CSBA

Lent, Easter & Paganism...Oh My

Sat, 3 Mar 2012 19:37:51 -0700

From Ash Wednesday to Easter, many solemnly mark their foreheads with ash, and go about fasting (abstaining from certain foods or physical pleasures) for 40 days. This is done to supposedly imitate the Messiah’s 40-day fast in the wilderness (Matt. 4:1-2). People vow to give up any variety of things from cursing to sweets, as long as they feel it prepares them for Easter.

People who observe Lent may love the Father and be dedicated and sincere, but they are sincerely wrong.

What is Lent and where did it come from?
Catholicism would have us believe the following:

“The real aim of Lent is, above all else, to prepare men for the celebration of the death and Resurrection of Christ…the better the preparation the more effective the celebration will be. One can effectively relive the mystery only with purified mind and heart. The purpose of Lent is to provide that purification by weaning men from sin and selfishness through self-denial and prayer, by creating in them the desire to do God’s will and to make His kingdom come by making it come first of all in their hearts.” (Taken from the Catholic Encyclopedia)

As good and well-meaning as this sounds, this fact remains: man can never accomplish these things (celebrate something unto Yahweh with a purified mind and heart) outside of the venue Yahweh Himself prepared for us to partake in. Nor can a man wean oneself from sin and selfishness in a like manner without Yahweh’s direction from scripture.

As shocking as this next statement may sound, what the Catholic church and hundreds of other denominations propose in through the event of Lent is man made and it’s not in scripture. Believe it or not, we don’t have to come up with “how” we accomplish any of these things. Yahweh tells us how, and when, in scripture. And as believers, should not the highest priority of practices, beliefs and doctrines be founded in Scripture above all other things?

2 Timothy 3 says, “12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Messiah Yahshua (Christ Jesus) will be persecuted, 13 while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Messiah Yahshua.”

Simply put, when man tries to reach Yahweh on his own terms, he will always fall short...and in some cases will start his own religion.

However, this only happens when mankind forsakes the clear instructions given to him in scripture by Yahweh which “make us wise for salvation,” salvation from the flesh (man’s ideas & philosophies) and to eternal life (Yahweh’s ideas and commands). In fact, I’ll show you what He has already told us to do in order to celebrate His death, His resurrection and how and when He tells us to deny ourselves at the end of this article.

The true meaning & history of Lent:
Lent began...believe it or not...with Nimrod, who was the King of Babylon. He had died, and his wife, Semiramis claimed he had ascended to the sun, becoming the sun god. She then claimed she had been supernaturally impregnated by the sun god through the rays of the sun, and wound up giving birth to Tammuz.

As an adult, Tammuz was out hunting one day and was tragically killed by a wild boar. Semiramis mourned for 40 days, at the end of which Tammuz was supposedly resurrected from the dead. She then proclaimed herself Queen of Heaven. She founded a celibate priesthood to worship her son and declared its chief priest infallible (just like the Pope today). She also memorialized her son by initiating an annual mourning for a 40 day period where all would be in a state of denial.

This was the world’s first counterfeit of the Biblical story of the Redeemer and grew into a mother/child cult that has been duplicated in almost every pagan mythology.

Now, if you feel the Master is leading you into a 40 day period of self-deprivation to draw nearer to Him, more power to you. But if you’re just observing a tradition of a man-made religion, such as Lent, it won’t serve any purpose except to prove that you can go without something your flesh wants for 40 days.

Listen to this piece of scripture in Exodus 34: “14 Do not worship any other elohim (god), for the Master, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous Elohim.” It goes on to say, “17 Do not make any idols. 18 Celebrate the Festival of Unleavened Bread. For seven days eat bread made without yeast, as I commanded you. Do this at the appointed time in the month of Aviv, for in that month you came out of Egypt.”

There you have it. He tells us “what” to do and even “how” to draw close to Him, how to please Him, and even throws in “when” we are to do these things. He goes on to mention the rest of the Spring Feasts as well. Each has a significant meaning, and each one does something different and amazing to us and for us, bringing us close to Him. And best of all…they’re not man-made and paganistic in nature. This is safe ground for a believer to worship Yahweh and draw closer to Him.

The very first Spring Feast, which comes right before Unleavened Bread is Passover. Passover is when Yahshua was crucified as the Passover lamb for the sins of all mankind and He was raised 3 days later on the Sabbath day. It is important to point out that it was indeed Saturday, the 7th day of the week, not Easter Sunday. Lent and Easter had nothing to do with it, nor are they found ANYWHERE in Scripture.
 Now this goes right along with this warning from Jeremiah chapter 10: “Hear the word that Yahweh speaks to you, O house of Israel. 2 Thus says Yahweh: “Learn not the way of the nations, nor be dismayed at the signs of the heavens because the nations are dismayed at them, 3 for the customs of the peoples are vanity.”

The word, vanity, is the Hebrew word, hebel (n). It conveys the idea of the said thing – in this case it’s the customs and ways of the people – being unsubstantial, worthless, thus ‘the vanity of idols’ and the way in which they are worshiped. The worship of such is consequently unprofitable.

The ideas and ways man has designed to worship and honor Yahweh, especially those ways that are of pagan culture and invention, are “vain”; they are not acceptable to our Father. This is further driven home by Yahweh telling us not to even learn their ways.

Why? Why is this so important to Yahweh? It’s for one very powerful reason: they are the ways that men honor and worship false gods and idols. Such ways are, in no small way, an abomination to Yahweh. He Himself tells us in scripture to come completely out from such practices and be separate; going so far as to say we are not even to learn the ways that they serve and worship their false idols of the past.

Easter: a very brief description:
Easter, as a part of Lent, is a worldwide tradition involving many customs that people believe to be Christian. However – and this may shock you – In Babylonia, the goddess of spring was called Ishtar. She was identified with the planet Venus, which, because it rises before the Sun…or sets after it…appears to love the light. This means Venus loves the sun-god. In Phoenicia she became Astarte. In Greece she was referred to as Eostre (related to the Greek word Eos: “dawn”). And in Germany, Ostara (this comes from the German word Ost: “east,” which is the direction of dawn).

Whatever the variation of the name, Easter is the goddess of fertility, worshipped in spring when all life was being renewed. The priests of Easter would take virgin women to their temple and have a sex with them on the alter. They would later take the new-born babies during the season of Easter and slaughter them on the same alter. They would then dip the eggs in the blood from the new-borns, and once dried they would be used as symbols of fertility.

Do any of these ancient practices matter today?
Most Christians, once confronted with these harsh facts, make an internal decision that these things don’t really matter; that the Father of all creation is actually OK with these things. But one can only come to this conclusion by forsaking scripture. Whether this is a conscious decision or an unconscious one, it’s wrong, and we cannot expect, even to the smallest degree, that Yahweh Almighty is OK with that sort of thinking, or these types of practices.

When He tells us that the names of these false deities should not even be found upon our lips, that their practices are abominable in His sight, and that we must come out from among them and be totally separate, how can we ever say again, “These holidays don’t mean that to me?” Let’s remember, we’re not talking about you. It’s not about you. It’s about Yahweh.

One pastor I know who ministers in a large church here in Arizona was confronted by a parishioner. The content of the confrontation was more of a question; a simple one, really: “Why do we celebrate Easter if it’s pagan?” The response came down to this: “We handed out over 500 eggs! We reached over 500 people with the gospel!”

But I want you to think about this: if we are revealing the Messiah to the lost apart from scripture – or worse, trying to reveal Him through pagan practices which are abominable in Yahweh’s sight – are we allowing souls to place their gift of faith upon a false version of the Savior? The answer is a disturbing, YES.

The Answer:
The answer to all of this is so easy. Simply do what Yahweh said to do in Scripture. Don’t turn to the left or the right of it. Don’t add to it and don’t take away from it. Keep your gaze directly before you by doing what He said to do.

And if you have been celebrating Lent and Easter and wish to join Yahshua, the disciples and all those today who celebrate and honor Yahshua the way Yahweh told us to from the beginning, simply start with repentance. When one finds they have inherited lies and have done things that are not pleasing to the Father, there’s only one thing he can do: repent.

From Easter To Passover:
Lent – according to Catholicism – is supposed to prepare us for Easter. But Lent and Easter both take away from the way Yahweh told us to celebrate the Messiah’s death, burial and resurrection. In fact, they outright replace Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits.

As one wise man said, “We need to return to the faith once delivered. Let us humbly and obediently observe this sacred ordinance [Passover] as we are commanded, at the scriptural time, after sunset, the 14th of Abib [Nisan] according to the Sacred Calendar.”

Let Yahweh’s true believers – believers in His Supreme rule, and in His Word as the only authority for man to follow – Pass Over the man made ways and traditions we have inherited in which we try to please Yahweh, and have used in hopes to become more like Him, and simply DO what He has told us to do – even commanded us to DO.

We must forsake the pagan, man-made rituals of Lent and Easter and stop saying, “But that’s not what they mean to me,” and start caring about what Yahweh thinks! With all zeal we must forsake these things and take it upon ourselves as Yahweh’s holy servant-sons to learn HIS FEASTS.

Giving things up that are not pleasing in Yahweh’s sight is one of the ultimate ways to show our faithfulness and undying love for the One who gave His life for us.

Passover is Yah-ordained. You can’t go wrong with doing things His way.

-Mark

Click HERE to learn about the Feasts of Yahweh.

Father’s Gift of Repentance

Sun, 4 Sep 2011 22:35:21 -0700

If your life has gone anything like mine, you’ve done things that you regret and have made decisions that you wish you hadn’t.

But we can wipe the sweat off our brow (phew!) and look to Yahweh’s (the Father’s Name in Hebrew) mercy. Romans 2:4b says, “... Elohim’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance...” He is patient with us! In fact the Bible says if it weren’t for His outstanding patience we would all be destroyed! His mercy and kindness shown toward us are what leads us to repentance!

August 30th (2011) at sundown began the Biblical 40 days of repentance. This is a time Yahweh has established for us, His people, to repent, forgive and turn our hearts back to Him. And we NEED to take this time seriously!

The Messiah said Himself that we will be judged by the measuring stick that we ourselves have fashioned to bring judgement on others. We may not deserve it, but each one of us NEEDS a break from the past and a clean, fresh start in the Mikveh (baptism) of repentance.

That’s what these days are all about: a new start and a fresh heart! This is an excellent time to turn the page of our hearts and proclaim, “all things work together for good…” (Romans 8:28) and rejoice in His kindness and forgiveness as we repent.

How do we go about these 40 days? What do we do? How do we use these 40 days to genuinely renew our minds and begin to think about others in accordance with the Word of Yahweh?

The Beginning:
The 40 days have always began with the blowing of the Shofar. This was to awaken the senses and act as a strong, distinct call to be attentive to Yahweh’s commands, His heart behind them, and to the voice and leading of the Holy Spirit each day!

If you don’t have a Shofar or simply can’t make any decent sounds with one (like me), you could easily find sounds of them being blown on the internet. The first time we as a family decided to take heed and observe these 40 days together a few years ago, we would wake up in the morning and gather around the computer and listen to the Shofar being blown to start each of the 40 days.

As a teenager I can remember people in our church that would sound the Shofar from time to time during worship time. It seemed kind of weird to me, but anything can feel out of place when you’re not used to it or have no understanding about it. Don’t allow such things to stop you, though. I don’t have time to do a teaching on the Shofar’s significance, but I’m willing to bet you could find some things out on your own.

Some Suggestions to Make the Most of these 40 Days:

1) Love: Since love is key to such things as forgiveness, let’s make this our next step in taking to heart what these 40 days mean to Yahweh.

1 Jn 3:10-11: “By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother. 11 For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.”

And 13b says, “Whoever does not love abides in death.”

This stimulates me to “get moving” on my love walk. If I want to be a child of Yahweh, and want it to be evident that I am to others as well, I MUST love my brother. I can’t allow this one to sit on the shelf. The alternative is being labeled as a child of the devil...by God, no less! And I don’t particularly wish to make my dwelling in death!

Our example of love is found in verse 16: “By this we know love, that He laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.”

So, what do I take from these verses? Repent & Love.

Now, love can be as broad of a topic as it can be narrow. You can focus love in on a specific thing in your life, and can use broad, sweeping strokes to look at the whole picture of life under the color of love. Under this broad stroke, let’s name a few things we should visit during these 40 days:
- Forgiveness.
- Making things right.
- Change of heart and attitude.
- A return to a life of obedience to Yahweh (for true obedience is done out of love).
- Can you think of a few?

2) Repentance: True repentance is more about turning TOWARD Yahweh than it is about turning away from sin! Any time we intend to turn away from a sinful thought, desire or lifestyle, we are in essence turning TO Yahweh. To turn away from something is to turn to something else.

For me, I can’t sit down and make a big list of all the wrongs I’ve done or hurts I’ve kept hidden in my heart. Instead I take time each day to get in His presence and in prayer. As He brings things to my attention - softly...quietly - I respond by talking it out with Him right then and there.

When it’s been revealed that you’ve been doing wrong things or holding anger in your heart toward someone, there is only ONE response: REPENTANCE! What else CAN you do? Well, the good news is, that’s all God was after in the first place. Repentance does your heart so much good, and it pleases the Father tremendously!

3) Praise and Worship: This may seem out of place in a time of repentance, but it is very appropriate to give Him praise in times of paving righteous paths for our feet to walk on.

As you sing praises to Yahweh, remember why you do any of the things you do in life, and give Him praise for the life He’s given you.

Psalm 91:1: “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” 3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. 4 He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. 5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, 6 Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you. 8 Only with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of the wicked. 9 Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, 10 No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; 11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. 12 In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone. 13 You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot. 14 “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. 15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.”

Acts 16: 25“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, 26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened.”

4) Prayer for others: Sometimes we can become so taken with ourselves during this time that we can forget about others right in front of us that have needs.

Yes, this time is indeed for us to look inward at ourselves and dig up the old so the new can be planted again, but consider this: this is a time Yahweh has ordained for “repentance!” What better time than now could there be for us to pray for others we personally know who need to repent! Especially because the kingdom of heaven is so close at hand.

Final Thoughts:
This is just a “starter,” an igniter, if you will, to get us started on this prophetic path of the 40 days of repentance. There are verses the Hebrews would pray each day during this time, along with a myriad of other things you could do. But whatever you do, remember that it’s not about the rituals and practices, it’s about the heart behind them that counts and brings about a penitent, soft heart toward Yahweh.

Also, keep in mind that these are “prophetic” because they are a precursor to end time events. For these 40 days brings us directly into the prophetic Fall Feasts of Yahweh, which are shadow pictures of said events. These 40 days are not just a time to make us better people that Yahweh can use and mold, but are meant to also prepare us for the Messiah’s return!

Shalome (peace and fullness) to you and your family these next 40 glorious days!

Be blessed, and ride by faith!

-Mark

Has The Law Passed Away?

Sat, 11 Jun 2011 11:34:16 -0700

A look at Romans 7, where it states clearly that we are "released from the law"

To say that there's controversy surrounding the question as to whether or not the "law" has passed away, is an understatement. Everyone seems to cling closely to what they already believe. No one wants to budge (or is it that no one wants to be wrong; no one wants their pride to be toppled?).

Either way, I believe it is SOOOOO important to stick to what the scriptures say. I think everyone who reads this would find common ground with that remark. One thing I have discovered is that I must be willing to change what I held as truth if the scriptures cannot support it. That was a scary prospect for me, and is for many. “How can I change what I’ve always held on to as truth; what I grew up learning in my church?” In other words, “I’ve got a lot to lose!” But admitting that gives God the room He needs to set us free with His Truth. And we should all be able to find some comfort in that fact.

Before we get started, remember this as a rule of thumb: if you can't make scriptures fit together, and what you hold as a truth seems to conflict with other scriptures, it doesn't mean you're stupid. It doesn't even mean you're wrong. It simply means you must be willing to learn and change as necessary. That's what this note is about. Let's take an honest look at what such scriptures as Romans 6, 7, & 8 say. And if we aren't sure what it means, let's admit that to ourselves. If it seems to conflict with our pre-set of beliefs, then let's be ready to lay them down for a moment and ask the Spirit to reveal to us what we don't understand.

Far too often I find that when I ask a believer a question about a scripture they hold as a doctrinal belief, such as “Why do these other scriptures conflict with that scripture or your doctrine?” rather than admitting that they simply haven’t studied that out yet, they stiffen their lips and seem unwilling to seek the truth of the matter. I’ll just say this: I was this way, and that is a dangerous way to live!

To start us off, let's look where Romans seems to clearly say that we have been freed from the law. And rather than dismiss all scriptures that seem to contradict it, let's instead look closely at what Romans says:

“Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. 5 For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. 6 But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.” [1]

This verse seems to be the core of what is being said in this chapter. The words, “Old” & “Written” are the only words contained in that last part of that last verse. The words “way, of, the, and code” are not found in the original translation.

Also in the NT, it states that the “written code” was nailed to the cross. The “written code” in the Greek text is NOT referring to the Torah/Law (Genesis - Deuteronomy). It is actually referring to “the record book of sin; the man-made laws imposed upon men.” (we REALLY, REALLY need to be careful in dismissing any portion of the Law/Torah and thoroughly look into it first).

The word “Old” is the Greek word, “palaiotes” (pal·ah·yot·ace - Strongs #3821), meaning, “The old state of life controlled by ‘the letter’.” The “letter” is in reference to what the Torah stated: the wages of sin is death. It explains to us that we were held to death by sowing to our flesh. As it is written, “To be carnally (fleshly) minded is death,” and, “The wages of sin is death.”

In other words, when it says in verse 6, “But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code,” it’s saying (as the chapter before and after is driving home again and again) that we are not bound to the law of sin and death. Although the Torah (Law) tells us what sin is, and that by sin we are bound to death, just like we are bound to our spouses in marriage by law, we are NOW set free from these bonds. In fact, possibly a more accurate translation (or at least one that would help out us western thinkers who are far removed from the culture of those to whom this was written) would be to add the words, "...of sin and death," each time this chapter states, "the law..." It would be accurate. It would be in context.

As it says in verse 6, "But we now are released from the law of sin and death, having died to that which held us captive..." This IS, in fact, the context of what it's saying all throughout these chapters.

So, how have we been made free from the bonds of sin and death? By the bodily death of One, the Messiah, who died once (freeing us from the bonds of death by sin), for all (for all who are bound to death, by sin).

Here's a physical example: gravity is still a law that works in this world today. Just because you learned a new law, the law of lift, and can now step onto an airplane and fly, superseding the law of gravity, doesn’t mean the law of gravity is not still working. If you step out of that airplane while it’s in flight, you’re going to die if the fall is great enough. On the day that the Wright brothers flew for the first time, no one shouted, “Hallelujah, gravity has past away!”

Likewise, the law of sin and death are still laws that work in this world today, and as the apostle Paul said, the Torah (God’s Law) is what shows us clearly what sin is. If you sin, the wages are death every time. Sin does not stop paying out death just because the Messiah died for our sins. Nor has sin begun to pay out life instead of death now that you're born again. That’s silly.

That is the whole point of Romans chapters 6-8. We are no longer slaves to the law of sin and death, but have become slaves of righteousness because of One, the Messiah, who has paid the wage of sin (which is death) for us , and was raised to life. The Bible says that we are made witnesses to His resurrection life, meaning we are a walking, talking witness as one who has died with Messiah (the death of the flesh, and thereby the wages of sin) and has been raised into life; the same life that is the Messiah Himself (“I am the way, the truth and the LIFE…”).

As it says, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Messiah Yahshua (Christ Jesus). 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Messiah Yahshua from the law of sin and death.”[2]

[1] The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Ro 7:4–6).
[2] The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Ro 8:1–2).

Be blessed, and ride by faith!
-Mark

Take Back Your Life! (confession)

Tue, 19 Oct 2010 17:41:40 -0700

Nearly every day as I go about my morning schedule, interacting with my kids and lovely wife, and mentally checking off the things I do to get myself ready, there’s one thing that I really look forward to getting to: Confessing the Word of Yahweh (God the Father’s Name in Hebrew) over myself and my day.

Yahweh’s Word in our mouths is perhaps one of the most powerful things a human being can do of his own free will. For that which is seen in our lives is temporary and subject to change. But the Word of God is unchangeable and life giving on the tongues of the sons of Yahweh. It changes those temporary things as we speak Yahweh’s Word over them. This is a gift the Creator gave all His children - a means to change things. And the amazing part is that EVERY born again believer can do this on purpose, just because they choose to.

Confessing Yahweh’s Word over yourself is like exercising. After I physically work out in the mornings, I feel stronger and healthier, even more confident in myself the whole day through. Choosing to speak out loud what God says over me each day spiritually sets my mind, my soul and my spirit into right thinking, and sets me off in the direction the Holy Spirit has planned for me that day.

Simply put, it’s a physical and mental exercise that brings about supernatural results. How do I know this? Yahweh said, “My Word does not return unto me void.” It accomplishes the very thing He set it out to do. All we have to do is...agree with it! Put our faith ON it!

Enjoy, and speak them by faith!

Instructions:
Below is what I personally confess over myself each day. You can use this as a template if you’d like, to help you get started, or maybe to up your confession from where it’s been.

Each confession is numbered. The reason for this is to help me focus on each one, rather than spoutin’ them all out at once and forgetting to engage my faith. You’ll also find below these confessions a corresponding number to explain each one, and to give scripture references for each confession.

These are meant as a starting point for you. Change them up and make them personal. But don’t stray from the Scriptures. Without the Word behind your confessions, you’re just trying to stay positive. That’s not what we’re going for here. We’re exercising our mouths to be in agreement with Yahweh’s Words, giving Him something in our lives to work with; an “In” into our lives, so to speak.

Confessions: (Replacements: Yahshua for Jesus - Jesus’ actual Name given Him by the Father in the Hebrew language. Yahweh for God the Father - The Father’s actual name in Hebrew)
1) This is the day that Yahwey has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. I have NOW prosperity. Thank you Lord.
2) I am a son of Yahweh. I am lead by the Holy Spirit. And I am MORE than a conqueror.
3) I am a doer of the Word of Yahweh.
4) I seek first His kingdom & His righteousness, and all these things I have need of are added to me.
5) Yahshua is Lord!
6) The windows of heaven are opened to me!
7) My Faith is the victory that overcomes the world!
8) He is able to make all grace abound to me so that always having all sufficiency in all things I may abound to every good work.
9) I love You, Yahshua.

Numbered Explanations & Scripture References:
1) Prosperity is for today. It’s now, not later. He made THIS day. Prosperity is found in it. Psalm 118:24-25
2) Son of Yahweh: John 1:12, Romans 8:14, Romans 8:19, 1 John 3:1-2. Lead by the Holy Spirit: Romans 8:14. More than a conquerer: conquering without losses! Romans 8:37
3) It’s only doers of the Word of God that get results: Matthew 7:24-26
4) As the bride of the Messiah, I seek above all other things how to live as if I were living in His Majesty’s Kingdom; practicing His customs and His ways, so as to be pleasing to Him at all times. Likewise, I seek first a lifestyle of living righteously (right alignment with Yahweh’s righteous Law as a righteous citizen). Then all my needs will be met. Matthew 6:32-34, Philipians 4:19.
5) The confession of Yahshua as Lord put Him in charge of everything in your life. It simultaneously made Him caretaker of your life’s needs. We confess Him continually over all things that concern us! Romans 10:9-10, 1 Peter 5:6-8.
6) Malichi 3:9-11.
7) 1 John 5:4.
8) 2 Corinthians 9:8.
9) You can’t say, “I love you, Yahshua,” without expanding your heart every time you say it. Matthew 22:37.

Be blessed, and ride by faith!
-Mark

Represent The Factory

Wed, 1 Sep 2010 17:35:39 -0700

John 15:1-3
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you."

CLEAN: “A state of cleanness both morally, physically, and Levitically; the outcome of which brings about a right representation of the Cleanser, or of the One who deems a thing clean.”

According to these verses, we’ve been made “clean” by Yahshua’s (Jesus’) sacrifice. Think of when you FIRST got born again. you were clean and everything was made new. Yahweh’s desire and command to us is to bear much fruit. The question is, what kind of fruit are we to bear. Some say apples, for others it’s oranges. However, I think we can all agree that we should bear the fruit that Yahweh desires. How do we find out what kind that is?

Well, it's kind of like clothing. You may pick out clothing for me to wear, but if it does not well represent who I am, I won't wear it. If it's too skimpy or is too racy, which does not represent who I am, I won’t put it on. If I did, I would be representing something or someone OTHER than myself, portraying an image that's not right to those who see me.

When we step out of that state of cleanness that Yahshua has placed us in by His Word, it will always be because we are thinking, acting or saying something that does not reflect Yahweh. So how do we find out what reflects Him?

It's kind of like a new job. You know you're supposed to be working and representing this company that has given you the status of "employee," but it may take some searching and learning on your part to find what the company is like and what your boss expects of you. When you step out of the bounds of what is expected of you as an employee, it’s grounds for discipline. And discipline is good if it's received.

For example, a company that's in the service industry will not tolerate a representative of their company who doesn't care about the customer. What the customer wants or needs must be a priority to each employee. A non-interested employee who is always late and ignores customers and their needs is in for some discipline. The fruit (labor) he bears for his company should well represent them and their interests.

So, what should our fruit look like as representatives of the King of kings? How do we know we are reproducing fruit that keeps with the clean state the Father has placed us in?

Yahshua said we are cleansed by the Word He has spoken unto us (vs 3). This tells us three things:
1) It’s by the power of His Word that we are placed in this clean state.
2) It’s by the power of His Word that we are going to bear this kind of fruit (or you could say, “His” kind of fruit).
3) And it is by His Word alone that we will know WHAT this fruit we are to bear looks like.

That said, we need to take a CLOSE look at His Word in regards to the fruit we are to bear. When we put His Word into our hearts (the seed of cleanness), we know we will bear THAT type of fruit...every time! Every seed bears after its own kind. And when we are bearing wrong fruit, His Word can bring correction, if we allow it to.

Our clean state AND our fruit we are to bear by Him should represent Him well. We are no longer to allow ourselves the lustful luxury of thinking, acting, or talking the way WE want to - the way our old man desires to, or according to the standard the world has set. Its standard is severely low. All of our comparisons must be held up against the Word of Yahweh. “Am I a right (clean) reflection of Yahweh? Am I bearing fruit in keeping with repentance?”

This is our responsibility, and we embrace it wholeheartedly with thanksgiving to the One who has cleansed us!

Be blessed, and ride by faith!
-Mark