The command / Law:

“Observe the Sabbath day to keep it holy, as YHVH your God commanded you.”
(Deuteronomy 5:12)

What would it be called today?
What would this law look like lived out?
How does one keep this command / Law today?

10 / 06 / 07
(NASB used)

FIRST THOUGHTS:

Okay … not so fast. Read the verse above again, and truly answer the questions before you continue this study.

Even as my family has been practicing obedience to this command of God through our faith in His Son, this study has opened our eyes to just how much we have been satisfying our own flesh on the Sabbath. This study is NOT to condemn or judge anyone. My family and I, though, are making some changes in regards to our observance of Sabbath (The 4th commandment of the Ten Commandments … the day that God blessed and sanctified after the first six days of creation … the ONLY command that God said would be a sign between Himself and His children (“And also I gave them My Sabbaths to be a sign between Me and them, that they might know that I am YHVH who sanctifies them.” Ezekiel 20:12) My friends, today I am going to concentrate on just how far we have to go to truly be like the Son of God. Please do not take me wrong, but even those who already observe the seventh day Sabbath like God says (like myself) may still be profaning His holy day. Some may have a checklist such as the following:

- on the seventh day (check)
- do no work (check)
- have a holy convocation (check)
- rest (check)

However, we can easily obey these without truly meeting with God or making the day holy. So this study is about attempting to allow the Spirit to control us instead of our sinful flesh. Continue reading Ezekiel 20 verse 13. Why was God so upset with our forefathers? “But the house of Israel rebelled against Me .. they rejected my ordinances … and My Sabbaths they greatly profaned …” Once we accept God’s deliverance through His Son, Jesus (Yeshua), we are covered by the blood of Christ and are children of the Most High God … but doesn’t it bother you when you find out what disappoints Him? When you find out what made Him angry in the past and then you find out that WE are doing the same thing? They were saved by faith too, but that doesn’t mean that they, or we, are permitted to continue to sin against God!

Let us start from the beginning and read about the very first Sabbath and see what God did:

“And by the seventh day God completed His work which He had done; and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.” (Gen 2:2-3)

BLESSED: To kneel, by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit). Its derived meaning is to bless someone or something. Brothers and sisters, God blessed the seventh day. He made this day the day to bless HIM and others.

SANCTIFIED: The Hebrew word “Qadash” means to be sacred, to be regarded as holy, to treat as holy, to seclude, set aside for use in the worship of God, withheld from ordinary or secular use, treated with special care as something which belongs to God. This day is to be different from ALL the other days. It is a day set aside specifically for the Lord to worship Him. It is all about HIM on this day. My friends, if we can’t give Him one day (at the least), then how are we going to spend eternity worshiping Him “24/7/365”?

Remember the check list above? I am guilty of keeping a check list like this. Although at face value I have been obeying the seventh day (no work, rest, and get together), my flesh has been in control regarding WHAT else I do on this day. I have made choices about what to do on this day based on my OWN desires. I have also allowed my flesh to turn my focus onto what I cannot do on this day. Instead, it should be a day in which I ask myself “what can I do to worship and honor the Lord, for it is HIS day”.

Let us read Isaiah 58:13-14. What we will find is a list that the Lord has put together that addresses this very issue about our flesh. If we are still allowing our flesh to do as it pleases, God does NOT have our hearts … especially on THIS day:

“If because of the Sabbath, you turn your foot from doing your own pleasure on MY holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy day of YHVH honorable, and shall honor it, desisting from your own ways, from seeking your own pleasure, and speaking your own word, then you will take delight in YHVH, and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth; and I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father, for the mouth of YHVH has spoken.”

Did you see it? “Oh Lord, forgive me for desecrating your day by pleasing my flesh.” Friends, I am not going to list a bunch of things / activities that we were doing that had absolutely nothing to do with worshipping God. Oh, they were fun (and there is nothing wrong with fun in the flesh), but we have six other days to satisfy this “man within”. On the Sabbath, though, who is supposed to have fun? Our flesh or spirit? On the Sabbath it is time for my spirit to have fun, for my spirit Loooooooves searching for the face of God, singing to Him, worshipping Him, walking in His creation, blessing others, and this list goes on. Today is NOT a day for my flesh to rule!

God “blessed the seventh day and sanctified it” … His Son “blessed the seventh day and sanctified it” … Have we, His children / offspring “blessed the seventh day and sanctified it” ? (The same day and way God the Father and His Son did):

“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His.” (Hebrews 4:9-10)

Are we celebrating the Sabbath just like God did? He blessed and sanctified this day … the seventh day of Creation. Question: God is perfect, so did He make a mistake in choosing the 7th day? If He is perfect, then why would He change it later? In doing so (which He did not) wouldn’t that mean it wasn’t perfect on the 7th day? Let us stop making this day a burden by focusing on a list of what we can’t do. Instead, let us focus off of everyday common things, and on to worshipping and honoring God. THIS day is set apart and not to be used for common things!

Do these excuses sound familiar?

- “But my children need to have fun, and that is what matters.” (What are we truly teaching our children by allowing THEM to do as they please on God’s day?)
- “I finally have time to spend with my children / wife / friends. God would like that no matter what activities we do.” (Don’t assume what God would like and dislike. His Word is pretty clear that we are supposed to get together with them to worship God.)
- Many like to use this day as a “fun” day to do recreational activities (Just because it is fun, does not mean its worshipping God.) Oh, they may spend time in the Word, gather for an assembly and rest, but then they start the business of satisfying their own desires or the desires of their children. (This is sort of where my family was … I am sorry Lord)

One problem may be that we and our children may not truly know how to rest in the Lord and how to worship God. Again, we have six days for all that other stuff… God says to give Him one! As a way to accommodate all of what we desire to do with our children, souses, friends, or family, we may need to fit those activities into the six OTHER days of the week … instead of stealing time from the Lord.

Friends, on the Sabbath we are finally FREE from the world! We can put our phones down or even off;. Work and its stress is on hold. Husbands have time to help their wives so that they can enjoy this day, as well. We don’t have to worry about material things or our flesh anymore … We are FREE to worship God and search for His face, and rest. I cannot explain the delight and the true rest this is … to finally know what God is talking about!! “For anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His.” (Hebrews 4:10) and to “call the Sabbath a delight, the holy day of YHVH honorable, and shall honor it.” (Isaiah 58:13)

“Lord, I am sorry that I have allowed my feet to do as they please on your Holy day. I am sorry that the words that I have spoken have been things regarding the world’s affairs. I am sorry that I have been desecrating YOUR day. Forgive me, Lord.”

LET GOD’S WORD SPEAK TO YOU, AS IT DID TO ME:

“For six days work may be done; but on the seventh day there is a Sabbath of complete rest, a holy convocation. You shall not do any work; It is a Sabbath to YHVH in all your dwellings.” (Leviticus 23:3)

Again, the Sabbath remains today (the seventh day) as it did originally … observed just as His Son did. But let us read through to the ending of this passage in Hebrews … “There remains therefore a Sabbath rest for the people of God. For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His. Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall through following the same example of disobedience.” (Heb.4:9-11)

Here is something to think about … is the day that we call Sabbath and what we DO on that day showing the world disobedience to God and that God will accept such behavior? Why would He? Well, many would say, because He is a forgiving God, of course. Isn’t that trampling and taking advantage of the blood that saves us? (Hebrews 10:29) Let us ALL start acting like the Son of God and bless the Sabbath and sanctify it. Set it apart from all the other days. My flesh may want to do all kinds of things, but on this day, my spirit is ruler of this body!!

Just something to think about … as we all may need to re-examine what we do on this holy day which belongs to God. We must stay moldable in the Maker’s hand … learning more each week of what pleases Him! We will be doing this forever with Him … and what a way to practice … by obeying the Sabbath.

The command / Law:

“On exactly the tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement; it shall be a holy convocation for you (Gather together for worship), and you shall humble your souls (Fast / deny yourself) and present an offering by fire to YHVH. You shall not do any work on this same day, for it is a day of atonement, to make atonement on your behalf before YHVH your God. If there is any person who will not humble himself on this same day, he shall be cut off from his people. As for any person who does any work on this same day, that person I will destroy from among his people. (We must not say that “He doesn’t really mean that. Surely we won’t be cut off from among His people.” Funny, because that is exactly the tactic Satan used on Eve, “Surely He doesn’t mean that you will die for just eating that apple.”) You shall do no work at all. It is to be a perpetual statute throughout your generations in all your dwelling places (It is to be done forever no matter where we are). It is to be a Sabbath of complete rest to you, and you shall humble your souls; on the ninth of the month at evening, from evening until evening you shall keep your Sabbath. (Confirmation that God ordains that a day begins and ends at sunset … evening to evening)”

(Leviticus 23:27-32)

What would it be called today?
What would this law look like lived out?
How does one keep this command / Law today?

09 / 22 / 07
(NIV used)

The Day of Atonement is today (09/22/07) and many are celebrating it out of faith. It is one of eight appointments God makes with His children. These days are not Jewish, nor are they only for those who lived before the Savior came. They are for Israel, God’s children, … us (Both Jew and Gentile who live by faith in His Salvation … Jesus / Yeshua).

We like to celebrate in order to remember what has happened to us. For example:

- We celebrate July 4th to remember our nation’s independence.
- We celebrate birthdays to remember when people were born into the world.
- We celebrate Memorial Day to remember those who have gone before us to gain our freedom.
- We celebrate Labor Day to …. Well, I suppose, to take another day off … You get the point.

We also like to practice things before they happen. For example:

- We do “dress rehearsals” before a wedding (to try to make it perfect)
- We practice before playing any games. (You know, “practice makes perfect”)
- Even in golf, many will go to driving ranges to make sure that once they get on the real course they do not make a fool of themselves in front of others.
- If leading a business meeting or giving a speech in school … we practice. We will even write down what we are going to say on a piece of paper and read and re-read it … over and over again … so that when the time comes we know what we are going to say.
- We even train for jobs and spend thousands of dollars on schooling so that we are ready for the “perfect job”.

Why do we celebrate so many worldly events that have happened, or practice for so many things that in the end, mean nothing, but refuse to celebrate and practice God’s appointments? Let us recap some of God’s appointments which many have missed. They can all be found in Leviticus 23.

- Passover: To remember what His Son did for us on the cross (1 Corinthians 5:7)
o The New Testament believers celebrated it (1 Corinthians 5:8), but Rome changed it to another day around 350 AD and called it Good Friday.
- Unleavened Bread: To remember that His Son was buried, died and confronted Satan. (Even Paul continued to celebrate it after the Messiah’s death and resurrection … Acts 20:6)
o Not celebrated by many of God’s children today.
- Firstfruit: To remember that His Son was the first to be raised imperishable. He is the first of many. (1 Corinthians 15:20)
o Again, the New Testament believers celebrated it, but Rome changed it to another day around 350 AD and called it Easter.
- Pentecost: To remember that His Son sent His Holy Spirit to dwell within ALL the children of God. (To deal with sin where it starts … in the heart). (Again, we find our brother Paul celebrating it after the Saviors resurrection … Acts 20:16)
o Although hard to believe, the giving of the Spirit is not celebrated by many of God’s children, as well.
- Trumpets: To practice for the return of His Son. Our forefathers in the New Testament celebrated it, and we should be too.
- Day of Atonement: This is today (This year it lands on 09/22/07). This is the day of judgment that has yet to occur. We are commanded to observe it (practice until it comes … then, possibly celebrate it to remember?). Although we have the blood of our Savior for our atonement, we still have to present the “ticket” to the “Conductor” (Stand before the one who created us). For those who are saved this day WILL be a Day of Redemption / Atonement. It still remains a solemn day, though, for it is on THIS day that we are to give an account of our lives to God. It is on THIS day that we ALL will truly realize who we really are before God.

ABOUT THE DAY OF ATONEMENT:

As we “continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling…” (Philippians 2:12), let us return to God and meet with Him on HIS appointed days. Let us realize that those in the New Testament WERE obeying God’s appointments. So in a way, all we are doing is correcting what man has destroyed over all these years with doctrines and traditions.

It is on this day (The Day of Atonement) that MANY will find out that their faith without obedience was dead … “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day (The Day of Atonement), ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evil doers!’” (Matthew 7:22-23) Yes, this may be why God wants us to “humble our souls” (Fast) on this day … to humble ourselves, for it is NOT on our merits that we will enter Heaven, but on His Son’s. It is on this day that we stand before our maker and give an account of ALL that we have said and ALL that we have done in the flesh:

- “So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.” (Romans 14:12)
- “But I tell you that men will have to give account on the Day of Judgment for every careless word they have spoken.” (Matthew 12:36) On what day? The Day of judgment for some, the day of Atonement / Redemption for God’s children!! What a humbling day this is, I tell my flesh to “sit down and be quiet” today (by fasting and contemplating life and eternity).

“… For we will ALL stand before God’s judgment seat.” (Romans 14:10) Can you see that this day has not yet come? Why are we not practicing it and obeying God?

It will be on THIS day that many will finally realize the Holiness of God; the awe of His being; The error of their thinking … Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” (1 Corinthians 13:12) Yep … on the Day of Atonement, many will truly know and see.

Let me ask you, since the following is true, when do you think we have to give this account? “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4:13) Hint: On THE day we stand before our Creator (The Day of Atonement), that is when we will give an account.

Let us think about who is holding God back from judging now … since He is ready: “But they will have to give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.” (1 Peter 4:5) Hint: Most likely, it is on the Day of Atonement that we will have to give this account. Praise God for our Savior’s Spirit who is holding back this Judgment!! “For the secret power of lawLESSness is already at work; but the One who now holds it back will continue to do so till He is taken out of the way.” (2 Thessalonians 2:7) Can you see the power of Law-LESS-ness today? Can you see that those who say “We do not have to obey God’s Laws” are actually part of the “lawlessness” that is already at work … even back then?

IN CLOSING …

Remember that Matthew 12:36 spoke of everyone having to give an account on “… the Day of Judgment …”? It is on the Day of “Judgment” that believers will stand with Ephesians 4:30 … “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” This day, for those who truly have His , will be a Day of Redemption / Atonement. It is on THIS day that we will be able to pass through the proverbial “metal detector” or have the “Spirit” ticket to board the plane to heaven. It is also on this day that many will be found without their ticket, the Spirit. Instead, they will realize that they sold their ticket for a lie. My friends, a sin is a sin, and sin is still based upon God’s Laws and everything that proceeds out of His mouth. “Everyone who sins breaks the Law; in fact, sin is law-LESS-ness.” (1 John 3:4)

Oh, do you want more proof that our forefathers (Those our Savior personally taught) continued to obey this Feast of the Lord? “Much time had been lost, and sailing had already become dangerous because by now it was after the Fast.” (Acts 27:9) Yep, you guessed it … today is “the Fast” that the New Testament believers were obeying. It was the ONLY day that we are commanded to fast, thus it is called, “The Fast”. My friends, what is being revealed in these last days is NOT a new denomination or a new teaching. It is a teaching that we had from the beginning but has been lost over time.

God makes appointments with us, yet many refuse to meet with God on HIS days. They are either too busy or have been brain-washed (like I was) into believing that we no longer have to obey God’s Laws. (As if God changed His mind.)

Just something to think about … before the real day is here.

Oh, by the way, the next of God’s appointment is this Thursday (09/27/07) – the final in His schedule of yearly appointments.

- Tabernacles: We are to be practicing being with God forever – to “tabernacle” with God!! Isn’t THIS what we are hoping for and have faith in? Then why are many not practicing it until it comes. (Out of faith, of course.) Again, we find many examples in the New Testament of this Feast being celebrated:

o John 7:37-38 (Tabernacles is an 8 day feast … the last day being the greatest!)
o Luke 2:7 talks about Tabernacles. The Feast of Tabernacles was one of three feasts where they had to pilgrimage to Jerusalem … thus: “there was no room in the inn.”
o 2 Corinthians 5:2-6 … yes, this is the day that this passage comes true and we will be clothed after being found faithful and obedient: “those who obey God’s commands AND hold to the testimony of Yeshua (Jesus).” (Revelation 12:17) Which side of the war will you be on?

Again, the final Tabernacle has not happened, but we are told in Zechariah 14:16-19 that we will be celebrating it in the end times … practicing it when He comes.

The command / Law:

“Do not eat any detestable thing.”
(Deuteronomy 14:3)

What would it be called today?
What would this law look like lived out?
How does one keep this command / Law today?

09 / 08 / 07
(NIV used)

FIRST THOUGHTS:

Before I answer the three questions above, let me give you the verse that comes right before Deuteronomy 14:3 … “For you are a people holy to YHVH your God. Out of all the peoples on the face of the earth, YHVH has chosen you to be His treasured possession. Then the passage continues with “Do not eat any detestable thing.” So, are you the chosen person that God is talking about as being holy and His possession? Okay, now I will answer the questions above:

The answers are simply that everything would be the same today as it was in the past. God, Himself, describes how we do this:

“These are the animals which you may eat (Then He lists a few). Any animal that divides the hoof and has the hoof split in two and chews the cud, among the animals, that you may eat. (Then He lists a few examples which have either one or the other) … they are unclean for you. (Then He lists the pig as an example) … It is unclean for you. You shall not eat ANY of their flesh nor touch their carcasses. These you may eat of all that are in water; anything that has fins and scales you may eat, but anything that does not have fins and scales you shall not eat; it is unclean for you. You may eat any clean bird (Then He lists many birds that are unclean).” (Deuteronomy 14:4-18 in sections and using NASB)

Why did I switch to the NASB version above? The translators of the NIV added a few words that were never in the original text. As I wrote this devotion, it even made me stop and think, “Wow, I never saw this before.” The NIV stated that eating any other animal / foul / bird than what God is describing would be “ceremonially” unclean for us. Using the word “ceremonially” would change the meaning, I searched the original words and found that “ceremonial” is NEVER mentioned. The interpreter assumed that being unclean is for temple worship only and not a way of life. ALL versions have translators’ so we must love God ENOUGH to search and find out what pleases Him as Ephesians 5:10 states: “… and find out what pleases the Lord.”

Okay, many questions arise when we are told that God has given us certain animals / fish / birds which we can and cannot eat:

1.) “How can so many people be wrong?” I mean, if there still are clean and unclean foods to eat, can you see Satan laughing at God when His children hold the annual church pig roast? How about the ham at Easter dinners? My friends, animals have not changed over the years. So you will have to tell me … how can so many be wrong? Are you one of them like I was?
2.) “IF … God changed what His children can and cannot eat, then He “changed His mind” or lied when He said:

a. “He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change His mind; for He is not a man, that He should change His mind.” (1 Samuel 15:29)
b. “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change His mind.” (Numbers 23:19)

3.) We all sin and fall short of the glory of God … so do we just stop trying to obey the one that saves us? Our sins do NOT send us to hell … they just separate us from a close relationship with God. It is only UNBELIEF in God that sends someone to hell. When we sin intentionally, we as God’s children will be punished (That is God’s prerogative as our Father). His children eating unclean animals was NEVER something that even entered God’s mind (“… something I did not command, nor did it enter my mind.” – Jeremiah 7:32 ). So, today, since we eat things that are not supposed to be eaten, we have NUMEROUS diseases that are directly associated with our eating habits. We cry “foul” to God, yet it is NOBODY’S fault but our own. Can God heal us? Yes … if that is His will.
4.) Just because someone else eats what is forbidden, does that mean it is okay for the child of God to eat? Of course not. Since some cultures in China eat dogs as food … does that mean it is okay for us? What’s the difference between dog and pig (or anything else that God says is unclean)? My friends, some animals are created to be eaten … some are scavenger (to clean up the earth) … and some simply for enjoyment (say, horses). God created EACH for a purpose!!
5.) IF … God did change His mind about what we can eat; IF … God’s original command was not perfect and flawless (Psalm 19:7 and 2 Samuel 22:31), then:

a. why does God tells us in Isaiah 65 about what the people were doing and how He was angered by their deeds (In this case, lack of obedience) “All day long I have held out my hands to an obstinate people, who walk in ways NOT good, pursuing their OWN imaginations – a people who continually provoke me to my very face … who eat the flesh of pigs, and whose pots hold broth of unclean meat.” (Isaiah 65:2-4b) So, God considers doing the above to be disobedience. Paul says very clearly in Romans 3:31 that because we are children of God BY FAITH, we are to UPHOLD the Law. Is the following verse in Psalm 119:160 true or not: “ALL your words are true; ALL your righteous laws are eternal.”?
b. why does Isaiah, when prophesying about the end times, say: “When you see this, your heart will rejoice and you will flourish like grass; the hand of YHVH will be made known to His servants, but His FURY will be shown to His foes. See, YHVH is coming with fire, and His chariots are like a whirlwind; He will bring down His anger with fury, and His rebuke with flames of fire. For with fire and with His sword YHVH will execute judgment upon all men, and MANY will be those slain by YHVH. (Who will be slain?) Those who consecrate and purify themselves to go into the gardens, FOLLOWING the one in the midst of those who eat the flesh of PIGS and rats and OTHER abominable things – they will meet their end together,” declares YHVH.” (Isaiah 66:14-17) It sounds pretty clear to me that God’s dietary Laws still stand for His children. It makes sense to me, as well. We can see that they did so in the past … We can see that they will in the future … so why would today be any different?

We must allow the Spirit of God to sanctify us – We must trust in God’s wisdom – not man’s

I must confess my sin, here. I failed to list another category that God mentions concerning what is clean (Gulp), or unclean. Okay, here they are:

- Insects (Yes … insects!! “Well, Father, … you don’t have to worry about me disobeying this one!”): (Leviticus 11:20-23) In short, any insects that walk on four legs are to be detestable (duh!! Who would eat those?)! … UNLESS … they have jointed legs for hopping (such as locust, katydid, cricket or grasshopper (I’ll just go with the animals, fish, and birds, for now!)

MY FRIENDS, there will ALWAYS be those “Fuzzy” verses that seem to be able to be used by our flesh to disregard God’s clear commands. Either we can use them to glorify God as being perfect (finding out the truth about what was being spoken about and to whom), or use them to bring shame to God by using them to justify our disobedience. Each of the following HAVE explanations … if you care enough to find them.

Acts 10 … 1 Corinthians 10:25 … 1 Timothy 4:3-5 … Mark 7:1-23

Just some FOOD for thought and something to think about!!!

The command / Law:

“You are not to do as we do here today, everyone as he sees fit.”

(Deuteronomy 12:8)

What would it be called today?
What would this law look like lived out?
How does one keep this command / Law today?

07 / 28 / 07
(NIV used)

FIRST THOUGHTS:

Yes, this is a command of God. We humans do not like this kind of command, since we pieces of clay do not like anyone telling us what we are to do. We give our children rules, but we, ourselves do not like it. We think:

- … we are intelligent and do not need anyone laying down rules of how to live.
- … we have figured out who God is (so not let finally get on with our life)
- … we are not like animals to be ordered around (hmmmm … I have no problem being a sheep in the hand of the Shepherd … how about you?)

It seems that there is hardly anybody who is stopping to think: With so many claiming the blood of the Son of God and their church holding the truth … why are there so many denominations who are claiming the same? Someone has got to be wrong! Someone is in error! (I know, and everyone reading this is thinking, “yea, and it’s them”)

Today, I am simply frustrated. I was not going to write a devotion at all this week. Although, the starting verse is a command of God, I picked it for a reason. A friend who has asked for forgiveness for their sins and started to practice obedience to God … has decided not to do so. (They claim freedom from such “nonsense”) My friend was so excited about realizing what sin was and the error … but now rejects the truth for the lie. My friend tasted the power of the Spirit to change the heart of man and now refuses the sap of the tree of life, I suppose. So many verses come to mind:

- “They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served created things (Created things are created doctrines, as well as physical objects. Whatever comes between God’s truth and His child!) rather than the Creator – who is forever praised. Amen.” Romans1:25))
- “It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting Him to public disgrace.” (Hebrews 6:4-6)
- “… but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in all the ways that I command you, that it may go well with you. But they did not listen or pay attention; instead they followed the stubborn inclinations of their evil hearts. They went backward and not forward. (Jeremiah 7:23-24)

Can you see the shame that it is to God’s Son to say, “Thanks for the forgiveness of my sins, but I am going to continue to disobey God anyway”? My brothers and sisters, we will all have to stand before God and give an account for every careless word we speak (“But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.” (Matthew 12:36)), as well as every evil deed against God’s Laws (Verse??). We stand in great jeopardy when we allow men to tell us what is right and wrong and let go of God’s commands to live by:

“You are not to do as we do here today, everyone as he sees fit.”

(Deuteronomy 12:8)

Just something to think about as we decide how to live out God’s commands. We only have ONE way to decide if what a preacher is saying is the truth or a lie. The same as the Bereans did: “Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures (The books of Moses and Prophets … that is the only Scripture at that time) every day to see if what Paul (The “pastor / priest”) said was true.” (Acts 17:11)

For those who know how frustrating it is, pray for me. For it is not a rejection of God’s Law that is what makes me nervous for my friend, it is the rejection of the Spirit of God who wrote it on their heart … only to be rejected). This takes away my joy.

The command / Law:

“Do not go about spreading slander among your people. Do not do anything that endangers
your neighbor’s life. I am YHVH.” (Leviticus 19:16)

What would it be called today?
What does this law look like lived out?
How does one keep this command / Law?

06 / 16 / 07
(NIV used)

FIRST THOUGHTS:

Today it would commonly be called gossip or slandering another person. We all know of someone who does this, or we may even e guilty of it, ourselves. They are the ones who are quick to call with the latest “news” about someone else (without the permission of the one being gossiped about / slandered). Gossip is evil and, I believe, falls into the category of murdering. Someone who speaks something negative about someone else is bringing judgment upon themselves. “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother “Raca,’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But, anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.” (Matthew 5:21-22) Come to think about it, when someone speaks negatively about someone else, isn’t that a sign of hatred against the person? They are, in a sense, endangering another’s life as stated m the verse above. When you slander someone else, they no longer have the same reputation among those who have joined in with the gossiper. A gossiper may think that he or she is speaking fact or knows truth, but none-the-less it hurts the reputation of the one being talked about and it draws the listener into the sin, as well.

If what is being said is fact, even if it is good news, it is NOT our responsibility to spread the good news (Unless given permission … like Christ gave us to spread the good news about HIM, BUT, on the other hand … “Then God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream at night and said to him, “Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good OR bad.” (Genesis 31:24)

The definition of gossip: to tattle, to boil over with impertinent talk (“impertinent talk” is: unimportant talk, meddling in other’s affairs that do not belong to the person talking … I suppose that boiling over with impertinent talk is somewhat like vomiting while talking!), slandering another’s character.

Gossiping can come in all sorts of costumes.

- “I was talking to so-and-so and they said ….”
- “I feel that what so-and-so did was not right …”
- “I think that we should be doing this-or-that, not like so-and-so does …”
- “I couldn’t believe what so-and-so said …”
- “Did you hear about so-and-so? Isn’t that awful?”
- How about when someone is talking about something wonderful that happened in their life, and another person will give a better example of a similar situation in theirs (Not only is that pride in the second party, but they are slandering the first party)
- Many are talking about other’s marriage (being on the rocks, or on shaky ground, etc…). Even other’s children and how they behave, this list goes on and on!
- Or how about when someone speaks ill of you or is rude to you … what do YOU do back to them? Do you slander their character by repeating to others what they did / said about you? We are commanded to pray for them … not do the same back … even if it is only to your closet friend to “get it off your chest”.

All of these are forms of gossip. We see Job addressing those who were gossiping against him. Whether true or not, he says that God is his judge, not others … “If indeed you would exalt yourselves above me and use my humiliation against me (gossip), then know that God has wronged me and drawn his net around me.” (It is God’s judgment for my sins … not your concern) (Job 19:5-6)

Please do not take this wrong, but there are even ways that many will ask for prayers for someone, but end up gossiping. We have to be careful that we do not to take a gift from God (prayer) and use it to gossip about others. For example, “Please pray for John because he was pulled over the other night for drinking and had his license taken away and, therefore, lost his job.” Is this what others need to hear when we ask for prayers regarding John? We all fall short of the glory of God, so why should we tell others about these details? A simple, “Please pray for John. He is going through a trial and he needs our prayers,” would be sufficient. But many will talk about the trouble that John has gotten into and, therefore, slander John. Okay, let us call a spade a spade, they just killed him.

Let’s look at how God’s word describes His feelings about those who gossip (those not careful about slandering others or bringing others low) If sure looks like gossip is evil before God:

“… He gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. … THEY ARE GOSSIPS, slanderers, God-haters …” (Romans 1:28b-30b) Gossipers have been turned over to a depraved mind and don’t even know it, just like those committing the other forms of wickedness.

“Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to.” (1 Timothy 5:13)

- Gossips are idle (choosing to talk about others instead of doing the things that are important in life.)
- Gossips say things that are not to be said.
- Gossips are busybodies (meddling in others’ affairs. They have a passion to know about others’ lives (What did they buy? What did they do? How are they living? And so forth)
- Gossips go house to house (Okay, today they use the telephone to go house to house. How easy is that for today’s gossipers?)

LAST THOUGHTS:

Just something to think about the next time we open our mouths to speak about another human being who was created by God.

For those of us who continue to justify our gossiping – BEWARE – “Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman …” (Psalm 15:1-3)

The good news? If you didn’t know that gossip was a sin until now, repent from it, turn to God for forgiveness, for He is quick to forgive. Go and sin no more, though.

“Set a guard over my mouth, O YHVH; keep watch over the door of my lips.” (Psalm 141:3)

The command / Law:

“When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am YHVH your God.”
(Leviticus 19:9-10)

What would it be called today?
What does this law look like lived out?
How does one keep this command / Law?

06 / 23 / 07
(NIV used)

“When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that YHVH your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. 20 When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow. 21 When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow.”
(Deuteronomy 24:19-21)

FIRST THOUGHTS:

There is so much in these commands.

- First, whose field is it? It is all God’s. So, although WE may think, “Look what we have accomplished. Look at the harvest we are bringing in.” Beware! If you think that way, it may be gone tomorrow; given to another manager … for it is ALL God’s. The Owner of the land is telling us how to harvest His field.
- Second, it is a shame that the typical “Christian” mentality today believes that we no longer need to obey these laws. Therefore, this law and others regarding how to help others have never been taught, making it easier to become a greedy, selfish and hoarding nation. Oh, we give, but we give out of our plenty. You will see throughout the Laws of God that He has compassion for the poor and the alien.

So how would this law look if it were lived out today? It may be tempting to look at this law and say, “Hey, I am not a farmer, so I have no field. I am not a vineyard keeper, so I have no grapes. In conclusion: this is not for me.” In reality, however, if you are a child of God, it IS for you. Below is an example of how I apply this Law in my life. I say my life, because you will have to take it and apply it to your “field”. Are you a professional? A doctor or an attorney? Are you a trade? An electrician or plumber? Are you a supplier of goods or do you purchase what is supplied? Do you own your own company or do you work for someone else? What is your “field” from which you reap your harvest?

As most of you know, I am a builder. We have had ups and downs, but currently God is overflowing our cup with work. (This is said to glorify Him, for we are not deserving of such a harvest). I say this because instead of being the ones gleaning, we now have a field to harvest. So, how do we obey God’s command? Our company has a great deal of overhead, so to be fair to people, we simply cannot do some of the smaller jobs and still make a profit without sending the customer to the poor house. These jobs are part of our “field” though, because they are calling us to do a job. Can you see that? So, here is how we do not reap to the very edges: We have employees who can do them on their own time for extra money, or we have bellow believers who own smaller companies (without all the overhead) who can make a good living off of these jobs of ours. To me, that is leaving the edges of our “field” un-harvested. We simply give these jobs to them to harvest.

I believe that this is a way that our company can live out the intent of this law. It is giving away what you have grown or built up. But notice, that God says not to go back and glean your harvest OR pick up the grapes that have fallen to the ground. Why? First, let us look at the first part of this Law:

- “When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field… ; Do not go over your vineyard a second time…” Notice that these two examples still require work. Have you ever heard the saying, “Give him a fish and you feed him for a day; teach him ¬how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime!” By leaving the field un-harvested and the grapes on the vine, the one who is in need actually works for his food and can take pride in the harvest he or she has accomplished. They are learning a trade and are given self-respect by not just taking a hand-out.
- “… or gather the gleanings of your harvest; … or pick up the grapes that have fallen.” Both situations are examples of work that has already been done … the food is on the ground. The labor has already been done. What is the point? The point is that we must not forget the aged or ill among us. They are too old or unable to reach or to harvest. They can go behind and simply pick up what has fallen. Wow … how compassionate is that?

A beautiful example of this command is found in the book of Ruth. Ruth humbly asked Boaz, the owner of the field, to be allowed to glean (gather what has fallen). Listen to what Boaz said, “As she got up to glean, Boaz gave orders to his men, “Even if she gathers among the sheaves, don’t embarrass her. Rather, pull out some stalks for her from the bundles and leave them for her to pick up, and don’t rebuke her.” (Ruth 2:15-16)

HOW ABOUT THE NEW TESTAMENT?

Yeshua (Jesus) answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me. (Matthew 19:21) (It is obvious that our Master desires us to help the poor among us to a point of it really being a sacrifice for others … not just out of our wealth.)

“Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.” (Acts 2:45) (Notice that they continued to meet in their homes, so they simply sold the “overflow” of their harvest. There are poor and less-fortunate among us, and we need to be using our field to help them. Let them work for their harvest, if they are able. But that would mean not as much in our pockets and savings account … but that is okay, right?

LAST THOUGHTS:

Due to our sinful nature, many of us have come to think that our business, or means of employment is ours therefore, have been building up a kingdom here on earth. However, it was given to us by God to supply our needs AND the needs of others … this is to God’s glory. For without His Spirit within us, our flesh does not want to give away what “we have earned.” This is foolishness to those in the world. In conclusion, if we obey this law, what is God’s promise?

“When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that YHVH your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.” (Deuteronomy 24:19)

It is ALL God’s. What are you doing with it? If you want to remain as the harvester that He has put in charge of His field, you better listen to the Owner’s rules. Otherwise, if you think that you have acquired it on your own merit … BEWARE:

“You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.” (Revelation 3:17)

Just something to think about as we pull in our harvest while others are in need.

The command / Law:

“But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth,
hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.”
(Exodus 21:23-25)

What would it be called today?
What would this law look like lived out?
How does one keep this command / Law today?

08 / 18 / 07
(NIV used)

FIRST THOUGHTS:

This command is among the most often misinterpreted. We must understand that God wants to purge the evil from among His children. His methods will sure clean up the riff-raff among His family. If someone INTENTIONALLY pokes out an eye of another, and the penalty is the removal of his own eye, I tell ya, it would only happen once. God’s way will make the evildoers think twice. “The rest of the people will hear of this and be afraid, and never again will such an evil thing be done among you.” (Deuteronomy 19:20) Anyway, back to “an eye for an eye”. The message is simple: equality in justice (NOT necessarily a literal “eye for an eye”, though, as many assume).

LET US SEARCH FOR MORE INSIGHT INTO THIS TRUTH:

The command when it is regarding an actual “Eye”, “tooth”, and “life” taken from another:

- “If a man hits a manservant or maidservant in the eye and destroys it, he must let the servant go free to compensate for the eye.” (Exodus 21:26) This is equality. The master of the servant did not have his eye removed for destroying his servant’s eye. Instead, he lost his servant (which was a monetary value). Same with the following example: “And if he knocks out the tooth of a manservant or maidservant, he must let the servant go free to compensate for the tooth.” (Exodus 21:27) Let me ask you, but what if this owner does the same thing to the next 3-4 servants? Then, I feel, justice would say remove the eye of the owner, as well. The following verses explain my logic.
- “If a bull gores a man or a woman to death, the bull must be stoned to death, and its meat must not be eaten. But the owner of the bull will not be held responsible.” (Exodus 21:28) It has to be assumed that this act was NOT intentional. The owner did not realize that the bull would do such a thing. Remember the earlier question about if the owner destroyed the eyes of the next 3-4 servants? Listen to God’s perfect justice: “If, however, the bull has had the habit of goring and the owner has been warned but has not kept it penned up and it kills a man or woman, the bull must be stoned and the owner also must be put to death.” (Exodus 21:29) Yep … equality … life for a life. Literally (as it is here) or monetarily if done unintentionally.

The command when it is regarding the intentions of a false accuser? How does that look?

- “If a malicious witness takes the stand to accuse a man of a crime, the two men involved in the dispute must stand in the presence of YHVH before the priests and the judges who are in office at the time. The judges must make a thorough investigation, and if the witness proves to be a liar, giving false testimony against his brother, then do to him as he intended to do to his brother. (WHY?) you must purge the evil from among you.” (Deuteronomy 19:16-19) Did you notice that WE cannot individually impute justice? God uses a judicial system to administer justice. Many people imagine that the common folk were simply going around killing “the Sabbath breaker” like some vigilante system of street-justice. There is so much more wisdom in God’s Laws, and I simply love this one. Could you imagine if our current judicial system worked this way? What if the false accusers, today, had to receive the same penalty they are seeking for the one they are falsely accusing? People would think twice about suing another wrongfully! This truly reveals a Just and Fair God!

What about when we are not dealing with a court of Law, though? What about in daily life when someone wrongs you? Here it comes, our Savior revealing how we should handle it and exactly how HE handled it.

- “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” (Matthew 5:38-39)

Is this something new? Of course not. Those nail holes were in BOTH of His hands. After the first nail, He could have stopped and said forget it … maybe one nail is for the Jews and the other is for Gentiles, but BOTH seem to be striking the top of the nail. But if someone TRULY believes that they have sinned against God and TRULY understands that they deserve death, this is not a hard command to follow. We realize how much He has done for us, so we do the same for others. This is how we can pray with this knowledge: “Forgive us our debts (Our sins), as we also have forgiven our debtors (those who have sinned against us).” (Matthew 6:12) and again, “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” (Matthew 6:14). “Eye for an eye?” Of course it is still valid … What God did for us, we are to do to others … equally … “Eye for an eye!”. Forgiving as HE forgave!

We all agree that we have ALL sinned against God; We ALL deserve death. This is where God’s mercy can now be shown. He HAD to establish the justice before mercy!! The two compliment each other , NOT destroy each other! The Law / justice regarding an “eye for an eye” still stands, however, we do not have judges that follow God’s Laws anymore. However, we are still to show God’s character and be like HIM in the way we treat those who have wronged us.

We must be able to turn our cheek and let the one who struck us, strike the other one, as well. Why? WE have struck God’s cheek numerous times and He has turned and given US His other one. (The question is: Are you still striking Him? Are you still smacking the Creator of the Universe because He keeps turning His cheek?).

By forgiving others, we are being like Him, for HE forgave us first. By forgiving others, we are showing that we understand what He did for us in sacrificing His Son. By turning the other cheek, or not demanding an offence be penalized, we leave the verdict to God (THE Judge) alone. “Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says YHVH.” (Romans 12:19) Just because we no longer have a God-fearing judicial system , in the end, the Judge will administer justice according to His Laws. So, is this a new Law, then, to turn the other cheek? Of course not! We were ALWAYS commanded to love our neighbor like this and forgive them: “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am YHVH.” (Leviticus 19:18)

Just something to think about the next time we are taken to court. Or when someone wrongs us, or does us harm. By extending this kind of mercy to those who have “struck us on the cheek”, or taken out our “eye”, so to speak, we show that we understand what God has done for us. What happens if they continue doing the same thing over and over again, though? Think about it. We keep extending mercy to an offender, but they keep taking advantage of our mercy!! I will let God handle that one, but can you imagine how God feels when those who say they love Him and are grateful for His mercy, but continue to sin against the very Laws He told us to obey?

If we continue to commit a crime, after we have been pardoned by the judge … did we truly understand what the judge did for us? Just think about it.

The command / Law:

“If you come across your enemy’s ox or donkey wandering off, be sure to take it back to him.
If you see the donkey of someone who hates you fallen down under its load, do not leave it
there; be sure you help him with it.”
(Exodus 23:4-5)

That was how to treat our enemies; how about our brother’s?

“If you see your brother’s ox or sheep straying, do not ignore it but be sure to take it back to
him. If the brother does not live near you or if you do not know who he is, take it home with
you and keep it until he comes looking for it. Then give it back to him. Do the same if
you find your brother’s donkey or his cloak or anything he loses. Do not ignore it.”
(Deuteronomy 22:1-3)

What would it be called today?
What would this law look like lived out?
How does one keep this command / Law today?

07 / 07 / 07
(NIV used)

FIRST THOUGHTS:

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” (Matthew 22:36) Our Savior gave not only the greatest (which is to love God), but He knew the second was like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39).

Let us concentrate on this second one, today. What does loving our neighbor look like if the Law no longer applies, as many say? Can you imagine if everyone could determine their own meaning of this second greatest commandment? I mean, some may love their neighbor so much, that they commit adultery on their spouses in order to love their neighbors. Would that be fulfilling this law? Of course not. But if we have no standards except what WE decide the meaning of loving our neighbor is to be, well, then to THAT person who committed adultery, he or she IS obeying God. You see, the fact is, many ignore what our Master said at the end of the question “Which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” when He said … “ALL of the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:40). So the question is no longer HOW do we fulfill this commandment, but which laws fall under either the greatest commandment or the second greatest. The opening two commandments above are just two of the examples that fall under the second greatest commandment of how to love our neighbors.

Relating New Testament verses with the original commandments:

If we toss out all these Laws of God, we miss His compassion, righteousness, and justice. Read those commands, again. Not only are we to care for and return our brother’s possessions, but our enemy’s, as well. Many people do not realize that over time the laws had been changed by the leaders of Israel. So in OUR ignorance, we think that our Savior is giving us a new commandment … He is NOT. The people our Savior was talking to had been told by their leaders to hate those who were not a member of Israel. With that knowledge, let us read and see how the Son of God is actually refocusing them on Exodus 23:4-5 with Matthew 5:43 … “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you; Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Let me ask you, is this a new commandment? Of course not! He is simply correcting what had been destroyed by the leaders of Israel.

Luke 6:27-28 sums this up, as well: “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” Again, is this something new? Not at all, for we have heard it all before in Exodus 23:4-5 (only one of many examples). 1 John 2:7 clearly lets us know that these are not new commandments at all: “Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard.”

My friends, if we take away the Laws that God gave us through Moses, we will NOT know how to live out these two greatest commands! Another error is when people take the commands only at face value and miss the intention, such as: “Well, if I see a donkey that belongs to my enemy, then I will help. Otherwise, forget it.”

Today? Our “donkey” may have a flat tire … stop and do not ignore the distressed driver! Many assume that “someone else will take the time.” That is why our God is clear … do not ignore it! Many of us have pets, when one is lost, we are to do all we can to find a lost pet’s owner (and care for it while gone … we currently have a 110 pound black lab that walked up our driveway 4 years ago. When the owner “gets back”, we will return the dog … it is eating us out of house and home.)

Remember that we are commanded to help the DONKEY of our enemy who is weighed down with a heavy load (“If you see the donkey of someone who hates you fallen down under its load, do not leave it there; be sure you help him with it.”). Okay, well then how much MORE should we be helping our brothers who are burdened? “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2) Yes, God is telling us to carry each other’s burdens, as well as the burdens of those who hate us. Also, not only for those who hate us, but even the animals that carry their loads!

Notice that God does NOT say do it for them, but to help him with it! I guess our Father promotes teamwork with our enemies … forcing us to get along. It would be easier to just do it for them and not build up a relationship.

LAST THOUGHTS:

Did you also notice that if we carry the burden of someone else, we are fulfilling the law of Christ? By fulfilling it, does that mean that we no longer have to do it again? (For this is how many people interpret the statement that Jesus “came to fulfill the law.”) Of course not, but it simply means that by carrying the burden of someone else, we fulfilled the meaning of it. This is proven in Romans 13:8, as well: “… for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.” Doesn’t this make a lot more sense now when we read what our Master said in Matthew 5:17 … “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” He fulfilled the Law by living them out the way they were intended to be lived out.

Just something to think about the next time someone says, “We no longer have to obey God’s Laws.” What do you think? Those who say this are saying that God’s Laws are no longer perfect.

If we really think about it, God’s Laws define who HE is. For HE helps those whose burdens are too heavy; He takes the loads from those who cannot stand up under them: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

Can you see now that by obeying God’s Laws, we become more like HIM? “On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.” (Romans 12:20) Why? For God “causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous … Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:45 and 48) How can we do that? By obeying His commands / Laws out of faith that He is God and is the only one who can save us. He does it, therefore, we are to imitate Him.

The command / Law:

“When men have a dispute, they are to take it to court and the judges will decide the case,
acquitting the innocent and condemning the guilty. If the guilty man deserves to be beaten,
the judge shall make him lie down and have him flogged in his presence with the number
of lashes his crime deserves, but he must not give him more than forty lashes. If he is
flogged more than that, your brother will be degraded in your eyes.”

(Deuteronomy 25:1-3)

What would it be called today?
What would this law look like lived out?
How does one keep this command / Law today?

08 / 04 / 07
(NIV used)

FIRST THOUGHTS:

God (the Father, Son and His Spirit) has ALWAYS been compassionate. We can see this simply by examining His Laws. We are commanded to be like Him in ALL we do … even when deciding judgments on the guilty.

We MUST always remember that God’s Laws are for His children AND that God’s Laws are who God is … His character (So by obeying them, we will look more like Him).

God is both JUST and COMPASSIONATE. We can see this in today’s study. We see that God is both JUST (the guilty deserve to be punished) and COMPASSIONATE (do NOT punish them to the point that they become degraded). Wow … what a difference compared to today’s justice system. We do not find this balance between justice and compassion today:

- The accused are often assumed to be guilty before being judged

- The judges hand down the sentences often based upon public opinion. They seem to forget about the dignity of the one they judge. Can you see God’s wisdom? Having the judge watch the guilty receive the punishment … NOT turn his head. In this way, he will not just “flippantly” hand down sentences (assuming that the judge is compassionate and has a heart). He can see the pain and effect of his ruling.

LAST THOUGHTS:

So … by obeying God’s Laws, we look like Him. What comes to your mind when you think about God’s compassion on the guilty? Remember, each Law is who God is (HE is the Word made flesh).

- “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners (guilty), Chirst died for us.” (Romans 5:8) We MUST have the same compassion on those who have wronged us!

- “So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ (We know the end of the story, the father forgave his son and threw a banquet for him. The father showed compassion and was just.) Luke 15:20

We deserve to be disciplined when we have wronged someone, yet we need to have compassion on those who have offended us. Each one of us, in a sense, are judges … “What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?” (1 Corinthians 5:12). As God’s children begin opening our eyes to the beauty in God’s Laws, we must patiently disciple those who are still coming in. We must remember from where we came and that we were slaves to sin (disobeying God’s commands / Laws), as well. We have left Egypt and must have compassion on those who are still enslaved in it (sin).

It is because we do not use God’s commands as the guideline on how to be fair and show compassion upon the guilty that we have such a wicked judicial system. Let us NOT be like that system as we live among brothers and sisters. Let them know when they are sinning against God, yes, but let God judge them.

Laws are a good thing; that is, unless we are of the world and, therefore, do not like to be told how to live. May we be like King David, though, who found favor with God and was a typology of the Son of God:

- “With all my heart I have sought you; Do not let me wander from Your commandments. Your Word I have treasured in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:10-11)

- “Teach me, O YHVH, the way of your statutes, and I shall observe it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may observe Your Law and keep it with all my heart.” (Psalm 119:33-34)

- “The arrogant utterly deride me, yet I do not turn aside from you Law. I have remembered Your ordinances from old, O YHVH, and comfort myself. Burning indignation has seized me because of the wicked, who forsake your Law … O YHVH, I remember Your name in the night, and keep your Law. This has become mine, that I observe your precepts.” (Psalm 119:51-53, 55-56)

Just something to think about. For our Savior obeyed them NOT so that we don’t have to, but so that we know HOW to be like Him.

The command / Law:

“Here, O Israel: YHVH our God, YHVH is one. Love YHVH your God
with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”

(Deuteronomy 6:4-5)

What would it be called today?
What would this law look like lived out?
How does one keep this command / law today?

08 / 25 / 07
(NIV used)

FIRST THOUGHTS:

So far in our journey, we have seen the beauty and compassion in some of God’s Laws regarding how we treat our neighbor. Today is going to be a shocker for some. Today, we are going to get a glimpse of God’s greatest Law … the one that EVERY other law hangs on … EVEN the second greatest law of loving our neighbor as ourselves!

Listen to the very words of our forefathers when the “old covenant “ was confirmed by them. They said, in short, “Oh, yes Lord. We will obey all that you have commanded us.” (but God knew their hearts!). Listen to His response to Moses:

“…YHVH said to me, ‘I have heard what this people said to you. Everything they said was good. (Here is comes … for God knows their hearts) Oh that their heats WOULD be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always …” (Deuteronomy 5:28-29)

Okay … here’s the question: How many of us, if asked the same question as they were asked, would answer, “NO, Lord, I will not obey you.”? I’m sure none of us would say such a thing. Well, neither did they take a chance in saying that. However, just like many today, they were hoping their words spoke louder than their actions. God, however, sees the heart … “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men.” (Isaiah 29:13):

BELOW ARE JUST SOME OF THE LAWS THAT HANG ON THE GREATEST COMMAND:

“This observance will be for you like a sign on your hand and a reminder on your forehead that the law of YHVH is to be on your lips.” (Exodus 13:9)

“Impress them (The Laws of God) on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” (Deuteronomy 6:7)

“Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this Law. They are NOT just idle words for you – they are your life.” (Deuteronomy 32:46-47)

“You must not worship YHVH your God in their way, because in worshipping their gods, they do all kinds of detestable things YHVH hates.” (Deuteronomy 12:31)

“When you enter the land YHVH your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there.” (Deuteronomy 18:9)

“Observe my Sabbath and have reverence for my sanctuary. I am YHVH.” (Leviticus 26:2)

“Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of YHVH your God that I give you.” (Deuteronomy 4:2)

“You shall not misuse the name of YHVH your God, for YHVH will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses His name.” (Deuteronomy 5:11)

“You are not to do as we do here today, everyone as he sees fit …” (Deuteronomy 12:8).

READY? HERE’S SOME QUESTIONS:

We know that God desires obedient children, and not disobedient ones. So God’s question remains the same today: Will you love me, and will your love drive you to obey me (John 14:15, 14:24, 15:10 and 1 John 5:3 … “THIS is love for God: To obey His commands. And His commands are NOT burdensome.”)?

Will you? Check an answer below:

_____ Yes
_____ No

If you answered yes, then is that truly your heart’s desire, or are you simply saying it? You see, many will check (or say) “yes” but then continue following their own desires … MANY. Let me give you a few examples / questions:

- I have run into many people who, when I start talking about God in the middle of the week during a business meeting, get upset or simply ignore the conversation. Almost like, “What are you doing? Don’t talk about religion during business!” (Question: Is there a Law to separate business from God?) “This observance will be for you like a sign on your hand and a reminder on your forehead that the law of YHVH is to be on your lips.” (Exodus 13:9)

- Why did we change the Sabbath? Doesn’t that go against the 10 commandments and even the verse about … “Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it …”? (Deuteronomy 4:2)

- Why do so many celebrate other holidays that are not commanded in God’s Word (Such as Christmas and Easter) and yet refuse to celebrate the ones that God gave His children in Leviticus 23? Why would we want to celebrate the world’s holidays and not God’s? “When you enter the land YHVH your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations their.” (Deuteronomy 18:9) Why worship God their way? “You must NOT worship YHVH your God in their way.” (Deuteronomy 12:4)

- Many people will say that Yeshua (Jesus) obeyed perfectly so that “we don’t have to” … where does it say that? Are we not supposed to imitate the Son of God? Isn’t that what a disciple does? If HE obeyed, then shouldn’t we? (“Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Yeshua (Jesus) did. Dear friends, I am NOT writing you a new command but an old one, which you have HAD SINCE THE BEGINNING. This old command is the message you have heard.” 1 John 2:6-7) Isn’t that clear enough? HE celebrated the Feasts, Sabbath … and broke down the FALSE teachings that went against God’s Law!! Then why are so many trying to defend the traditions of man and denying the work of the Spirit?

- IF we are able to “pick and choose” which commands we are to obey, and are even able to make up new ones … isn’t that doing what WE see fit? Are we not playing God by doing so? “You are not to do as we do here today, everyone as he sees fit …” (Deuteronomy 12:8) God’s Law is HIS Laws for HIS children. They are perfect and flawless; They are the very character of God.

- IF we say that God revealed to is that it is okay to …. and then they explain something that goes against His Laws, isn’t that taking HIS name in vain? I have heard many people say, “God revealed to me that we do not have to obey this particular law any more.” “You shall not misuse the name of YHVH your God, for YHVH will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses His name.” (Deuteronomy 5:11)

- How many of us are neglecting to tell our children about God’s Laws because we have been told that we no longer have to practice them? The next generation becomes ignorant because of the previous generation’s ignorance “Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this Law. They are NOT just idle words for you – they are your life.” (Deuteronomy 32:46-47) and “Impress them (the Laws of God) on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” (Deuteronomy 6:7)

FINAL THOUGHT:

How many of you have never really thought about these questions? How many are too busy with their lives to truly search for wisdom and truth. “Hey … I am saved. Isn’t that enough?” All I ask is that you just think about it. How do you obey the greatest commandment? Many think that they are obeying it by obeying the SECOND greatest commandment. They think that “As long as our leaders continue to confirm that we don’t have to obey all that, then we should be okay”, right?

“ ‘Cursed is he who does not confirm the words of this Law by doing them.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ (Deuteronomy 27:26 NASB) The original word for confirm is “Keep”, which means protect and guard (Just like we are to “Keep” the Sabbath, or protect it). How do we do this? By continually practicing God’s Laws. “Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commands and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:19) (NOWHERE does it say that we must do them perfectly, nor do them to be saved … just do them out of their belief, faith, and love for God) So, are you practicing God’s Laws? Are you receiving advice by someone who is teaching to obey God’s Laws or to disobey them?.

Friends, we show God that we love Him by practicing His commands / Laws (Love is nothing new … it has always been intermingled in the commands of God … for He is love).

The command / Law:

“Rise in the presence of the aged,
show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am YHVH.”
(Leviticus 19:32)

NASB translates “aged” as gray headed
KJV translates “aged” as hoary head
(Okay, hoary head didn’t sound too good … so I had to look it up. It means gray haired and the aged.)

What would it be called today?
What would this law look like lived out?
How does one keep this command / Law today?

07 / 14 / 07
(NIV used)

FIRST THOUGHTS:

The answer to the above questions? The same as when the command was given! Generations and time have not altered our ability to live out this command.

I am saddened that many people say the Laws of God are no longer valid and shouldn’t be taught. Because of this, many do not rise up for the aged when they enter the presence of younger people. Many young people are too cocky or arrogant, and think that they know what is best; they treat the aged as those simply waiting to die. If our generation had only listened to the aged, we would truly have much more wisdom and knowledge. However, this gem of God’s Law has been hidden. So we failed. Instead of rising up and showing respect, we have people beating up the aged and taking advantage of their trust.

Have you ever thought about this command? I mean, God is the one that makes the hair grow gray as one ages, and it is HE who gave this command. Our hair doesn’t have to turn gray when we get old, but it does so because GOD had this command as part of His creation. God desires for the young to know who the aged are; God desires the aged to be sought after for wisdom and knowledge.

We often seek out those who know more than we do when it comes to our work and employment, but when it comes to life and the meaning of it, we have pushed aside the true wisdom and knowledge that comes from the aged.

I also cringe inside when the young rush the elderly (While driving, in lines, even while they talk). I know that God will deal with these young accordingly.

WHAT ABOUT SCRIPTURE? IS THEIR MORE DETAIL?

“Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life.” (Proverbs 16:31) Some may read this and think, “I see so many old people who have gray hair and have lived evil lives.” We have to understand, God’s Laws are for God’s children, so this is NOT written about outsiders. Inside the family of God, yes, a gray haired person shows wisdom and knowledge attained by a righteous life. Let us not take that away from them … they have earned it! Even our government show this principle with an age minimum for the Presidency. The same can be seen in the judicial system with supreme court justices who terms are for life.

“The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old.” (Proverbs 20:29)

“In His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind … Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding? To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are His.” (Job 12:10 and 12-13) God gives wisdom and knowledge, and as a believer lives out the days of this life, he or she has more and more of these gifts as life is extended.

LAST THOUGHTS:

Why aren’t pastors to be young in the faith? (Yes, I know that Timothy was young and that young people can have wisdom, as well.) Scriptures say it is because a new convert is too immature!! I also understand that, just like Job’s friend, it is not only the aged and the gray haired who have wisdom … “It is not only the old who are wise, not only the aged who understand what is right.” (Job 32:9) … but even this young man waited until the gray haired men were done speaking their points (that is showing respect to the aged!) … “I waited while you spoke, I listened to your reasoning; while your were searching for words, I gave you my full attention.” (Job 32:11-12)

How about within the physical family? Who are the aged and the gray haired? They are usually the grandparents. In the old days, families would stick together, so the aged (Grandma and Grandpa) would be able to reach across a generation and give wisdom and knowledge to their grandchildren. It is sad when adult children who are parents cannot take the advice or accept the wisdom from their parents. Today, people get married and leave their families and move across the country. In other cases, parents leave their children and grandchildren and do the same to “finally enjoy retirement.” Who is going to teach the children what the parents fail to? To reach across a generation is a gift of God for the grandparents!!!

- “… that you may tell your children and grandchildren how … (and about what God has done in your life).” (Exodus 10:2)
- Yes, even the care of the grandparents should show the respect due to them. Today, many children will send a check across country to pay for a retirement home they put their parents in to spend the rest of their lives. Our system is upside down. Listen to Timothy in 1 Timothy 5:4 … “But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.”

Just something to think about the next time a gray haired person comes into your presence. Whether you are behind the wheel and about to honk your horn, or simply passing by while walking on a bike path (tip your hat to them; acknowledge them as your elders). According to God, they deserve it, ESPECIALLY if they are part of the family of God!

This is still a command (Law) of God. Let us re-evaluate what we have been taught and start living like our brother David did: “I long for your salvation, O YHVH, and your law is my delight. Let me live that I may praise you, and may your laws sustain me. I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.” (Psalm 119:174-176) Are you, like David, saved by faith and obeying His Laws that sustain us and are to be our delight? It is a delight to rise up and give respect to the gray-haired among us. Now, why would Yeshua (Jesus) have done away with that?! (He did not)

The command / Law:

“However, there should be no poor among you …”
(Deuteronomy 15:4)

What would it be called today?
What would this law look like lived out?
How does one keep this command / Law today?

09 / 15 / 07
(NIV used)

FIRST THOUGHTS:

Some may not have been taught or grasped the fact that God’s Laws / commands are for His children. So when God says things like “Among you…” He means “Among His family, His children”. Let me give you a quick passage that shows this and then a picture. Deuteronomy 14:21 … “Do not eat anything you find already dead. You may give it an alien living in any of your towns, and he may eat it, or you may sell it to a foreigner. But you are a people holy to YHVH your God.” Here, God distinguishes between US (The ones holy unto Him) and all others. So when God says, “You”, He is talking to us, His children (The ones holy and set aside for Him.)!

Here is a picture of what today’s Law means to our Father. How can you tell if you are in a bad part of town? We vacationed in Holland, Michigan this weekend and were sort of lost at one point and ended up in the “bad part” of town. How did we know this? The houses and cars were not taken care of and were in shambles; lawns and gardens were overgrown with weeds; and there were homeless people walking around begging. Please understand, it was NOT the size of the homes (before you mistake this devotion for a “prosperity doctrine”), it was that they were ruined, left abandoned, and not manicured. This, itself, says that the people who own them do not care about them. With that said, how can someone tell if we are truly a group of God’s children? By our possessions, or by the way we can give up what we have for others so that there are “no poor among us”?

Back to the topic at hand, though. Children of God will often use the phrase that we are to be “good stewards” of what God gives us. This is a correct saying and why the homes, cars and anything that God has allowed us to have here on earth will be kept working and taken care of among His children. The same goes for the poor or misfortunate among us (within the family / body). It is BECAUSE we care about our brothers / sisters that we make sure that there are no poor among us. THEY should mean more to us, children of God, than ANYTHING that we own.

LET US MEDIATE ON SOME PASSAGES ABOUT HELPING OUR BROTHERS (Making things equal among us):

2 Corinthinians 8:12-15 … “For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, as it is written: ‘He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little.’”

When we give to each other when there is a need, we are actually offering the sacrifices that were spoken about in ancient days … “Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a MEMORIAL OFFERING before God.” (Acts 10:4) And again in Philippians 4:18 … “I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a FRAGRANT OFFERING, an acceptable SACRIFICE, pleasing to God.”

WHAT ARE THE CHILDREN OF GOD TO LOOK LIKE WITHIN A COMMUNITY OF BELIEVERS?:

There are many among us who probably could NOT live in a community of believers like they did in Acts:

- “Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.” (Acts 2:45)
- “There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.” (Acts 4:34-35)

Even our Master confirmed this way of life in Matthew 19:21 … “Yeshua (Jesus) answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.” Really understand what they were doing, my friends. Many would want those who are “better off” than they to start this way of life. For it is always the one who makes the least who would be willing to live in a community of “equality”. Can you see why? The ones who make more often do not want to be the ones who give up. “Hey! I earned it. I worked hard for it,” is their cry. Or did God allow them (you?) to receive it simply so that you can freely give to others?

- “… the foolish and the senseless alike perish and leave their wealth to others.” (Psalm 49:10)
- “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is TRULY LIFE.” (1 Timothy 6:17-19)

Deuteronomy 15:7-8 and 10 … “IF there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that YHVH your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs … Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this YHVH your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to”

Romans 15:26 … “For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem.” (Did you notice? They gave to people that they did not know in other towns! Brothers and sisters who were in need.)

Luke 14:13-14 … “But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” (Same idea … give without expecting anything back. THAT is truly giving out of a heart and concern for others.)

ENDING THOUGHT:

Please do not have the mindset that you already give enough to this or that charity; Or that you already give 10% to the church and it is up to them that decides who gets donations. That way of thinking does not line up with the passages above. I know we all have budgets and some may be tight because we have overspent on ourselves already. Maybe instead of helping the poor, many of us have been spending on OUR desires and way of life … possibly neglecting the poor. According to the passages we have studied, it seems that we must give until it goes against reasoning, THEN we have really given from the heart!! Until then, giving may simply be a part of the budget. Others do not see our faith in action based on how wealthy we have become here on earth, but based on our humility, servanthood, and giving to others. Actually, we are to give until there is equality among us. (Here is the funny part … and we are commanded to feel good about it!!)

Equality is what God is all about!! Our brother Lathan (Address given above) is in pain and has humbly cried out for help. His cry has been heard among the angels and God, Himself. Are you a tool with which God will answer Lathan? WE are not to judge his actions (Like saying maybe he is being strengthened and we should not hinder God, or maybe he is being punished … if we do, then we are like Job’s friends who did the same and God rebuked them). Lathan is in a time of misfortune and for whatever reason … he is in need. We are simply commanded in Obadiah 1:12 to “… not look down on your brother in the day of his misfortune.” We must stop thinking about doing something and actually do it … (please, for our brother’s sake). Here is Lathan’s cry to the God of Israel: “Yet I am poor and needy; may YHVH think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; O my God, do not delay.” (Psalm 40:17)

I am SOOOO thankful that our Savior did not have the same attitude as many in the community of believers. For HE gave up ALL for us (He actually sold all HE had) … are we not to do the same if called to do so? Here is the command: Philippians 2:4- …. “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus): Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross” (Can you do it?)

Just something to think about while we enjoy our plenty this day. We now know what is meant by Luke 16:11. It is talking about how to give it away (NOT how to increase it and invest it) … “So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with TRUE riches.”

May the body of believers respond to this plea and overflow Lathan’s cup so much that He says, “No more. Thank you Father for hearing my prayers.” (Thank you to those who have already responded with a Memorial offering to God! (Philippians 4:18))

The command / Law:

“Do not use dishonest standards when measuring length, weight or quantity. Use
honest scales and honest weights, and honest ephah and an honest hin ….”
(Leviticus 19:35-36)

What would it be called today?
What would this law look like lived out?
How does one keep this command / Law today?

07 / 21 / 07
(NIV used)

“Do not have two differing weights in your bag–one heavy, one light. 14 Do not have two differing measures in your house–one large, one small. 15 You must have accurate and honest weights and measures, so that you may live long in the land YHVH your God is giving you. 16 For YHVH your God detests anyone who does these things, anyone who deals dishonestly.”
(Deuteronomy 25:13-16)

FIRST THOUGHTS:

Again, if the Law of God is no longer valid, then there is no requirement to have honest scales. I have met many Christians who have no qualms about overcharging or cheating their customers, employers, or others.

- “As long as they are willing to pay, it’s not my problem.”
- “Whatever we can get away with, is just and fair.”

Often-times in my business, I do a re-evaluation of the scales. We must make sure our flesh has not taken over the scale. So:

- Am I charging a customer based upon what I can get away with?
- Am I charging a customer more if I have inside information that he is “loaded” and can afford it?
- Do I use the same scales or multiplying factors throughout the job (say when the customer desires an extra or an upgrade)?
- Are my scales the same for ALL customers, and not based upon my needs? (My scales should not be based upon my bills for that week!! Do not confuse raising prices based upon economics and suppliers ‘prices with simply charging a customer more because you desire a boat or another toy this week.)

Today, many scales are based upon the highest amount they can convince someone to pay. It is a game in which whoever can get the most into their pocket is the winner. My friends, this life is NOT about us … it is about serving and obeying God. Whether many want to believe it or not, this life is a test. It is a test to see if we TRULY believe in God and who He is. God sees all and will pay us back as we do to others.

- “For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Mathew 7:2)
- “ ‘Consider carefully what you hear,’ He continued. ‘With the measure you use, it will be measured to you – and even more.’ ” (Mark 4:24)
- “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measure to you.” (Luke 6:37-38)

I have said it before and will repeat it again, God’s Laws are who GOD IS! It is HE that is just and true (so if we are His children with His Spirit dwelling within us, we are to be honest and true.). When we start practicing God’s Laws, we will begin to look like He does. On the other hand, we have to be careful. Do not confuse judging others with the preaching of righteousness (like our Savior did). A sin is a sin. But if someone is attempting to live out one of God’s Laws, we cannot judge that person in regards to the specifics of how he or she is trying to “keep it. We MUST extend the same grace and mercy that God extends to us.

So … How does God STILL view dishonest scales and measuring? (For we know that Honesty IS part of His character … “Honest scales and balances are from YHVH.” (Proverbs 16:11):

“YHVH abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are His delight.” (Proverbs 11:1)

“You are to use accurate scales, an accurate ephah and an accurate bath.” (Ezekiel 45:10)

“Hear this, you who trample the needy and do away with the poor of the land, saying, ’When will the New Moon be over that we may sell grain, and the Sabbath be ended that we may market wheat?’ – skimping the measure, boosting the price and cheating with dishonest scales, buying the poor with silver and the needy for a pair of sandals, selling even the sweepings with the wheat.” (Amos 8:4-6)

God is the God who will weigh and judge the lives of man. King Belshazzar was warned and did not heed this warning, so here is the verdict of the true scales of justice: “Tekel: You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting.” (Daniel 5:27)

“Am I still to forget, O wicked house, your ill-gotten treasures and the short ephah, which is accursed? Shall I acquit a man with dishonest scales, with a bag of false weights?” (Micah 6:10-11) … we must stop trying to hide behind the blood of the Lamb, using His blood as an excuse to live sinful lives apart from the Laws that HE gave us (and His Son obeyed as an example). So, let me ask you, “Shall (God) acquit a man with dishonest scales, with a bag of false weights?” (Micah 6:10-11) The answer is: Only when that man acknowledges his error (sin) and repents. Isn’t this what our Lord meant when He said, “… Go now and leave your life of sin.” (John 8:11)

LAST THOUGHTS:

Conclusion: When we say that God’s Laws are no longer valid for our lives, are we not saying that it is GOD who is no longer valid in our lives? Using true scales in business and life is what God would do. Using true scales in business and life is what God commands us to do. We don’t do this to gain salvation or merit badges from God, but because He has commanded us to do so, we want to be like HE is!! Can we, like our forefather Job, say: “let God weigh me in honest scales and he will know that I am blameless.” (Job 31:6)

Here is a question I would like to ask those who say we don’t have to obey God’s laws … If God left the Jews because of their rebelliousness to His Laws …. “An eagle is over the house of YHVH because the people have broken my covenant and rebelled against my Law. Israel cries out to me, “O our God, we acknowledge you!’ But Israel has rejected what is good!” (Hosea 8:1-3) If God could not tolerate disobedience back then, then why would he tolerate the SAME behavior from any “new” children? When our kids don’t obey us, do we just throw the rules out the window? I mean, WE, those living after the Messiah rose, have His Spirit within writing this very Law on our hearts so that we have the power to overcome this sin! (Hebrews 8:8-10)

Just something to think about next time someone asks, “How much are you charging?” and you look over to see what he is driving!

The command / Law:

“… and rejoice before YHVH your God for seven days.”

(Leviticus 23:40)

There are many examples of where we are commanded to rejoice, but I chose this one because
we are actually in this seven day period right now. (The Feast of Tabernacles) … rejoicing.

So how does one keep this command / Law today?

09 / 29 / 07
(NIV used)

FIRST THOUGHTS:

This devotion may be more for me than for you, as I am having a hard time obeying God on this one.

How many of us have commanded our kids before going to an establishment or gathering, “We are going to Uncle Bob’s and you WILL be happy, do you understand what I am saying?”

Come on, we have all said it. Even things like, “I know you are not happy but you WILL put on a smile while we are there.” And when we give them this command, you had better believe that they WILL obey it! (At least in my household … or else.)

Well … God, too, COMMANDS us to rejoice. Doesn’t that seem odd? We are told that we have to rejoice. You see, while we are away from home (heaven) in this earthly tabernacle, we are COMMANDED to rejoice … and it is an actual Law of God! It does not depend upon whether or not we feel like it; It does not depend upon whether or not life is easy or hard; It does not depend upon whether or not we feel physically well or are in pain … God says to all,

“REJOICE!!”

… and oh, by the way … put a smile on while you are doing it!!

“Daddy, I just don’t feel happy right now. It is hard to smile while work isn’t going well and things just are not going right.”

Our Abba Daddy says that He didn’t tell us to rejoice only if we are happy, but, while we remain “visiting here on earth” we WILL “REJOICE!!” There is no option (Don’t feel bad … we never gave our children an option either … remember?)

When do we rejoice? ALWAYS! “Rejoice in YHVH always. I will say it again: REJOICE!” (Philippians 4:4) I guess that sort of lets those is the world we are just visiting know that we don’t depend upon their earthly things like wealth and health for OUR happiness. But that:

- “… we rejoice in the HOPE of the glory of God.” (Romans 5:2) and not only in our hope, but
- we also “ … rejoice that (our) names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:20)

“But Daddy, we are not living with you yet, and this pain that I feel in this tent (tabernacle) is severe (insert your pain / troubles here if it helps you to get over it: ___________) It’s hard to put on a smile and act like nothing is wrong.”

“Rejoice anyway!!” for I have told you that “… (I) will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6) as well as when “Satan (asks) to sift you as wheat.” I promise to “… pray for you, that your faith may not fail.” (Luke 22:31-32)

So just because we may feel like:

“… the hardships we (are suffering) … (the) great pressure, (are) far beyond our ability to endure, so that we (despair) even of life. Indeed, in our hearts (we feel) the sentence of death. (Take heart and rejoice because) … this (all) happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.” (2 Corinthians 1:8-9)

So, REJOICE, we are almost at Uncle Bob’s.”

Just something to think about (Kyle), next time you start to complain about life. Next time you get caught up in the things of this world, remember (Kyle) that you are NOT of this world, so … “Endure hardship with us (those who have gone before you) like a good soldier of Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus). No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs – he wants to please his commanding officer.” (2 Timothy 2:3-4) So, stop whining about it (Kyle) and obey the One you aim to please and His command to you is to …

REJOICE!! (And enjoy doing it with a smile)!