duane - Thank you O Father Yahweh, for this Shabbat, and thank you for allowing us the privilage of prayer
duane - May we all benefit mightily from the message tonight
duane - and may this Shabbat nourish and rest our souls.
duane - And thankyou also Father for all the blessings of this week that always seem to neutralise the trials.
duane - Please bless everyone hear by putting understanding and love in teir hearts.
duane - We ask this in the name of your precious son Yahushua the messiah, Omein, HalleluYAH
As we travel to the promised land.
We are led by Yahweh most high..
He's in the lead...and as the children of Israel in the wilderness, we learn His torah.. His law
Through a mighty work of Yahweh we were baptized into Yahushua as they were baptized in the sea
And while we learn His ways.. and Moshe can show us the way of life..
It takes a man named Yahushua to take us across the Jordan
Those who choose not to follow Him will remain in the wilderness..
Or they will return to Egypt
And while many are called to go..
Few are chosen
Will you go?
Will you follow Yahushua's lead?
The children of Israel had many trials
Days without water
The hardships of not having a permanent place to call home
So will we
We are not of this world
This is not our home
We have a home awaiting us
But let us beware... lest some of us fall short of entering into His rest
Psalms 95:9 - When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work.
Psalms 95:10 - Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways:
Psalms 95:11 - Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.In spite of the trials, lets remember that we are a people who are greatly blessed
Philippians 4:4 - Rejoice in YAHWEH alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
Philippians 4:5 - Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Master is at hand.
Philippians 4:6 - Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto YAHWEH.
Philippians 4:7 - And the peace of YAHWEH, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through the Messiah Yahushua."Be careful for nothing" means to be anxious for nothing
Take your requests to Yahweh.. with thanksgiving for what you already have been blessed with!
And we see a promise is given
That Yahweh's peace will keep (guard) your hearts and minds through Yahushua
1Timothy 6:5 - Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is righteousness: from such withdraw thyself.
1Timothy 6:6 - But reverence with contentment is great gain.
1Timothy 6:7 - For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
1Timothy 6:8 - And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.Do we have food and clothing?
Let's be content therewith!
The Israelites are an example for us
They were not content, and Yahweh was not pleased
Numbers 11:1 - And when the people complained, it displeased YAHWEH: and YAHWEH heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of YAHWEH burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.Yahweh obviously doesn't want us to complain about our circumstances
We should believe Yahweh when He says He will take care of us
He is a good Father.. knowing exactly what we need
There were a few who did not complain, but believed Yahweh
Numbers 13:30 - And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.As they were about to enter the promised land, Moshe sent out spies
Some of the spies sent back a report that caused them to fear
But Caleb had faith
Numbers 13:31 - But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.
Numbers 13:32 - And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature.
Numbers 13:33 - And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.The 'giants'
Numbers 14:1 - And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night.
Numbers 14:2 - And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would Elohim that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would Elohim we had died in this wilderness!
Numbers 14:3 - And wherefore hath YAHWEH brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt?Are there giants that we also fear in our lives?
Do they prompt a desire in our hearts to return to our former ways?
Let it not be so!
Yahweh said:
Numbers 14:27 - How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me.
Numbers 14:28 - Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith YAHWEH, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you:
Numbers 14:29 - Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me,Brothers and sisters, do we realize the magnitude of this example?
It was for the reason of a lack of faith and complaining that Yahweh was going to totally destroy Israel and not let them enter into the Promised Land!
Let's have the attitude of rejoicing in Yahweh always!
Let's have the attitude of thanksgiving and being anxious for nothing.. knowing that we have made our requests known to Yahweh and He will take care of things
He knows how to lead.. He created us from dust!
Romans 9:20 - Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against YAHWEH? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?
Romans 9:21 - Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?In times of trial, it is easy to complain
But we should remember that trials are normal and a part of our walk with Yahweh.. just as it was a part of their walk in the desert
1Peter 4:12 - Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;
1Peter 4:13 - but rejoice to the extent that you partake of the Messiah's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
1Peter 4:14 - If you are reproached for the name of the Messiah, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of YAHWEH rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.The disciples knew:
Acts 14:21 - And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,
Acts 14:22 - Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of YAHWEH.It is important to remember that the trials for our good
James 5:7 - Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Master. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.
James 5:8 - You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Master is at hand.Some would like to grumble about one another as we travel along, but scripture says:
James 5:9 - Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!
James 4:11 - Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.Lest anyone think that the "brethren" are only those outside our family, let's remember that we are also not to grumble about our spouses
It is particularly wrong in Yahweh's eyes for a wife to complain about her husband or a circumstance that she thinks that her husband has created.
Yahweh is the one who placed the husbands in a position of authority over the wives, not unlike Yahweh placed Moshe in the position of authority over the children of Israel.
Numbers 16:1 - Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men:
Numbers 16:2 - And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown:
Numbers 16:3 - And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against _aron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and YAHWEH is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of YAHWEH?They couldn't understand it.. they were holy just like Moses and Aaron they thought..
Why should they be above them, they complained All the congregation is holy !
Numbers 16:4 - And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face:
Numbers 16:5 - And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, Even to morrow YAHWEH will shew who are his, and who is holy; and will cause him to come near unto him: even him whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him.
Numbers 16:6 - This do; Take you censers, Korah, and all his company;
Numbers 16:7 - And put fire therein, and put incense in them before YAHWEH to morrow: and it shall be that the man whom YAHWEH doth choose, he shall be holy: ye take too much upon you, ye sons of Levi.
Numbers 16:8 - And Moses said unto Korah, Hear, I pray you, ye sons of Levi:
Numbers 16:9 - Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the Elohim of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of YAHWEH, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them?Apparently they weren't satisfied with the position Yahweh placed them in
They wanted to be equal to or above the one Yahweh put in authority
Much is the same in this day and age. Women want to be in the position of the men. Divorce and confusion are the result
Satan inspires such things.. for he also wanted to be 'like the Most High'
Numbers 16:10 - And he hath brought thee near to him, and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee: and seek ye the priesthood also?
Numbers 16:11 - For which cause both thou and all thy company are gathered together against YAHWEH: and what is Aaron, that ye murmur against him?
Numbers 16:12 - And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab: which said, We will not come up:Now their dissatisfaction with their position leads to disobedience
Inevitably, it always does
Now they insult Yahweh and Moshe:
Numbers 16:13 - Is it a small thing that thou hast brought us up out of a land that floweth with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, except thou make thyself altogether a prince over us?Note how they said to Moshe that they brought them up out of a land flowing with milk and honey! What contempt!
So what happened to them?
Numbers 16:31 - And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them:
Numbers 16:32 - And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods.
Numbers 16:33 - They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation.Yahweh opened the earth and swallowed them up.. every one of them. Yahweh took their lack of contentment very seriously!
Now you would think that people would repent at this event?
But we read later that..
Numbers 16:41 - But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of YAHWEH.They still murmured and complained
I've seen Yahweh put rebellious wives in their place.. and yet they still complained or blamed their husband for the result
The children of Israel were to expected to respect Moshe's authority as unto Yahweh and not murmur or complain against him.
This does not mean that Moshe was Yahweh but it does mean that any authority that is from Yahweh is to be obeyed and respected as unto Yahweh:
Ephesians 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto Yahweh.Therefore, the principles of authority are the same. This does not mean that the husband is greater than the wife in any way, shape or form.
It is simply the duty Yahweh has given man. Wise men will take it seriously
Every husband and every wife has a certain role to fulfill before Yahweh. And there should be none of this grumbling and complaining by any spouse concerning what role Yahweh has given us!
This goes for the husband as well as the wife. We should honor our wives, not dishonor
We should not despise our duty unto Yahweh, lest we fall into the same condemnation as the children of Israel who did not respect their duty, but sought to exalt themselves over their authority. We should be thankful that Yahweh has given us a help meet for us. It is a gift and a blessing from Him!
1Peter 3:7 - Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the favor of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.Yahweh desires us to be a content and meek people. Doing so will exalt and glorify Him!
Yahweh is especially glorified when we refuse to complain.. but instead rejoice in our trials or circumstances that seem unfair
Joseph was a righteous man. Though he did no wrong, he was sold as a slave by his own brethren.
He could have spent the rest of his life complaining about his circumstances, but what did he do?
Genesis 37:28 - Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.
Genesis 39:1 - And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither.He made the best of his circumstance and for that he was blessed:
Genesis 39:4 - And Joseph found favor in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.After this he was unfairly thrown into prison. Did he then sit in prison and moan over his circumstance? Did he murmur and complain at this unfairness?
No record of any such things
Genesis 39:21 - But YAHWEH was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.After this, Yahweh gave Joseph the interpretation of 2 dreams that the servants of Pharoah had and it was 2 years before anyone knew of it.
But Joseph was patient and committed himself to Him who judges righteously. Ultimately. Yahweh delivered him and made him 2nd in command over all Egypt!
We as children of Yahweh should follow that same example.
Even if we are treated unfairly our entire lives..
Let's wait on the salvation of Yahweh
And if it be not in this life, truly He is coming soon and His reward is with Him. We too will become Kings and Priests!
Revelation 5:9 - And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to YAHWEH by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
Revelation 5:10 - And have made us kings and priests to our Elohim; and we shall reign on the earth."Now let's examine a key difference between 12 disciples of Yahushua and all the others whom Yahushua did not choose:
Luke 5:30 - But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?
Luke 5:31 - And Yahushua answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.
Luke 15:2 - And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
Luke 19:7 - And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.
John 6:41 - The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.As we can see, those who were blinded in unbelief were the murmurers. But the true disciples did not murmur:
John 6:66 - From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.They murmured and went back to where they came.. just like the Israelites who wanted to go back
John 6:67 - Then said Yahushua unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?
John 6:68 - Then Simon Kepha answered him, Rabbi, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.They trusted
They believed
They didn't know where Yahushua was going to take them next
But they knew that He was the one that was chosen to lead them into the promised land
Whether they understood or not.. they stayed with Him
Let's look at our Ultimate Example
We can search but we will not find... not even one place where Yahushua complained about His circumstances
He was perfect and sinless before Yahweh yet He was "marred more than any man" and He was tortured, hung and killed by his enemies, betrayed by his friends.
1Peter 2:21 - For to this you were called, because the Messiah also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
1Peter 2:22 - "Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth";
1Peter 2:23 - who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;Do we believe?
Do we trust Yahweh's leading in our lives?
Or do we dishonor him by complaining about what He is doing in our lives?
All the world complains when they encounter difficulties
So when we rejoice in Yahweh always and leap for joy when we suffer persecution, does that not stand out as being different? Yes, and it glorifies Yahweh!
Brothers and sisters, if you are a disciple of Yahushua the Messiah.. whatever situation you are in, it is ordained by Yahweh!
Is He leading us to the promised land or no?
Surely He is.
Yes, there are sometimes unpleasant circumstances
But He can cause great things to come from unpleasant circumstances!
Yahushua endured a very unpleasant circumstance and it brought salvation to you and I !
Philippians 2:12 - Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Philippians 2:13 - For it is YAHWEH which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Philippians 2:14 - Do all things without murmurings and disputings:"all things"
Philippians 2:15 - That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of YAHWEH, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;Let not our journey to the promised land come to end in the following fashion...
Numbers 11:1 - And when the people complained, it displeased YAHWEH: and YAHWEH heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of YAHWEH burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.
Numbers 14:22 - Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice;
Numbers 14:23 - Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it:
Numbers 16:31 - And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them:Let's learn from their example.
1Corinthians 10:8 - Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
1Corinthians 10:9 - Neither let us tempt the Messiah, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
1Corinthians 10:10 - Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
1Corinthians 10:11 - Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.Has Yahweh not done great things in our lives already? Surely He has!
Let's not forget!
Psalms 106:22 - Wondrous works in the land of Ham, and terrible things by the Red sea.
Psalms 106:23 - Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them.
Psalms 106:24 - Yea, they despised the pleasant land, they believed not his word:
Psalms 106:25 - But murmured in their tents, and hearkened not unto the voice of YAHWEH.
Psalms 106:26 - Therefore he lifted up his hand against them, to overthrow them in the wilderness:
Psalms 106:27 - To overthrow their seed also among the nations, and to scatter them in the lands.Sometimes our circumstances are the chastening of Yahweh
Lamentations 3:37 - Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when YAHWEH commandeth it not?
Lamentations 3:38 - Out of the mouth of the most High proceedeth not evil and good?
Lamentations 3:39 - Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?Let's not complain, let's respond!
Lamentations 3:40 - Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to YAHWEH.Search, and see and learn from what Yahweh is teaching us
It just may be that Yahweh is trying to get our attention. If so, repent and turn again to Yahweh!
So what shall we do next time some difficult circumstance should befall us?
Certainly it is not an evil thing to pray for Yahweh to deliver us. This is what we are supposed to do.
Psalms 50:15 - And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.Along with prayer, I believe the best thing for us to do is....
PRAISE YAHWEH!"
Give Him the praise no matter what life's trials might be
And we have reason to praise
Romans 8:28 - And we know that all things work together for good to them that love YAHWEH, to them who are the called according to his purpose.See, Yahweh often tests us to see if we will still serve Him and praise Him when in an unpleasant situation.
Just as they were tested:
Deuteronomy 8:2 - And thou shalt remember all the way which YAHWEH thy Elohim led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.
Deuteronomy 8:3 - And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of YAHWEH doth man live.What a lesson for us to learn... learning to live by every word that proceeds out of Yahweh's mouth. Learning to be like Yahushua our Redeemer
Therefore let us put our hope and trust in Him that He is leading us in that direction...no matter what are circumstances may be
Proverbs 3:5 - Trust in YAHWEH with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Proverbs 3:6 - In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.Acknowledge and give honor to Yahweh.. trust the one who knows all things and is worthy of our trust, praise and adoration. He is the most powerful being in the universe.. He is worthy of our trust
Psalms 146:1 - Praise ye YAHWEH. Praise YAHWEH, O my soul.
Psalms 146:2 - While I live will I praise YAHWEH: I will sing praises unto my Elohim while I have any being.
Psalms 146:3 - Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.
Psalms 146:4 - His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.
Psalms 146:5 - Joyful is he that hath the El of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in YAHWEH his Elohim:
Psalms 146:6 - Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever:
Psalms 146:7 - Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. YAHWEH looseth the prisoners:
Psalms 146:8 - YAHWEH openeth the eyes of the blind: YAHWEH raiseth them that are bowed down: YAHWEH loveth the righteous:
Psalms 146:9 - YAHWEH preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.
Psalms 146:10 - YAHWEH shall reign for ever, even thy Elohim, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye YAHWEH.Let's remember.. we win in the end. Praises to Yahweh who will bring it to pass
May Yahweh bless you and may He have mercy on us all!
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