Christmas starts the journey to Calvary. Yeshua loves us so much he was willing to die to save us from hell! All we need to do is accept His invitation of the Holy Spirit to live in us and be our Spiritual soul partner, to guide and counsel each of us.
Share this gift with others. It’s the perfect Christmas gift. If you haven’t accepted this gift, why not? What’s holding you back.
Comment with your story.
Yahweh made sure that they knew to name Him a certain name. As we sing, there’s power in the name of Jesus [Yeshua].
Listen to this song by Jesus Culture (One of my favorite Christian bands)
It was important because Yeshua would bring freedom to a captive world. As the song says, to break every chain.
When we speak the name of Yeshua it causes satan to fall to his knees and then to fear and flee. The awe and amazingness of Yeshua is so mindblowing and out of this world that it causes us to fear in admiration and reverence to Yahweh.
It should cause all of life to stop and take notice of HIM. No question, no doubt. It should just happen!
Are you stopping and taking notice of Yeshua and accepting His amazing gift of freedom from bondage? Me: Yes, a long time ago. It’s good to be reminded from time to time of where I stand.
Comment your experience with Yeshua, the Savior of all.
As children, when we attended school, we played schoolyard games and team captains would pick from the group of children to create their teams. The chatter among the children mentions who’s side they want to be on, as well as, who they don’t want on their team and who’s the best one’s to choose.
It’s the same way with adults. Nobody wants to be part of a “bad” team, do they? We all want to be on the best team, with the best captain.
It’s no different when it came to Calvary. The thieves hung on either side of Jesus. We know perfectly which team the one thief was on. One shouted insults at Jesus. “Save yourself and us.” Then the other criminal was sticking up for Jesus and stopping the mean one telling the mean one “You should fear God!” He knew who the best team captain was. He said to Jesus, “remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus chose him on that day. He said to the thief, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” Jesus chose the His team player. He prayed that thief right into paradise on the spot. The other thief was left to this world. Not a favorable place.
Which side do you choose? This is your choice. Jesus has already chosen you. It’s up to you to accept the invitation. What a great Christmas gift, ay?
One way to show who’s side you’re on:
While others panic, we pray. We should unashamedly pray, aloud, in public at appropriate times, like over meals in restaurants, etc. This is a simple act that lets the world know which side we are on.
Comment and let me know. I accept Jesus’ invitation to be on His side.
Today’s Word:
In their ugliness to us, our enemies often make themselves so obnoxious that no one else can possibly love them. May we say, “I love them the most because if I didn’t, no one else would.” Such love can be learned as we spend more and more time with our Lord. He taught us and then showed us how to love and pray.
How are you at showing love and praying, even for the ugly in your life? Comment and let me know!
Me: I was asked the other night how I could forgive and love those who hurt me in life. Because, by example, Jesus did. I owe Him that much!
As being fully human subjects Jesus to the same as we experience, here He was praying and pleading for His life. He still prayed, “But do what You want, not what I want”.
It is not always easy to give into Yahweh. We would much rather give the orders and ask Yahweh to back up our plans. However, real praying is learning what He desires for our lives and then doing it. When we can sincerely come to Him and say, “Your will be done,” we are then able to face anything that comes.
How about you? Do you struggle with obedience to Yahweh and doing what His word tells you? I know I do. You’d be lying if you said no. As humans, we want to be the boss. It’s in our nature.
That’s not to say that were unable to be obedient. It’s simply a human struggle to follow other’s orders. It can and should be done, however. As stated before, when we do follow His orders we’ll be able to face whatever comes.
Comment a time you obeyed Yahweh and were blessed.
Watch this video before reading:
Proverbs 1:18-19
But these people set an ambush for themselves;
they are trying to get themselves killed.
Such is the fate of all who are greedy for money;
it robs them of life.
As you saw in the video, the guy ambushed himself and is stuck in the vault.
Proverbs 21:26
Some people are always greedy for more, but the godly love to give!
Greed is a sin like other sins. It consumes its victim. Before you know it a life is completely taken over trying to get more because it is never enough.
God wants us to be givers, not takers. Just like the scripture above says the godly love to give. We all hear the famous saying each year around this time: “It’s better to give than to receive”. We can find its roots in Acts 20:35:
And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”
We need to follow Jesus and be more Christ-like.
So, during this joyous season of Christmas let’s be givers; not just takers.
How are you at giving? Comment and let us know.
Me: I give all of me. I’m not a taker. However, my giving isn’t necessarily materially. Like here, at the ministry, I give messages from Yahweh. I give myself to you. Those of you who follow Yahweh and His teaching that come from here receive these gifts, each day. Thank You, Yahweh!
The SON
(Author Unkown)
A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art.
When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.
About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands.
He said, “Sir, you don’t know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly. He often talked about you, and your love for art.” The young man held out this package. “I know this isn’t much. I’m not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this.”
The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture. “Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It’s a gift.”
The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected.
The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection.
On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel. “We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?”
There was silence.
Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, “We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one.”
But the auctioneer persisted. “Will somebody bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?”
Another voice angrily. “We didn’t come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Gogh’s, the Rembrandts. Get on with the real bids!”
But still, the auctioneer continued. “The son! The son! Who’ll take the son?”
Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. “I’ll give $10 for the painting.” Being a poor man, it was all he could afford.
“We have $10, who will bid $20?”
“Give it to him for $10. Let’s see the masters.”
The crowd was becoming angry. They didn’t want the picture of the son.
They wanted the more, worthy investments for their collections.
The auctioneer pounded the gavel. “Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!”
A man sitting on the second row shouted, “Now let’s get on with the collection!”
The auctioneer laid down his gavel. “I’m sorry, the auction is over.”
“What about the paintings?”
“I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings. The man who took the son gets everything!”
God gave His son 2,000 years ago to die on the cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is: “The son, the son, who’ll take the son?”
Because you see, whoever takes the Son gets everything.
Who’ll take the Son? When you take the Son, you’ll get everything Heaven has. Comment your answer! Let’s be blessed with this gift!
When Jesus, Peter, James, and John came back to the other followers, they saw a great crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. But as soon as the crowd saw Jesus, the people were surprised and ran to welcome him. Jesus asked, “What are you arguing about?” A man answered, “Teacher, I brought my son to you. He has an evil spirit in him that stops him from talking. When the spirit attacks him, it throws him on the ground. Then my son foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes very stiff. I asked your followers to force the evil spirit out, but they couldn’t.” Jesus answered, “You people have no faith. How long must I stay with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.” So the followers brought him to Jesus. As soon as the evil spirit saw Jesus, it made the boy lose control of himself, and he fell down and rolled on the ground, foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has this been happening?” The father answered, “Since he was very young. The spirit often throws him into a fire or into water to kill him. If you can do anything for him, please have pity on us and help us.” Jesus said to the father, “You said, ‘If you can!’ All things are possible for the one who believes.” Immediately the father cried out, “I do believe! Help me to believe more!” When Jesus saw that a crowd was quickly gathering, he ordered the evil spirit, saying, “You spirit that makes people unable to hear or speak, I command you to come out of this boy and never enter him again!” The evil spirit screamed and caused the boy to fall on the ground again. Then the spirit came out. The boy looked as if he were dead, and many people said, “He is dead!” But Jesus took hold of the boy’s hand and helped him to stand up. When Jesus went into the house, his followers began asking him privately, “Why couldn’t we force that evil spirit out?” Jesus answered, “That kind of spirit can only be forced out by prayer.” Mark 9:14-29
The below content is borrowed from Pastor Jack Hayford’s devotional: “Celebrate”.
An Atmosphere of Faith
In this passage Jesus tells us that “believing” is the condition for answered prayer for a healing. The father of the demon-possessed boy answered in tears, “I believe,” then added, “Help my unbelief!” Since faith is a gift, we may pray for it as this father did. Note how quickly God’s grace answered!
Jesus rebuked the disciples because they could not cast out the mute spirit, calling them “faithless” (v. 19). In Matthew’s account of this incident, Jesus said that if one has faith as a mustard seed he can move a mountain (Matt. 17:20).
But there is another lesson to be learned: where an atmosphere of unbelief makes it difficult to believe, we should seek a different setting. Even Jesus’ ability to work miracles was reduced where unbelief prevailed (Matt. 13:58). As we go through the day, let us not diminish Jesus’ ability to work in us. Prayer and praise provide an atmosphere of faith in God and welcome His presence in our lives.
Job had victory!
His family and friends came to eat with him and comfort him.
Having a community is vital in healing and recovery.
We need like-minded people to surround us. We need to be lifted up in support of our healing. We need the community to pray for our recovery and healing.
In that, we, in turn, find victory, healing, and recovery also.
Are you seeking forgiveness, recovery, healing, and victory?
Follow the list of tips in part 2. Find a tribe/community to lift you up. Comment here and let us know how Yahweh is working in your life in this area.
Me? Yes, I am also in this pickle. We all need a tribe. That’s one of the major purposes of this ministry. The LORD has put this upon my heart. Please pray that I obey His calling and follow Him in this.
Are you seeking prayer? Click here to request prayer.
Series Index:
Part 1 || Part 2 || Part 3
Yahweh isn’t very happy with Job’s friends for not saying what is right about Him. They are instructed to go to Job and offer a burnt offering for themselves, and that Job would pray for them. Yahweh will then spare the friends from punishment for their foolishness. So, they did as they were instructed to. Job prayed and Yahweh listened. Job was rewarded with success again. In fact, Yahweh gave Job twice as much as he had owned before. Read about it below.
Job 42
7 After the Lord had said these things to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not said what is right about me, as my servant Job did. 8 Now take seven bulls and seven male sheep, and go to my servant Job, and offer a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will listen to his prayer. Then I will not punish you for being foolish. You have not said what is right about me, as my servant Job did.” 9 So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite did as the Lord said, and the Lord listened to Job’s prayer. 10 After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord gave him success again. The Lord gave Job twice as much as he had owned before.
That’s not how we are today, is it? We have to be dragged, kicking, and screaming the whole way.
Why is it we’re discontent and ill (spiritually, mentally, physically)?
What was it that gave Job forgiveness, and healing?
Here’s what Job did:
Are you seeking healing and forgiveness? Refer to the list of what Job did. Put those things into action. Watch the blessings come spilling in; like Job.
“As we seek the Lord for healing, let us also ask Him to reveal any areas in our lives that require repentance and forgiveness.” – Jack Hayford
Comment and share your thoughts. Where do you stand?
Series Index:
Part 1 || Part 2 || Part 3
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