In a world where “maleness” is becoming classified as something to be softened, controlled, or frowned upon, I would like to cover three critical areas when approaching the value and purpose of men. And no, the existence of men is not limited to the act of pro-creation. It is much broader than this and can be easily shown in this week’s Torah study, through the lives of Jacob, Judah, and Joseph. Care to look?
What Path Should I Take?
Do you struggle to know God? Maybe you want to know Him more because you are experiencing certain circumstances in your life that seem unresolvable. Maybe you have stress in your home. Or maybe, you just want to know He is real. No matter what the reasons, this Torah section is for you. Are you ready to seek Him out?
Many of you have studied the Torah portion called Noach for some time now. Most likely you have underlined your favorite verses preparing to share them with others. But have you ever just thought about why Yahweh chose Noah? The text tells us, “Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.” But what is favor? And is favor achievable today?
As we come to a close for YHWH’s Feast Days 2024, what would you say has been the most valuable blessing for you? For many, it’s the opportunity to be in The Word. But what does this look like? What does it truly mean to be “In” the “Word.”
Big Rocks are awesome. You’ve seen them—the monster rocks that no person or persons can move. When I see them, I naturally want to climb to the top, stand on it, look around, and listen. Do you ever get that feeling? The study of Ha’azinu means to “give ear.” This, of course, would lead us to a natural question, “what or whom should we give ear to?”
Recently, I found myself struggling with arguments sent to me. In hearing them, I started to see two common denominators in the argument. There was a consistency in how people were viewing a problem. The first point of view was found in the belief that any person who had a different opinion was evil. The second concept was the action of becoming a helpless victim or rolling over if their viewpoint wasn’t accepted. Why does this happen?
Have you ever reached the end of your rope? Maybe you wanted to tell someone, but have bottled it up until you just can’t hold it in any longer. Finally, you burst out, “I need help.” You aren’t alone. It’s ok to share what is going on in our lives. And it’s also good to help your brother in times of crisis.
I was working with a much younger person this last week and a question came up. I’ve heard the inquiry before, but it was more impactful this time for some reason. You may have heard the question as well. It goes like this, “With so many people telling me what to believe or not believe, how do I know who to listen to?” Sound familiar?
Many times, I hear words of gratitude when “The Word” is spoken. Countless perceptions of who Yahweh is or what is the nature of Yeshua can leave many who are weak in The Word confused. They hear comments from skeptics and even fellow believers that cause doubt. To provide clarity in this area, I believe we must review our “first love” and recognize the works of the Great I AM.
Have you found yourself swayed by smooth words, awesome arguments, and maybe a life experience that caused you to lose sight of your belief? It can easily happen. A basic human characteristic is the need to be accepted by others, which in turn, can cause a bending of our will to conform. While trying to please others, we struggle with knowing what we believe.
Most everyone loves to be right. It can verify our position as an authority while establishing our role as valid. With all of us needing a bit of confidence, being right is not always a bad thing. But what if we aren’t right while thinking we are? Would you be willing to change your course? Would you come to a different understanding? I’m not talking about questioning concrete factual truth. Instead, I am talking about how we handle our baggage of perceived truth when it comes to areas of question.
This week’s study of Devarim not only embraces words from Moses but also includes prophetic writings from Isaiah as well as letters from the Apostle Paul in the Book of Acts and the First Letter to Timothy. Is there a common thread between them when it comes to “matters?” The message given to me when examining these texts is that of leadership. More specifically, “How can leaders be forged when facing troubles?” Hopefully, you will find this focus to be helpful for yourself, your family, and your calling.
Have you ever recounted your journey with Yahweh? If you are like most, I would say you might be tempted to recall the doubts and mistakes you had along the way. This week in Numbers chapter thirty-three, we can read the recordings of Israel’s trek across the wilderness as they fled the land of bondage known as Egypt.
ome of you may know the country music artist John Rich. Currently, he just released a song called “Revelation” and it is fast becoming a number-one hit. As described in his interview with Tucker Carlson, he was given this song through direct heavenly instruction. The song’s message is threefold: to proclaim the urgency of Messiah’s return, to wake up the “church body,” and to remind all of us, “We wrestle not against flesh and blood.” In my mind, I believe Mr. Rich is becoming a needed zealot in today’s world.
I was utterly amazed in watching the attempted assassination of President Trump; and even more astonished to hear excuses for the terrible act. There were deniers, finger-pointers, and even liars supporting personal political beliefs. Due to an “at all cost” rhetoric to defeat Trump, most people believed that someone would eventually try to shoot the former President. But yet, there was an innocent man who died that day. Amid excuses, did we stop to pray for his family? Did we stop to give thanks for Trump’s life? Did we stop to lift up in prayer our need for Yahweh’s hand? To me, there’s an obvious problem we are dealing with in our country. It’s called self.
Have you ever met a person who is a seeker of truth? Over the years, I have been fortunate enough to meet such people. In meeting them, I sense their deep desire to find something real . . . something different from what this world has to offer. Amid a culture, where answers seem to be everywhere, most of us are just looking for a truth that changes our hearts. We yearn for something deeper. The Book of John gives us a glimpse into such a person. His name was Nicodemus, a Pharisee who wanted to know more.
Are the kings of this earth a reflection of ourselves? Are “we the people” the ones being held accountable for current world events? We read in Daniel 2:21:
“And it is He (YHWH) who changes the times and the epochs, He removes kings and establishes kings.”
If this is true, is there any reason to hope for something better? Is it possible to ever change political or social realities?
The world’s tallest statute is a 600-foot homage to Patel, a man who “unified” India. He was a “champion” in gaining India’s independence from Britain and is credited with uniting 565 governing states in India. Yet, under so-called unity, India is well known for its caste system, subjecting its lower class to the highest rate of prostitution and the highest rate of violence in the world.
This week, I became keenly aware of publicly stated comments that a particular group, sect, or yes, even certain people should be followed due to their vast wisdom or stated authority. But is this really true? From my perspective, I don’t believe so:
“For all have sinned had have fallen short of the glory of Yah.” Romans 3:23
Why do I think so?
Looking back, I realize I have made a consistent error in some of my blogs. I have often referred to us (the human race) as sons & daughters of Yahweh God. But in reality, are we? Paul writes in Romans 5:12 a statement that implies we are sons of Adam.
“Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man and death through sin, in this way, death spread to all people because all sinned.”
Whether you like him or not, admiration for President Trump is growing beyond anyone’s expectations. After experiencing a guilty verdict in a case that could not state a crime or a victim, the public showed President Trump support by sending nearly 59 million dollars in one day to assist his fight against Washington. Was it because they saw a judge deny witnesses and give strange orders to a jury for a predestined outcome?
Compassionate Solutions
Have you ever made a promise, but was then faced with an event that made the vow difficult to achieve? Maybe it involved money. Perhaps it involved property. Maybe, it included labor or an assignment. Yet, for whatever reason, you are just unable to keep it.
Kedoshim or holy ones, is the title of this week’s parsha. For many, this concept is hard to attain. We try our best to be holy, but yet find ourselves lacking due to our sinful human nature and DNA. So why even try to be holy?
he instructions found in this week’s Torah study, including Ezekiel, and portions from Romans, Hebrews, and Galatians are rich in their instruction and understanding. At first glance, I was thinking, “Where can we possibly begin?” One would need a few months to dig deep into Acharei Mot and Kedoshim. But in their meaning of “after death” and “holy ones,” I was drawn to a common thread that I believe needs our attention. That theme centers around defilement and the call for us to come out of her. The question is, “How can we?”
The feast week of Unleavened is my favorite time of the year. I always look forward to my wife’s flatbread, made with freshly ground wheat, white beans, oil, water, salt, honey, and a few herbs. I love to toast it, then spread it with butter and salt. Baking flatbread with my favorite pizza toppings is amazing. It’s great with peanut butter and applesauce or jam. Above all else, I love to roll it up with avocado, hummus, peppers, lettuce, tomato, and dressing. Flatbread makes me feel awesome and when the feast cycle ends, I wonder why I don’t eat unleavened all year long.
For many of us, The Passover and the Feast of Unleavened season is a time of reflection. We repeat the story of preparing for the Exodus, protecting our homes with the blood of the Lamb, giving our leaven a rest, and partaking in the Body of Messiah. We remind ourselves what this time is about and what it must have felt like so that we will never forget the Mighty Hand of YHWH.
How often do we think of fear being the concept of losing control? In our sinful state, loss of control means loss of power or direction. Sometimes fear is obvious due to an immediate threat to our lives. But at other times, fear is directed by past events or emotions that have caused us to put up walls to control who we identify ourselves to be. Either type of fear can spill over to others in how we react or communicate with them as well as ourselves.
So, here is the question: “If you are required to not have any yeast in your home for the feast of Unleavened, do you throw out the bowl?” I believe we might find answers in the study of Shemini.
Have you ever wondered how many of us would care to have our sin(s) be made known publicly? I would dare say not too many. It would be a humbling experience. A few years back, songwriter Ray Stevens wrote a tune called, “The Day the Squirrel Went to Church.” It was a humorous tale of a squirrel who got loose in a church causing the “saints” to stand up and confess their sins when the little fella ran up pantlegs and dresses. Needless to say, equal footing among sinners suddenly became well-known.
The Torah portion called Pekudei, means a “sum of account.” Upon reading this portion, the sum of the account is the completion of the sanctuary for which Yahweh would reside. How does Pekudei relate to our personal body, family, and fellowship temple? Let’s take a look.
Back in high school, I made a poor decision. A friend of mine wanted me to smoke some “weed” with him. Being naïve, I went along with it but was not too happy with my decision the next day. My misstep could have caused me to lose my position as student body President and even be kicked out of school. Fortunately, a friend of mine confided in one of the teachers who called me into his office. Upon hearing my story, he chose to keep my lack of judgment confidential as long as I would not do it again. In short, “my sin” became hidden from the public, but remained very apparent between the teacher and me.
The word sealed in the New Testament comes from a Greek word that means “to stamp with a private mark” in the interest of keeping something secret or protected. In these last days, we are told that those who follow YHVH will be sealed. Will we know the identity of those sealed? Will we be the ones protected?
Have you ever had a person in your life that you would do anything for them? Maybe you feel that way because they were there for you at your most vulnerable moment. Maybe they are a person who knows you better than anyone else. Maybe they rescued you from a catastrophe. Or maybe you just fell in love with them. The point is, that you would fly anywhere, give any amount, or support them in any way possible to show your love and devotion.
This week, I would like to draw attention to the revealing of the Messiah to Moses, the Sons of Israel, as well as the disciples and followers of Yahshua, by just listing a few Biblical verses. I want to challenge you to look at them closely to see what the Holy Spirit reveals to you.
I’ve always disliked the notion of being “perfect” so that others might think I am a good person. To me, this was sort of a lie. How can I be perfect if my very nature is corrupted? Like many of you, I still have to deal with my private self, which I know is not so great. But yet, Yahshua made the command in Matthew for us to be salt of the earth and a light to the world.
“Shining before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify the Father to all who are in the house.” Matthew 5:13-16
So, if I am not so perfect, how do I show good works and how can I draw others to the Father?
I have been asked how to communicate with friends or family over faith issues countless times. Typically, those asking are excited about what the Lord has done for them or about new information they have found in Scripture. But when they approach people with new insights, they become discouraged because their words are rejected. So how do we talk about spiritual topics, especially when the topics seem to contradict each other?
After some 15 years, I still remember some amazing words given to me from my master teacher while completing certification in Life Coaching. He stressed the idea that we should always pay attention to circumstances given to us, in that these very circumstances are God’s way of drawing our attention to our own “challenges.” He went on to clarify that when our issues are addressed, we will be better equipped to coach others. How true!
If you are a person looking to apply your spiritual gifts towards a “job” in these crazy times, I believe you can find some astonishing answers in the study Vaera, if we just take the time to look.
While in Florida, I witnessed a little girl crying uncontrollably. She was yelling and screaming because her parents wanted her to stop playing so that they could all eat dinner. Even though they tried to remind her about her hunger, she wouldn’t listen, because she wanted “to play.” She didn’t even notice that the rest of the family was being served food. Her father finally got her attention by holding her. Upon quieting down, she noticed everyone else was eating. With a deep breath and a newfound calmness, she stated with all three years of her childhood wisdom, “I’m having a hard time.” Her father agreed with her and then asked her if she was ready to eat. Her answer? “Yes.”
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