12/12/2003 Sabbath Meeting Transcript

Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of YAHWEH is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

The word 'heart' is found in scripture 1028 times. The sheer number of times that the heart is mentioned shows its importance.

How important is the state of our heart?

Consider that an evil heart caused Yahweh to destroy the entire world with the flood:

Genesis 6:5 - And Elohim saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

Genesis 6:6 - And it repented YAHWEH that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.

Genesis 8:20 - And Noah builded an altar unto YAHWEH; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.

Genesis 8:21 - And YAHWEH smelled a sweet savour; and YAHWEH said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.

Isaiah 58:3 - Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.

Psalms 58:3 - The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.

Proverbs 4:23 - Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

This same Hebrew word that is translated "Keep" here is translated "Watchmen" and "Guard" in other places

So it means to guard, observe and watch over it.

As Yahweh has said, the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth. We know that doing sin/evil is transgressing the law of Yahweh. How can we guard against transgression and an evil heart?

Psalms 119:11 - Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

When His word is in us, we receive the wisdom necessary to make righteous decisions on the issues of life.

From the heart can come all sorts of wickedness:

Matthew 15:17 - Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?

Matthew 15:18 - But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.

Matthew 15:19 - For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

Matthew 15:20 - These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.

Luke 12:32 - Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Luke 12:33 - Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.

Luke 12:34 - For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Matthew 12:34 - O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

Matthew 12:35 - A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

Matthew 12:36 - But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

If we let all sorts of evil be sown into our hearts and minds, our words will be difficult to control in a righteous way

As Yahushua said, our words manifest what is in our heart

Let no enemy enter in our minds, and if one does.. take it captive and cast it out

2Corinthians 10:3 - For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh,

2Corinthians 10:4 - for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.

2Corinthians 10:5 - Destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of YAHWEH, taking every thought captive to the obedience of the Messiah,

2Corinthians 10:6 - and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.

We see that the lines are drawn

On which side will be be?

Will we destroy the enemy before he even gets a chance to cross the line?

Or will we let the enemy into our camps/homes/minds and then try to fight?

Let's take captive every thought and bring it into subjection to Messiah

Now though we cannot always see whatever wickedness there is in the heart of man, from Yahweh it is laid bare, open and is seen by Him

Psalms 44:20 - If we have forgotten the name of our Elohim, or stretched out our hands to a strange el;

Psalms 44:21 - Shall not Elohim search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.

Proverbs 24:12 - If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?

Proverbs 5:21 - For the ways of man are before the eyes of YAHWEH, and he pondereth all his goings.

Proverbs 21:2 - Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but YAHWEH pondereth the hearts.

1Samuel 16:7 - But YAHWEH said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for YAHWEH seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but YAHWEH looketh on the heart.

Jeremiah 20:12 - But, O YAHWEH of hosts, that triest the righteous, and seest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I opened my cause.

Psalms 139:1 - O YAHWEH, thou hast searched me, and known me.

Psalms 139:2 - Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

Jeremiah 17:10 - I YAHWEH search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

The answer is no

Because Yahweh knows about it

Therefore confess to Him what He already knows and ask Him to help!

Psalms 32:5 - I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto YAHWEH; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

Proverbs 28:13 - He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

1John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Therefore, let's especially guard our heart against pride. Yahweh can't endure it!

Proverbs 16:5 - Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to YAHWEH: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.

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.

James 4:6 - But He gives more favour. Therefore He says: "YAHWEH resists the proud, but gives favour to the humble."

Humility is one important thing that seperated Moshe, David and the disciples from all others.

A proud heart is one of the things that kept the spiritual leaders in Yahshua's day from accepting Him. Let's guard our hearts against pride!

Let's also guard our hearts against wrongful lusts

For any regular internet user, spam with pornography inevitably ends up in the email box

I read an article this week that stated Neilsen ratings show that 1 out of 4 internet users visit adult web sites

Years ago, adult book shops were in some raunchy corner of town and people would go in with their faces covered

Now with the internet, the world's largest porn shop is at the fingertips of the masses

Brethren, be on guard against such temptations. Many a brother has fallen into the traps

Don't even open the door. Change email addresses if need be

Matthew 5:27 - Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:

Matthew 5:28 - But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

We should do anything in our hearts that we would know is wrong to do in the physical

Correction: We should NOT do anything in our hearts that we would know is wrong to do in the physical

Nearly all sin begins in the heart. We must guard our hearts against lust! Lust for ANY sin.

2Peter 2:14 - having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls. They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and [are] accursed children.

2Peter 2:15 - They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;

2Peter 2:16 - but he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man's voice restrained the madness of the prophet.

2Peter 2:17 - These are wells without water, clouds carried by a tempest, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.

Ephesians 4:17 - This I say, therefore, and testify in YAHWEH, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind,

Ephesians 4:18 - having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of Elohim, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart;

Many say in this day and age, "I'll just follow my heart"

but Yahweh says

Jeremiah 17:9 - The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

There are so many who are listening to their hearts but are not listening to Yahweh's Spirit!

Yahweh's Spirit leads us to obedience to His words, and His words ARE Spirit

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.

Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of YAHWEH is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Hebrews 4:13 - And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

YES

He does!

And because of that, some people ought to be shaking in their shoes!!!

Isaiah 66:5 - Hear the word of YAHWEH, ye that tremble at his word; your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let YAHWEH be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.

Proverbs 13:13 - Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.

Isaiah 66:2 - For all those things hath mine hand made, and those things have been, saith YAHWEH: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

to see if we will say "He knows my heart?"

No, but Yahweh is seeking to test our hearts..

to see what IS IN our hearts...whether we will obey Him or not!

We, like the children of Israel are in the wilderness, a time of testing and Yahweh wants to know

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.

Yes, He wants to know what is in our heart..whether we we will keep His commandments or not!

Proverbs 24:12 - If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?

Yahweh doesn't want us to look at His word and then decide whether or not it matters depending on our heart. He wrote these words so that we would learn how to love HIM!

David was a man after Yahweh's own heart. What was His attitude toward Yahweh's testings?

This was a man who so desired to obey the will of Yahweh that He ASKED Yahweh to try and test his heart

Psalms 26:2 - Examine me, O YAHWEH, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.

Psalms 139:23 - Search me, O El, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

Psalms 139:24 - And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalms 51:10 - Create in me a clean heart, O Elohim; and renew a right spirit within me.

Psalms 51:11 - Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

Psalms 51:12 - Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

Psalms 51:13 - Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

As David knew, only Yahweh can truly cleanse the heart.

Proverbs 20:9 - Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?

Ezekiel 36:25 - Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.

Ezekiel 36:26 - A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

Let's read the next verse

Ezekiel 36:27 - And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

2Corinthians 4:6 - For YAHWEH, who said, "Light shall shine out of darkness," is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of YAHWEH in the face of Yahushua the Messiah.

Matthew 5:8 - Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see YAHWEH.

Deuteronomy 6:4 - Hear, O Israel: YAHWEH is our Elohim, YAHWEH is one:

Deuteronomy 6:5 - And thou shalt love YAHWEH thy Elohim with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

1Kings 8:61 - Let your heart therefore be perfect with YAHWEH our Elohim, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.

Psalms 90:12 - So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

Ephesians 4:32 - And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as YAHWEH in the Messiah forgave you.

The important thing is that we are all seeking to overcome sin and we are all seeking Yahweh's word to find other ways we might be walking less than perfectly

Let's do so.. let's Incline our heart unto His testimonies:

Psalms 119:36 - Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.

2Thessalonians 3:5 - And the Master direct your hearts into the love of YAHWEH, and into the patient waiting for the Messiah.

Psalms 95:8 - Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness:

Psalms 66:18 - If I regard iniquity in my heart, YAHWEH will not hear me:

Psalms 66:19 - But verily Elohim hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.

Deuteronomy 11:16 - Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other elohim, and worship them;

Proverbs 28:26 - He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

Matthew 22:36 - Rabbi, which is the great commandment in the law?

Matthew 22:37 - Yahushua said unto him, Thou shalt love YAHWEH thy Elohim with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

Deuteronomy 6:4 - Hear, O Israel: YAHWEH is our Elohim, YAHWEH is one:

Deuteronomy 6:5 - And thou shalt love YAHWEH thy Elohim with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

Deuteronomy 6:6 - And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:

Deuteronomy 6:7 - And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

Deuteronomy 6:8 - And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.

Deuteronomy 6:9 - And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.

Romans 10:9 - That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth that Yahushua is the Messiah, and shalt believe in thine heart that YAHWEH hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Deuteronomy 11:13 - And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love YAHWEH your Elohim, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul,

Deuteronomy 26:16 - This day YAHWEH thy Elohim hath commanded thee to do these statutes and judgments: thou shalt therefore keep and do them with all thine heart, and with all thy soul.

And trusting in Him with all our heart

Proverbs 3:5 - Trust in YAHWEH with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

If we have failed, Yahweh will forgive if we return to Him with 'all our heart!'

2Chronicles 6:38 - If they return to thee with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, whither they have carried them captives, and pray toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, and toward the city which thou hast chosen, and toward the house which I have built for thy name:

2Chronicles 6:39 - Then hear thou from the heavens, even from thy dwelling place, their prayer and their supplications, and maintain their cause, and forgive thy people which have sinned against thee.

Psalms 51:17 - The sacrifices of Elohim are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O Elohim, thou wilt not despise.

Therefore, we must as servants of Yahweh have mercy on others, forgiving our brother from our heart:

Matthew 18:34 - And his master was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.

Matthew 18:35 - So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

Therefore again...

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.

Let's keep our eyes focused on that narrow path!

Matthew 7:13 - Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

Matthew 7:14 - Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Let's keep our eyes on the things which profit, and let not our eyes ponder the things which profit not.

Let's continually guard and keep our hearts purified..

sanctified

clean

full of love

full of light

and full of truth

trusting in Yahweh with all our heart

and keeping our eyes focused on Yahweh....our Redeemer

our Rock

May Yahweh bless you and may He have mercy on us all!