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Who Has Your Back?
I just saw a mug with the saying, “Good morning, this is God, I will be handling all your problems today?” It prompted the following questions:
? Who do you start your day with? Is it a hurried, get ready and head out the door with, maybe, a quick breakfast that is more of a snack routine? Or, does it include time with HaShem and Yeshua, your Savior and the Lord of your life?
? Who has your back throughout the day? Do you cover your own back with your own skill-set, abilities, and self-confidence? Or do you look to Him to guide you and give you the direction you need at each turn and decision?
I have started many of my days, and there have been quite a few of them, without spending time with Him. Too many of those days did not go as well as I would have liked. And more times than I like to admit, when the going got tough, I forgot to look to Him.
However, I have found that spending a few minutes with my Heavenly Father each morning is the best way to start my day. I do notice a difference compared to when I am not able to do so. I encourage you to include time with Him each morning, even if it is only 15 minutes. Read a couple scriptures from His Instruction Book, talk to Him about your day and ask Him to be your Guide, to cover your back. Then, keep your focus on Him throughout the day. Though reality says that there will be hard days, keeping your focus on Him will make those hard days and times more palatable.
Until next time…”May the LORD bless and protect you…May He give you Shalom.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
Bill
The Greatest Sacrifice
By Sue
In the past few weeks, we have heard about the sacrifices made by our military and law enforcement. Indeed, they have sacrificed much for our freedoms and safety. Many have given the ultimate sacrifice—their lives. We should be very grateful!
Today, I am pondering the sacrifice that we hear little about in these times. This is the greatest sacrifice given to mankind—the sacrifice of God the Father and Jesus, His only Son!
God sacrificed His Son when He planned from the beginning of time to send His one and only Son from Heaven to earth. I think of Hannah finally giving birth to Samuel after waiting a long time to bear a child. She sacrificed time and pleasure with her son by surrendering him back to the Lord as a thank offering to be used for His service. This is a foreshadow of what Father God did. He relinquished His fellowship with His only Son to send Him to earth so that ultimately we could be able to, in turn, have fellowship with both Father and Son.
Jesus also sacrificed greatly! He left the Presence of His Father to come to earth. While walking here, He did not have a place to lay His head; He was rejected and despised by His brethren, denied by those He poured His life’s message into for three years, and eventually was beaten and cruelly placed upon a cross for our sins! He did not consider Himself to be equal to God, but emptied Himself, taking upon Himself the form of a servant and was born in the likeness of men. He then humbled Himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross. (Phil 2:6-8)
Consider this! Would you willingly give your only child to send him to a place knowing he would be abused, hated, and rejected by those around him—to be innocently accused and sentenced to death! And for what purpose? So that each one of us could be forgiven of our sins and receive eternal life, and live a life of peace, joy, and hope while on earth.
I will be forever grateful for the greatest sacrifice given. If you have never considered this sacrifice, I would implore you to do so now! Today is the day of salvation—there may not be a tomorrow! Invite Jesus to be Savior and Lord of your life. He gave His all for you!
Until next time…“May the LORD bless and protect you…May He give you Shalom.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
Bill
Happy Ressurection Day
I hope that you are enjoying your Easter Sunday, which is better referred to as Ressurection Day because we are celebrating the resurrection of Yeshua, the Son of God, and the Passover Lamb who was slain for your and my sins. As the following Stepping Stones devotion asks, “Where do you keep Yeshua (God)?”
Do You Keep God in a Box (or Tomb)?
Transformational Thought
For our Easter celebration, let’s continue our journey back in time to that first glorious Easter morning than more 2,000 years ago. When Mary, Mary, Salome, and the rest of their crew visited the tomb that day, they were sad, upset, worried, and edgy. They had just lost their leader at the end of a bizarre and devastating but prophesized week. It actually started with a triumphant entrance on Palm Sunday and ended with the execution of Jesus by all the powerful ruling elements in their land.
Would they be rounded up as well to endure a mock trial, persecution, and violent execution? What should they do next? Remember, they didn’t have the benefit of the completed Bible like we do. They only had a promise of something that had never happened before. But they must have forgotten the prophecy that was passed down over the years.
So imagine their surprise when they saw the stone already rolled aside. They had no idea what to make of the empty tomb. They still didn’t remember the prophecy. Thankfully, they met two angels who explained that Jesus was not there, He had risen. But, they still didn’t believe. They just thought the body had been stolen. Then they ran to tell Peter and John, who were perplexed as well. Didn’t they read all the Old Testament prophecies either? They needed to come to the tomb to figure it out. Once inside the tomb, seeing the evidence of the wrappings, they were still confused. Mary really didn’t get it until she spoke with Jesus outside the tomb.
I can’t understand their stupidity, ignorance, disbelief, and nearsightedness. Jesus performed so many miracles, talked of ruling His kingdom, raised Lazarus from the dead, and taught that He would rise from the dead in 3 days. Why were they afraid, sad, and surprised instead of expectantly excited? Why were they fearful when they saw an empty tomb? Why weren’t they expecting it, rejoicing and happily guessing where they would see Him for the first time?
Stupid, thick, dim, mistrustful. Can you guess where this is going, cause we need to get off our high horses. How often do we react the same way as they did? Thinking that God is limited like us and restricted to the same reality we are indicates we don’t believe His promises and predictions either. We underestimate His power and knowledge every day. I have no right to criticize Mary, Mary, the disciples or other followers. I have the whole Bible, know how the story ends, and I still limit Jesus and God just as they did.
So today of all days, don’t put God in a box. My life has really changed since I realized He is bigger than I am and that He will stand by His promises. I now expect the awesome unexpected and so can you! Don’t think He’s dormant in a tomb. He is at work in and around you. Expect it, embrace it, and enjoy it. Thank God the tomb is empty. I hope you aren’t dismayed in the midst of your everyday trials, because God will show up. Remember, He didn’t rise from the dead immediately. He waited three days for a specific reason. So be patient. His timing is always better than yours.
Happy Easter from Honey Lake Clinic and Lighthouse Network. May His power over death give you boldness and courage as you advance against whatever trials and threats you face. Please go and wear His power on your sleeve so that everyone without exception will see your joy and His glorious victory over despair and death. Whether you let God be God, or you put God in a box and keep Him in the tomb is your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Thank You, Father, for Christ’s death and resurrection, which has given us power over sin’s grip and Satan’s schemes. Give me a heart that will love You even 1/1000th of what You love me. Keep Your promises and character fresh in my mind, so that I don’t put You in a box and limit my expectations and understanding of Your plan and power, especially during times of uncertainty. I pray You grant the Stepping Stones readers eyes that see and trust to accept Your awesome plans for them. In Christ’s powerful and magnified name; and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. Matthew 12:40
for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.” But they did not understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him. Mark 9:31
Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” John 2:19-20
The post Do You Keep God in a Box (or Tomb)? appeared first on Lighthouse Network.
Until next time…“May the LORD bless and protect you…May He give you Shalom.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
Bill
Disclaimer: As mentioned in my Welcome post, I do not necessarily endorse authors or organizations that I quote or repost. This also applies to Lighthouse Network. I am blessed by many of the Stepping Stones devotionals and they give blanket permission to share them. However, I have not researched any of their help resources and, therefore, I do not personally endorse them.
Tempted and Tried
Tempted and tried, we’re oft made to wonder
SOUTHERN FOLK HYMN
Why it should be thus all the day long,
While there are others living about us,
Never molested, though in the wrong.
Farther along we’ll know all about it,
Farther along we’ll understand why;
Cheer up, my brother, live in the sunshine,
We’ll understand it all by and by.
Yeshua is always by your side if you will just look to Him! Have a good day!
Until next time…“May the LORD bless and protect you…May He give you Shalom.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
Bill
Passover and Easter
Yesterday (3/28/2021), Jews and Gentiles (non-Jews) around the world celebrated the first Passover when God Passed-Over the homes of anyone who followed God’s instructions to place the blood of a lamb on the doorposts of their homes. This blood protected their firstborn from death. This plague of death was the final plague before Pharaoh’s heart was finally softened and he allowed the Israelites, the Jews, to leave Egypt as commanded by God.
We often forget that Gentiles participated in the first Passover. It is not improbable that some of them placed the blood on their doors as well. The band of people who left Egypt included many Gentiles who wanted to tag along because: they were already followers of the God of the Israelites; they were impressed by Pharaoh’s defeat; they realized the Egyptian gods were not gods and came to faith in the God of the Israelites; they were non-Israelite slaves who wanted to escape; or because they wanted to follow the crowd (Ex 12:38).
It is appropriate for all followers of Yeshua to celebrate Passover, Jew and Gentile alike. Without the first Passover there would not have been a second, Great Passover—Yeshua’s final Passover before He willingly shed His blood as the most important Passover Lamb in history.
With Good Friday and Easter occurring this coming Friday and Sunday (4/2 & 4/4/21), I want to remind us all that Good Friday and Easter were not added to the calendar until hundreds of years after His crucifixion. They are not the dates of Passover and we should be celebrating His ultimate sacrifice according to God’s schedule. (Refer to: “An Appointment with God–Passover.“)
Besides, Good Friday and Easter have pagan origins, as do many of our “Christian” holidays. I’m not going into those in this post. However, if the Easter season is when the congregation that you attend celebrates His sacrifice, please celebrate that and not the “Easter Bunny.”
When celebrating Yeshua’s last Passover, which we do every time we observe Communion, we must never forget the greatest event of all—His resurrection from death as promised by the prophets. Without His resurrection, the first Passover and His last would have had no meaning! It is His resurrection that proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that He is the Son of God, the promised Jewish Messiah, and the Savior of mankind!
He came proclaiming that the Kingdom of God was at hand and calling mankind to repentance. Because through His sacrifice as the Lamb of God, and His resurrection from the dead and ascension to the right hand of God, every man, woman, and child who repents of their sin (living in opposition to their Father God’s direction) will receive the Holy Spirt to help them in this life and will live in the presence of God their Father for eternity!
If you have never answered Yeshua’s call to repent and acknowledge Him as your Savior, do so now! If you did acknowledge Him at one time but have strayed from Him, repent and renew your relationship with Him now! It is never too early or too late to acknowledge Him. But what better time to do so than when celebrating His reason for coming to earth! God created you to have a relationship with Himself. Repenting and turning control of your life over to Him is not hard or complicated. Simply tell Him in your own words or use words similar to this simple prayer:
Father God, I am sorry for the many ways that I have ignored You and Your instructions. I thank You that because of Yeshua’s sacrifice and resurrection I have Your forgiveness. I give You my life. I will allow You to guide me as a member of Your family. Thank you, Father. Amen
After praying to give your life to Yeshua, or to rededicate it to Him, get a Bible and begin reading it daily. Start with the New Testament Book of John followed by the Book of Acts. Start talking to Him daily like you talk with a good friend (that’s called prayer). If you don’t have a place to worship, find one that teaches the full truth of the Bible. Among other things, that means that they teach repentance and honor the Jewish people as God’s chosen people.
Also, please contact me through my blog site and tell me of your decision to follow Yeshua. That way, I can pray for you. I promise you will not be put on some automated email list—a least not unless you subscribe to my blogJ)
May God richly bless you as we walk together as members of His family.
Until next time…“May the LORD bless and protect you…May He give you Shalom.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
Bill
What are You Made For?
“We are wired to shape the world around us.” (Rabbi S. Klayman)
Yes, you and I were created by God to shape and mold, to influence our family, our friends, our neighbors, and even our government. I ask myself, “Self, what are you molding through your life?” I ask you the same question. Are you making a place for God to dwell through the way you live for God? Are you influencing your world for Him? Or, are you exalting thoughts, activities, and actions that are contrary to God?
Everything you do, and I mean everything, can make a place for God’s Presence, thus making His Presence available to others. Commit today, this very moment, to live your life in such a way that He shines through you.
If He isn’t the focus of your life, if you have never acknowledged Yeshua as your Savior and the Lord of your life, do so now. It will be the best decision you ever make in your life.
Whatever you are doing, work at it with enthusiasm, as to the Lord and not for people, because you know that you will receive your inheritance from the Lord as the reward. Serve the Lord Christ. For the one who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there are no exceptions. Col 3:23-25 NET
But be sure you live out the message and do not merely listen to it and so deceive yourselves. James 1:22 NET
Therefore be very careful how you live—not as unwise but as wise, taking advantage of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Eph. 5:15-16 NET
…And each one must be careful how he builds. 1 Cor 3:10b NET
Until next time…“May the LORD bless and protect you…May He give you Shalom.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
Bill
Without a Doubt!
From my journal, March 6, 2021
Oh Lord may we know without a doubt that You are God! (Ezek. 36:35). We, Your followers, call You God, but how many of us really take that as fact? How many, myself included, really know beyond any shadow of a doubt that You are God, the living God? We may proclaim it, but do we really live it?
Beyond Your followers, the rest of mankind must see and know that You are God—the only God! As I originally wrote that last sentence, I sensed Him saying “It isn’t quite time, but it will be soon.” Lord, let it be so. May all Your followers not only proclaim that You are God in word but in deed as well. May You also reveal Yourself to all mankind in no uncertain terms!
Until next time…“May the LORD bless and protect you…May He give you Shalom.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
Bill
Make Space
Starting in Exodus 25, the rest of Exodus (about 1/3 of the entire book) is primarily devoted to instructions on how to construct the Tabernacle and the process of actually building it. What is going on here? What is God doing having the Israelites make a Tabernacle, a dwelling place? He doesn’t need a place to dwell. In a sense, the entire universe is His dwelling place.
The tabernacle was a “space.” It was a meeting space, a space where the Israelites could worship Him. It was also a space that they could look at and be reminded that He was in their midst.
Does this mean that we are to build more and larger buildings in which to gather to worship Him? No, it means that God wants us to make space and time for Him in every area of our lives. He wants to dwell in us through Messiah Yeshua, via His Holy Spirit, and be included in every area of our lives.
However, because of what is called “free will,” He won’t force us to give Him space in our lives. We must invite Him in. It is the way He made us. But, this isn’t just about becoming “born again”—asking Yeshua to be your Savior. That is the first step but we can do that and still not make space for Him in our daily lives. He wants a relationship, a deep, personal, intimate relationship with you.
How do you develop that relationship? How do you give God space? The same way you developed your relationship with your spouse or best friend—by giving them space in your life. You spent time with them and learned what they were like. You also talked with them about your hopes, plans, and even problems.
So, you give God space by spending time with Him. You learn about Him by reading and studying, yes I said studying, His Word, the Bible. Although He already knows all about you, you still spend time telling Him about your concerns, struggles, interests, needs, and, yes, even your wants. The more space you give Him, the more time you spend with Him, the more intimate the two of you will be, and the better your life will be. I can’t promise that He will make everything “rosy.” I can promise that He will be at your side as He takes you through the highs and lows of life.
Until next time…”May the LORD bless and protect you…May He give you Shalom.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
Bill
Got Troubles?
In Matthew 6:34b Yeshua says that “Today has enough trouble of its own.” We see trouble in our own lives, in the lives of family and friends, or our nation. In Matt 6:34a, Yeshua tells us not to worry about what we will eat, drink, wear. This includes the many other troubles we encounter as well. So, what’s the solution?
The solution is found in the verse before, Matt 6:33: “Seek the Kingdom of God* and His righteousness.**” But, how do we do that? By just being a good person? No, it’s more than that. First, it’s accepting Yeshua as Savior. It’s allowing Him to be the ruler (Lord) of your life. It is in following His commands—living according to them, making Him the focus of our life above everything else.
Does this mean that you and I will never have any problems? No, Yeshua never promised that. He said that we would have tribulations (trials, distress, frustration) in this world. (John 16:33; Acts 14:22) However, He will see us through them (John 16:33; Rom 8:35; Rom 12:12) and will use them to help us grow in our knowledge and faith in Him if we allow Him to do so.
Life’s troubles can also be called “life’s storms”. The Stepping Stones devotion for 2/20-21/2021, “Be Careful and Don’t Be a Storm-Chaser?” talks about life’s storms. I think you will find it enlightening and encouraging. I will post it on this blog on 2/23/2021 at which time this link will become active.
Until next time…”May the LORD bless and protect you…May He give you Shalom.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
Bill
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*The Kingdom of God is the coming time when Messiah Yeshua rules and to which all His followers belong.
**Righteousness is living a life of obedience to God (Gen 6:22). God makes the rules that define morality. Sin is breaking God’s rules. Righteousness is the opposite of sin.
An Appointment with God
This post begins a series of posts on the God’s Appointed Times.
God’s Appointed Times
God’s Appointed Times are special annual appointments that He established with His people. These appointed times are also called Feasts of the Lord. Notice that I have not called them “the Jewish Feasts”. They are God’s feasts, though He instructed the Jewish people to observe them because the Jewish people were and are today His chosen people. God established these feasts/holidays in Lev. 23.
These biblical Holy Days teach us about the nature of God and His plan for mankind. God established them for the Jewish people (Israel) and “grafted-in” believers (Rom 11:17, 19, 23). They teach, in a practical way, more about Himself and His road to redemption. Each one points to a critical element of His plan of redemption. They are also annual reminders of God’s faithfulness, a reminder that, as the great hymn says, “He is marching on”. Most of God’s appointed times are times of celebration with plenty of food. The main storyline is “They tried to kill us. We won. Let’s eat!”
So, if you are a Gentile follower of Yeshua, you may be asking “Can or should believers join in these Biblical Anniversaries?” Is the entire Bible God’s Word? Yes. Does the Bible contain instructions that apply to Jews only? Yes. Does the Bible contain instructions for followers of Yeshua? Yes. Does the Bible contain instructions that apply to all mankind? Yes. But the key answer to your question goes back to what the early Jewish believers decided in the book of Acts regarding Gentile believers (Acts 15:20-31). The answer: yes, you absolutely can; no, you are not required to. This author’s opinion is that we should because they are full of spiritual depth that applies to all followers of Yeshua as well as the Jewish People.
The main appointed times are split into two sets. One set occurs in the spring and one in the fall.
The Fall Appointed Times
The fall appointed times or Holy Days occur in the 7th month on the Hebrew calendar, the month of Tishri, which falls in Sept/Oct on the Gregorian calendar. There are three fall appointed times: Yom Teruah/Rosh HaShanah (Feast of Trumpets/New Year), Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), and Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles).
The prophetic meanings of the fall Holy Days are yet to be fulfilled.
The Spring Appointed Times
The spring appointed times are: Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, Festival of Weeks, Counting the Omer, and Shavuot (First Fruits/Pentecost). They occur over 50 days starting on the 5th of Nissan, month number one of the Hebrew calendar, through the 6th of Sivan (March to June).
The prophetic meanings of the spring Holy Days have been fulfilled according to God’s calendar of events.
An additional Appointed Time that is specified in Lev 23 is Shabbat (Sabbath).
Stay tuned for the next post in this series, An Appointment with God—Rosh Hashanah. May I suggest subscribing to these posts or following my WordPress page to insure that you do not miss it and other posts? To either follow the page or subscribe to receive an email when they are posted, go to www.WJBsTurn.WordPress.com. Thank you, and…
Until the next time…“May the LORD bless and protect you…May He give you Shalom.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
Bill
WJB's Turn 