Monday, February 28, 2011

Whom Do You Worship?

What is the name of the Supreme Deity that you worship? This is a very important question. Isaiah 42: 8 says: "I am YHWH, that is My Name, and My esteem I do not give to another, nor My praise to idols." (The Scriptures) YHWH is very jealous and He does not want you giving your praise and worship to a false god. English Bibles from the King James to the present modern versions translate YHWH as "LORD" or "GOD." Those are incorrect translations. Gott, Goda, Gode, God, Gud, and Gade were found in ancient German languages as translations for Ba'al Gad. The astrologers of Babel called Jupiter (Zeus) by the name "Gad." Psalm 68:4 says: "Sing to Elohim, sing praises to His Name. Raise up a highway for Him. Who rides through the deserts, By His Name Yah." We are instructed to sing praises to His Name; we are not instructed to sing praises to a translated name. Think about it; your name remains the same regardless of the country you are in. Your name is not changed because the language spoken changes. Why should YHWH be treated differently?

His Name is very powerful. In that Name is found healing, deliverance, faith, power, salvation, and holiness. Isaiah 43: 11 says: "I, I am YHWH, and besides Me there is no saviour." We must get the Name correct as He says says that salvation depends on it. His Name is YHWH. The four letters are called The Tetragrammaton. His Name is not Jehovah. First, there was no "J" in Biblical Hebrew. It was pronounced as a "Y." Second, the word Jehovah was created by placing the vowels of Adonai between the Hebrew letters YHWH. Jehovah is a made up word. Most "Christians" would quickly condemn the calling of "God" by the name of Allah. They would protest that "God's" name is not Allah. However, when the true Name of YHWH is at issue, there appears to not be the sense of urgency to get the Name correct.

We are headed into some dark days ahead. We need to know upon Whom we are praying to. This is a very serious issue; one that we must get right. What is the name of the one you pray to? Is He the Elohim of the Hebrew Scriptures? Is He the One known as YHWH? YHWH is One and there is none beside Him. He will not share His glory with another.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Walking On The Right Path

Dr. W. T. Purkiser said in the May, 1959, Bible School Journal, speaking of the fall of Solomon: "The first steps away from God might not be large ones, but the direction is wrong and disaster follows." We must maintain a Christian walk that is ever drawing closer to God and His Word. It is only a small step in the wrong direction that takes you away from where you were in your relationship with God. Disaster is the destination of even the smallest step away from God and His Word. His Word is our instruction manual; it provides the answer to life's questions. We don't need man's traditions to guide us; we need the Word applied to our lives under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

What does a life look like that is headed in the wrong direction? First, the Word does not maintain the place of highest priority. Second, the desire to pray and worship God is absent. Third, the love of God has grown cold both toward Him and your fellow man. Fourth, there is a sense of drifting without a foundation. Fifth, there is denial that the wrong direction has become the destination. Sixth, there is a tendency to believe that everything depends on your actions without the aid of the Holy Spirit. Finally, there is a denial of sin. Everything will become relative to the one that has begun the journey to disaster. Now understand that these seven characteristics do not occur simultaneously. They are progressive steps in a downward spiral of spiritual death.

What is the answer to such a plight? The Hebrew word for "repent" is shoov. The word picture is to "destroy the house." This means to destroy all that is opposed to the Word of God in your house. Repentance always deals with the changing of addresses. You leave the kingdom of darkness and return to the Kingdom of light, i.e. God. We change where we live. We leave the land of worldly thinking, worldly speaking, and worldly living. We can joyfully return with singing knowing that Yeshua (Jesus) will never turn anyone away that comes to Him. Destroy everything that does not draw you closer to God. Walk the path of true holiness and righteousness. It is found in His Word. There is a highway there. Walk on it.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Sinking the Ship

Someone once said, "The water outside the ship may toss it, but it is the water in the ship that sinks it." We live in a world that attempts to crush our faith at every turn. Those circumstances that attempt to destroy us are like the water outside the ship; they may toss us, but they can't sink us. It is only when we allow the events of life to become our way of thinking, speaking, and acting that we are in danger of sinking. 1 John 2:16 says: For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. (KJV) The world has lust and pride as its steady diet. Our food should be the Word of God. As we think, speak, and act on the Word of God, our ship will never sink.

We may be in the world, but we are not of the world. Our citizenship is in heaven and we have already been seated with Yeshua (Jesus). He is the unseen guest at every conversation and meal. He hears all we say. He silently sits observing all we do and say. If we could remember that fact, how might it change us? We need to live lives of faith that include Yeshua at every step. He said He would never leave or or forsake us, yet how many live their lives as if He was not present? Every moment, every hour, every day, should be lived in His presence. The world can not stop us unless we invite it into our lives and crowd out His presence.

Let us protect our ship. We guard it by keeping the influences of the world outside, where they belong. We are to be holy vessels of faith that think, speak, and act on the Word of God. As we do so, we will sail through this life in preparation for the future one. However, don't so focus on the future that you ignore the present. God intends us to live for Him now, in this lustful and prideful world. That is when He can show us off to the unbelieving ones. That is our true purpose: to sail our ship victoriously.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

God's Hearing

What does God actually hear? Now remember that we are talking from a Hebraic point of view. The question is not, "What sounds God hears." We are talking about what He will respond to, i.e what causes Him to act. S.B. Shaw wrote the following in 1893: "But let it be remembered, that 'prayer rises far above a mere form of good words. These, of themselves, are nothing, and be much worse than nothing. The soul of the reader or utterer must be in them to give them life and power. God hears not my words, He hears me. I rise to Him upon the wings of prayer. I might recite good words forever, but unless my spirit is in them, they are nothing.' Yea, nothing but idle words, and mockery before God." It is not just the right words, but the right words with our spirit in them that God hears. This means that our inner person is fully persuaded as to the truth of which we speak. The words must be spoken from a believing heart.

God will most likely not respond to the words spoken from the lips of one following a formula. Confessing the word is not about ritual. It is about life giving words spoken from a heart fully persuaded of their truth. You can tell what people really care about. Just listen to their speech. You can hear the emotion, i.e. pathos, in their voices. In the Unites States, the Super Bowl was just played between the Steelers and the Packers. If you heard the fans from the respective teams before the big game, you could hear the emotion and love they felt for their teams. Oh, that we might have that same emotion for the Words of God. When we do, God will surely act.

What has your heart? Is it is another person, a church, a profession, money, or the Words of the living God? You can quote the Bible all day; however, until your spirit is in your speech you are just making noise. If we want God to respond to our words, we need to bathe those words in praise and worship of the One who created them. When our level of worship reaches a point of explosion, then our words will have meaning.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

The Indwelling Law

Jeremiah 31:33 says: But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it upon their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (RSV) The ability to walk in love is found in the above verse. Before, God's law was written on tablets of stone. Now, God has promised to do something different. This is the renewed covenant. The law of God will now be on your heart. The "heart" in Hebrew is the word leb. It means the seat of feelings, affections, emotions, mode of thinking, and acting. God is going to place His laws into our thinking and emotions. When this happens, walking in faith should be as natural as breathing. The law on our hearts will control our actions as we yield to the indwelling law.

We have previously seen that the word picture for lev is what controls the insides. Something controls your thinking and believing. Perhaps it is your own independence. Maybe it is some academic discipline. You may have a certain world view that dominates your perspective. However, for those that follow Yeshua (Jesus), our worldview should be His worldview and His worldview is the Father's will. God's will is found in His word. That word is placed in our hearts by Him directly. We have it in our hearts and our duty is to yield completely to it. If we allow the law to control us, we will be men and women of faith. Consider the following verse: And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee. (KJV) Exodus 15:26 If God's law has been written on your heart, that verse is included. God is your healer. Does the verse contain any exceptions? Further, can you find one verse in the Word that tells you that God wants you sick or ill?

When the Word is inside you, it will impact how you live. As you yield to its controlling influences, your life will manifest love. Since faith works by love, the increased love will result in increased faith. The faith walk is about love and love is connected directly to obedience. Is there something that you need to obey? Is there an area of your life in rebellion? If so, find the law and yield to it. If you are a child of God, it is already inside you. Now, go and find it.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Getting Your Breakthrough

2 Samuel 5:20 says: And David came to Baalperazim, and David defeated them there; and he said, "The LORD has broken through my enemies before me, like a bursting flood." Therefore the name of that place is called Baalperazim. (RSV) The battle referenced is with the Philistines and it comes at a critical point for David. It marks the time when Jerusalem became a royal city. David had started his work of king at the age of 30,and he had already reigned over Judah seven years and six months from Hebron, and his "breakthrough" marks the beginning of his reign at Jerusalem, where he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years. David’s move to Jerusalem brought the Philistines against the city, and it was the response of God to David's prayer (2 Sam 5:19) that brought the victory. God is the "God of the breakthrough."

The Hebrew word for "breakthrough" is pereṣ and it means "a gap, a break. It refers to a rupture, a tear, a breaking up or shattering of something: a breach created in a wall of an enemy (2 Sam. 5:20); the breaking or rupture occurring in the process of childbirth (Gen. 38:29). It is used figuratively of separation created between persons or groups." Perhaps you need the God of the breakthrough to explode in your life. Is there some obstacle, i.e. mountain, that blocks your way from walking in all that God has desired for your life? If so, you need to first get a Word from Him concerning His will on the subject. God wanted David to defeat the Philistines. David knew that and brought the matter before Him in prayer. After you know God's will, bring it to the throne of grace in prayer. Then, you need to act on that Word. This will vary from situation to situation. If there is a financial lack in your life, find something to give to someone in need. If you have no money, sell something and give the money way. If you don't have something to sell, find something to give away. Make sure that it is your best that you give. Don't give something you don't really want. Give your best because you are giving it to God as an offering. After giving something, begin to confess that God is breaking through in your situation. Make it present tense, not future tense. God is the God of the breakthrough today, not the God of the breakthrough some day in the future. Faith is now. Faith is present tense.

Our God is the God of the breakthrough. There is nothing that can stop Him. Our duty is to invite Him to participate in our problems. Forget religious thinking that God wants you to suffer. Come to know Him as the breakthrough God. He will tear your problem to shreds. Find a word, bring it to Him in prayer, act on the Word, and begin to confess the breakthrough. Hold fast to your confession and don't let any devil from hell, or church member talk you out of it.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Real Hope

Romans 5:24 says: "For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?" (KJV) What is hope? Hope can be defined as the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best. The emphasis on hope is the feeling you have about a situation. However, this is not Biblical hope. The word "hope" in the verse is the Greek word elpis and it means desire of some good with expectation of obtaining it. The expectation is the difference. Worldly hope is feeling good; Biblical hope is the existence of expectation based on something outside of yourself. Worldly hope focuses on your emotions, whereas Biblical hope focuses on the goodness of God. Real hope is found in the Word of God. The Scriptures contain within them "hope." That hope is based on what the Word says. If it is healing you need, the Scriptures abound with promises that God wills to heal. Therefore, your hope of healing is an expectation to receive healing. The Scriptures promise that God will meet the needs of His children. Therefore, you can boldly proclaim, "My God meets all my needs through Jesus Christ who lives within me." Hope believes in the manifestation of the object hoped for.

God is a good God. He loves us and desires that we live lives according to His Word. Deuteronomy 28 promises many blessings for obedience, and many curses for disobedience. As we live our lives, we should consume the Word of God by reading, studying, meditating, and memorizing it. As we do, we partake of hope. Hope becomes very real in our lives. It is not a feeling that is being obtained; instead, it is expectation in the goodness of God that is known. As hope grows, expectation increases. As the Word is thought about, spoken from our lips, and acted on, we have increased hope.

The world is looking for answers. The economy is on dangerous ground. The world faces many problems. There is rioting on the streets of many cities around the world. It is time for the people of God to stand up with the hope we have and proclaim it from the housetops. The world can spot a phony, so what you have needs to be real. It will be real for you when the Word of God is your true reality. When the Word is truth to you and not what your senses tell you, you will be ready to climb the ladder.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

To Hear Is To Obey

Yeshua (Jesus) said in Matthew 11:15: "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." (KJV) Shaul (Paul) wrote in Romans 10:17: "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (KJV) Remember that although you read these verses in English, they were originally spoken from a Hebraic world view. Regardless of the translation, to understand these verses you must think in Hebrew. The word for "hear" in Hebrew is shamea. it means to listen, to hear and obey, to understand, and to cause to hear, and that with acceptance. The word for "obey" is shama. It means to listen and to understand distinctly. We can see that hearing is tied to obeying what you heard. It is not passing a hearing test. It is not that you heard an audio sound. It is acting on what you have heard. Yeshua says in effect: "He that hath the ability to hear and obey, let him obey." Shaul is saying: "Faith comes by hearing and obeying the word of God." You have not heard the word unless you obey it. It must impact on your life.

Faith is not real in your life until you act on it. The cripple man at Lystra had the faith to be healed but he had not acted on it. Acts 14:9 says: "The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed...." Faith isn't faith unless it is acted on. Consider Philippians 4:19: "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (RSV) Do you have faith in this verse? If so, have you acted on that faith? To the world, it is seeing is believing. However, if you can see something, you don't need to have faith for it because you have it. To the follower of Yeshua, believing is seeing. Once I cross the line into faith, I possess that for which I have believed. Then, I act on it.

Faith is not mental assent. It is alive. It is now. I appropriate the promises of God today. I fear not because I have heard the word of God that says, "Fear not." I do not worry about the future because I have heard the word, "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. (RSV) As I take hold of the word of God and obey it, I walk in faith regardless of what it looks like to others. I should be more concerned about what it looks like to God.

Friday, February 18, 2011

Your First Response

What is your first response to a problem? Do you think of how bad the situation is, or is your first response faith? We should so train our minds and mouth to think and speak faith at the first sign of a difficulty. Recently, I received a call in the middle of the night that a close family member was being rushed to the hospital with a serious medical issue. I immediately began to speak, "(her name) shall live and not die. She shall live out her number of days in health." Once you start the Biblical confession, you have to stay with it. It is very easy when things look bad, or even turn worse to abandon your faith. Jairus faced the same problem in Mark 5. In verse 23, Jairus pleads with Yeshua (Jesus): "My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live." (RSV) That is a clear statement of faith in the power of Yeshua to heal as opposed to He might heal. In the interim, the woman with the issue of blood slows Yeshua from getting to Jairus' house. Then comes some bad news. Verse 35 says: While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler's house some who said, "Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?" (RSV) Yeshua looks at Jairus and says: "Do not fear, only believe." (RSV)

The word "believe" is in the present tense, imperative mood, and active voice. This means that Yeshua is telling him to continue to believe as an on going action. The imperative mood means that Yeshua is commanding Jairus to continue to believe. The active voice means that Jairus is causing the verbal action. How can Yeshua command Jairus to believe? If "belief" is an internal conviction alone, then what Yeshua commands can't be done. You can't command an emotion or feeling. However, if "belief" is based on action then Yeshua could command Jairus to believe. Jairus continues to believe by continuing to escort Yeshua to his home. His daughter is healed because he continued to believe in the power of Yeshua to heal based on his actions.

Our first response to every crisis should be faith in action. Don't worry if your inside thoughts seem to have doubt. Ignore them and continue to act in faith. It begins with the right confession and then sticking to it. Like Jairus, those that continue to believe will see the manifestation of their faith.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Faith Works By Love

Shaul (Paul) writes in Galatians 5:6: For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. (KJV) The Hebrew word for "love" is a-hav. It is composed of the Hebrew letters Alef and Hey. The word picture for Alef is father. The word picture for Hey to behold or to be revealed. When read together, the Hebrew word picture for "love" is the father revealed. Now Yeshua's (Jesus') words of doing what He saw the Father doing makes more sense. Yeshua loves us; because He does, He will reveal the Father to us. That is true love is; it is the love of the Father. True love is not a feeling, it is about doing. When we perform acts of love, then we love. It is not an emotion. It is action. The verse in Galatians now begins to beccome more alive to us. Faith works when we act the way the Father loves.

What do Yeshua's actions tell us about the Father's love? Yeshua had compassion on those that needed healing and so He healed them. This demonstrates the Father's will to heal based on compassion. Yeshua had mercy on the woman caught in adultery. This reveals the Father's love to extend mercy to those in sin. Yeshua met the physical needs of the five thousand when He feed them with a few loaves and a few fish. This shows the Father's love to meet the physical needs of His children. By dying on the stake for us, Yeshua teaches us the Father's love to redeem all His children.

What do your actions reveal about the Father's love? Do they manifest compassion, mercy, and forgiveness? Or, are they judgmental, critical, and faultfinding? Yeshua is our example of the Father's love in action. We must approach each day as a wondrous opportunity to manifest the Father's love to somebody? As we walk in love, faith will work. When we walk in love, we will see the sick healed and demons cast off. We will see the miraculous. That is living way above the faith line!

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Thought Faith Versus Spoken Faith

In Mark 5, the story is told of Jairus and his very sick daughter. Jairus requests that Yeshua (Jesus) come to his house and lay hands on her so that she will be healed. Along the way, the woman with the issue of blood for twelve years touches the border of Yeshua's talit and is healed. Mark 5:28 can be translated several ways. The King James says: "For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole." The Amplified says: "For she kept saying." The New American Standard version says: "For she thought." The New International Version says: "Because she thought." So which is it: thinking or saying? The Greek word being translated is legō and it means "to lay or let lie down for sleep, to lay together, i.e., to collect. Finally to lay before, i.e., to relate, recount; and hence the prevailing Attic and later meaning of to say, speak, i.e., to utter definite words, connected and significant speech equal to discourse." The original meaning seems to favor the translation as a thought. The word developed to mean to speak. Does it really matter?

The key is found in verse 33: But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.(KJV) Whether the woman originally only thought faith, at some point it came from her lips. It is of interest to note that legō is in the imperfect tense. This refers to continual action in the past. Whether it was thinking or speaking, she kept at it. The process of thinking or speaking faith built something up on the inside of her that caused her to press through the crowd to get to the tassels on Yeshua's talit. It is also of interest to note that the tassels represented the 613 commandments found in the Hebrew Scriptures. The woman knew that God would, as opposed to could, heal her. She acted on her faith.

It was the woman's faith that brought her healing. Mark 5:34 says: And he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease." (RSV) Faith without action does not generally produce manifested results. We must act on our faith. We need corresponding actions with our thoughts or spoken faith. What do our actions tell us about what we believe? Are we willing to press through the crowd to touch the tassels of His talit? Or, are we afraid of what others will think?

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Living Below the Faith Line

I have previously written that John 10:10 is a dividing line. In that verse, Yeshua says, "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." (KJV) If you are living below the faith line, you will find an abundance of theft, death, and destruction. On the other hand, if you are living above the faith line, you will have the God kind of life in abundance. What is the God kind of life? It is a life of faith and love. Yeshua said in John 14:15-17: "If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you." (KJV) What commandments is Yeshua speaking about? Love is tied to obedience. Yeshua is talking about the Torah. The word "Torah" is made up of the Hebrew letters Tav, Vav, Reyesh and Hey. Tav means cross. Vav means hook or nail. Reyesh means head or man. Hey means what comes from. When placed together, Torah has a word picture of, "What comes from the man nailed to the cross."

This may be a shock to those who believe that the Torah has passed away and of no force and effect. Perhaps Yeshua is teaching His disciples in John, that if you love Him, keep the Torah. This would have made perfect sense to His early followers. After the resurrection and ascension, they continued attending temple services, observed the feasts, and sacrifices. Doctrines such as the Trinity and atoning sacrifice would not be developed for centuries. If we are going to be an obedient people, we need to know what to obey. Yeshua tells us; it is Torah. Now some may argue that Yeshua replaced the Torah with the law of love, i.e. love God and love each other. However, this explanation forgets a rabbinical practice of attempting to reduce the original 613 commandments to as few as possible. This does not mean that the 613 are abolished. Yeshua, and no Torah observant Jew, would ever even suggest the eradication of God's 613 commandments.

To summarize, there is a faith line. Live in faith and obedience, and you will live the abundant life. If you fail to live the obedient life, you will most likely find yourself living on the theft, death, and destruction avenue. Yeshua was a Torah observant Jew. If we are His followers, should not we also make that claim? Don't settle for any thing less than the abundant life. We have previously taught to think the Word, speak the Word, and act on the Word. Today, we have seen what it can mean to act on the Word. Act on what comes from the man nailed to the cross, i.e. the Torah. Note this is not a works based blessing. Instead, it is
obeying what God says about how to live. The Torah contains within it, the blessing. There was an old television show titled, "Father Knows Best." In the same way, our heavenly Father knows best and we should follow His method of living. Yeshua knew that and now so do we.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Dealing With Thoughts

Shaul (Paul) writes in 2 Corinthians 10:5: We destroy arguments and every proud obstacle to the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, (RSV) We are instructed to take every thought captive to Yeshua (Jesus). "Take every thought" is a present active participle. This means that continuous action is required. This is not something you do once like being born again. It is something that needs to be done on a continual basis. The active mood means that the subject is performing or causing the verbal action. This means that taking thoughts captive is something you do. While it is proper to ask God's help, it is something that you have to do for yourself. You take thoughts captive.

The Greek word for taking captive is aichmalōtizō and it means to take a prisoner, or captive. Further, it is to lead something into captivity. By implication, it is to subdue, or bring into subjection. Sometimes prisoners will try to escape. The way you stop them is to keep a guard on them. The guard we are to use is the Word of God. We are to keep our thoughts in line with God's Words. If the thought tries to step out of line, we force it back into place by speaking God's Word on the subject. This is an ongoing battle. The present tense means that this is something we must constantly be doing as long as we live. However, the good news is that the longer you take every thought captive, the easier it becomes.

Training the thought life is a continual process. Begin today to make it a daily practice of being very aware of what you are thinking. Ask yourself, where do I think this thought originated? John 10:10 is the dividing line: The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. (RSV) The thought that brings the abundant life comes from Yeshua; if the thought will lead to stealing, killing, or destruction, it is from the thief. Seek the abundant life by taking your thoughts captive to the One who brings abundant life.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Your Words Can Be A Snare

Proverbs 6:2 says: Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken (or caught) with the words of thy mouth. (KJV) Hebraic thought places great emphasis on the power of words. When Jacob stole his brother's blessing from their father Isaac, there was nothing that could be done about it. When it was discovered by Isaac, he said: Then Isaac trembled violently, and said, "Who was it then that hunted game and brought it to me, and I ate it all before you came, and I have blessed him? --yes, and he shall be blessed." (RSV) Once the words of blessing were spoken, even though lies and deceit were the foundation of receiving them, they could not be rescinded. That is the power of Hebraic speech.

The Hebrew word for "snared" is yaqash and it always refers figuratively to the catching of a person or people in an undesirable situation. Your words can place you in a good or bad situation. The Hebrew word for "words" is emer and it means "word, speech, saying. The primary meaning is something said." The passage is not speaking of what you think; it speaks of what it is said. Your thoughts may not snare you, but your words will. Many times in business, I will watch a sales representative talk a possible sale into failure. "I just know that they are going to back out." "What if something goes wrong with the financing?" These type of negative comments create a snare for that which you do not desire to actually manifest itself in reality. Words need to be carefully chosen to bring about the desired end.

Words have real power in Hebraic thought. They can snare you, or they can be a source of blessing to you. The choice is yours. The best words to speak are those from the Scriptures. You will not fall into error by saying God's will on a subject. His Word is His will. It has been made plain and simple for us. Let us not neglect His ways and will for ours.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

What You Say Is What You Get Part 2

Mark 11:23 says: For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. (KJV) We are focusing on the bold portion of the text. Yeshua is establishing a law of speech. That which is spoken from the lips from a believing heart will become truth in your life. Consider the following negative applications of this law:
1. This will not work (and for you it won't);
2. I am just so tired (and you will continue to be tired);
3. I can't get ahead no matter how hard I try (and you never will);
4. I feel like I'm getting the flu (and you will);
5. I will not be able to make ends meet (and you won't);

Having what you say is a legal principle established from Genesis to Revelation. David proclaimed his victory over Goliath before it happened in the natural. God called, "Light be," and before it was. It is a principle to proclaim before manifestation. The world says, "Seeing is believing." God says, "Believing before seeing." The reality of your life is composed of those believing words spoken from your lips based on the Word of God. It is not what the doctors' say. It is not what it looks like. It is the eternal that is unseen; the temporal is the seen world. Your five senses can easily be deceived by Satan. However, when focusing on the unseen, you may rest that what the Word says is true. You are what the Word says you are. You can do what the Word says you can do. And, you can have what the Word says is yours. If you can get these principles deep down on the inside of you, your life will be revolutionized.

Look at today as a great opportunity to sow words of faith. During your waking hours sow as much of the Word of God from your mouth as you can. Speak words of faith while driving, resting, or even watching television. Be consumed with the Word. It is the beginning, middle, and end of the matter.

Friday, February 11, 2011

What You Say Is What You Get

Mark 11:23 says: For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. (KJV)Notice the bold portion of the Scripture. Yeshua (Jesus) is setting forth a law of speech. What comes out of your mouth from a believing heart, will come to pass in your life. Remember that the heart's word picture is that which controls your inside. Just like there is the law of gravity or the law of aviation that enables a plane to fly, there is a law of speech. The word "saith" is in the aorist tense, subjunctive mood, and active voice. The aorist tense denotes simple completed action as opposed to continuous action. The subjunctive mood refers to the realm of possibility or probability. The active voice means that the subject is performing or causing the verbal action. When we understand the grammar, we can see that the law of speech allows us to shape and define our future. As God's children, we have a limitless supply of His ability inside us. That is why Yeshua told us to lay hands on the sick and cast out demons. Through the law of speech we may be His representatives on earth.

What do your present circumstances tell someone about your speech? What words have brought you to your current position in life? Faith filled words that are acted on will bring you success and prosperity in God. What did Yeshua tell us about how to pray? Matthew 6:10 says: Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. (RSV) Yeshua is telling us that we are to pray that God's will be done on earth as there is in heaven. Is there anybody sick in heaven? Any body losing their mansion because they can't pay the mortgage? Are there even mortgages in heaven? Read the book! God paves the roads with gold. God does not have a problem with wealth as long as it is used to bring about His will. If someone thinks that God uses sickness and lack to teach you something, where will He find it? Surely, there is none in heaven. Religious thinking really does show itself for what it is when you scrutinize it.

Yeshua has given every one of us the law of speech. When used properly it will bring glory to His name. In fact, if what you are saying does not bring glory to Him, be quiet. Listen to your words. If they do not honor God and bring His will into the situation, do not say them. Find God's Words on a subject and speak them. When you do, the glory will eventually come.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Praying For Healing

Recently, I read of a parent's cry for people of faith to pray for his child because of a life threatening physical condition. The doctors' had pronounced the curse of cancer and the outlook was very bleak. The parent had written, "I know Jesus can heal his body. Please pray." As I read that, my heart sank. I thought how many people really understand how to pray for the healing. 1 Peter 2:24 says: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. (KJV) The Greek word translated "were healed" is in the aorist tense, indicative mood, and passive voice. In the indicative mood, the aorist tense generally refers to past time. Thus, the use of the word "were" in the verse. Further, the passive voice tells us that subject is receiving the action, as opposed to causing the action. The fact is, Yeshua (Jesus) has done all He is going to do about healing. He has provided for healing at the cross and it is up to us to draw from the healing that already exists. Can you imagine someone saying, "I know Jesus can save me. I'm praying to be saved and I am hopeful that before I die He saves me." You would tell that person, "Jesus has already done everything necessary to save you. He isn't going to do anymore. You need to receive Jesus as your Savior by faith and confess you are saved." It is the same with healing. People need to receive Yeshua as their healer. He has already made provision. To use an example, if my children needed me to put money in their bank account and I deposited the funds as requested, what would they need to do to access them? What good would it do to keep coming back to me begging for the money? I would say, "Child, I have already made the deposit for you. Just go to the bank and draw the money you need out." In the same way, Yeshua has already deposited the grace of healing in the child of God's account. We simply need to access it.

Our prayer should be: "Father, I know that by the blood of Yeshua I am saved and His stripes have provided for my healing. I now draw on that healing virtue and I claim it as mine. Thank God that by the stripes of Yeshua, I am healed." Now begin to praise and thank Him for His grace and mercy. If you are praying for others, know that you will not be able to over come their will. It is best to give the truth of God's Word and let them see that Yeshua has already done what He needs to do for their healing. He is not going back to the cross again; He does not need to. For children, you may take authority over the sickness and disease, and draw on the healing power on their behalf. There were several examples in the Gospels where a parent successfully interceded for their sick child.

"But it doesn't seem to be working." How often has this been the cry of one who tried this method of praying? You can't try this; you have to believe it from the heart. Remember yesterday? To believe from the heart is to allow what you believe to control your insides. You have to get it on the inside that healing has already been provided and accomplished in Yeshua. If you are waiting for the manifestation, you do so with a confidence that it has been done (as opposed to secretly hoping it might happen). Faith is now; faith is action. Do you believe that?

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

From the Heart

Romans 10:9-10 says: That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (KJV) What does it mean to believe from the heart? Too many try to convince others just to mentally agree that Yeshua (Jesus) is the Savior. However, that will not help anyone break additions or turn from sin. What enables a person to confess Yeshua as Adonai (Lord) is believing from the heart. When the Hebrew is examined the verse makes perfect sense. The Hebrew word for "heart" is lev. It is composed of the Hebrew letters Lamed and Bet. Lamed has the word picture of control. Bet has the word picture of house, family, or inside. When they are put together, it means to control the inside. Now Shaul's (Paul's) writing becomes clear. If you confess with your mouth that Yeshua is Lord and allow Him to control your inside, then you will be saved. It is about control. Your inside determines your outside. If you are exercising, your foot cannot make you run. It is the inside that controls the body. When Yeshua controls your actions, then you are believing from the heart.

Too often you will hear in the church, "It was my flesh that made me fall." Now compare that thinking with the word picture of the heart. If something other than Yeshua is controlling the inside, you have left the state of believing. Nothing should control you but Yeshua and the written Word of God. Yeshua is the living Word and the Bible is the written Word of God. Yeshua came to earth to show us what it meant to be controlled by the Word. He demonstrated the power of the Word to overcome the world, sin, and the devil. When we believe, we have the same authority and power. We do not become a "god." However, we have His power controlling our inner person that will control the outer behavior.

Shaul's writings are the opposite of "easy believeism." To believe from the heart is not a matter of mentally agreeing to a statement of doctrine. It is allowing yourself to be at the control of God and the teachings of Yeshua. What controls you? When you answer that question, you will know what you really believe.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

The Word is Truth

Yeshua (Jesus) said in John 14:6: Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (NIV) The Hebrew word for "truth" is e-met. It is composed of the letters Alef, Mem, and Tav. The word picture is, "The mother of the covenant (what nurtures the covenant)." Rabbis used the letters of this word to teach that the truth was the beginning, the middle, and the end. Alef is the first letter in the Hebrew alphabet. Mem is in the middle. Tav is the last letter. Now when we hear Yeshua say that He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, we can see the connection to "truth." Yeshua is the Word and the Word is truth. It does not just describe what is truth; it is truth.

As we live our lives, we are to start the day in the truth of God's Word. As our day progresses, we are to not depart from the Word. Finally, we are to conclude our day in the Word. Some may question how this can be done, specifically with the demands of "secular work." I suggest to you that there is no such thing as secular work. If you are where God has placed you, then what you do is an act of worship even if the world would call it secular. Whatever you do, do it for the glory of God. As you perform the tasks of work, be mindful of the blessings of having work. Be thankful that you are able to work. Remember your work is not your provider; it is God who is your provider. Your employment only provides a seed for you to sow for the Kingdom. It is not your ultimate source.

The Word is the truth. As we make it a part of our every waking moment we will notice changes. We will have confidence in the ultimate outcome of whatever we seek. Those around us will sense something different. There is hope abounding in those who have the truth of the Word. I have seen this many times. When someone comes into alignment with God's Word by speaking it and doing it, he or she will draw a crowd. It most likely will not be overnight, but if your motive is right (Doing all for the Glory of God as opposed to personal gain), success will accompany the Word. And that is the beginning, the middle, and the end of the matter.

Monday, February 7, 2011

The "Rich" Blessing

Proverbs 10:22 says: The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. (KJV) The Hebrew word for blessing is berākâ and it means in general terms "good favor bestowed on another. This may be expressed in the giving of a tangible gift (Gen. 33:11; 1 Sam. 25:27) or in the pronouncing of a verbal blessing (Gen. 27:36; 49:28). Most often, however, this word speaks of God's favor on the righteous." This is a tangible blessing. The result of having this blessing is something that can be known by one of the five senses. In other words, this is not just a spiritual feeling good; it is receiving something that is good. The word "rich" is the Hebrew word ʿāshar and it means "to become rich. It means to be or to become wealthy in money, possessions, or influence. Its simple meaning is to become rich." So the blessing brings riches. This is not limited to monetary matters. It is to be rich in God's blessings and favor.

Notice that the verse also says that the blessing of the Lord comes with no sorrow. If you are at a job that you detest, around people that seek to harm you with gossip and backbiting, you can be sure that you are not blessed. This is different from persecution for your faith. I'm talking about a place of sorrow. If you are in that place, check what brought you there because it wasn't the blessing of God. Determine where you may have missed it and adjust accordingly. Again, if you are being persecuted for your faith that is an entirely separate issue.

You need to know that God wants to give you His blessing. He is not trying to hide it from you; He is trying to bless you with His "blessing." Get to a place where you can receive it. The path to that place is paved with obedience. Obey His Word and the blessing will come. Know that it is not based on your works. However, your actions can block the blessing from coming. Obedience to His Word opens the gates to the "rich" blessing.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Mustard Seed Faith

Matthew 17:20 says: And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. (KJV) You will often hear this verse used to demonstrate how you only need a small amount of faith. You will hear that the mustard seed was a very small seed in the Middle East and that is what Yeshua (Jesus) is teaching. However, when we explore the Greek text, something different presents itself. The Greek word translated "as" is the word hos. It means how or in what manner or way. Specifically, when it is before a noun or adjective, it means as, like as, or like. Perhaps Yeshua is not teaching us about the size of the seed. Perhaps He is teaching us about the nature of a seed.

A seed has within it everything it needs to produce after its own kind. It was made that way. That is its purpose. In the same way, when we are born again, we have everything inside of us to be a success for God. The seed is planted in the soil. That soil has the nutrients necessary to cause the seed to grow into its purpose. Likewise, the Word of God has everything we need to grow into our purpose for God. The seed merely reacts to the soil. It rests in the soil. Similarly, we are to rest in the truth of God's Word. Then the seed receives the moisture from above to aid in the growth process and produces a harvest. We are to allow the Holy Spirit to have free rein in our lives to apply the Word of God to every aspect of our existence. When we do, we will have faith like a seed that allowed the soil and water to cause it to produce.

Yeshua wants us to have faith like a seed. Life teaches us that having a little faith really doesn't work. A "little faith" was the disciples' problem. We need faith like a seed. We need to allow the Word of God to shape us and not fight against the truth it contains. The seed doesn't fight the truth; it merely responds. We are not to fight the truth of the Word. We are to submit to it and allow it to produce a harvest in our lives for God.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

The Meaning of Trust

Proverbs 3:5 says: Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (KJV) The Hebrew word for "trust" is batach. It is composed of three letters: Bet, Tet, and Chet. The word picture for Bet is inside, or house. The word picture for Tet is to surround. The word picture for Chet is a fence. Together, trust has the word picture of "inside the surrounding fence." When we trust in God, we are to stay inside His Word. His Word becomes our reality, our provision, and our protection. His Word serves to keep us fenced into His promises when we obey it.

The world attempts to limit you to its fence. It tells you that the economy is so bad that you will not make it. It tells you that it sounds like you are taking the flu. Have you ever listened to what people say when they talk about illness. They say, "He has a cold. He has cancer." They describe the person as having ownership of the sickness. You do not have to own sickness as God has given you good health and healing. The fence that God provides through His Word for finances in difficult times is found in Jeremiah 17:7-8: Blessed is the man that trusteth (batach) in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. (KJV) The fence that God provides for healing is found in Exodus 15:26: And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee. (KJV)

The truth is that you are going to be fenced in by some power. You are not free from influences no matter how independent you think you are. You have a choice: to be fenced in by God and His Word or to be fenced in by the world and its beliefs. Unbelief in God is just trust in the world's system of thinking. Trusting in God is allowing your self to be fenced in to the Word. Choose wisely.

Friday, February 4, 2011

The Power of Letters Part 3

We will continue to look at the Hebrew word rapha. Isaiah 53:5 says: "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed." (NIV) Yesterday, we saw that the number total for the three Hebrew letters that make up rapha was 39. Today, we want to look at the word picture for the three letters. The word picture for Reysh is a "person, the head, or the highest." The word picture for Pey is "to speak, a word, or to open." The word picture for Alef is "strength, leader, or first." When we put them together, the word picture for rapha is a person who speaks first. Now we can understand why speaking the Word brings healing. The word "healed" means to speak first. If someone talks health, they will obtain health. If they talk sickness and disease, that is what they will have. It begins with the talking.

This is not to be confused with the "Law of Attraction." That principle is that one can bring to themselves what they think. Think wealth and you will have wealth. Think health and you will have health. In the "Law of Attraction," the individual is the center of their lives. They control. This is very different from the Hebraic method of speaking the word. In Hebraic speaking of the word, God is at the center. By speaking His word, we are bringing Him and His desires into the situation. It is like standing in your room by the window with the curtains down. It is bright and sunny outside but the curtains block the sun's rays. However, as you lift the curtain the sun's rays fill the room where you are standing. Similarly, as you speak God's word over a situation you are bringing His light upon it. He is the Master not us; however, we can choose to bring His will in or remain in darkness.

Rapha is healing. That healing begins with your speaking. Begin the journey to health and well-being by speaking God's words on the subject. His will is His Word. As you speak His Word, you will be lifting the curtain of darkness and be enveloped in the light of His goodness.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

The Power of Letters Part 2

Yesterday, we examined the power of Hebrew letters. We saw that each letter is both a number and a picture. Today, we will look at a Hebrew word for healing. Isaiah 53:5says: But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with his stripes we are healed. (RSV) The Hebrew word for "healed" is rapha. It is composed of the following letters: Reyesh, Alef, and Pey. The total number for rapha is 39. It is believed that the number of stripes inflicted by the Roman guards prior to crucifying their victim was also 39. We see the link between Yeshua's suffering and divine healing. I Peter 2:24 says: He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. (RSV) Some will argue that the verse in Peter refers to spiritual healing. I suggest that God desires us to be completely well. He desires our inner person to praise and worship Him; He also desires that our physical bodies be an instrument of that praise and worship.

The study of Hebrew opens the Scriptures to new heights. From Isaiah we can see that rapha is connected to the number 39 which is the number of stripes inflicted by the Roman soldiers. Rapha is "a verb meaning to heal, to make fresh. It describes the process of healing, being restored to health, made healthy, usable." Yeshua has paid the price by His stripes to enable us to be fresh and usable. It is difficult to be usable when one is ill. Healing is in the atonement, just like salvation. Sometimes that healing comes through our faith, through the faith of others, or doctors. The main point is that healing has been provided for by the stripes of Yeshua.

If you find yourself in need of healing, go the Father in the name of Yeshua, and stand on Isaiah 53:5 and 1 Peter 2:24. Read the Scriptures out loud. You need to hear them. As you do, faith will grow because faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Remember that letters make up words and words have power.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

The Power of Letters

God created the heavens and the earth with words. He said, "Light be," and light was. Everything God did, He did with words. Everything Yeshua (Jesus) did, He spoke it first. We have previously studied the power of words by looking at the speech of David as he approached Goliath. Today, we look at letters. What are words composed of? They are made up of letters. If words have power, and they do, then we should expect their letters to likewise contain power. In Hebrew, every letter is a number and a picture. When we begin to compare the sum of different words, we learn something. Consider a Hebrew word for love which is ahebah. It is made up of the Hebrew letters Alef, Heh, Beth, and Heh. Their number total is 13. A Hebrew word for unity is achad. It is composed of the Hebrew letters Alef, Cheth, and Daleth. Its numbers also total 13. Since they have the same number, we can look to see the connection between the two words. Immediately we can see that love and unity are related. If unity is destroyed, it will impact the love relationship.

The Scriptures tell us that faith works by love. Love is the force that causes faith to have action. By comparing the words love and unity, we can pinpoint a potential cause if faith is not working. One may believe that they have love for their neighbor, but if there is strife and disunity in his or her life, love will be negatively impacted. We are to seek to be at peace with all men. It is one way we demonstrate love. There have been times in my life that I have separated from an associate to keep peace. I have explained that in the separation, peace can be maintained. It is better to love with unity than to separate to obtain peace; however, sometimes it is the only option.

Today, if you want to walk in a faith that moves mountains, strive to be in unity with all. That does not require you to loose your individuality. You can disagree without breaking unity. You don't have to agree with something that you think is incorrect; however, it does require you to love without fighting. Mountain moving faith works by love. If your faith is not producing Biblical fruit, check your relationships. See if there is strife, un-forgiveness, or anger toward another. If there is, repent, make restitution, i.e try to make it right, and walk in love. Then you can lay hands on the sick and they shall recover. You will cast out demons. That is the faith walk we need to bring true revival in our land.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

We Need Some Cursing! Part 2

Yesterday, I wrote about the need to curse the works of Satan. If something steals, kills, or destroys, it comes from him. We have the authority of Yeshua (Jesus) and the use of His name. Power is in His name. That power will cause sickness, disease, lack, depression, discouragement, and fear to depart. However, we need to use the weapons He has given us. Yeshua is not going to do it because He has already done it. God's Word is forever settled in heaven, but it is up to us to establish it here. We do that by thinking, speaking, and doing the Word of God. Last night one of my children became sick. He began to throw up and was very tired. He was laying on our bed. I gently put my hand on him and said, "Sickness, I command you to leave and depart from his body." I didn't yell or work up some emotion. It was very matter of fact. Immediately, he sat up and threw up for 5 seconds. He had a burst of energy. He wanted some of the chili I had made the night before. He had 2 helpings. Hardly a wise choice for someone with a stomach illness. I knew he was fine, so I gave it to him. He played for several hours without incident before falling asleep.

The body of Christ needs to start exercising its authority over sickness and disease. We would see revival if people saw the Word of God in action. We have too much talk without results. The power of the Word of God is real. The Word changes circumstances. Too often we allow the circumstance to change the Word. What is your reality? Is it what you see with your senses or is it the higher revelation knowledge? Your reality should be what YHVH says through the Word and not what your senses tell you. If you allow sense knowledge to rule your life, you will be battered and defeated. However, when the Word of God rules you will walk in victory.

Do you read or hear news that frightens you? Is fear knocking at your door? Take authority over it and curse the works of the devil. Yeshua has granted His followers the power of the Word to heal the sick, cast out demons, and raise the dead. It is time we beat Satan back with the Word. Defeat him at every turn and concede nothing.