Forever and Ever

 

The Creator Chooses Righteous Men

Although works/righteous deeds have been labeled out of fashion in our age, the biblical pattern is clear. Father chose to do miraculous things through those who walked in His ways. To deny this would be to deny the very work of the perfect Son. Righteous, set apart ones have always been hand-picked by Yahweh to institute His plan upon the earth.

The Hebrew equivalent of the Greek “righteous” is “tamim” and is all throughout the Older Testament. Noah was tamim. Abram was tamim. The Passover lamb was also to be tamim. Here we scratch the surface and begin to see the proper meaning of righteous. Unblemished, upright and acceptable. A tamim one was whole and complete. Many translations even state this word as “perfect.” I suggest that the best way to properly explain this, in the most simple way, is that a righteous, tamim, dikaios (Greek) one is in right standing with the Creator.

Today, nothing has changed. In Messiah, our call is to walk as He did. We have the advantage of looking back upon His righteous life and imitate His ways, in obedience, empowered by Holy Spirit to remember all that He spoke. Be careful not to shrug off righteous deeds and pursuing a life of obedience. Lacking the attributes that enabled Messiah to be perfect in every way, via His obedience, should concern us greatly.

Let us be like Noah, Abram, Joseph, Zechariah and Elizabeth and so many others that were tamim/dikaios in Father’s sight. Perhaps if we are, He will look down and choose us to do mighty things for His great Name’s sake. Selah.

1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of Yahweh are on the righteous and His ears open to their prayer, but the face of Yahweh is against those who do evil.
 

Whose Appointed Times/Feast Days? The Creator's!

 

Excerpt from the upcoming Path To Zion video, ”Leaving Holidays of Men/Finding Holy Days of the Creator.”

I recently read someone stating (in part, paraphrased) that “Christmas is such a special time. Why can’t we have more holidays that have such significance and remind us of what matters – what we always seem to forget in the busy-ness of life? I wish that there were holidays that actually pointed people to the Bible more.”

I literally sighed when I read it. Why? Because I’ve tasted and seen the awesome Ways of my Father personally. Every year the Feasts cycle comes and goes and we do exactly that. Every (weekly!) Sabbath we have the opportunity and invitation to stop, rest and reflect, just like the Appointed Times of my Father spelled out in Leviticus. By doing so, we have been (and are) constantly reminded of the need for that rest.

Each annual Appointed Time is specific to remind us of the incredible works of the Father, the Son and His set apart People – past, present and future! So, to this lady’s point – we DO have these “special times!” We DO have reminders set to prompt us to recall and memorialize what matters! Yahweh’s Appointed Times. The problem? We've been told that these wonderful yearly celebrations and memorials are "just not for us now, in Jesus."

Just like we just finished examining in our John chapter 5 series, the traditions of men always become burdens placed upon the necks of men, when they are adding to or replacing the Creator’s perfect Ways. We see this pattern still playing out today, if we’re willing to acknowledge it honestly. But it doesn't have to be this way!

I encourage you to be found willing to see if you need to break free from man-made traditions. Study the Feasts of Yahweh. Not as merely historical events for another people, but for Father's set apart People, in Messiah too! Do your best to celebrate Them for a full yearly cycle, using the Word alone as your Guide (not Jewish tradition either.) Taste and see that Father’s wonderful Ways are good!

* If you have any questions, just message us and ask!

Properly Defining "What is Lawful?"

 

Throughout the Newer Testament we see the question “is it lawful?” or the phrase “that is not lawful” many times, in regards to the Sabbath. While majority Christianity has become convinced that Sabbath has been "loosened" and removed by Messiah, I submit that this is a grave error. To suppose that the “Lord of the Sabbath” would supersede and eradicate It is quite a foolish proposal really, when one reads the Word fairly, free from dispensational doctrines of men.

In my current video series, Part 4 (upcoming) discusses the importance of asking the question, “according to what law?” If one does not understand priestly functions (referenced in Matthew 12), the intent of Yahweh to always prefer what is good and preserve life on the Sabbath, as well as the wonderful gift that Sabbath is for man, the misunderstandings will continue.

The primary error that needs highlighted is the flawed teachings that have told us that the Teachers of the Law were clinging too tightly to Old Covenant Law (Torah) and could thereby not welcome and receive the Messiah. This is bad doctrine. As the upcoming episode examining this topic reveals, Yeshua told us why they did not receive Him, and it was not at all because they clung to Torah too tightly. In fact, it was just the opposite as we read that “the Word was not in them.” (John 5:38) He continues speaking against them and even tells them that they did not even “believe in the writings of Moses.” This alone shatters most of the common teachings of why the leaders “missed Messiah.”

Specifically, in regards to Sabbath, what great misunderstandings we have inherited in our age! Most importantly, The Fourth Commandment instructs us to “remember the Sabbath. Keep it holy.” Christianity has done neither. She has forgotten. It is common. It is profane. The rebuttal is predictable – “every day is the Sabbath now… in Jesus!” No. Scripturally, this cannot be. The specific instruction to keep the Sabbath “holy” prohibits these doctrinal gymnastics. “Keep the Sabbath HOLY.” Holy, friend. Holy is distinct, different, unique and separate. Thereby, it cannot be everyday or else, by very definition, it would be profane and common.

I’d encourage all who have read this far to prayerfully posture yourself to willingly disengage from faulty doctrine and cling to what the Word alone says. By doing so, you will be given eyes to see - free from dispensational bias and religious traditions of men. It’s OK to be found possessing errant doctrine. As long as when it is revealed, it is willingly laid down and surrendered, no matter what the cost. Study. Show yourself approved. Father’s Way for His set apart People are a wonderful gift. Please be sure that you’re not missing out on His blessing that is Sabbath and when you study the Word, be ready to ask, “according to what law?” when you come across it. Selah. 

 

This topic is being explored in our latest video series HERE.

Fear Walk Love

 

What was, is. What is, will be.

The Son of Elohim revealed that obedience and subserviency to the Father is the way to walk. In His coming down to earth and growing into the stature of a man, He maintained humility and servanthood. All the while, He confronted the traditions of men and received abuse, slander and ultimately death for it.

We should expect no less. The non-believing Pharisees had abandoned the good teachings of the Torah – the perfect Law of the Creator – and replaced It with their own way to live and govern others. The religions of this day are no different. Absolutely nothing has changed. A new gospel that was not preached by righteous men before us is not coming, friend. It’s already here and we inherited it.

Cling to what is good today. Not what you nor I think good is. Surely not what this present day’s religious and cultural climate will tell you either. Run to the Word. The entire Word. Fear Yahweh. Serve Him. Love Him. Keep His commandments and His statutes. Do away with the gods that you received from your fathers. And if you will? Well, then you’ll start looking a whole lot more like our Messiah Yeshua. 

 

Amen.