first three pages and found myself editing quite ruthlessly. I stopped immediately, and started to read again. If I were to 'edit' as an 'editor', the author would have been left with about two paragraphs. However, I had been asked to do this as a 'disciple', and I believe that if I am told something by the Spirit, to impart to others, I should not, (unless specifically told to do so) change the wording, and so I should pay the same respect to the author of this manuscript.
As we were reading, and discussing, my husband noticed that our car was pulling to the right. He thought it might be the brakes. I thought it might be because we were being too harsh on the writer of the manuscript, and prayed about the car. 'It's the tire', I said, as something just told me, and was quickly reminded that we have an array of lights that blink when there is a problem. I closed my eyes and asked Elohim to fix the car, and as I opened them, the light flickered, and the screen to the left of the steering wheel showed there was, indeed, a flat tire.
The cedar pollen count is very high at the moment, and my husband thought it best not to stand outside and attempt to 'plug' the tire. He suggested we take my car in the morning and he would fix the offending tire at the weekend. I agreed, but then, suddenly, thought I should check my car. I had not taken it out since before the holidays, and something told me that the battery was dead. It was. In fact, it was so dead, it did not even respond to a jump. My husband had no choice but to change the tire on his car. The bolts on the wheel would not move. No matter what he did, there was no way the wheel was coming away from the car. All I could think (and I was rather surprised, being that I have a propensity to think that my world is being messed with, not very spiritual, I know), was how blessed we were. True, we had two cars that were out of action, but it was an inconvenience. We would go back into our house, have some dinner and think about our options.
Again, something told me to 'Phone Jerry!' (Jerry is a guy who works for us, who either has the tool, or knows someone who has the tool!) I continued to prepare dinner, and was still thinking, 'We are so blessed'. It was then that another thought came to mind. If all else failed, my daughter could take us to work in the morning and we could phone our mechanic and he would take care of both the tire and the battery.
Jerry did have the tool! He drove from his house, about 20 miles away, and not only did he have the equipment, he took the tire away, so that his son could look at it, in the morning, and determine its fate.
We drove to our office this morning, and Jerry came in with the tire which was unfortunately deceased! We would have to buy a new one.
All I could think about were the positives. We were truly blessed. Editing and having reservations about what one man hears and writes, is not an act of disobedience, and the problem with the car had nothing to do with my comments. I was not disobeying the Will of Elohim, because I was being asked by a man to read and edit. Elohim may speak to us all, but he does not necessarily tell us all the same things, and sometimes, he tells us very different things. I learned a very valuable lesson (as always). Although we were electronically immobile, we had our health, and strength. We had a house in which to go and discuss our options. We had food on the table, in the freezer and fridge, and in the pantry. We had a daughter who could take us to work. We even had a mechanic who would come out to collect the cars. We had the ability to pay for the the tire, the battery, and the mechanic! As I have said before, Miracles are not necessarily things that make us 'oooh' and 'ahhh'. They are the simple, individual things, like being able to pay for a tire, having food on the table. Having a friend who will come to our aid without a thought. A real good Samaritan!
I will read the manuscript, because I have been asked to by another disciple. I shall give my opinion, and express it as my opinion, unless Elohim asks me to take part in the project. Unless I do something that will offend my Father, such as berate the writer, or make personal slurs, I will not be disobeying any will!
As I was writing this, I had the scriptures playing on my computer, and whilst I set it to start in Romans, it looped, and continued playing through the New Testament. However, as I was up and down, I did not hear very much, but I returned to my desk just as 1 Corinthians 14, started playing. Very interesting!
It has been a blessed day! Grace and peace to all.
As we were reading, and discussing, my husband noticed that our car was pulling to the right. He thought it might be the brakes. I thought it might be because we were being too harsh on the writer of the manuscript, and prayed about the car. 'It's the tire', I said, as something just told me, and was quickly reminded that we have an array of lights that blink when there is a problem. I closed my eyes and asked Elohim to fix the car, and as I opened them, the light flickered, and the screen to the left of the steering wheel showed there was, indeed, a flat tire.
The cedar pollen count is very high at the moment, and my husband thought it best not to stand outside and attempt to 'plug' the tire. He suggested we take my car in the morning and he would fix the offending tire at the weekend. I agreed, but then, suddenly, thought I should check my car. I had not taken it out since before the holidays, and something told me that the battery was dead. It was. In fact, it was so dead, it did not even respond to a jump. My husband had no choice but to change the tire on his car. The bolts on the wheel would not move. No matter what he did, there was no way the wheel was coming away from the car. All I could think (and I was rather surprised, being that I have a propensity to think that my world is being messed with, not very spiritual, I know), was how blessed we were. True, we had two cars that were out of action, but it was an inconvenience. We would go back into our house, have some dinner and think about our options.
Again, something told me to 'Phone Jerry!' (Jerry is a guy who works for us, who either has the tool, or knows someone who has the tool!) I continued to prepare dinner, and was still thinking, 'We are so blessed'. It was then that another thought came to mind. If all else failed, my daughter could take us to work in the morning and we could phone our mechanic and he would take care of both the tire and the battery.
Jerry did have the tool! He drove from his house, about 20 miles away, and not only did he have the equipment, he took the tire away, so that his son could look at it, in the morning, and determine its fate.
We drove to our office this morning, and Jerry came in with the tire which was unfortunately deceased! We would have to buy a new one.
All I could think about were the positives. We were truly blessed. Editing and having reservations about what one man hears and writes, is not an act of disobedience, and the problem with the car had nothing to do with my comments. I was not disobeying the Will of Elohim, because I was being asked by a man to read and edit. Elohim may speak to us all, but he does not necessarily tell us all the same things, and sometimes, he tells us very different things. I learned a very valuable lesson (as always). Although we were electronically immobile, we had our health, and strength. We had a house in which to go and discuss our options. We had food on the table, in the freezer and fridge, and in the pantry. We had a daughter who could take us to work. We even had a mechanic who would come out to collect the cars. We had the ability to pay for the the tire, the battery, and the mechanic! As I have said before, Miracles are not necessarily things that make us 'oooh' and 'ahhh'. They are the simple, individual things, like being able to pay for a tire, having food on the table. Having a friend who will come to our aid without a thought. A real good Samaritan!
I will read the manuscript, because I have been asked to by another disciple. I shall give my opinion, and express it as my opinion, unless Elohim asks me to take part in the project. Unless I do something that will offend my Father, such as berate the writer, or make personal slurs, I will not be disobeying any will!
As I was writing this, I had the scriptures playing on my computer, and whilst I set it to start in Romans, it looped, and continued playing through the New Testament. However, as I was up and down, I did not hear very much, but I returned to my desk just as 1 Corinthians 14, started playing. Very interesting!
It has been a blessed day! Grace and peace to all.
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
We are in the world, not of the world!
With the new year now into its second week (in the Gregorian calender, that is) I found myself, once again, thinking about a new start. I believe it is a natural part of the human condition. Unless you do not keep track of dates, and are not part of the 'rat race', as it it sometimes known, you have no alternative but to 'join in', to a certain degree. Many clients, as well as acquaintances, and friends, wish me a 'happy new year', some aware of my spiritual beliefs, and some not. I respond in kind, as it is the 'human' thing to do, and we are told (and I am sure there are some that will disagree, but it seems apt) to 'render to Ceaser, what is Ceaser's'. (I think the verse about 'if thy eye offends, pluck it out, is on a more personal level!)
However, despite the 'wishing' everyone salutations, I realised that being caught up with the 'new' is putting myself in the way of the world. Although we are 'in the world', Paul tells us not to be 'of the world'. Starting 'afresh' at new year should not be something that I aspire to.
It was all too easy to 'slip' into the Christmas spirit, listening to the tunes on the radio, and joining in with the festive atmosphere. However, when I heard one shopper say, 'I have just bought these boots. No one else will. Merry Christmas to me!'. I wondered why she needed the excuse to buy herself the boots, and didn't think of how I was being caught up in the same net. Although Messiah was not born around December (and I am sure I have covered this), we are constantly reminded to 'remember the reason for the season!' Even if Messiah were born around December, and even if we were to celebrate the birth with such fervour, where is the honouring in buying presents for oneself? I must admit that although I celebrated as a child, I now consider 25th December, and the surrounds to be a time when I have a few days off work, and go home to England to be with my family. Why? Because they all have time off work, and it has become a tradition. I do not celebrate the birth of Messiah at this time, nor do my husband and I give presents (just as we do not consider Valentine's Day to be the day to show our love for each other!) However, I am in the world and my family still exchange gifts. My personal gifts are no different to those which I take when I visit in the summer. However, as they are given on 25th December, which is the time that everyone congregates, there is a preconception that this is a Christmas present.
With my mother being in her 80's, there is much preparation and much clearing away, and so the day becomes a giant chore! There is little time for reflection on spiritual matters, and by the time it is all over, we are exhausted. I am not saying everyone is the same, and I am sure there are many who go to church, and give thanks, but I am also sure there are many like me, who get carried away with the atmosphere, and worse still, complain about how tired we are after it is all over.
I read my husband's blog on the Sunday after the 25th, which dealt with doing Elohim's will, and not your own. I was very humbled. I had not necessarily been doing things that were selfish but I had not been paying as much attention to the Spirit as I might. I was determined to make amends. However, after spending most days on my vacation in the kitchen, or doing housework, I relished the 'me' time in the evenings. I played games on the computer, and I knitted, but I did not read the scriptures, nor did I consider that there might be time to reflect and write something. After all, it would be new year soon.
Yesterday, I read the Proverbs 7. The young man is pulled in by the whore and she makes it all sound so nice. I don't think I have ever contemplated the depth of this Proverb. I understood the meaning, and I understood that it is easy to either take the easy way out, or to go down the wrong path. However, it suddenly struck me that I was the figure that was the young man. I saw the lights, and I enjoyed the atmosphere of the Christmas spirit, and festivities. I went along and followed the whore to her house, and enjoyed the good life. I had fun! How did it end. Blessedly, I was stopped in my tracks, and understood the implications of NOT doing the will of Elohim. I understood the implications of going my own way. I did not fall into the pit. I was saved as I looked over the top.
I believe that one of the biggest pit falls is not to recognise our own downfalls.
Grace and peace to all, and may the voice of the spirit be as clear to you as it was to me, yesterday.
However, despite the 'wishing' everyone salutations, I realised that being caught up with the 'new' is putting myself in the way of the world. Although we are 'in the world', Paul tells us not to be 'of the world'. Starting 'afresh' at new year should not be something that I aspire to.
It was all too easy to 'slip' into the Christmas spirit, listening to the tunes on the radio, and joining in with the festive atmosphere. However, when I heard one shopper say, 'I have just bought these boots. No one else will. Merry Christmas to me!'. I wondered why she needed the excuse to buy herself the boots, and didn't think of how I was being caught up in the same net. Although Messiah was not born around December (and I am sure I have covered this), we are constantly reminded to 'remember the reason for the season!' Even if Messiah were born around December, and even if we were to celebrate the birth with such fervour, where is the honouring in buying presents for oneself? I must admit that although I celebrated as a child, I now consider 25th December, and the surrounds to be a time when I have a few days off work, and go home to England to be with my family. Why? Because they all have time off work, and it has become a tradition. I do not celebrate the birth of Messiah at this time, nor do my husband and I give presents (just as we do not consider Valentine's Day to be the day to show our love for each other!) However, I am in the world and my family still exchange gifts. My personal gifts are no different to those which I take when I visit in the summer. However, as they are given on 25th December, which is the time that everyone congregates, there is a preconception that this is a Christmas present.
With my mother being in her 80's, there is much preparation and much clearing away, and so the day becomes a giant chore! There is little time for reflection on spiritual matters, and by the time it is all over, we are exhausted. I am not saying everyone is the same, and I am sure there are many who go to church, and give thanks, but I am also sure there are many like me, who get carried away with the atmosphere, and worse still, complain about how tired we are after it is all over.
I read my husband's blog on the Sunday after the 25th, which dealt with doing Elohim's will, and not your own. I was very humbled. I had not necessarily been doing things that were selfish but I had not been paying as much attention to the Spirit as I might. I was determined to make amends. However, after spending most days on my vacation in the kitchen, or doing housework, I relished the 'me' time in the evenings. I played games on the computer, and I knitted, but I did not read the scriptures, nor did I consider that there might be time to reflect and write something. After all, it would be new year soon.
Yesterday, I read the Proverbs 7. The young man is pulled in by the whore and she makes it all sound so nice. I don't think I have ever contemplated the depth of this Proverb. I understood the meaning, and I understood that it is easy to either take the easy way out, or to go down the wrong path. However, it suddenly struck me that I was the figure that was the young man. I saw the lights, and I enjoyed the atmosphere of the Christmas spirit, and festivities. I went along and followed the whore to her house, and enjoyed the good life. I had fun! How did it end. Blessedly, I was stopped in my tracks, and understood the implications of NOT doing the will of Elohim. I understood the implications of going my own way. I did not fall into the pit. I was saved as I looked over the top.
I believe that one of the biggest pit falls is not to recognise our own downfalls.
Grace and peace to all, and may the voice of the spirit be as clear to you as it was to me, yesterday.
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Are we guilty of doing, '...and such like'.
Galatians
5:19 Now
the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication,
uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of Elohim.
Two days after Thanksgiving, and I am looking at these verses. Spending time preparing for the feast gives little time preparing the heart to give thanks. Thanksgiving is now dubbed 'Turkey day', and once again something that is cause for us to reflect becomes focussed on the wrong thing. Whether it is remembering the shared meal between the Native Indians and Pilgrims, or other historical stories, remains unimportant. What is important is our Thanksgiving to our creator, the Elohim of the Universe.
I was reading through the verses above, after spending hours preparing, eating, then shopping, and wondered at how I would recall the events of the weekend. I sat waiting for my daughter and son-in-law to make a purchase, for an hour at our first stop on Saturday, and started to get irritated. Did I give thanks for anything? I have a daughter who is happily married to a great guy; I was being chauffeured by my son-in-law; they were able to pay their own way; I was able to pay my own way; I was able to spend the day shopping; I had plenty of food in my fridge to feed us all for another day; I had a chair to sit upon in the store. The list goes on, but I sat miserably. Of course I am ashamed for my actions, and was so at the time, but not before I had wallowed in self pity for quite some time.
What I encountered, or was guilty of, were not those specifically mentioned above. They all fell into the category of 'and such like'. I really was displaying the 'and such like' sins.
It is very easy to look at a list and think, 'but I was not guilty of any of those', yet fail to understand that the 'and such like' adds everything else to the list. Being born again, giving our life to Messiah, means that we are not under the law of Moses, we are under the law of IAUE, Elohim. This means that we are not restricted to a set of rules, we are free to follow his voice. However, we do not have a 'get out' clause. If we act in ways that come under the 'and such like', we are not breaking any laws, but we are insulting our creator.
Short, but I hope helpful. The few words I read caused a great dealof personal reflection. How can I be 'thankful' if I am doing 'and such like....'. Grace and peace to all.
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of Elohim.
Two days after Thanksgiving, and I am looking at these verses. Spending time preparing for the feast gives little time preparing the heart to give thanks. Thanksgiving is now dubbed 'Turkey day', and once again something that is cause for us to reflect becomes focussed on the wrong thing. Whether it is remembering the shared meal between the Native Indians and Pilgrims, or other historical stories, remains unimportant. What is important is our Thanksgiving to our creator, the Elohim of the Universe.
I was reading through the verses above, after spending hours preparing, eating, then shopping, and wondered at how I would recall the events of the weekend. I sat waiting for my daughter and son-in-law to make a purchase, for an hour at our first stop on Saturday, and started to get irritated. Did I give thanks for anything? I have a daughter who is happily married to a great guy; I was being chauffeured by my son-in-law; they were able to pay their own way; I was able to pay my own way; I was able to spend the day shopping; I had plenty of food in my fridge to feed us all for another day; I had a chair to sit upon in the store. The list goes on, but I sat miserably. Of course I am ashamed for my actions, and was so at the time, but not before I had wallowed in self pity for quite some time.
What I encountered, or was guilty of, were not those specifically mentioned above. They all fell into the category of 'and such like'. I really was displaying the 'and such like' sins.
It is very easy to look at a list and think, 'but I was not guilty of any of those', yet fail to understand that the 'and such like' adds everything else to the list. Being born again, giving our life to Messiah, means that we are not under the law of Moses, we are under the law of IAUE, Elohim. This means that we are not restricted to a set of rules, we are free to follow his voice. However, we do not have a 'get out' clause. If we act in ways that come under the 'and such like', we are not breaking any laws, but we are insulting our creator.
Short, but I hope helpful. The few words I read caused a great dealof personal reflection. How can I be 'thankful' if I am doing 'and such like....'. Grace and peace to all.
Friday, September 20, 2013
LITTLE FOXES SPOIL THE VINE
Song of Solomon - 2:15
Catch us the foxes,
The little foxes that spoil the vines,
For our vines have tender grapes
I have often quoted the verse above, and more often than not it has been quipped without much thought.
Yesterday, however, I learned that often when we think the foxes have once again ruined the grapes, the opposite is true.
Many things, small things, have been the focus of my attention over the past couple of weeks, and I have asked for help from my Master, mainly to put them into perspective,
Without going into too much detail (as the detail itself is irrelevant) there were some irritations that were purely of a 'maternal' nature. Although small in themselves, one piled on top of the other was starting to make the vine wilt. However, by Thursday afternoon, the foxes had been caught and were no longer a threat to the wine.
However, within a short period of time, something happened to make me wonder, 'why?' My husband had received a document to be delivered the next morning at the local Courthouse. Despite his assurance that this would not be a problem, we had no one to deliver it. Everyone had 'prior engagements'. I questioned as to why there was a problem. Why was everyone busy? Why could we not fulfill our promise? Immediately, I started to evaluate as to whether I had sat back, and forgotten my Master, and His goodness. Without waiting for an answer, I had decided that this was a disaster, and the foxes had returned with a vengeance. I had, in essence, lost faith. Eventually, my husband received a call from his friend, who is in the same business. It just so happened that he had something that had to be delivered to the local Courthouse in the morning, 30 minutes after our proposed delivery. I gave thanks and marvelled at the goodness of my Creator, and apologised for my assumption. Everything is for a reason, and we were shortly to find out why it had to happen this way. My husband emailed his friend the documents, and shortly after received a call to say that there was a page missing. My husband had not noticed that there was a page missing, and if he had simply handed the document to one of our regular guys, they would have had no reason to check. My husband's friend called the attorney who was in charge of the case and she was so grateful that the omission had been caught and reported.
It was obvious that this was nothing to do with the 'little foxes'. This was Elohim making a statement, yet I immediately went to 'worse case scenario'. In giving thanks, I felt at peace. There was something very calming about the way I felt. There were no sparkles, no tingles, no goosebumps. I knew that Elohim had worked so perfectly, not only would we be able to get someone to the Courthouse on time, to deliver a document to someone who was, otherwise, illusive, it eliminated any embarrassment that may have been suffered by the attorney, or the person who sent us the documents on her behalf.
When the document had been delivered, my husband's friend returned to our office. I asked him if he had success in delivering the other paper, that had put in him the right place at the right time for us. He had not. The attorney who had hired him had made a mistake. The hearing at which his document was to be delivered was not going to take place until next week. It was when he arrived at the courthouse that he received the call to say there had been a mistake with the dates. He thanked Elohim. His trip had not been a waste; more to the point, it had been a success.
I pray that next time I believe the foxes to be at work, I will have the ability to discern whether it is indeed the canines being mischievous, or whether there is something deeper. For every season......
I pray this speaks to someone, somewhere, who is in the same situation. Grace and peace to all.
Catch us the foxes,
The little foxes that spoil the vines,
For our vines have tender grapes
I have often quoted the verse above, and more often than not it has been quipped without much thought.
Yesterday, however, I learned that often when we think the foxes have once again ruined the grapes, the opposite is true.
Many things, small things, have been the focus of my attention over the past couple of weeks, and I have asked for help from my Master, mainly to put them into perspective,
Without going into too much detail (as the detail itself is irrelevant) there were some irritations that were purely of a 'maternal' nature. Although small in themselves, one piled on top of the other was starting to make the vine wilt. However, by Thursday afternoon, the foxes had been caught and were no longer a threat to the wine.
However, within a short period of time, something happened to make me wonder, 'why?' My husband had received a document to be delivered the next morning at the local Courthouse. Despite his assurance that this would not be a problem, we had no one to deliver it. Everyone had 'prior engagements'. I questioned as to why there was a problem. Why was everyone busy? Why could we not fulfill our promise? Immediately, I started to evaluate as to whether I had sat back, and forgotten my Master, and His goodness. Without waiting for an answer, I had decided that this was a disaster, and the foxes had returned with a vengeance. I had, in essence, lost faith. Eventually, my husband received a call from his friend, who is in the same business. It just so happened that he had something that had to be delivered to the local Courthouse in the morning, 30 minutes after our proposed delivery. I gave thanks and marvelled at the goodness of my Creator, and apologised for my assumption. Everything is for a reason, and we were shortly to find out why it had to happen this way. My husband emailed his friend the documents, and shortly after received a call to say that there was a page missing. My husband had not noticed that there was a page missing, and if he had simply handed the document to one of our regular guys, they would have had no reason to check. My husband's friend called the attorney who was in charge of the case and she was so grateful that the omission had been caught and reported.
It was obvious that this was nothing to do with the 'little foxes'. This was Elohim making a statement, yet I immediately went to 'worse case scenario'. In giving thanks, I felt at peace. There was something very calming about the way I felt. There were no sparkles, no tingles, no goosebumps. I knew that Elohim had worked so perfectly, not only would we be able to get someone to the Courthouse on time, to deliver a document to someone who was, otherwise, illusive, it eliminated any embarrassment that may have been suffered by the attorney, or the person who sent us the documents on her behalf.
When the document had been delivered, my husband's friend returned to our office. I asked him if he had success in delivering the other paper, that had put in him the right place at the right time for us. He had not. The attorney who had hired him had made a mistake. The hearing at which his document was to be delivered was not going to take place until next week. It was when he arrived at the courthouse that he received the call to say there had been a mistake with the dates. He thanked Elohim. His trip had not been a waste; more to the point, it had been a success.
I pray that next time I believe the foxes to be at work, I will have the ability to discern whether it is indeed the canines being mischievous, or whether there is something deeper. For every season......
I pray this speaks to someone, somewhere, who is in the same situation. Grace and peace to all.
Monday, September 9, 2013
BELIEF OR FAITH?
My husband has become an avid blogger. He posts every Sunday, and usually gets inspiration during the week, which promotes a great deal of discussion.
Last week we were discussing the difference between 'belief' and 'faith'. Is it enough just to believe? He gave an illustration of the guy who stood and stared at a chair, believing it would take his weight, and another man who simply sat in the chair, as he had faith.
What happened to the faithful and why did we become a body of believers? I thought about those who spread the 'good news' in Acts, and the letters that were written by Paul, Timothy, etc. We have become 'watered down'. Instead of being washed clean by baptism, it is as if we have been diluted.
Believing that something will happen is all well and good. Having belief is not a bad thing, but consider this; would you sit in the chair? Faith is the action! I believe the problem in todays society, and modern day congregations, is that we are not called to have faith, we are merely asked to 'Believe'. As a child, and as an adult, I have heard the question asked, 'Do you believe in Elohim?', (God/The Lord/Christ etc). People do not ask, as a matter of course, 'do you have faith in Elohim?' Do I believe in Elohim? Of course I do. Do I believe in magic? Well I have seen some pretty good magicians. However, I would not put my faith into a magician.
Merely believing is not enough. We are not called by Elohim to believe. I believe Elohim does not need us to believe he exists. He is the creator of the Universe, why should he be concerned. He could come and twist us around and turn us upside-down in a second or less. Faith goes much deeper.
Our discussion turned to the depth of faith. As I have mentioned, I listen to ministers on the TV and watch the audience. They get quite emotional and take in every word that is said. Do they believe everything in their life will be okay? They appear to be nodding and agreeing with the minister, but do they actually have faith? Believing is more an act of self will. 'I believe, I believe, I believe', does not give you the faith to sit in the chair. It lulls you into thinking you have done enough by believing. Believing Yahushua is your master is easy. Having faith that He will protect you is quite different.
Over the years, many people have told stories of healing and miraculous divine intervention. However, whilst many attend meetings where these wonderful events take place, as soon as they are suffering from an ailment, they immediately turn to medicine, be it alternative or conventional. 'Pray for my child, who has hurt her back....an appointment is booked for Monday, but that is three days away'. The belief that relief may be had is there, otherwise why ask for the prayer, but the faith that all will be restored is not, otherwise why make an appointment? As I have said before, how many pray for a car, a computer, any component? A tree, perhaps, that is dying, but essential to keep your yard cool. Messiah cursed a fig tree; he could surely have asked to make one bloom.
The watering down of disciples into believers has happened over time. Psalm 23, in my opinion, is the epitome of faith. Walking through the shadow of the valley of death, I fear no evil; You prepare a table in the midst of my enemies. Praying when you walk through a dark alley at night, hoping that no-one will jump out at you, do you quicken your pace, because although you believe He is there, do you really have faith that he will protect you. Unless He tells you to run, why do you feel the need to do so? We have all done it, I am sure, prayed during our hour of need, but taken precautions.
I would urge anyone who things 'outside the box', or is just looking for 'something that is missing' to read my husband's blog; 'http://versefortheweek.blogspot.com/
A good lesson for me. Thank you for reading. Grace and peace to all
Last week we were discussing the difference between 'belief' and 'faith'. Is it enough just to believe? He gave an illustration of the guy who stood and stared at a chair, believing it would take his weight, and another man who simply sat in the chair, as he had faith.
What happened to the faithful and why did we become a body of believers? I thought about those who spread the 'good news' in Acts, and the letters that were written by Paul, Timothy, etc. We have become 'watered down'. Instead of being washed clean by baptism, it is as if we have been diluted.
Believing that something will happen is all well and good. Having belief is not a bad thing, but consider this; would you sit in the chair? Faith is the action! I believe the problem in todays society, and modern day congregations, is that we are not called to have faith, we are merely asked to 'Believe'. As a child, and as an adult, I have heard the question asked, 'Do you believe in Elohim?', (God/The Lord/Christ etc). People do not ask, as a matter of course, 'do you have faith in Elohim?' Do I believe in Elohim? Of course I do. Do I believe in magic? Well I have seen some pretty good magicians. However, I would not put my faith into a magician.
Merely believing is not enough. We are not called by Elohim to believe. I believe Elohim does not need us to believe he exists. He is the creator of the Universe, why should he be concerned. He could come and twist us around and turn us upside-down in a second or less. Faith goes much deeper.
Our discussion turned to the depth of faith. As I have mentioned, I listen to ministers on the TV and watch the audience. They get quite emotional and take in every word that is said. Do they believe everything in their life will be okay? They appear to be nodding and agreeing with the minister, but do they actually have faith? Believing is more an act of self will. 'I believe, I believe, I believe', does not give you the faith to sit in the chair. It lulls you into thinking you have done enough by believing. Believing Yahushua is your master is easy. Having faith that He will protect you is quite different.
Over the years, many people have told stories of healing and miraculous divine intervention. However, whilst many attend meetings where these wonderful events take place, as soon as they are suffering from an ailment, they immediately turn to medicine, be it alternative or conventional. 'Pray for my child, who has hurt her back....an appointment is booked for Monday, but that is three days away'. The belief that relief may be had is there, otherwise why ask for the prayer, but the faith that all will be restored is not, otherwise why make an appointment? As I have said before, how many pray for a car, a computer, any component? A tree, perhaps, that is dying, but essential to keep your yard cool. Messiah cursed a fig tree; he could surely have asked to make one bloom.
The watering down of disciples into believers has happened over time. Psalm 23, in my opinion, is the epitome of faith. Walking through the shadow of the valley of death, I fear no evil; You prepare a table in the midst of my enemies. Praying when you walk through a dark alley at night, hoping that no-one will jump out at you, do you quicken your pace, because although you believe He is there, do you really have faith that he will protect you. Unless He tells you to run, why do you feel the need to do so? We have all done it, I am sure, prayed during our hour of need, but taken precautions.
I would urge anyone who things 'outside the box', or is just looking for 'something that is missing' to read my husband's blog; 'http://versefortheweek.blogspot.com/
A good lesson for me. Thank you for reading. Grace and peace to all
Thursday, August 29, 2013
WILL HE ANSWER?
After my last post, I returned to my native land for a couple of weeks. I attended synagogue a couple of times, once for a service, and once for a wedding. Listening to the Rabbi's sermon, I found the explanations for Christianity to be a little far off how, as a disciple, I think and act. I did not have an opportunity to speak with him either after the Saturday morning service, nor after the wedding. The Rabbi, unlike me, has not been 'born again', and his explanations are to the best of his knowledge, and whilst I do not challenge his wisdom on religious, or indeed, biblical matters, my faith is a way of life, rather than a religion.
When I returned to Texas, my husband and I continued with our daily reading of the Scriptures, and on Wednesday I read Proverb 28. After I had finished, my husband asked me to repeat one verse.
Proverb 28, 9.
One who turns away his ear from hearing the law,
Even his prayer is an abomination.
He asked me what I thought it meant, and how could it be adapted into contemporary Christianity. Although we do not think of ourselves as Christians, for reasons I have already explained, we sometimes use the phrase when dealing with Discipleship.
I did have to think about it, and it brought forth the most amazing in depth discussion.
In the old testament, the Law was to be obeyed at all times. If the Law was not adhered to, then even a prayer is an abomination. If the Law was broken, what right would the sinner have to call upon Elohim and expect Him to answer? I thought about contemporary times, and said that although we are no longer under the Law of the Hebrews, we are now under a new law. We are subject to the voice of the Spirit.
My first thought was about prayers that are said 'off the cuff'. If I see an accident, or an incident where someone is victim to something horrific, I immediately pray. I do not stop and ask the Spirit if this is right or wrong, I pray for the immediate need, or what I perceive to be the immediate need. However, it then occurred to me, 'what if I am not meant to be in the place where I saw the incident'. If I had been told by the Spirit to take one route, and I chose to take another, and an accident occurred where I witnessed something quite awful, that prompted me to pray, would it be an abomination? Quite often, when I pray, I feel something quite instant, to say it has been dealt with. Would I feel nothing? I am not saying that a prayer would not be answered, as the accident or incident would not be beyond the control of Elohim. Nothing is out of His control. My question is, would I be subject to knowing that I could not administer anything at that time.
The fact is that He gives us all good things to enjoy, but what we should want is purely to do His will,;the desire of our heart should only be 'what is His will?' What if we are not doing His will? How much will that jeopardize the smooth flow; not the smooth flow of Elohim, as He is beyond our human reasoning, but the smooth flow of our walk.
Perhaps the verse, put into modern day terms, should be, 'One who turns away his ear from hearing Elohim'. Who am I to change scripture? I would not dare. However, I do believe we have the ability to hear it how it should be heard. No matter how good my intentions, if I am not walking in the way I am being told, my prayers will be an abomination. Why should He do for me, when I refuse to do for Him. Yes, He is all merciful, He is goodness, and kindness, but He is not a walk over! We have to learn discipline, and like children, we have to be taught, and if we misbehave, we have to face the consequences.
We all make mistakes. When we make mistakes do we stop praying? That is not a question for me to answer. Each incident has its own consequences, and that is a question that each person should ask themselves, and the Spirit. Believing that my prayer would be an abomination if I am not walking in the Spirit, certainly causes concern for me.
I hope this causes food for thought. Grace and Peace to all.
When I returned to Texas, my husband and I continued with our daily reading of the Scriptures, and on Wednesday I read Proverb 28. After I had finished, my husband asked me to repeat one verse.
Proverb 28, 9.
One who turns away his ear from hearing the law,
Even his prayer is an abomination.
He asked me what I thought it meant, and how could it be adapted into contemporary Christianity. Although we do not think of ourselves as Christians, for reasons I have already explained, we sometimes use the phrase when dealing with Discipleship.
I did have to think about it, and it brought forth the most amazing in depth discussion.
In the old testament, the Law was to be obeyed at all times. If the Law was not adhered to, then even a prayer is an abomination. If the Law was broken, what right would the sinner have to call upon Elohim and expect Him to answer? I thought about contemporary times, and said that although we are no longer under the Law of the Hebrews, we are now under a new law. We are subject to the voice of the Spirit.
My first thought was about prayers that are said 'off the cuff'. If I see an accident, or an incident where someone is victim to something horrific, I immediately pray. I do not stop and ask the Spirit if this is right or wrong, I pray for the immediate need, or what I perceive to be the immediate need. However, it then occurred to me, 'what if I am not meant to be in the place where I saw the incident'. If I had been told by the Spirit to take one route, and I chose to take another, and an accident occurred where I witnessed something quite awful, that prompted me to pray, would it be an abomination? Quite often, when I pray, I feel something quite instant, to say it has been dealt with. Would I feel nothing? I am not saying that a prayer would not be answered, as the accident or incident would not be beyond the control of Elohim. Nothing is out of His control. My question is, would I be subject to knowing that I could not administer anything at that time.
The fact is that He gives us all good things to enjoy, but what we should want is purely to do His will,;the desire of our heart should only be 'what is His will?' What if we are not doing His will? How much will that jeopardize the smooth flow; not the smooth flow of Elohim, as He is beyond our human reasoning, but the smooth flow of our walk.
Perhaps the verse, put into modern day terms, should be, 'One who turns away his ear from hearing Elohim'. Who am I to change scripture? I would not dare. However, I do believe we have the ability to hear it how it should be heard. No matter how good my intentions, if I am not walking in the way I am being told, my prayers will be an abomination. Why should He do for me, when I refuse to do for Him. Yes, He is all merciful, He is goodness, and kindness, but He is not a walk over! We have to learn discipline, and like children, we have to be taught, and if we misbehave, we have to face the consequences.
We all make mistakes. When we make mistakes do we stop praying? That is not a question for me to answer. Each incident has its own consequences, and that is a question that each person should ask themselves, and the Spirit. Believing that my prayer would be an abomination if I am not walking in the Spirit, certainly causes concern for me.
I hope this causes food for thought. Grace and Peace to all.
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