Thomas was a disciple of Yeshua and one of the twelve apostles. To many he is remembered as "Doubting Thomas", based on an event after Yeshua's resurrection. "Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, 'We have seen the… Continue reading Thomas a Sign
How to Finish the Race With Joy
The Apostle Paul described life as a race and declared that he had finished his race with joy. How can we, like Paul, finish our race - our life with joy? Run your race with your eye on the prize - don't compare your ministry to others. As humans, our eyes can only focus in… Continue reading How to Finish the Race With Joy
The Power of Forgiveness
"Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted." (Gal. 6:1). This scripture is deep in truth and power. I'm reading "Total Forgiveness", by R.T. Kendall, which is an outstanding book so far. In… Continue reading The Power of Forgiveness
A Fountain of Life
"...and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor."… Continue reading A Fountain of Life
The Poor in Spirit
"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven." Matthew 5:3. "Poor in spirit" translated here literally means "to crouch or cower as one helpless." In Galatians 4:9 it is translated "beggarly." It is a humble spirit that all believers should have where they understand that only through God's grace can… Continue reading The Poor in Spirit
Contrasting Actions
I recalled the words of a song, by Children of the day, "New Life", that says, "I'm so glad you decided to turn your life over to Jesus. I'm so glad you decided to let Him in". The Lord talked a lot about His Children being in Him and He in us. "Here I am!… Continue reading Contrasting Actions
Child of Promise
What do we know of Isaac? He was the promised son of Abraham and Sarah in their old age. He was to be sacrificed by Abraham, but God intervened and provided a ram. He married Rebecca whom God selected and was the father of paternal twins Esau and Jacob. He was tricked into granting the… Continue reading Child of Promise
God’s Initiative
All through the Bible we see Interactions with men initiated by God. God called Noah and Abraham, He blessed Issac abundantly, He gave promises to Jacob. God revealed Himself and conversed directly with Moses. God chose David as King and all the Prophets, giving them specific direction for the welfare of the people of Israel.… Continue reading God’s Initiative
A Glimpse of Heaven
Yesterday, The Lord gave me a glimpse of heaven. A glimpse is enough to see and recognize but not to behold in fullness, it is only partial. I was driving down the highway and remembered someone's offense toward me; I didn't want this thought, so I prayed, Lord please forgive this person and remove this… Continue reading A Glimpse of Heaven
Ensure the Lampstand Remains
"Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks. I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast… Continue reading Ensure the Lampstand Remains
Ascribe to the Lord
This morning I was a little tired and distraught by a night of frustrating dreams. As I started the day, my mind turned to my duty and my desire, which seemed alike - how can I love others today. With uncertainty about how this was to be achieved came more questions regarding my capability and… Continue reading Ascribe to the Lord
Deception and Enlightenment
Where did we get this idea that God does not, nor will not, work within and upon His creation of which we are a part? Our physical senses are our primary connection to the world around us, but they are limited to the physical while God is Spirit. The interaction of God in this world… Continue reading Deception and Enlightenment
The Power of Chance
Everyone seems to agree that in chance there is hidden great power. The theory of evolution is based on chance events that happen randomly over millions of years. This theory is now generally accepted as fact and forms a basis for the origin of species. I was watching a nature show recently that cited certain… Continue reading The Power of Chance
Three Cups of Deceipt
I've read some books and watched some movies lately that got me thinking about worldly perspectives. The book "Three Cups of Deceit", by Jon Krakauer, is an interesting book about the founder of Central Asia Institute which was organized to build schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan. The founder fabricated lies and fake events to concoct… Continue reading Three Cups of Deceipt
Times in This Age
What is God about during our time? He is bringing salvation to many, perhaps multitudes. Today is the day of salvation, and it began, perhaps with the coming of spiritual Elijah, John the Baptist, the forerunner of Messiah Yeshua. His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, "Praise be to the Lord,… Continue reading Times in This Age
The Valley of the Shadow of Death
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." Psalm 23:4. As I grow older, approaching my 60's, my thoughts turn more and more to my mortality. It is comforting to note that, if… Continue reading The Valley of the Shadow of Death
A Modern World’s Snare
Has this modern world in which we live failed us? Have we missed out on the processes that enable growth in virtue and wisdom? Have the baits of this modern society left us unsatisfied and longing for the substantial, the experience through which depth of meaning are found? The modern world is not just American,… Continue reading A Modern World’s Snare
The Opposite Spirit
This is a term I first heard from a friend of mine to describe the ways of God's Spirit. The Holy Spirit is contrary to our natural inclinations. Yeshua taught us to love our enemies; to give out of our poverty; to turn the other cheek when struck; to forgive those who despitefully treat us;… Continue reading The Opposite Spirit
The Parable of the Laborers
We see in Matthew 20:1-16 the Parable of the Laborers. A landowner went out to hire workers for his vineyard. He first went out early in the morning, and then again at several different times during the day, including one hour before quitting time, and hired more laborers. At the end of the day he… Continue reading The Parable of the Laborers
God’s Way – Led by the Spirit
I've observed some things that disturbed me, things in the church that are based in worldly thinking and the good intentions of men. Who can discern the way in which the Spirit of God leads? When God led the people of Israel out of Egyptian bondage, Moses was God's messenger, spokesman, and servant. However, it… Continue reading God’s Way – Led by the Spirit
Enter the Narrow Way
A profound spiritual experience seems necessary for one to engage the pathway of truth. Yeshua described it as being born again, which is certainly a profound personal spiritual experience. It happened to Zacchaeus when Yeshua called him out and offered to eat at his house. Having the Son of God accept you, particularly when society… Continue reading Enter the Narrow Way
A Three Faceted Blessing
What amazing grace and love believers have received, to be called Children of God. (1 John 3:1). It is a theme of our praise to God. I remember years ago someone came up with a bumper sticker that said, "Found it", meaning that he found eternal Life in Yeshua Messiah, perhaps referring to Matt. 13:44-46… Continue reading A Three Faceted Blessing
Benefits of Being an Overcomer
Revelation Chapters 2 and 3 contain God's messages to the seven churches. In those two chapters there is also a description given at the end of the message to each church of the benefits of being one who "overcomes". These include: Allowed to eat from the tree of life, which is in… Continue reading Benefits of Being an Overcomer
Spiritual Israel and God’s Promise
"Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called 'uncircumcised' by those who call themselves 'the circumcision' (which is done in the body by human hands)— remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and… Continue reading Spiritual Israel and God’s Promise
Discerning God’s Will
George Muller, the man of great faith, said he did not have a gift of faith as mentioned in 1 Cor. 12:9, his was the same faith of any other child of God. The most convincing explanation of this was that he simply believed that if the work he was doing was God's work, God… Continue reading Discerning God’s Will
