Jozef_Lydia - Blessed are You O Yahweh our Elohenu, King of the universe, who has sanctified us by Your commandments and has taken pleasure in us, and in LOVE and favour has given us Your Holy Sabbath as an inheritance.
Jozef_Lydia - This, Your Sabbath, is a memorial of the creation, and You have chosen us and sanctified us above all nations, as a peculiar people who hold Your Name Yahweh as Holy in all reverence.
Jozef_Lydia - You have not chosen us because of any special ability or because of any special reason but only because You have LOVED us, and of our response to Love you back and our desire to do Your will.
Jozef_Lydia - We acknowledge we fall short in so many ways, we make mistakes so many times, but we know that Your mercy and Grace covers all these genuine weaknesses as we ask forgiveness for the things we cant to get right at present.
Jozef_Lydia - Yet through all our faults and through all our mistakes you still give us our daily needs as in food, shelter, clothing, health and above all our spiritual food.
Jozef_Lydia - Father Yahweh, as we enter into this unholy season, we pray for extra protection and strength to overcome any temptations and pitfalls not to succumb to the evil ones temptations.
Jozef_Lydia - We open our hearts and our minds, and we ask You to fill it with Your Ruach [Spirit] and give us re-newed direction and insights as to stand in the evil days ahead.
Jozef_Lydia - Be with Your people wherever they are gathered to Hallow Your Sabbath in this world, and help any with problems in unity to overcome their differences through Your truth as set out in Your Word.
Jozef_Lydia - We are looking forward to the time and place when everything that has breath will praise Your exalted Name, and where all flesh will continually glorify and exalt Your memorial.
Jozef_Lydia - We pray and petition all this through and in the set-apart Name of our advocate, Your son and Messiah Yahushua.
Jozef_Lydia - We praise You and worship You for ever and ever, Omein, and so be it. HalleluYah.
Last week we touched on the importance of remaining faithful and how the word of Yahweh plays an important role in that
Tonight I would like to expand on that and discuss the importance of "Growing in Yahweh"
For many it is because they fail to eat.
We must eat food if we expect out physical bodies to survive, but Yahushua the Messiah pointed out that we cannot 'live' by bread alone.
In quoting the Torah, He said;
Matthew 4:4 - But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of YAHWEH.Let's examine the context of what He quoted:
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.It is a fact that we will endure trials and tribulations. Yahweh wants us to know that we do not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from His mouth.
We might as well willing learn what Yahweh wants to teach us through these trials... it is not by bread alone that we live.
*(We might as well 'be' willing to learn)
Thus we should be partaking of His word in heavy doses
Isaiah 55:1 - Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
Isaiah 55:2 - Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.We must 'eat' what Yahweh has set on our tables. It should not be collecting dust. We must take His word into our hearts and minds regularly for us to 'live'.
His words bring life.
His words teach us how to love.
Because they are brought forth by the Spirit
As we are taught and led by the Spirit through words guiding us spiritually
We also can be taught and led by the Spirit through words that have already been written
Yahweh's words are like seeds which bring forth good fruit:
Luke 8:11 - Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of YAHWEH.
Luke 8:12 - Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.We must hear the word, the Spirit in order to receive the seed.
Luke 8:13 - They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
Luke 8:14 - And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
Luke 8:15 - But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.On what ground does the seed fall for us?
Will it yield anything in us?
Or will we let it be stolen, or let the world or trials and temptations take it away?
Let it be on good ground!
and produce much fruit
Absorbing His word into our minds can fulfill us like nothing else.
In general, words are very powerful.
Often, a person's actions and mannerisms are a carbon copy of the current group of friends or those they work with.
There is wisdom in the proverb:
Proverbs 12:26 - The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.As I have often said, Words are "spirit".
The very word "spirit" also means breath or wind in Hebrew
When we are around unbelievers in our work life or have unbelievers as friends, there are subtle influences that their words can have on us. Subtle seeds that get sown. The same is true with our children. They also receive the like.
But Yahweh's word can also have an influence. However, when we read Yahweh's word we know we can put down our guard because His word is spirit, truth and life.
John 17:17 - Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
John 6:63 - It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.Perhaps some might say we have no time for His word
But Yahweh provided us with the time if we are obedient to His Sabbath
Yahweh wants all His people to rest and keep holy the Sabbath
Yet, all throughout history man has profaned the day Yahweh sanctified for rest.
It was true even in the days when Isaiah was a prophet of Israel.
Yahweh told him to stand in the gates of Jerusalem and instruct the rulers and people in sabbath keeping, and rebuke them for their Sabbath desecration
Correction, Jeremiah
Jeremiah 17:19 - Thus said YAHWEH unto me; Go and stand in the gate of the children of the people, whereby the kings of Judah come in, and by the which they go out, and in all the gates of Jerusalem;
Jeremiah 17:20 - And say unto them, Hear ye the word of YAHWEH, ye kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, that enter in by these gates:
Jeremiah 17:21 - Thus saith YAHWEH; Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the sabbath day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem;
Jeremiah 17:22 - Neither carry forth a burden out of your houses on the sabbath day, neither do ye any work, but hallow ye the sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers.
Jeremiah 17:23 - But they obeyed not, neither inclined their ear, but made their neck stiff, that they might not hear, nor receive instruction.It was true in those days..and true today. When I tell some of the need to keep the Sabbath, they don't want to listen
We must love the word, brethren
If we don't love the word, how can we love Yahushua who is the Word?
Today, the common soil brings up many thorns to choke one's growth
Satan has a vast array of alternative ways of spending our time
I'll focus on one of those things tonight
I once read a story somewhere that went something like this:
"When I grew up, I was brought up on very high moral standards. We were expected to have manners, to love Yahweh and to always do the right thing.
However when I was about 8 years old, my parents let Uncle Charlie move in with us. Now Uncle Charlie did not have the same moral standards that we held. He thought nothing of lighting up a cigarette right there in our living room.
He would swear and curse like you wouldn't believe. And the stories he would tell! He would tell us some of the most amazing stories. We would sit for hours on end just to hear the interesting stories he would tell. Many of them would make us blush because he loved to talk about sex and all other kinds of sins.
But the odd thing was that Mom and Dad would never say anything to Uncle Charlie. As I said, they always taught us to have high moral standards. But not Uncle Charlie, they pretty much let him do whatever he wanted. So I guess you could say that as I grew up, I was kind of confused.
Oh, by the way we had another name for Uncle Charlie.....we also called him the television set."
Yahweh says:
Proverbs 4:23 - Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
Proverbs 4:24 - Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.
Proverbs 4:25 - Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.
Proverbs 4:26 - Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.
Proverbs 4:27 - Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.You won't have the television on very long before you will see perverse lips and froward mouths
Yahweh says we need to put that far from us
The way of the wicked leads the righteous astray
Yahweh hates even a proud look. Shouldn't we also? If it is His Spirit in us, shouldn't we hate those things?
If you manage to find a decent program while rummaging through the dumpster of modern television, I will personally be surprised if you find the commercials to be likewise decents
decent
David said:
Psalms 101:1 - I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O YAHWEH, will I sing.
Psalms 101:2 - I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
Psalms 101:3 - I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.This truly shows the heart of David. David hated the things that Yahweh hated. He also knew that when a person watches wickedness, it has the ability to 'cling' to us. The Hebrew word that is translated 'cling' is the same Hebrew word that is used to describe a man leaving his father and mother to 'cleave' unto his wife.
Do we want wickedness to cleave to us? If not, we should not watch it. Especially for entertainment!
Psalms 101:4 - A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.Cast away those with a froward heart. Do not even know them, let alone allow them into your house!
Psalms 101:5 - Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.The television news might have an occasional worthwhile story, but it is often laden with of slander and foolish gossip
Psalms 101:6 - Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.The faithful of the land is what you want in your house
Psalms 101:7 - He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.Do we really hate the work of them that turn aside or do we love to watch them, learn about them and be entertained by them?
The television is probably the most deceitful thing in the house, which "worketh deceit" and "telleth lies". I say we don't really need it! There are other ways of getting the news.
David ruled his house with the mindset of purity and fear of Yahweh. Thus he also ruled Israel with righteousness and integrity (1Kings 9:4). For that, Yahweh blessed this man after His own heart.
We must walk likewise
It great choker must be cast away. The thief that robs us of our time when time is so short must be silenced
The television thrusts scenes at you and by the time you have seen and heard it, it has already damaged you in some way
Most of the time, you don't even know it. It's "Subtle".. like one in the garden of eden
It's "suggestive", like one in the garden of eden
Let's be wise and cast the serpent out of our house!
I'm not going to win the popularity contest tonight, but I do not care
Brethren, I love every one of you and it is time that we put down the toys, cast away the waste and folly, and pick up the word of Yahweh so that we might be spiritually prepared for the days ahead
There is no time to waste
Let's ask ourselves often..What new conviction toward obedience has the Spirit revealed to me lately?
What is Yahushua doing in our lives?
Am I growing in obedience or walking slowly toward less obedience?
Am I spending time alone with Yahweh in His word and in prayer?
Is my thought life pure?
Has there been a time where I put Yahweh on the 'back burner' (second place) ?
Am I walking in total obedience to Yahweh? (Partial obedience is disobedience!)
These are the kinds of questions we can ask ourselves daily.
We must pay close attention to what we allow ourselves to see and hear
What we see and hear can influence our thoughts
Unrighteous thoughts lead to unrighteous actions
Unrighteous actions bring about unrighteous character
Unrighteous character can determine our eternal fate
We must be on guard and let spiritual things encompass our thoughts and desires.
Philippians 4:8 - Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.Watching TV, listening to the radio, surfing the internet and reading magazines are all fertile soil for unrighteous thoughts to be sown.
We often do not realize the spiritual battles that are happening when we 'saw that commercial' or 'read that article'.
We often do not realize that these things war against Yahweh's Spirit!
We must be on guard!
Any works that are not eternal are waste and void...they WILL NOT profit us in Yahweh's kingdom.
Let us purge out the waste and move on in the Spirit!
Does the bride not purify herself in preparation for the bridegroom?
If Yahushua was really coming tomorrow, what waste would we throw out?
Would we not be preparing ourselves!??
Beware lest we be like Sardis!
Revelation 3:1 - "And to the angel of the assembly in Sardis write, `These things says He who has the seven Spirits of YAHWEH and the seven stars: "I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.
Revelation 3:2 - "Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before YAHWEH.
Revelation 3:3 - "Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.What bride while purifying herself for the bridegroom would dig through a dumpster to find something worthwhile to use?
Let's forsake the dumpsters of this world and cleave to the purity of Yahushua's example
1Peter 1:21 - who through Him believe in YAHWEH, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in YAHWEH.
1Peter 1:22 - Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,
1Peter 1:23 - having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of YAHWEH which lives and abides forever,
1Peter 1:24 - because "All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away,
1Peter 1:25 - But the word of YAHWEH endures forever." Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.
1Peter 2:1 - Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking,
1Peter 2:2 - as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,
1Peter 2:3 - if indeed you have tasted that YAHWEH is kind.I have tasted, you have tasted
His food is set before us, let us eat.
The Way of true life is before us... let us grow
May Yahweh bless you and have mercy on us all!
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