GOD’S CALL TO THE NATIONS THROUGH ISRAEL

Yehovah’s call to service and His election as instruments of His grace included the obligation and responsibility to be a blessing to all the families of the earth. Exodus 19:4-6:

You have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself. Now, therefore, if you will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then you shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And you shall be unto me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words which you shall speak unto the children of Israel.

Here we see that Abraham’s seed as a treasured possession, a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation to carry out Yehovah’s purposes. Especially significant is the description of Israel as a priesthood of believers. The priesthood was to serve Yehovah and to minister to others.

Israel was to share with others the Man of Promise [Genesis 3:15] who was to come. This is why Paul quotes Isaiah 49:6-7:

And He [Yehovah] said, It is a light thing that you [the Messiah Jesus] should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give you for a light to the Gentiles, that you may be my salvation unto the end of the earth. Thus says Yehovah, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him, whom man despises [the Messiah Jesus], to him whom the nation abhors, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of Yehovah that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose you.

So we see why Paul quoted Isaiah 49:6-7, in his attempt to convince the Jews of Antioch Pisidia that it had been God’s intent all along to extend His blessings of redemption to the Gentiles. The source of world missionary activity is rooted in God’s call to the nation of Israel in the Old Testament, which will then be the extended call to all who now believe and who have been grafted into the Israel of Yehovah.

Indeed, the apostle Paul himself maintained that his own call to be an apostle to the Gentiles easily paralleled similar call to Jeremiah and Isaiah in the Old Testament:

Isaiah 49:1: Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, you peoples, from far: Yehovah has called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother has he made mention of my name: and He hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of His hand has He hidden me: and He has made me a polished shaft; in His quiver has He kept me close: and He said unto me, you are my servant; Israel, in whom I will be glorified.

Jeremiah 1:5: Before I formed you in the belly I knew you, and before you came forth out of the womb I sanctified [set you apart] you; I have appointed you a prophet unto the nations.

Galatians 1:15-16: But when it was the good pleasure of God, who separated me, even from my mother’s womb, and called me through His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles……

Paul began his letter to the Romans with the affirmation that he was “called to be an apostle [one sent forth]” set apart [sanctified] for the gospel of God, the gospel Yehovah promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy scriptures.

Romans 1: 1-3: Paul, a servant of Jesus the Messiah, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, which He promised afore through his prophets in the holy scriptures, concerning His Son, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh….

Paul’s mission was to call Gentiles from among the nations (Galatians 1:5) to believe in Jesus the Messiah until “the full number of the Gentiles” had been gathered in the Messiah (Romans 11:25).

Romans 1:5: … through whom we received grace and apostleship, unto the obedience of [covenant] faith among all the nations, for His name’s sake;

Romans 11:25: … a hardening in part has befallen Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles comes in;

We might conclude that the “offering of the Gentiles” mentioned in Romans 15:16 would fulfill what the prophet Isaiah saw (Isaiah 66:19-23). As a result of missionary activity, “all flesh” (Isaiah 66:23), including Jews and Gentiles, would one day worship Yehovah. They would come to Him from as far away as Tarshish, that is Spain (Isaiah 66:19), a site often linked with “from the ends of the earth” (Psalm 72:8-11; John 1:3).

So we see that the goal of the Old Testament was to see both Jews and Gentiles come to the saving knowledge of the Messiah who was to come. Yehovah’s eternal plan was to provide salvation to all peoples; it was never intended to be reserved to one special group, such as the Jews, even as an initial offer!

All of those now who have been baptized and receive the Holy Spirit are now to be ministers; priests, ambassadors of the lord Messiah to take the message his God and Father gave him to give to the world. That message is the message of deliverance from the bondage of sin; and the opportunity to enter into His soon-coming Kingdom.

All those in the lord Messiah have been grafted into the Israel of God (Romans 11) and are as a result to carry out the mission to be witnesses of the soon-coming Kingdom of God with the man Yehovah has chosen to sit on the throne of David at Zion, the Messiah Jesus. The witness Philip gives in Acts 8:12: is the example we should follow: Philip preaching good tidings concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus the Messiah, they were baptized, both men and women.

Note: When you talk about the name of someone as Philip did of Jesus you reveal everything that has to do with that person.

May these words inspire all believers who hear; to be a part of the world missionary preaching of the good news; about the coming Kingdom of God; as witnessing members of the Israel of God!

USE WISDOM WHEN ASKING GOD FOR ANYTHING!

The Bible gives us examples where people asked God for things that He did not want them to have, but because they persisted and had their hearts set on their desires, God finally allowed them to receive what they craved, but it came with less than perfect consequences.

Here are some examples from the scriptures that show this to be true:

The children of Israel cried out to Yehovah, “Give us meat.” We are told they did not wait for His counsel but craved intensely in the wilderness.... so He gave them their request but sent leanness into their soul:

Psalm 106:13-15: They soon forgat His works; they waited not for His counsel: But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert. And He gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.

Again, Israel craved to have a king. They wanted to be like the other nations who had kings. The prophet Samuel was grieved at their persistent request. And Yehovah knew if He gave them their request, it would bring the nation all kinds of troubles and some consequences not inconsequentially detrimental to their wellbeing. Yehovah’s answer to their persistent cries was a mixed bag, to put it nicely. They got their king and they got trouble.

Remember the disobedient king Ahab? He wanted to go into battle, no matter what. He wanted victory for Israel. How easy to justify his intense desire by saying he was fighting against God’s enemies. He even invited the good king Jehoshaphat to join him in a confederacy to help achieve God’s victory! And there were lots of “prophets” to spur him on. But he didn’t really want to know what God thought about it all.

In the words of the NT, Ahab heaped teachers up to please his itching ears! His motives were cloaked in the guise of spirituality. King Jehoshaphat was also caught up in it all and nearly perished in the process.

Jehoshaphat was one of the most exemplary kings over God’s people, but he went against his inner conscience to go along with Ahab.

Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there not still a prophet of Yehovah here, that we may inquire of him? : Something didn’t feel right.

In the end, Ahab and Jehoshaphat went into battle knowing the clear warnings of Yehovah.

Now, it won’t do, to dismiss this story as having no relevance to the many good Christian people who intensely desire God’s best for them when they earnestly seek for something they want”. These sincere folk cannot be compared to the disobedient and wicked Ahab, it’s true. However, the good king Jehoshaphat is in this story as a relevant warning to all good Christian people.

Good people, godly people can at times want something that they think will be good for them and continually ask God to give it to them.

Sometimes God does not stand in the way of people’s intense desires that are contrary to His will.

As already noted, good people, godly people can persistently ask for things that God does not want them to do or obtain. He in His foreknowledge knows what is good for each one of His sons and daughters, short term and long term. Be sure that what you are asking for is according to His word. If what you are asking for is indeed according to His word then by all means be persistant. However, if after a while you still have not received an answer then consider that His answer is “no”.

May our God and Father Yehovah guide us to walk on the path that leads to His soon-coming Kingdom. May He give a spirit of discernment to know what He wants us to do at any given minute.

PROMISES OF THE NEW COVENANT OF YEHOVAH REVEALED AND THE RESPONSIBILITIES THE COME UPON RECEIVING IT!

In the promises of the New Covenant God reveals 8 tremendous blessings to those who are in the covenant.

First, Jeremiah 31:33 says that God will write His law in the minds and hearts of His people.

Second, Yahweh will be their God.

Third, in verse 34 God’s people will truly know Him from the greatest to the least of them.

Fourth, God will forgive all sins and remember them no more.

Five, in Ezekiel 36:25 we are told that God will give His people a new heart.

Six, in verse 27 God will put His Spirit in His people.

Seven, the new covenant will be an everlasting covenant that will bring real and total peace.

Eight, God will dwell with His people when they inherit the land or the world.

Jeremiah 31:31-34: “Behold, the days are coming, says Yehovah, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says Yehovah. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says Yehovah: I will put my law in their minds, and write it on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know Yehovah,’ for they all shall know me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says Yehovah. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”

Ezekiel 36:22-27: “Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says Yehovah Elohim - God: “I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for my holy name’s sake, which you have profaned among the nations wherever you went. And I will sanctify my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I am Yehovah,” says Yehovah Elohim - God, “when I am hallowed in you before their eyes. For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land. Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes, and you will keep my judgments and do them.

Ezekiel 37:24-28: “David my servant shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd; they shall also walk in my judgments and observe my statutes, and do them. Then they shall dwell in the land that I have given to Jacob my servant, where your fathers dwelt; and they shall dwell there, they, their children, and their children’s children, forever; and servant David shall be their prince forever. Moreover, I will make a covenant of peace with them, and it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; I will establish them and multiply them, and I will set my sanctuary in their midst forevermore. My tabernacle also shall be with them; indeed I will be their God, and they shall be my people. The nations also will know that I, Yehovah, sanctify Israel when my sanctuary is in their midst forevermore.”’”

Matthew 26:26-28: And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

Those who are in the Messiah Jesus, in his body the called-out Assembly have been grafted into Israel and now partake of the blessing of the new covenant:

Romans 11:13-21: For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: If by any means I may provoke to emulation [them which are] my flesh, and might save some of them [Jews - Israel]. For if the casting away of them [be] the reconciling of the world, what [shall] the receiving [of them be], but life from the dead? For if the firstfruit [be] holy, the lump [is] also [holy]: and if the root [be] holy, so [are] the branches. And if some of the branches be broken off [Jews - Israel who reject the lord Messiah Jesus as the one sent by Yehovah], and you, being a wild olive tree [Gentile], were grafted in among them, and with them partake of the root and fatness of the olive tree [Israel]; boast not against the branches [Jews - Israel]. But if you boast, you bear not the root, but the root you. You will say then, the branches [Jews - Israel] were broken off, that I might be graffed in. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches [Jews - Israel], [take heed] lest he also spares not you.

As believers in the Messiah Jesus are members of the true Israel today we inherit the commission given to Israel to take the name of Yehovah and His saving message He gave the lord Jesus to give to the world about His soon coming Kindom.

Isaiah 43:10-12: You are my witnesses, says Yehovah, and my servant whom I have chosen: that you may know and believe me, and understand that I am He: before me, there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.  I, even I, am Yehovah; and beside me there is no savior. I have declared, and have saved, and I have shown when there was no strange god among you: therefore you are my witnesses, says Yehovah, that I am God.

Ephesians 2:10-16, 19-20:  For we are His workmanship, created in the Messiah Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them. Wherefore remember, that you being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; that at that time you were without the Messiah, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in the Messiah Jesus you who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of the Messiah. For he is our peace, who has made both [Jews and Gentiles] one, and has broken down the middle wall of partition between us; having abolished in his flesh the enmity, the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of two one new man, making peace; and that he might reconcile both [Jews - Israel and Gentiles] unto God in one body [the called-out Assembly  of God] by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

[VS.19-20]  Now, therefore, you are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints [believing Jews], and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus the Messiah himself being the chief corner [stone];

As members of the household of Yehovah Elohim - God we are His witnesses enjoying the blessings of the new covenant that was ratified by the blood of the Messiah Jesus. As His witnesses, we are to take the message He gave to His son Jesus to give to us! That message is the message Jesus preached throughout his entire ministry and it was a message about the soon-coming kingdom of God!

 

YEHOVAH'S WORD IN PSALM 3

Psalm 3:3-4: But you, Yehovah, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head. I cry out to Yahweh with my voice, and He answers me from His holy mountain.

2 Samuel 22:2-3: “Yehovah is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, even mine; God, my rock, in Him I will take refuge; my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge. My savior..

Have you ever been so bent, so broken, and depressed that you couldn’t even lift your head?

However, under all that heaviness in the weight of what is pushing you down, there is always hope. There is deliverance waiting for you to grasp hold of if you will just cry out to your God and Father for help.

When I read verses like these, I picture the God of Heaven and earth reaching down, cupping the weary psalmist’s jaw with His hand and tilting his face up so he beholds, not just the horizon, but the glory of His presence, His wonderful, beautiful face shining in undeniable light. At that moment, the heaviness is gone when one looks upon the face of His rescuer and knows He is Yahweh Elohim - God, the one who raises the heavy head and relieves burdens, the one who protects and delivers.

There’s a quote from a book that goes, “I have no need to fear the army before me when I trust the one behind me.” So it is with God; when He lifts up our heads from hanging down when He straightens our posture and brings our eyes from the ground to His face, the things that were so dark and despairing and overwhelming quickly fall away.

Isaiah 58:8: Then your light would break forth like the morning, your healing spring forth speedily. And your righteousness shall go before you; the esteem of Yehovah will be your rear guard.

There is a light before which no shadow can stand; the light of Yehovah’s delivering presence, the salvation of His mercy and tender love.

If you have experienced that Yehovah’s presence, you know what I am talking about, it really goes beyond words. If you haven’t yet experienced Yehovah's presence, I urge you today to take the words of Psalm 3 to heart; to cry out to God when your adversaries or trials are many, especially when it seems like there is no deliverance for you.

Place your trust in Yehovah to deliver and sustain you; cry out to Him and watch how He answers from His holy mountain! When Yahweh lifts up your face, it’s unforgettable; when He delivers you, it’s something you’ll never forget. So raise your voice. Cry out to Him. It’s time to raise your weary head.

MOVING FORWARD IN COVENANT FAITH

When we become totally committed to serving/obeying Yehovah and His uniquely begotten son Jesus we will be enabled by the Holy Spirit to step out in covenant faith trusting both of them to guide us in all we say and do.

That being said; the scriptures warn us that if we don't go forward zealously in covenant faith, then when trials and struggles come; at such times we may say, "Yehovah, I'm not sure I can handle this. I don't see how I can make it through." At such times the Adversary will take advantage and move in with principalities and powers to try to rob, steal and shipwreck our faith. Brothers and sisters this happens to every true bond-servant of God.

Listen to what Peter lovingly warns us about what will happen, saying: “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trials which will test and try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you are partaking of the Messiah’s sufferings, that when his glory is revealed, you may also be glad, with exceeding joy” (1 Peter 4:12-13).

Notice: Proverbs 17:3: The crucible is for refining silver, and the smelter for gold, but the one who purifies hearts by fire is Yehovah.

No matter how long you serve Yehovah, you will be trained in this area and overcome and move forward by following His clear direction, especially in the hard testing and trials. We should never say, “That’s it, Lord, I’ve had enough, I can't deal with this trial.” Instead, we should say: “Lord, I don’t see the way ahead, but I know I'm going to get through this trial because I know you have promised to provide me with the grace and enabling power of your Spirit to overcome every test and trial. I know you will be my strength and sure defense.”

True covenant faith is the place where you always find your rest; fully trusting in the Father’s love. Yehovah will always bring you through and take you to a place of incredible blessing.

Notice what Jesus says: “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life [spiritual life, new age life] and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

You may have to do insignificant things and you may face tests and trials that will be hard, yet the training ground Yehovah has set apart for multitudes of His beloved sons and daughters is where we learn His nature, His character, His blessing, and His goodness. We are deeply loved by a holy God. Yehovah has an amazing purpose for us, just as He did for His own Son. Therefore, we have a peace that passes all understanding, and we rest knowing His blessing lies ahead for us. Praise Yehovah!

YEHOVAH'S SPECIAL LOVE FOR ALL WHO ARE COMMITED TO OBEYING HIS WORD

Most Christians know what the Bible says about Yehovah’s great love for His children, yet many have never learned to appropriate that love, even after years of faithfully walking with the Messiah Jesus. There are many dedicated servants of God who have never enjoyed the glorious experience and benefits of knowing the Father’s love; and nothing saddens God’s heart more.

Yehovah described Himself to Moses in this way: “Yehovah, Yehovah Elohim - God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin” (Exodus 34:6-7).

Yehovah wanted Moses to know that He was merciful, gracious, longsuffering, and forgiving. We have been taught much about these things; indeed, from cover to cover the scriptures speaks of God the Father’s loving and tender heart toward us. But when we are mired in the midst of trials and tribulations, we often forget what Yehovah has said about Himself.

Scripture says of Yehovah again and again that He is ready to forgive at all times (Psalm 86:5); patient with us, full of tenderness and mercy (Psalm 145:9, Psalm 119:156); slow to anger and wrath (Joel 2:13).

Yehovah wants us to approach him fully convinced that He loves us. And He wants us to know, He is all that He says He is. For this reason, Satan will try to make us believe a lie about our God and our Father. If you have been adopted into God’s household through the Messiah, you must know how special you are to Him. You are the recipient of the Father’s special love for all of his sons and daughters.

“You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light … [you] are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy” (1 Peter 2:9-10).

What amazing grace indeed to have a God and Father who loves us so much that he put forth a plan that included His uniquely begotten son to become a sin-offering sacrifice in order that He might justly forgive us of all our sins and transgressions. What a beautiful example of unconditional love that the lord Messiah Jesus willingly gave himself up to be crucified in total commitment to his God and Father's plan of salvation for all who will accept the one whom He has sent - Jesus! Amazing love by both our God and Father Yehovah and by His beloved son the Messiah Jesus.

May all those who believe and trust in Yehovah and in the lord Messiah Jesus walk in love towards all those we come in contact with following their beautiful example.   

WE NEED TO DEEPLY APPRECIATE THE MANIFOLD BLESSING OF THE MESSIAH JESUS

No one can number all of the Messiah’s tender mercies and the manifold blessings of his shed blood. But let’s focus on one victory in particular: the forgiveness of all past sins.

“If we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and blood of Jesus the Messiah His son cleanses us from all sin … If we confess our sins, He [Yehovah] is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:7, 9).

It is imperative that every follower of Jesus lay hold of this glorious truth. Appropriating it has everything to do with whether we will maintain a victorious covenant faith in the midst of dire afflictions. Indeed, in days of uncertainty, this matter of resting in Yehovah’s forgiveness is crucial.

Many who have served Jesus faithfully over the years have grown confident that their faith can withstand any fiery furnace. Like the disciples, they testify, “Now I see, lord. Now I believe.” They thank God that the Messiah has opened their eyes to Yehovah's eternal purposes for them.

Then suddenly they were faced with many overwhelming and tremendous crises. They realized they had entered a furnace seven times hotter than any they had ever known. They came face to face with a battle so painful, a struggle so draining, that their house begins to shake. And soon their faith was being swamped with burdens and fears.

Brothers and sisters this is beginning to happen to some of us as we are now entering into the time of the end. The present Covid 19 Pandemic is swamping some with burdens and fears. During any time of crises, we need to realize that our God and Father Yehovah Elohim is our strong tower and our sure defence, the One who has our back and protects us.

A great Psalm to read during these troubled times is Psalm 91:  

Hear the words of the apostle Paul: “Being justified freely by His [Yehovah's] grace through the redemption that is in the Messiah Jesus, who God set forth as a propitiation by his blood, through faith, to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance, God had passed over the sins that we previously committed” (Romans 3:24-25).

Through faith in the Messiah’s shed blood, all our past sins are covered! We are cleared in the eyes of Yehovah by his unmerited forgiveness. All guilt, fear, and condemnation are lifted and all past charges and debts are wiped away. Hallelujah!

Amazingly, Yehovah made provision for this reconciliation while you were still in sin. According to Paul, “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, the Messiah died for us” (Romans 5:8). Finally, Paul tells us, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in the Messiah Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:1).

What an amazing plan our God and Father Yehovah has given us to understand and give us hope so great that it motivates us to hold fast to the end, enabled to do so by His indwelling Spirit. 

FAITH BEGINS WHERE MAN'S POWER ENDS

George Müller (1805-1898) was an evangelist and the director of an orphanage in England. He was a man of great faith and when asked how he could accomplish so much with so few resources, he replied, “Faith does not operate in the realm of the possible. There is no glory for God in that which is humanly possible. Faith begins where man’s power ends.”

Our society is obsessed with instant gratification. We do not want to wait for anything, and many people find themselves in debt because they think they need the latest car, house, gadget; right now! This has created a generation that is immature, rebellious, and feeling entitled to just about everything; without working hard to gain what they need or want. But instant gratification is not in God’s dictionary because it does not produce faith and trust in him. In fact, it doesn’t produce anything of spiritual worth, nor does it produce godly character.

The prophet Isaiah said, “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways,’ says Yehovah” (Isaiah 55:8). He will answer our prayers, but in His perfect timing and in His perfect way.

Waiting is not easy but God tells us to be persistent in our prayers, believing that he will indeed give us the right answer, which could be "no" if He decides that it would not be good for you to receive a "yes" answer for your own good in the long term.

Maybe you get tired of waiting for God to answer your prayers and begin to lose heart. Jesus tells a parable about a widow who repeatedly came to a judge looking for justice from those who had come against her. Finally, the judge said, “Because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me” (Luke 18:5). Then Jesus said, “Just as this ungodly human judge granted the request of a persistent widow, how much more will God answer you (and fight for you) if you call out to him persistently” (see 18:7).

God never ignores our pleas. His character is love, so in all ways, He does what is in our best interest even though we might not experience the answer right away. God has decreed that your prayer will be answered, so trust in His word as you pray in faith! Whatever His answer is; and it could be "no" to your request and that would be because He knows the end from the beginning, and a "no" might be the best answer for you in the long run. Our God and Father will always deal with us as to what is good for us in the short term and long term to lead us into His soon-coming Kingdom.

END-TIME PROPHECY

About one-third of the Bible is prophecy; history written in advance. Over 80 percent of this future history is yet to be fulfilled. Tragically, most Bible readers are completely unaware of awesome, impending world events, soon to shock all nations.

Many believe the world is hurtling toward terrible trouble, even absolute calamity. Disease, famine, and war are taking place on the planet as never before. New diseases are continually appearing and old ones are reappearing worse than ever. This, and famine, which always follows in the wake of war, are decimating entire segments of local populations.

Only about 200 years ago, the United States of America [Manasseh] and the British Commonwealth of nations [Ephraim] suddenly shot to great prominence and power. Not too long ago, the combined wealth of these two nations was over 70 percent of the total wealth and physical resources of the world. All the rest of the nations combined possessed less than 30 percent. Of Britain, it was said, “The sun never sets on the British Empire.” Yet, right on prophetic schedule, Britain has declined to almost a third-rate power.

We are now witnessing the decline of the United States of America.

Note: Too the degree that the majority of the populations of both nations have rejected God and experienced an unprecedented moral decline because of that rejection, they have and are now experiencing a decline in their position and status in the world.

Most students of Bible prophecy remain in near-total ignorance of its meaning, unable to recognize the speed, sequence, seriousness; and the awesome magnitude of onrushing events!

The apostle Peter wrote this about how God intends that prophecy will illuminate the understanding of those who study it: “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto you do well that you take heed, as unto a light that shines in a dark place” (2 Peter 1:19). God’s purpose regarding His “sure word of prophecy” is that people “take heed.”

You must be willing to take heed to what is written and act upon it.

Now continue: “Knowing this first that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation” (vs. 20). This is crucial to understand. No single verse; or even any two or three passages; is sufficient to bring correct prophetic understanding. God says His Word is written “precept upon precept; line upon line…here a little, and there a little” (Isaiah 28:10). One must know how; with God’s indwelling enabling power; to put many related verses together to get a full picture.

Continue again in 2 Peter 1: “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (vs. 21). In short, prophecy comes from God, through His servants, as He inspires them to record His words.

God gives this sure word of promise of what will happen in advance of events He intends to fulfill: “Surely, Yehovah Elohim - God will do nothing, but He reveals His secret unto His servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7). God keeps His promises. He always reveals major events before they occur.

Understand! Almighty God will soon have to intervene and save humanity from itself. But before this occurs, world trouble will greatly increase; intensifying to staggering proportions. This will be followed by unexpected and cataclysmic events that will shake the whole world! Civilization as we know it will change forever.

The book of Revelation opens showing the Revelation of Jesus the Messiah, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servant's things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus the Messiah, and of all things that he saw. Blessed is he that reads, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” (Revelation 1:1-3).

Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 are parallel accounts of what is called the Olivet Prophecy. This all-important prophecy works in combination with the prophecy given by Daniel. It puts in sequence events that transcend the entire period from the Messiah’s first coming until his return, almost 2,000 years later.

Matthew uses the most detail, so we will look there, where the prophecy picks up: “As he sat upon the Mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age?” (Matthew 24:3). The Messiah then lists a whole series of events, which occur sequentially until just before his return. He concludes by referring to the prophet Daniel. “Whoso reads, let him understand” (Matthew 24:15).

Notice: “The fear - reverence of Yehovah is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do His commandments” (Psalm 111:10). All who yield themselves in obedience to Yehovah and His uniquely begotten son Jesus will be able to understand all prophecies to be fulfilled in these last days.

Daniel foretells a time; that is now upon us; when “knowledge shall increase,” including the incredibly compelling; and electrifying; story of what God plans to do in our time.

The book of Daniel spans a period of over 2,500 years of events then all yet to be fulfilled.

An angel instructs Daniel, near the last verses of his book: “Shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased” (12:4). Not grasping what was told him, Daniel sought to understand: “I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?” (12:8) The angel repeated: “Go your way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified and made white and tried, but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand” (vs. 9-10)

Let me reiterate that God says that obedience brings understanding. No wonder Daniel said that “none of the wicked shall understand.” Anyone who rebels against Yehovah, regardless of how they see themselves, fall into this category.

No one with eyes to see could possibly doubt we are in the end time. Yehovah’s intention was always to unseal Daniel’s prophecy when the end time arrived. We now live in what is called the “Information Age.” No one doubts that knowledge has been increased in a general way, and this has been extraordinary. But the primary meaning of Daniel’s prophecy must be understood in context with the knowledge of the prophecy’s true meaning being revealed in the end time.

As we look and experience what is taking place in the world today it is obvious to those who believe in the warning words Jesus gave believers that we are in the last days!

GOD HEARS OUR SILENT CRIES

Of all 150 Psalms, Psalm 34 is my absolute favorite. It is all about Yehovah's faithfulness to deliver His children from great trials and crises. David declares, “I sought Yehovah, and He heard me and delivered me from all my fears…The angel of Yehovah encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them…The righteous cry out, and Yehovah hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles… Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but Yehovah delivers him out of them all” (Psalm 34:4,7,17,19).

Note David’s claim in this Psalm: “I sought Yehovah…this poor man cried….” (34:4, 6). When did David do this crying out? It had to have happened when he was feigning madness in Gath and yet he couldn’t have prayed audibly in the Philistines’ presence. This brings us to a great truth regarding Yehovah’s deliverance. Sometimes the loudest cry is made without an audible voice.

I know what this kind of “inner crying out” is like. Many of the loudest prayers of my life; my most important, heartwrenching, deepest cries; have been made in total silence.

At times I’ve been so benumbed by circumstances that I couldn’t speak, overwhelmed by situations so beyond me that I couldn’t think clearly enough to pray. On occasion, I’ve sat alone in my study so baffled that I was unable to say anything to Yehoah at all, but the whole time my heart was crying out: “Father, help me! I don’t know how to pray just now, so hear the cry of my heart. Deliver me from this situation.”

Have you ever been there? Have you ever thought, “I don’t know what this is all about? I’m so overwhelmed by my circumstance, so flooded by deep pain, I can’t explain it. Father, I don’t even know what to say to you. What is going on?”

I believe this is exactly what David went through when he was captured by the Philistines. When he wrote Psalm 34, he was making an admission: “I was in a situation so overwhelming that I played the part of a fool. Yet, inside I wondered, ‘What is going on with me? How has this happened? Father, help!’”

And so it seems David was saying, “This poor man cried out from within, not knowing what or how to pray. And Yehovah heard me and delivered me.” It was a deep cry from the heart, and Yehovah Elohim - God is faithful to hear every whimper no matter how faint.

Written by: David Wilkerson and edited by Bruce Lyon

YEHOVAH ELOHIM'S PROMISED STRENTH FOR YOU

Often people contact their ministers and say, “I have no one to talk to, no one to share my burden with, no one who has time to hear my cry. I need someone I can pour my heart out to.”

King David was constantly surrounded by people. He was married and had many companions at his side. Yet we hear the same cry from him: “To whom shall I go?” It is in our nature to want another human being, with a face, eyes and ears, to listen to us and advise us.

When Job became overwhelmed by his trials, he cried out with grief, “Oh that One would hear me! behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me,!” (Job 31:35). He uttered this cry while sitting before his so-called friends. Those friends had no sympathy for his troubles; in fact, they were messengers of despair.

Job turned to Yehovah: “... behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high. My friends scorn me: but my eye pours out tears unto Elohim - God.” (Job 16:19-20).

David urged God’s people to do likewise: “Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; Elohim - God is a refuge for us” (Psalm 62:8).

Eventually, suffering comes to us all, and right now multitudes of saints are chained down by afflictions. Their circumstances have turned their joy into feelings of helplessness and uselessness. Many are asking in their pain, “Why is this happening to me? Is God mad at me? What did I do wrong? Why doesn’t he answer my prayers?”

I believe in my heart that this word is an invitation to you from the God's Spirit to find a private place where you can frequently pour out your soul to Yehovah Elohim - God. David “poured out his complaint to his God and Father,” and so can you. You can speak to Yehovah Elohim - God about everything; your problems, your present trial, your finances, your health; and tell him how overwhelmed you are, even how discouraged you are. He will hear you with love and sympathy, and He will not despise your cry.

Yehovah answered David. He answered Job. And for centuries He has answered the heart cry of everyone who has trusted His promises. He has promised to hear you and guide you. He has pledged by oath to be your strength, so you can go to Him and come out spiritually renewed.

What an amazing God and Father we have who is as close to us as our breath, who loves us and desires us to come to him in a humble and contrite heart which He will always answer. He intervenes in our lives in so many unseen ways that we no nothing about. He wants us to come to Him for every need, for strength, for additional faith, for everything that we have need of to fulfil His will and plan He has for us. All that we have comes from His amazing grace. 

THE KINGDOM OF GOD: PRESENTING REAL SOLUTIONS TO REAL PROBLEMS

I have absolutely loved the kingdom of God message ever since I first encountered it in class at Atlanta Bible College. I had grown up like most people in America: we know God exists and have a very vague hope of eternal life in heaven when we die. Unfortunately, that “hope” never seemed very exciting to me and never motivated me to change my life. In fact, a high school friend once told me that hell sounded much better to him because he didn’t want to sit on a cloud playing harp all day long; at the time, I agreed with him! Why on earth would I ever want to go into the sky and play an instrument for all eternity? Is there something more that I was missing?

What’s amazing about the true kingdom of God message is how much is involved with it, like a rich tapestry. Not only is there a promise of eternal life, but so many more layers of amazing promises that are just not available in the typical “heaven” presentation that is in most churches. The message about the soon-coming kingdom of God, that Jesus will reign on the throne of David at Zion over a renewed earth for all eternity with his saints in complete paradise, has absolutely changed my life, and I have seen it change others as well. Thankfully, this message is so complex and beautiful that it can speak to every human being that we come across.

The Bible made much use of the multi-layered nature of this gospel message, and it is presented in various ways to different audiences. In Mark 5, a demon-possessed man encounters Jesus and is finally freed from his demonic, spiritual oppression that plagued him for so many years. To this man, the gospel meant freedom from his suffering. In John 11, as Mary and Martha are mourning the death of their brother Lazarus, Jesus comes to them and announces that he is the resurrection and the life, giving them hope of the restored life to come. To them, the gospel meant resurrection and seeing their brother alive again. In Galatians 3, Paul presents the gospel to a group of believing Jews and Gentiles who had a difficult time getting along. However, he shows that the gospel means the unity between the two groups, as they both have become children of Abraham in the Messiah Jesus. To them, the gospel meant a new, unified family where everyone could experience God’s blessings and peace.

The good news of the kingdom of God still speaks volumes today, to all the various needs that we find around us. The true beauty of this message is that it never grows old or stale. It is always alive and active (Hebrews 4:12). This means that the individual struggling with COVID-19, cancer, or any other serious illness has great reason to rejoice since all those illnesses will finally be healed forever (Isaiah 35:5-6). Justice will finally come to those who have been victims of sexual assault, terrorist attacks, and oppression from various institutions (Isaiah 9:6-7). Those dealing with addictions of all kinds can hope to finally being free from their spiritual oppression forever (Isaiah 61:1-2). Everyone, regardless of their ethnicity, gender, or background has reason to believe in the coming kingdom of God.

Unfortunately, our presentation of the message sometimes gets in the way, and it falls on deaf ears when we lack an understanding of their situation. Too often we are preaching the right message to the wrong crowd. We are offering bread to the thirsty and a hammer to remove a screw. The older gentleman who has just suffered the loss of his wife of 50 years does not need to hear about how there will be absolute peace among God’s animals (Isaiah 11:6), but that his wife will live again (John 11:25- 26). The young woman who is abusing her prescription medication in college to continue making her grades on time does not need a message about how Jesus is going to be seated on David’s throne forever (2 Samuel 7:12- 16). Instead, she needs to hear about how Jesus offers her a rest unmatched by anything else, where she can no longer feel anxious about her deadlines (Matthew 11:28- 30). The foster child that has moved from house to house does not need to hear about how war will never again be a reality for God’s creation (Isaiah 2:4). However, he/she does need to know that God has adopted him/her into the eternal family, something this child has been searching for through many years of rejection (Romans 8:14- 16). Although everything mentioned above will come true in the kingdom of God, it will not communicate well to different audiences that need to hear something about their situation. The challenge for us as believers is to find the correct way to communicate the kingdom of God to the specific situation in front of us.

Believers also struggle on a personal level, and most of the time it is because we too are focusing on the wrong aspect of the kingdom of God for our own situation. The promises of the kingdom of God can lose their flavor for believers if they are not presented in the most appropriate situations. The former soldier who dedicated his life to Christ overseas, but still struggles with PTSD from the horrors of war, needs to find peace in knowing that war will finally be abolished forever (Isaiah 2:4). The single Christian mother of three young children needs to hear that she is not alone in her struggles, but that Jesus is available to assist her along the way until he returns (Hebrews 2:17-18). The pastor who is struggling to make hard decisions for his/her congregation during the COVID -19 pandemic needs to know that his/her work is not done in vain, and will be rewarded for the service shown to God’s people (Hebrews 6:10).

My prayer is that, as new situations find us in all walks of life, that we would be able to respond appropriately with the same kingdom message that Jesus had. Although the way we communicate it may look different, it will have its fulfillment in the same event when Jesus returns. I hope that you will find comfort in Jesus’ message today for yourself and for those around you. May God bless your efforts in bringing the kingdom light to those in darkness.

Written by  Talon Paul (IN) and edited by Bruce Lyon

YEHOVAH WANTS THOSE IN THE MESSIAH JESUS TO STRIVE FOR A PERFECT HEART

Do you know it is possible to walk before Yehovah Elohim - God with a perfect heart? If you strive to love Yehovah with your whole being you may already be desiring earnestly; to obey this command of Yehovah.

I want to encourage you to strive to develop a perfect heart. It is possible for you to do so God would not have given us such a call. Whatever God desires for us to do He always provides His indwelling power to carry out His will. Having a perfect heart has been part of the life of faith from the time God first spoke to Abraham: “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless” (Genesis 17:1).

In the Old Testament, we see that many of God's servants succeeded in walking before Yehovah with a perfect heart. David, for instance, determined in his heart to obey God’s command to be perfect. He said, “I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way… I will walk within my house with a perfect heart” (Psalm 101:2). David was able to say that because he knew that Yehovah would, by His indwelling presence, enable him to do so.

To come to grips with the idea of perfection, we first must understand that perfection does not mean a sinless, flawless existence. No; perfection in Yehovah’s eyes means something entirely different. It means spiritual maturity, completeness in the Messiah Jesus.

The Hebrew and Greek meanings of “perfection” include “uprightness, having neither spot nor blemish, being totally obedient.” It means to finish what has been started, to make a complete performance. John Wesley called this concept of perfection “constant obedience.” That is, a perfect heart is a responsive heart, one that answers quickly and totally all of Yehovah’s directions, whisperings, and warnings. Such a heart says at all times, “Speak, Yehovah, for your servant is listening. Show me the path, and I will walk in it.”

Psalm 31:3: For you are my rock and my fortress, therefore for your name’s sake you will guide me and lead me.

Psalm 73:24: You will guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will lead me to a position of honor.

Isaiah 48:17: This is what Yahweh, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, says:“ I am Yehovah your God, who teaches you to profit, Who leads you by the way that you should go.

The perfect heart cries out with David, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me” (Psalm 139:23–24).

Psalm 139:24: Yes, see if there is any idolatrous road in me, then lead me on the everlasting road! That road that leads to eternal life in the coming Kingdom of God, which will be established when Jesus returns to sit on the throne of David at Zion as Israel's Messiah.

Psalm 143:10: Teach me to do your will, for you are my Elohim - God. Let your good spirit lead me on level ground.

Proverbs 4:11: On the road of Wisdom I teach you; I lead you on the upright pathways.

Yehovah does indeed search our hearts; he said as much to Jeremiah: “I Yehovah search the heart” (Jeremiah 17:10). The Hebrew meaning for this phrase is, “I penetrate, I examine deeply.”

The perfect heart wants Yehovah's Spirit to come and search the innermost thoughts of a man, to shine into all hidden parts; to investigate, expose, and dig out all that is unlike His son the Messiah Jesus. Those who hide a secret sin, however, do not want to be convicted, searched, or probed.

The perfect heart yearns for more than security or a covering for sin. It seeks to be in Yehovah’s presence always, to dwell in communion. Communion means talking with Yehovah, sharing sweet fellowship with Him, seeking His face, and experiencing His presence within.

PROGRESSIVE MIRACLES

The Old Testament is filled with God’s miracle-working power, from the opening of the Red Sea to Yehovah speaking to Moses from the burning bush to Elijah calling down fire from heaven. All these were instantaneous miracles. The people involved could see them happening, feel them, and were thrilled by them. And they are the kinds of miracles we want to see today, causing awe and wonder. We want God to rend the heavens, come down to our situation and fix things in a burst of heavenly power.

But much of Yehovah’s wonder-working power in his people’s lives come in what is called “progressive miracles.” These are miracles that are hardly discernable to the eye. They’re not accompanied by thunder, lightning, or any visible movement or change. Rather, progressive miracles start quietly, without fanfare, and unfold slowly but surely, one step at a time.

Both kinds of miracles; instantaneous and progressive; were witnessed at Messiah’s two feedings of the multitudes. The healings he performed were immediate, visible, easily discerned by those present on those days. I think of the crippled man with a gnarled body, who suddenly had an outward, physical change so that he could run and leap. Here was a miracle that had to astonish and move all who saw it.

Yet the feedings that the Messiah did were progressive miracles. Jesus offered up a simple prayer of blessing, with no fire, thunder, or earthquake. He merely broke the bread and the dried fish, never giving a sign or sound that a miracle was taking place. Yet, to feed that many people, there had to be thousands of breakings of that bread and those fish, all through the day. And every single piece of bread and fish was a part of the miracle.

This is how Jesus performs many of his miracles in his people’s lives today. We pray for instantaneous, visible wonders, but often our lord is quietly at work, forming a miracle for us piece by piece, bit by bit. We may not be able to hear it or touch it, but he is at work, shaping our deliverance beyond what we can see.

Written by David Wilkerson and edited by Bruce Lyon

 

WHY IS YEHOVAH’S NAME SO IMPORTANT TO HIM?

YEHOVAH – THE SELF-EXISTENT ONE

ELOHIM – GOD

TZELEM ELOKIM – GOD’S IMAGE

YEHOVAH – THE LORD CREATOR

YEHOVAH-NISSI – THE LORD MY BANNER

YEHOVAH-RAJAH – THE LORD MY SHEPHERD

YEHOVAH-RAPHA – THE LORD THAT HEALS

YEHOVAH-SHALOM – THE LORD IS PEACE

YEHOVAH-SHAMMAH – THE LORD IS THERE

YEHOVAH-SABBAOTH – THE LORD OF HOSTS – ARMIES

YEHOVAH-TSIDKENU – THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS

YEHOVAH-JIREH – THE LORD WILL PROVIDE

ABBA – FATHER

ATTIYQ YOUM = THE ANCIENT OF DAYS

EL CHUWL – THE GOD WHO GAVE YOU BIRTH

EL DEAH – THE GOD OF KNOWLEDGE

EL ELYON – THE GOD MOST HIGH

EL ROI – THE GOD WHO SEES

EL SHADDAI – GOD ALMIGHTY

Notice: Let’s look at how names are used to identify living creatures.

Genesis 2:19-20: And out of the ground Elohim - God formed every beast of the field and every fowl of the air; and brought those unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature that was the name thereof. And Adam gave names to all cattle and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; …

Can you imagine a man having the mind, intelligence to be able to give names to every living creature a name that probably described incorporated what they were? Adam was what we today would call a genius.

Notice: In Jewish tradition, Yehovah God’s personal name, so to speak, as opposed to Elokim that to the Almighty more in terms of the presidential functions of His office. Descriptions of the Almighty’s feelings, character traits, and motivations are always associated with the name Yehovah, never with the name Elokim. Literally, Yehovah identifies the Almighty as independent of time and as the source of all existence. The Shulchan Aruch (ibid) translates this: “He was, is, and will be; the author of all being.” He is the source of everything; past, present, and future.

Now we will study why Yehovah’s name is so important to Him:

Exodus 6:3: I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as God Almighty, but I didn’t make myself known to them by my name, Yehovah.

Exodus 9:16: But I have spared you for this reason. I want to show you, my power and make my name - Yehovah famous throughout the earth.

Exodus 33:19: Yehovah said, “I will let all my goodness pass in front of you, and there I will call out my name ‘Yehovah’. I will be kind to anyone I want to. I will be merciful to anyone I want to.

Leviticus 19:12: “Never swear by my name in order to deceive anyone. This dishonors the name of your God. I am Yehovah.

Leviticus 22:32: Never dishonor my holy name. I will show my holiness among the Israelites. I am Yehovah, who sets you apart as holy.

Numbers 6:27: “… whenever they use my name - Yehovah to bless the Israelites, I will bless them.”

2 Samuel 7:13: He will build a house for my name - Yehovah, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.

1 Kings 9:3: Yehovah said to him, “I have heard your prayer for mercy that you made to me. I have declared that this temple which you have built is holy so that my name - Yehovah may be placed there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.

1 Kings 11:36: I will give his son one tribe so that my servant David will always have a lamp in my presence in Jerusalem, the city where I chose to place my name - Yehovah.

2 Chronicles 6:16: But now I’ve chosen Jerusalem to be a place for my name - Yehovah; I’ve chosen David to rule my people Israel.’

Psalm 23:3: He renews my soul. He guides me along the paths of righteousness for the sake of his name - Yehovah.

Psalm 25:11: For the sake of your name, O Yehovah, remove my guilt, because it is great.

Psalm 31:3: Indeed, you are my rock and my fortress. For the sake of your name, lead me, and guide me.

Psalm 54:7: Your name - Yehovah rescues me from every trouble…

Psalm 61:5: O Elohim - God, you have heard my vows. You have given me the inheritance that belongs to those who fear - reverence your name - Yehovah.

Psalm 89:24: My faithfulness and mercy will be with him, and in my name- Yehovah he will be victorious.

Isaiah 48:9: For my name’s sake - Yehovah I’ll be patient. For my glory’s sake, I’ll hold my anger back from you, rather than destroy you.

Isaiah 55:13: Cypress trees will grow where thornbushes grew. Myrtle trees will grow where briars grew. This will be a reminder of Yehovah’s name and an everlasting sign that will never be destroyed.

Jerimiah 16:21: That is what I will teach them. This time I will make my power and my strength known to them. Then they will know that my name is Yehovah.”

Jerimiah 33:2: “I made the earth, formed it, and set it in place. My name is Yehovah. This is what Yehovah says:

Jerimiah 44:26: But listen to Yehovah’s word, all you people of Judah who live in Egypt. ‘I swear by my great name,’ says Yehovah, ‘that no one from Judah who lives anywhere in Egypt will ever again call on my name and take the oath, “As the Almighty Yehovah lives.”

Ezekiel 20:9: But I acted so that my name - Yehovah would not be dishonored among the nations where they were living….

Ezekiel 20:14: I acted so that my name - Yehovah would not be dishonored among the nations who had watched me bring the Israelites out of Egypt.

Ezekiel 20: 44: Then you will know that I am Yehovah, because I will deal with you for the sake of my name - Yehovah. I will not deal with you based on the evil and corrupt things that you have done, the nation of Israel, declares the Almighty Lord.’ ”

Ezekiel 36:20-23: wherever they went among the nations, they dishonored my holy name - Yehovah. People said about them, ‘These are Yehovah’s people, yet they had to leave his land.’ I became concerned about my holy name – Yehovah because my people dishonored it among the nations wherever they went. “So tell the people of Israel, ‘this is what the Almighty Lord says: I am about to do something, people of Israel. I will not do this for your sake but for the sake of my holy name Yehovah, which you have dishonored among the nations wherever you have gone. I will reveal the holiness of my great name - Yehovah, which has been dishonored by the nations, the name that you have dishonored among them. Then the nations will know that I am Yehovah because I will reveal my holiness among you as they watch, declares the Almighty Lord.

Ezekiel 39:7: I will make my holy name known among my people Israel, and I will never let them dishonor my holy name again. Then the nations will know that I am Yehovah, the Holy One in Israel.

Ezekiel 39:25: “So this is what the Almighty Lord says: Now I will bring back Jacob’s captives and have compassion for the whole nation of Israel. I will stand up for my holy name Yehovah.

Malachi 1:11: “From the nations where the sun rises to the nations where the sun sets, my name - Yehovah will be great. Incense and pure offerings will be offered everywhere in my name - Yehovah because my name - Yehovah will be great among the nations,” says the Lord of Armies.

Malachi 2:5: “I promised Levi life and peace. I gave them to him so that he would respect me. He respected me and stood in awe of my name - Yehovah.

As you have read through all of these verses you can understand how important Yehovah’s name means to Him. If it means that much to Him, it ought to mean even more to us.

May we always reverence His holy name – Yehovah. He is our life! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HOW DO WE WALK IN THE SPIRIT?

First, let’s ask ourselves whose Spirit are we talking about? We know that we are indwelt by the Spirit of Yehovah and by the Spirit of His uniquely begotten son Jesus. From the Hebrew perspective, our walk shows others our true character. It shows others what comes out from within us. It reflects who we are, what we are as to our true nature, character.

Notice: Matthew 12:34: …. out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

Paul said: “So I say, walk in the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16).

Now let’s look at the Spirit we are to walk in.

Notice: 2 Corinthians 3:17: Now the lord is the Spirit: and where the Spirit of the lord is, there is liberty.

Galatians 5:1: Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith, the Messiah has made us free…

2 Corinthians 3:18: …we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the lord [Jesus].

2 Corinthians 4:7: … we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the Excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

We know from the scriptures that Jesus has been given rulership over all of Yehovah’s creation, excluding Yehovah.

Matthew 28:18: … All power is given unto me [Jesus] in heaven and in the earth.

1 Corinthians 15:27: For He [God] has put all things under his [Jesus] feet. But when He [God] says all things are put under him [Jesus], it is manifest that He [God] is excepted, who put all things under him [Jesus].

Ephesians 2:18: For through him [Jesus] we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

Now we know which Spirit do we walk in!

It is the Spirit of the Messiah Jesus as it says in 2 Corinthians 3:17… the lord [Jesus] is the Spirit.

How do you walk in the Spirit of the Messiah Jesus? What does it take to do that on a daily basis?

We can picture what it meant to walk with Jesus. The disciples did that. If Jesus stayed in Capernaum for five days, they stayed in Capernaum for five days. If Jesus stopped for lunch, they stopped for lunch. If he turned to the right and went down the road, they followed behind him. But how do we do that with the Spirit of the Messiah Jesus?

Some say, “Just go by the word.” But it’s that very word that tells us to walk by the Spirit. Filling our hearts with scripture builds faith and encourages us. But here we’re told that following the Spirit and keeping in step with him [Jesus] is the only deliverance from indulging our lower nature and its ugly potential. How do we do that?

First of all, reliance on the Spirit means we have Jesus help in repenting of sins that so easily attach themselves to us. Many believers lie to themselves and are in denial as to the “secret treaty” they’ve made with disobedience. The Spirit of Jesus can help keep us real with our God and Father, Yehovah. Whether we struggle with overt wrong actions or subtle worldly attitudes, the Spirit of the Messiah Jesus’ light focuses directly on the infection and helps us sincerely turn away from it.

Repentance is a 180-degree U-turn from sin and selfishness, to reckon ourselves dead to sin and alive in the Messiah Jesus.

Walking by the Spirit of the Messiah Jesus is a twenty-four hours-a-day, seven-day-a-week lifestyle. It’s not about going to church. It requires fasting, prayer and a sensitivity to what is sinful. As the Spirit of the Messiah Jesus goes about his precious work, he influences the formation of desires within us, helping us to defeat our selfish tendency toward sin.

We overcome our sinful nature not by fighting against it ourselves; a losing battle if there ever was one, but by allowing the Spirit of the Messiah Jesus to exert his power, every second of the day, in us on our behalf. In fact, the only one who can put the flesh to death is the Spirit of life. The Spirit of Jesus within us wants to lovingly manage our days and lead us out into the clean fresh air that comes from obeying his words that his God and Father gave to him to give to us!

Remember he said he would not leave us as orphans.

Notice: John 14:16-20: And I will pray to the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees him not, neither knows him: but you know him [Jesus]; for he dwells with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world sees me no more; but you see me: because I live, you shall live also. At that day you shall know that I am in my Father and you in me, and I in you.

Now we know that because Yehovah Elohim – God has given the lord Messiah Jesus all power over heaven and earth; that from the time of his resurrection; it was his Spirit that was sent down on the day of Pentecost. It was his Spirit that inspired the apostles to write what they did. It was his Spirit that guided them and protected them and gave them the courage to live victorious live in spite of any difficulty that came their way. It was his Spirit that gave them the power to cast out demons and heal the sick and afflicted. It was his by his Spirit that he will guide us and give us whatever power we need to have to accomplish what he wants us to do!