Love Without Reason

“Loving without reason”

Love, it’s a complicated topic. Sure, it may be easy to describe the feeling or interpret it to our own accord. However, Love as the bible describes it, and loving as we are called to, thats a whole different issue. For how do you even begin to “Love your enemies” as Jesus says to, how does one begin to “love your wife as Christ loved the church”. We all know the scriptures but are we really ready and willing to actually live them out. It is easy to love your enemy if they love you first, and it is easy to love your wife and sacrifice yourself for her when she makes it easy to, but what about when she disrespects you? What about when your enemy sets you up for failure, or throws you under the buss to move ahead of you and take that bonus or job you have been working hard for?

Don’t we honestly make justifications for our love? We love these verses in the bible that tell us to love our enemies and love and sacrifice for our wives, but we are quick to make justifications for why we do or don't do them. What makes the gospel compelling is not only what is said but the actions that were lived out, Jesus said humbling and difficult things, but He didn’t just proclaim them He actually did them. We love receiving the love of Christ, which is total sacrifice…total undeserved grace…a love that loves without reason, because we are so undeserving it is overwhelming when we receive the love of God, when we truly can see our own sin, how selfishly motivated and how wrong we are in the eyes of GOD the Holy and righteous Judge, and yet we are granted that forgiveness, that mercy and grace that is completely contrary to what we actually deserve, because what we have honestly stored up for ourselves should be wrath and indignation but we are granted the opposite, are we not in awe and amazement? We know that is love without a shadow of a doubt because it comes undeservedly so….we know it is forgiveness because we are getting opposite of what we actually deserve, and we know its something we can not earn for ourselves….we can’t buy the love of God with what we have to offer, we can’t earn it with good works, because no good works can overshadow who we are by nature in and of our own doing.

This is my purpose in this rant; “Love without reason” For example: if you love your wife because she is perfect…first of all you are delusional because she's not, but if you love her because of what she does for you…that is not love…that is loving what is being done for you, your loving on feeling and as long as that person or thing continues to make you feel that way you will love them/it but once it stops you won’t…that is not love. If that was love God would of stopped loving us a long time ago. Love is expression and devotion above opposition, love is a work, it is difficult to do and it takes effort, it takes surrender, and to love in the way the bible describes it takes the renewing of your mind and living in the spirit.

Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 1 Peter 3:8

It takes a humble mind, one that will sacrifice their own well being for someone else…that is love. It’s easy to love others when they agree with us, when we are like minded, when we have the same goals and ideals, as believers we are called to a higher calling of love. We are called to show a difference, and we have the opportunity every single day to show grace, the same forgiveness and grace that God showed us. If we really believe God is in control it makes it easy to love our enemy…we would know God will look out for us, instead of seething with jealousy over a promotion of someone we consider an enemy…what if we swallowed our pride and congratulated? Even if they stepped over us to get ahead…

What if when our spouse disrespects us we show a difference and don’t do it back? What if we actually 

….Love without reason..

Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.  For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days,

let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit;

let him turn away from evil and do good;

    let him seek peace and pursue it. 

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,

    and his ears are open to their prayer.

But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good?  But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 1 Peter 3:9-16

Error in Messianic Judaism

I found “Messianic Judaism” intriguing from the start because they seemed to take the whole bible seriously. They have a love for Israel and Jewish people as I did, and still do. It was wonderful to learn traditions and customs for a year and a half, but I started to notice theologically they have a lot of errors. While they will tell you that it is all about Jesus or Yeshua as they make it clear you should call Him, and they say that salvation is only earned through Him. The longer you are apart of this “movement” the more you see their application and living on the rock of Christ is not exactly what they profess.

Jesus is not the central focus, what is central focus is what they call “Torah Observance” another area they are theologically weak in. They also seem to not understanding the true concepts of “original sin”  that man is naturally wicked not good and that Christ is our fulfillment. What is interesting is that at least 80% of the people in the “movement” are not even Jewish, most are gentiles who just have a love for the Jewish people and Israel but they get sucked into placing traditions and Jewish customs above the rock of our foundation CHRIST.

Don’t get me wrong, I understand Jesus was Jewish, and I think it is important to understand context and history along with customs of the times…what I am not interested in is becoming Jewish or taking gentiles and dressing them up as something they are not. Further more there is such a fear at mentioning Jesus as the be all end all because they are trying to attract Jewish people, they try very hard not to offend them instead of glorifying and edifying Christ which will naturally offend EVERYONE. I honestly find Messianic Judaism more offensive in their hiding of Christ to attract Jewish people, playing a role of being Jewish when most of them are not, instead of just being who G-D made them to be and being unashamed as Gentiles in Christ. How do we drive the Jewish people to jealousy(Romans 10:19) that we are now apart of the “tree of life” if we essentially become them with just a sugar coated message of “Messiah”??

I love Jewish people and love the rich culture and biblical history, that they were chosen for G-D to work through and took care of His Torah. In the end this will mean a lot more to them because I am not trying to be Jewish nor do I profess to be. I’m just a gentile who loves, and I only have this love because of Christ that is in me….and I will not be ashamed of Him.

The following is a video from a respected Messianic "outreach" called Psalm 119 Ministries. Video shows theological error in not understanding Christ as end goal and not understanding that the law's main purpose is to show our sinfulness and unworthiness of the grace G-D bestows through Christ.

http://vimeo.com/92564482

(I attempt to answer each question they ask below)

 

First of all a lot of the questions out of the 25 are repetitive, and some are actually nonsensical. Also what seems to be missed is the fact that the laws main purpose is to point us to Christ who is the author and finisher of our faith(Hebrews 12:2) because without Him the law was never and could never be kept perfectly even by the patriarchs of the faith. There is a severe error in the talmudic age from Rabbi's on the thought of original sin in thinking that "man is sinless by nature"(my source for this is in the book "Everyman's Talmud" page 96) if one misses the concept of original sin one misses the whole concept of fulfillment in Christ. They're also working off the assumption that when most Christians use the term "laws have changed" that they literally mean that there are new different laws when what they usually mean is certain laws have been done away with. None the less I will try to answer each of the questions.

 

Question#1

If the Law of G-D is perfect quoting (Psalm 19:7) how can we seriously say "perfect" has been made better?

Answer: If you read the whole verse it says: The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. That is the point of the law...is it not? to convert the soul, to make one humble in the fact that they are utterly hopeless to keep it without Christ. That it is Christ who fulfills the law on our behalf(Romans 10:4). The law is perfect, and it hasn't been changed or made better, it is perfect in doing its job in conviction and causing us to look unto Christ so we can walk in newness of life.

Question#2

If the Law of G-D is freedom...how can "liberty" be "bondage"?

Answer: The law of G-D can become bondage if we miss the point that it is by the grace of G-D and His kindness that causes us to keep it. Grace in the fact that He sent His son to atone for what we could never fully keep(Romans 8:3)(Galatians 3:24). A question right back would be, if G-D expected us to keep the law and Moses and the people to keep the law perfectly why make a way for atonement through sacrifices. 

Question#3

Can what is declared to be true... not be true?

Answer: Um..in simple terms...yes. I could say I'm African American and that it's true and that would be not true at all. If we are asking can what G-D declares to be true not be true..than of course not... but I don't think anyone would argue the law is true or not so it seems like a pointless question.

Question#4

Can the ways of righteousness, change?

Answer: Again...pointless question. Righteousness doesn't change, Christ is beginning and END, He was always the end goal and fulfillment of RIGHTEOUSNESS...we are made righteous not because we have kept the law but because HE HAS.

Question#5

Can the ways of G-D...become a different way?

Answers: The question misses the fact that HIS ways are higher than our ways and His whole purpose and plan for the law was to bring it into fulfillment through Christ's atoning work on the cross and his ressurection that defeated SIN/Death. A question right back is Ezekiel 36:26 not in itself something different that G-D proclaimed?

Question#6

If the Law of G-D is forever, when did forever become temporary?

Answers: It is not so much that it is "temporary" as it is that the law has been completely fulfilled in Christ. This doesn't give us the freedom to do whatever we want, but it gives us grace in the areas of the law where we will fail...grace wouldn't be grace if we could fulfill the law on our own. The law has been kept and has been completely fulfilled through Christ for our past, present, and future and we now seek to walk in the Spirit keeping His commandments of loving Him above all things (even though each of us fails at this) and loving our neighbors like ourselves...as Christ summed up the commandments as (Matthew 22:40)

Question#7

If breaking the law of G-D is sin....can what is defined as sin suddenly become good?

Answer: No..but again the laws purpose is to cause total dependance upon Christ. Now if you are defining SIN as all 613 commandments G-D has ever given I think that is a grave mistake. Is it a sin to shave sides of your head or shave your beard? to not put tefillin on arm? to not have a Mezuzah on door post? to not have tzitzit on your garments? to touch your wife when she is on her period? Is every command ever made for every person on earth and if they don't keep it are living in sin? or are some commands just commands given for a certain time and had nothing to do with "sin persay"..that is a better question.

Question#8

If the law of G-D is light, can light stop being light?

Answer: no, and I feel I have already answered this

Question#9

If the law of G-D is life...can it no longer be life?

Answer: Again this is answered

Question#10

If G-D is the word(John 1:1) and G-D does not change(Malachi 3:6) How can we say the Word changed?

Answer: The short answer is we can’t say the word has changed, but we can say it has been fulfilled. Jesus is the Word, Jesus is the living breathing Torah. It is not about the Word has ch

anged because the Word I.E Christ has always been.

Question#11

If we are to delight in the law of G-D when did it stop being a delight?

Answer: Again are we talking about what Jesus summed up the law as or are we talking about the 613 commandments as all law? By the way this question was answered in Question #2.. the law of G-D becomes a burden when we take our eyes off of Christ and legalistically try to do it all ourselves.

Question#12

If we are told to walk in G-D's law(Deuteronomy 10:11-13)

and Christ walked in the law of G-D, and we are to walk as He walked(1 John 2:5-6)

and Paul said to follow Christ's example...(1 Corinthians 11:1)

Why would we walk differently?

Answer: Of course we are to look at Christ as the example of how we are to live, because He is the ultimate fulfillment of EVERYTHING. We are to seek to walk in new life producing spiritual fruit, which can only come from the Spirit He has put in us, that Spirit causes us to walk. What example did Christ give on how to live? Again what did Jesus sum up the commandments as? (Matthew 22:40) Again the issue is one of the heart are we seeing the purpose of the law was to break us and cause us to look unto Messiah or are we looking at the law as something that we ritually keep. The law didn't change and Christ was always the one going to fulfill it to bring grace and truth to the full potential and purpose of the law(John 1:17, Romans 3:19-20, Romans 13:9, 1 Timothy 1:5). The law was always a heart issue, as G-D looks at our hearts as it says in 1 Samuel, and in Hosea 6 where G-D said He desires mercy not sacrifice. What is the motivation in keeping the law? and by keeping the law in a psalm 119 ministry  way which is considered in a "torah observant way"? What is the application in life of keeping Shabbat, wearing Tzitzit, beards, candle lighting and Jewish feast days??...what is the application in legalistic observance? is it producing fruit with all glory to Christ in His fulfillment of EVERYTHING? or is it producing arrogance in your observance? again..better questions.

Question#13

If Christ is the Word in the Flesh(John 1:14)...and the word of G-D(Rev. 19:13) and some of the Word of G-D is now abolished like some propose...did Christ abolish part of Himself?

Answer: This is a nonsensical question. Christ is the Word in the flesh because He is the application, the walking out of the Word the fulfillment of it. The "old testament" was always pointing to Christ, and He and only He kept G-D's law perfectly hence our eyes are on HIM in FAITH and TRUST that it is HIS righteousness and not our own. Again this is looking at the law as something you are to keep ritualistically, and it is assuming that a true Christian is one who conforms himself to jewish customs as if we have to become Jewish. We are Gentile and Jew together as one IN CHRIST, A Jew isn't suppose to become a gentile nor is a gentile suppose to become a Jew neither side is ever justified by the law alone (Galatians 2:14-16)

Question#14

If the law of G-D is how we are to love...does how to love G-D and others change?

Answer: No it doesn't change and it never has. Can we express love towards G-D in its purest form without Christ? better question, and to answer that...NO...no we cannot. (John 5:42-43) Where Christ essentially says the pharisees don't love G-D because they don't love Him. You would think if legal observance was the way to go, Jesus certainly wouldn't have been so harsh towards pharisees.

Question#15

If the law is intended to be good for us, and bless us...then why would He take it away from us?

Answer: The law is ultimate holiness and righteousness it is perfection, it is the greatness of our G-D. It is to humble us into not thinking we can do anything apart from Him, it is not about being done away with but about us now with our eyes on Christ that He is our central focus. His goodness will lead us to repent I.E turn and walk because once again HE IS THE FULFILLMENT..

Question#16

If keeping all of G-D's commandments is the whole duty of man...is that no longer true?(ecclesiastes 12:13)

Answer: I feel this is already answered a few times...so...If we can keep all the commandments than why send Christ? see..I can ask silly questions too..

Question#17

If all scripture is instructions in righteousness(1 Timothy 3:16) and we are to practice righteousness (1 John 2:23, 3:7, 3:10) why not practice all scripture?

Answer: First of all the scripture in the video they are digging deep for is 2 Timothy not 1 Timothy which says in CONTEXT:

"But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus."

In effect the "sacred writings" meaning the "old testament" makes you wise or KNOWLEDGABLE in the fact that salvation  is through faith in CHRIST and then it continues saying:

"All Scripture is breathed out by G-d and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of G-d may be complete, equipped for every good work."

It is making the declaration that all scripture is breathed out by G-D and has purpose and use for what main purpose? for the purpose for the wisdom and knowledge of salvation through FAITH in Christ Jesus. If all scripture is literally instructions on righteousness in the aspect that Psalm 119 ministries is taking it...that we are to practice ALL scripture. Then do you go to Israel to offer animal sacrifices? how about offer sacrifices at all? do you sleep in the same bed as your wife during her "time of the month"? Observe the new moon? (read Galatians 3:10) this is the problem when you do not see ultimate righteousness in Christ, you get this false sense that you can live by 613 commandments when you can't even keep the 10 commandments without Christ.

Question#18

The law can not change till heaven and earth pass away (Matthew 5:17-18) and anyone teaching such will be least in the kingdom(Matthew 5:19) Why is it taught that the law has changed despite what our Lord said?

Answer: AGAIN..The law is in effect in the aspect that G-D requires it for holiness...and our flesh is continually at war with it HOWEVER thanks be to G-D for Christ Jesus who perfected it on our behalf. As Christ said He didn't come to abolish the law...BUT TO FULFILL... meaning He came to perform and live it in its full measure because we could not! The law is in use to show us our inadequacy and cause us to deny ourselves and put all hope in Christ.

Question#19

When Christ said to "Observe and do" what is taught from Moses seat(Matthew 23:1-3) and what was taught from Moses seat was the law of G-D as written by Moses (Exodus 18:13) Why refuse to do what Christ said?

Answer: Might want to read all the way through to verse 10 in Matthew 23. If you just read all of verse 3 for goodness sakes it is talking about not doing the works of the pharisees and how hypocritical they are. Really grasping at straws with this pulling of scripture.

Question#20

If Paul said he taught and practiced what Moses wrote...(Acts 21:20, 26; 24:13-14;25:8) and Paul taught no difference between Jew and Greek(1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Galatians 3:27-29; Colossians 3:10-12) How is Paul against the law and for the law?

Answer: Firstly Paul taught no difference between Jew and Greek in the fact that they need Christ's atonement and that only through Christ are Gentiles and Jews ONE. Paul knew the purpose of the law was to point us to Christ...but never taught that Jews had to forsake their customs. He also never taught that gentiles had to become jews for that matter.

Question#21

If we are to love G-D by keeping His commandments...(1 John 5:2-3) as a response to Him loving us (1 John 4:19) why would we only keep some of His commandments?

Answer: Interesting they leave out the reading of the first verse in 1 John 5 and the verses that follow verse 3. Context is pretty important folks..and how do we keep His commandments? CHRIST...look unto CHRIST. Again...we cannot keep all the commandments, and no that doesn’t give us freewill to break them all but to act like you can even keep the 10 commandments is ludicrous when you can't even keep the first 2. Let alone live by Jewish customs that try to adhere to 613 commandments.

Question#22

“Those who sanctify and purify themselves to go into the gardens, following one in the midst, eating pig’s flesh and the abomination and mice, shall come to an end together, declares the LORD."- Isaiah 66:17

talking about the return of the Lord in Isaiah 66, If G-D cared about eating pig then, why would we assume He doesn’t care now?

Answer: This verse has eschatological implications, and it could actually just be talking about a certain group of people that will come to an end describing a people who eat pig flesh but not exactly everyone on earth that eats pig flesh.

Question#23

And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.- Zechariah 14:16

Why would we be expected to celebrate tabernacles before the cross, but not after the cross, but then celebrate it again when the Lord returns?

Answer: Because CHRIST is our literal Tabernacle who is over us, and than when HE returns we shall rejoice and celebrate because the tabernacle has returned...doesn't sound complicated to me at all.

Question#24

If Christ is the Word of G-D...(John 1:14, Revelations 19:13) and He is the same yesterday, today, and forever...(Hebrews 13:8) then how is it that the Word of G-D is not the same yesterday, today, and forever...??

Answer: Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever as in He is the fulfillment of our transgressions for yesterday, today, and forever.. this is another repeated question.

Question#25

Peter's warning about Paul and the law:

and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 2 Peter 3:15-17

Paul is the very person that Peter warns us not to use to teach against the law of G-D? Why would anyone use him?

Answer: Again Psalm 119, as they have done with much scripture, juxtaposes that this is what the scripture is saying or in this case Peter is saying. It is also interesting that they do not quote the last verse of this text which states: "but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.-" notice it does not say grow in the knowledge of the law, because it is assuming that you already have a relationship with Christ and know that the law's purpose is to bring you into submission and show your absolute need for CHRIST.

In the end there are two things that need to be understood

1. the more your focus is on law the more you will fail, the more your eyes are on Christ and what He has done the more you will be walking in the Spirit.

2. focusing on law doesn't bring change and sanctification, it doesn't bring transformation. However the more you are focused on the grace of G-D through Christ the more transformation.

None of what I said means I am saying "do what thou wilt" what I am saying is to understand Christ has fulfilled it all and it is completely finished. I am also not saying that you can't celebrate Jewish feast days or wear tzitzit, eat kosher and keep Shabbat. I eat kosher and keep Shabbat(none legalistically) but my focus is on Christ not the "doing of things";

1. I can't earn anything more than what has already been earned through Christ.

2.The laws very purpose is to cause us to be dependent upon Christ.

I will never claim to be "torah observant" by what I keep, I am "torah observant" because of what Christ kept and now when the Father sees me He sees the Son because I'm covered by His blood.

 

 

 

Worry and Trust

As you do not know what is the way of the wind,

Or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child,
So you do not know the works of G-d who makes everything.

In the morning sow your seed,
And in the evening do not withhold your hand;
For you do not know which will prosper,
Either this or that,
Or whether both alike will be good.

Ecclesiastes 11:5-6

 

Can not stress enough, on how often we must sit and reflect on the amazement of our G-D. We may be able to pinpoint which way the wind is blowing, and have the knowledge of how a child is created in the womb and born but regardless of our knowledge it is still a miracle and absolutely astounding the formation and creation of everything. Despite how "advanced" we are in this day and age we still do not know everything, and we surely don't know the works in full detail of our G-D, nor can we know them all because His knowledge is far superior then ours, and it always will be. The more we think we know G-D, the more we think we know how something is going to turn out, watch as He acts in the opposite. We surely like to think we know His will, and generally speaking we place "what we" would do as something G-D would obviously do, but G-D is not us and every action that is chosen is far better than we could ever possibly do.

 

We like to say G-D is going to prosper whatever we put our hands to, but maybe the question should be "Why is he?" instead of "Can he?" there are those who talk about the blessings of G-D as if they deserve them and there are those who seek not there will but HIS. If he prospers us, the question that should be asked is why? and the answer should always be "For His own glory". Everything that happens is in His control, even when it looks horrible...what needs to be dealt with is our ideals and our actions, how we receive and how we trust in every situation, to know we surely don't know what tomorrow will bring but we will walk and praise Him the same today no matter what it brings. 

 

We tend to look forward or we look back, but should we not be content in the present? let us rejoice that we are no longer in the past, let us look to how we have grown in Christ, and in that growth keep our eyes, mind, body, and soul fixated on Christ, and let us in the present moment lift all worries cares and burdens to not be frantic about the future that is out of our control, let us rest in HIM who knows all.

 

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Matthew 6:34

 

Therefore  let us be rested in HIM, let us trust that He is in control and stop trying to cause things to happen by our own doing, after all who's way is better....our way? or HIS way? G-D I would assume would know the best way to act, speak, and walk, so why do we not just be rested and give HIM complete trust in any and every situation. If we rely on us...it will never be glorifying enough, but if we rely on HIM we are building the foundation blocks of trust.

 

But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak;

Matthew 10:19

Lamentations 3:21-26

.This I recall to my mind,
Therefore I have hope.

Through the L-RD’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.

They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.

“The L-RD is my portion,” says my soul,
“Therefore I hope in Him!”

The L-RD is good to those who wait for Him,
To the soul who seeks Him.

It is good that one should hope and wait quietly
For the salvation of the L-RD.

Lamentations 3:21-26

 

Be still follower of the way, rest completely in Him. G-D is merciful to the meek, acknowledge faults and rely on HIM. The creator of all things who spoke and brought the universe to existence, formed us out of the dust of the earth, shapes all things, controls all things, and knows all things, has purpose for all things that are done under the sun. We must not only strengthen our faith but we must guard it, for our faith is constantly under attack whether we realize it or not. Where is your hope when looking into the eyes of the hopeless, to whom do you direct the broken, and when the mountains upscale around you to whom do you trust to get you to the top? Being strong minded will only get you so far, and self will can be broken, but G-D will not be broken, can not be consumed, and will never leave or forsake us.

 

I neither learned wisdom
Nor have knowledge of the Holy One.

Who has ascended into heaven, or descended?
Who has gathered the wind in His fists?
Who has bound the waters in a garment?
Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is His name, and what is His Son’s name,
If you know?

Proverbs 30:3-4

 

We must know for ourselves, and we must know for others to be the shinning example that we are called to be. To what do we find purpose? what do we define it as? everyone finds comfort in positive mindset, but this doesn't save...positive might be comforting  but if it's not pointing to the source of being positive and full of joy then it is useless. We must be a conduit for His light...this is the only way to truly transform lives, this is where wisdom and knowledge resides, not in our thoughts, not in our purposes...but in HIS. We must walk and lead to the one who HAS established the ends of the earth, who is Holy, who is righteous, who is creator of knowledge and wisdom, a mercy that abounds and makes us whole.

 

L-RD G-D creator of the heavens and earth nothing will ever satisfy my soul

nothing can ever grant me a state of peace

except your mercy, except for the provided sanctification of my soul

YOU and you alone renew and establish children returning home

YOU and you alone break strong towers that can no longer hold

 

Help us L-RD, create in us a heart that always seeks to glorify you

Help us L-RD, to not abuse the grace that you've given free of charge

Help us L-RD, to walk in your Spirit and not in our old ways

Help us L-RD, to endure in patience and not lean on our understandings

Help us L-RD, to embrace what You've already made.

 

It's Enough

Will my mouth declare your praise, when the salt starts to lose it's taste..

Will my heart be contrite, when I'm standing in Your light..

If pride didn't come before a fall, would I even seek you at all?

 

How can I forget, it's not about how I walk

but what you've done to cause me to

How can I think it's by these hands that I've been given rest

when all I do is fall on my knees in forgiveness.

 

I'm sorry it took this long to see, how far I am from who you want me to be

In the distance are the mistakes I've made, in Your forgiveness I'm saved

pardoned and redeemed by a grace that's finished and complete.

 

How can I forget, it's not about how I walk

but what you've done to cause me to

How can I think it's by these hands that I've been given rest

when all I do is fall on my knees in forgiveness.

 

I wake from a sleep of being broken, blessed to be forgiven

In silent confession I find, that I was walking blind

May I hold to what you love, and know it's enough...

 

Philippians 4:6-8

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to G-d;

and the peace of G-d, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Philippians 4:6-8

 

Followers of The Way, how hard it is to keep ones mind from falling away, how hard it truly is to be centered and focused on virtuous things when our surroundings and circumstances are generally not so. We all go through periods of doubt, some of us are oblivious to how much we actually doubt, and we are quick to claim that we are strong in faith, but the words and actions that pour forth are far from walking in faith. We like to hide our feelings because we want to seem pious and holy, but a real pious and holy person isn't one who hides doubt, failure, and struggle, a truly humble person admits struggle and admits when they are in the wrong. We must be prayerful for guidance, and in times where we feel we hear nothing from G-D doesn't mean He isn't there, it could very well mean that His silence is the answer, that you already know the actions required... so walk in it.

 

Having concern and worry doesn't make you less of a believer, it just makes you human, but it is what you do with the concern and worry that matters. The first priority is to completely surrender it to G-D, and that is more than just proclaiming it to Him, it is fully trusting in the fact that G-D is who He says He is and if we trust in Him... He will not only ease our minds but will guard our hearts from further bitterness towards the situation. The situation that causes worry and stress may still remain and not be quickly solved but if we truly depend and trust in G-D we should be confident and strive forward no matter what is going on.

 

We may prayerfully speak our worries to G-D, and our doubts but we don't actually fully surrender it to Him... because what we really want is for Him to completely fix and take away what causes the worry and when He doesn't we go right back into the state of mind before we sent our petitions to Him. Faith isn't an easy road, and having stress and doubt is opportunity to trust fully on our G-D, to not let the bitter seed of these doubts and worries grow but to understand no matter what happens, even if our biggest fear comes true, that G-D has a purpose and a plan in it, and we must submit and trust in HIM, to rest in whatever comes because we know G-D is bigger than our circumstances and that He is our shelter, our rock, our peace even in chaos.

 

It is all easier said then done. To think on virtuous, pure, lovely and noble things in times of major struggle is a process that is going to take our utmost, it's going to be a battle of fighting our flesh, even more so then we are usually. In this fight we are going to be drained physically and emotionally which will make it hard to keep fighting, for it is easier to just give up and let our minds run wild with negative thinking and even anger but this doesn't solve or help the situation but only adds fuel to it's fires, we can never be the ones in control of renewing our minds, we may be self willed and strong in positive thinking, and appear before others as strong, but G-D is the only one we should worry about how we are appearing. It's not about the power of positive thinking that makes you an overcomer it's about the total surrender of your mind, body and soul to G-D who will then, through the spirit, make you sufficient, it is about ultimate reliance on HIM. Notice how in Philippians the first requirement is to go to G-D in supplication and prayer, to fully come and trust in Him and then you will be able to fully think of positive things because G-D is the ultimate positive we should be focused on, and though we may be able to think positive without Him...we will never understand or have full peace of mind without HIM.

1 Corinthians 15:43

It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power.

1 Corinthians 15:43

 

quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.

Hebrews 11:34

 

Never do we see strength in weakness, never do we see uplifting in sorrow or the very hand of G-D in any and every situation. Though no action is allowed, no action is made without the very distinct purpose and will of G-D. Hell has no furry, Satan  himself has no power and can do nothing without G-D allowing it to be done. Quick to find a reason, quick to find someone or something to blame but never are we quick to just surrender and glorify G-D all the same. The days that misery is at the door, the days where everything is going wrong, the days where death snatches away, or when our very health seems to wither away...does our focus on HIM remain the same?

 

We are tried through fire, made stronger through times of pain and even sorrow has it's time and place. This is when we are to find our place of rest, our full assured shalom in G-D...not just peace to know He is there, but full assured resilience! that we can be stretched like a rubber band but yet not break, that every conflict, commotion, and life disaster can not pull us one inch away from glorifying our MASTER. Where is the sting of death? there is no sacrificial line that can be crossed, no thorn in the side that G-D chooses to remain that will ever separate us from His Kingdom.

 

We may claim to boast in our weakness like Paul did, but do we strive like Paul did, do we live as though there is no glory but HIM.. like Paul did, do we say come whatever may L-RD I will not falter from this place! I will not lose ground, will not lose hope, will not turn my eyes away even when I can barely raise my head like Job.... even amongst the most horrific tragedy I will place my hope in HIM...this should be our stance, this should be where we surrender, where we learn to put action to our faith and prove we are indeed His children.