Years ago, when I started questioning things I had learned in the church that had been passed down from generation to generation. I would talk to other people asking questions about how they felt about these holiday traditions that we were celebrating. I even spoke to one of the pastors at the church and I always received the same answer no matter who I talked to. "We are worshiping Him, He is happy with us as long as it is focused on Him, it doesn't matter how it is done as long as He is in the forefront, this is how we have always done it, Jesus is the reason for the season." The reasons goes on and on. But, it just doesn't line up with scripture.
In Exodus, the Israelites were brought out of Egypt and He told them if they will obey His voice and keep His covenant they will be a peculiar treasure, kingdom of priests and a holy nation. In Exo 19:8 "And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do." They agreed to this covenant. Then Moses is told to go get the people ready and to sanctify them and be ready the third day. He is going to come down in the sight of the people. On the morning of the third day Moses brings the people out to meet Him. Then in chapter 20 Yahweh begins to give the commandments, all of them not just the ten. But in verse 18 "And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. 19 And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die." He wanted an intimate relationship with His people, just like in the Garden of Eden. But they were too afraid. So, Yahweh picks up where He left off and continues to tell Moses. So Moses tells them to the Israelites and they agree to them, "we will do and be obedient". Then there is a feast with Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel: Exo 24:10 "And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness. Exo 24:11 And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand: also they saw God, and did eat and drink." A wedding feast. He has married His Bride. Next verse Moses is told to come up and receive the tables. Exo 24:12 "And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them. Exo 24:13 And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua: and Moses went up into the mount of God." So Moses goes up and through chapters 31 He gives Moses His Word. But in Chapter 32 we see when Moses is gone for so long the people tell Aaron to make them gods that will go before them and that brought them out of Egypt. Of course, we still see a lot of Egypt still in them as you can see in verse 6. So Aaron makes a golden calf and builds an altar. Exo 32:5 "And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To morrow is a feast to the LORD." That is interesting, A feast to the Yahweh? Didn't they just make a golden calf? Let's go on to Exo 32:6 " And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play. Exo 32:7 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves: Exo 32:8 They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt." So, in their eyes they were worshipping Him. But, in His eyes they were worshipping other gods. They broke their covenant with Him. So Moses broke the tables. Exo 32:19 "And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses' anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount." We see in Exo 32:21 "And Moses said unto Aaron, What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them?" We have to always worship Him according to His Ways. Otherwise, it is sin.
Written by: Jana D. Pindell
Saturday, February 19, 2011
The Mark of the Beast
If we let the Word interpret the Word, it is amazing what comes to light. We have been taught over the years that the mark of the beast will be some sort of electronic chip that will be implanted in our bodies, or it is the social security card, etc. But let's look at some scriptures and let the Word speak for itself.
In Revelations concerning the mark of the beast it says:
Rev 13:16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
We are told in Deuteronomy that we are to keep His commandments and teach them to our children and talk of them pretty much all the time. But as you see in chapter 6, verse 6 they are a sign on us.
Deu 6:5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. Deu 6:6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: Deu 6:7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. Deu 6:8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.
If we look up the word sign in Hebrew it also means a mark.
People are looking for a physical mark to be placed, something visible. But what if it isn't? Let's look at some more scriptures.
Job 10:14 If I sin, then thou markest me, and thou wilt not acquit me from mine iniquity.
Psa 37:37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.
Psa 37:38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.
Perfect in Hebrew means upright and/or undefiled. So we can see that one who sins has a mark and one who is righteous has a mark. Did Job physically get a mark on him?
The Sabbath was also a sign between Him and His people.
Exo 31:16 Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.
Exo 31:17 It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed. This is the one commandment that we are told to Remember.
But people say "now that I have recieved Christ I am sealed with the Holy Spirit" and people quote Eph 1:13: " In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,"
As it says after ye heard the word of truth and ye believed, ye were sealed. And the scriptures say in John 14:15-16: " If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;" The scripture is saying when we have heard the word of Truth and believe, we have repented and turned back to Him and keep the commandments we will be given the Holy Spirit. It is one transparency on top of the other that reveals the whole picture.
During Sabbath we are told we are to rest, stay in our domain, not light a fire, and not buy and/or sell. The not buying or selling comes out of Neh. 13:15-18. The Sabbath was not to be a day of commerce. It is His day, not ours. So if we go back to Revelation 13:17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. If we are keeping the commandments, then we are keeping the Sabbath and cannot buy or sell that day.
Written by: Jana D. Pindell
In Revelations concerning the mark of the beast it says:
Rev 13:16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
We are told in Deuteronomy that we are to keep His commandments and teach them to our children and talk of them pretty much all the time. But as you see in chapter 6, verse 6 they are a sign on us.
Deu 6:5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. Deu 6:6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: Deu 6:7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. Deu 6:8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.
If we look up the word sign in Hebrew it also means a mark.
People are looking for a physical mark to be placed, something visible. But what if it isn't? Let's look at some more scriptures.
Job 10:14 If I sin, then thou markest me, and thou wilt not acquit me from mine iniquity.
Psa 37:37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.
Psa 37:38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.
Perfect in Hebrew means upright and/or undefiled. So we can see that one who sins has a mark and one who is righteous has a mark. Did Job physically get a mark on him?
The Sabbath was also a sign between Him and His people.
Exo 31:16 Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.
Exo 31:17 It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed. This is the one commandment that we are told to Remember.
But people say "now that I have recieved Christ I am sealed with the Holy Spirit" and people quote Eph 1:13: " In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,"
As it says after ye heard the word of truth and ye believed, ye were sealed. And the scriptures say in John 14:15-16: " If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;" The scripture is saying when we have heard the word of Truth and believe, we have repented and turned back to Him and keep the commandments we will be given the Holy Spirit. It is one transparency on top of the other that reveals the whole picture.
During Sabbath we are told we are to rest, stay in our domain, not light a fire, and not buy and/or sell. The not buying or selling comes out of Neh. 13:15-18. The Sabbath was not to be a day of commerce. It is His day, not ours. So if we go back to Revelation 13:17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. If we are keeping the commandments, then we are keeping the Sabbath and cannot buy or sell that day.
Written by: Jana D. Pindell
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
How to Study the Bible
In times past when I studied the bible, well, I really didn't study it I mostly just read it. Now I study it.
In church a scripture is pulled out and a sermon is made. But the issue with that is it limits our view of what is really being said in the scriptures. The Torah was given to the Israelites. So if we want to understand the scriptures we need to study them exactly the way the people who were given them studied them. If you are studying a specific topic/word then you need a concordance and you need to look up every place that topic/word is discussed in the Bible. We have to search it like hidden treasure Proverbs 2:4. This will give you the bigger picture. We cannot just pick and choose scriptures. We have to let the Word interpret the Word. We have to remember the Word is of no private interpretation (2Pe 1:20).
I came across a great computer program called E-sword. This is a great study tool. This program is so well laid out. There are several versions. One version kind of basic you can download from their website and it is free. You can then add different Bible versions or commentaries, some are free and some costs. http://www.e-sword.net/ You can also make a donation if you like.
The other version is from http://119ministries.com/free-resources and it has lots of extras. Although a lot larger file 3 to 4 GBs. But if your computer can handle, it is worth it! It is also free, but you have to go through checkout and input your information. Enjoy!
Written by: Jana D. Pindell
In church a scripture is pulled out and a sermon is made. But the issue with that is it limits our view of what is really being said in the scriptures. The Torah was given to the Israelites. So if we want to understand the scriptures we need to study them exactly the way the people who were given them studied them. If you are studying a specific topic/word then you need a concordance and you need to look up every place that topic/word is discussed in the Bible. We have to search it like hidden treasure Proverbs 2:4. This will give you the bigger picture. We cannot just pick and choose scriptures. We have to let the Word interpret the Word. We have to remember the Word is of no private interpretation (2Pe 1:20).
I came across a great computer program called E-sword. This is a great study tool. This program is so well laid out. There are several versions. One version kind of basic you can download from their website and it is free. You can then add different Bible versions or commentaries, some are free and some costs. http://www.e-sword.net/ You can also make a donation if you like.
The other version is from http://119ministries.com/free-resources and it has lots of extras. Although a lot larger file 3 to 4 GBs. But if your computer can handle, it is worth it! It is also free, but you have to go through checkout and input your information. Enjoy!
Written by: Jana D. Pindell
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Hebrews Revealed
I have read Hebrews several times, but this last time several chapters really caught my attention, it was like each word was coming off the page at me in BIG BRIGHT LIGHTS. For many years, I held this belief that the 'New Covenant' simply meant with Yeshua's death and resurrection, that the 'Old Covenant' or 'Torah' was done away with, and that we are all covered by grace. Grace is a wonderful thing, but it should not be taken for granted. Surely if you have a 'New Covenant' then the 'old' is done away with, or is it?
Hebrews 8:7 - For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. Because finding fault with them, He says: "Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah--not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' for all shall know Me, from the least of the them to the greatest of them. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more."
Looking more closely at the scriptures, and reading each word, each line, yes there is a 'New Covenant', but it is a spiritual one 'written on our hearts'. Yes there is a New Covenant, but it is not the same Covenant most of us are taught in our Churches. Instead, it is a 'refreshed covenant'.
What Elohim had in store for us when he sent His Son was to do away with the Levitical Priesthood and constant sacrificial system by providing us, his beloved children, a once-and-for-all sacrifice in His Son, Yeshua. In return, He asked that 'we put His Laws in our minds and write them on our hearts'. Elohim is distinguishing his people by those who are keeping his commandments , not because they are written down in a physical sense and he told us to, but because our love for our Father and Yeshua instills a spiritual bond in us, and we want to keep His Commandments out of love. The very thing Yeshua asked us to do.........Love!
So what exactly are those Commandments Elohim asks of us? The Commandments of the 'Torah'. Elohim's teaching, or instruction, for how his people are to live. The same Torah that had been preached from Moses and carried on when Yeshua was teaching. The Torah was the instruction manual for a healthy, long-lived, and bountiful life; and it hasn't changed, not one jot or tittle!!!!
Written by: Charles S. Pindell IV
Hebrews 8:7 - For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. Because finding fault with them, He says: "Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah--not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' for all shall know Me, from the least of the them to the greatest of them. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more."
Looking more closely at the scriptures, and reading each word, each line, yes there is a 'New Covenant', but it is a spiritual one 'written on our hearts'. Yes there is a New Covenant, but it is not the same Covenant most of us are taught in our Churches. Instead, it is a 'refreshed covenant'.
What Elohim had in store for us when he sent His Son was to do away with the Levitical Priesthood and constant sacrificial system by providing us, his beloved children, a once-and-for-all sacrifice in His Son, Yeshua. In return, He asked that 'we put His Laws in our minds and write them on our hearts'. Elohim is distinguishing his people by those who are keeping his commandments , not because they are written down in a physical sense and he told us to, but because our love for our Father and Yeshua instills a spiritual bond in us, and we want to keep His Commandments out of love. The very thing Yeshua asked us to do.........Love!
So what exactly are those Commandments Elohim asks of us? The Commandments of the 'Torah'. Elohim's teaching, or instruction, for how his people are to live. The same Torah that had been preached from Moses and carried on when Yeshua was teaching. The Torah was the instruction manual for a healthy, long-lived, and bountiful life; and it hasn't changed, not one jot or tittle!!!!
Written by: Charles S. Pindell IV
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Belief and Obedience
"He who believes shall obey, for by his obedience he proves that he believes." --Author unknown.
James 2:17-24
"So also belief, if it does not have works, is in itself dead.
But someone might say, "You have belief, and I have works." Show me your belief without your works, and I shall show you my belief by my works.
You believe that Elohim is one. You do well. The demons also believe – and shudder!
But do you wish to know, O foolish man, that the belief without the works is dead?
Was not Aḇraham our father declared right by works when he offered Yitsḥaq his son on the altar?
Do you see that the belief was working with his works, and by the works the belief was perfected?
And the Scripture was filled which says, "Aḇraham believed Elohim, and it was reckoned to him for righteousness." And he was called, "Elohim’s friend."
You see, then, that a man is declared right by works, and not by belief alone."
Written by: Jana D. Pindell
James 2:17-24
"So also belief, if it does not have works, is in itself dead.
But someone might say, "You have belief, and I have works." Show me your belief without your works, and I shall show you my belief by my works.
You believe that Elohim is one. You do well. The demons also believe – and shudder!
But do you wish to know, O foolish man, that the belief without the works is dead?
Was not Aḇraham our father declared right by works when he offered Yitsḥaq his son on the altar?
Do you see that the belief was working with his works, and by the works the belief was perfected?
And the Scripture was filled which says, "Aḇraham believed Elohim, and it was reckoned to him for righteousness." And he was called, "Elohim’s friend."
You see, then, that a man is declared right by works, and not by belief alone."
Written by: Jana D. Pindell
His Way or the Highway!
My Mom's belief was her way or the highway. I believe that goes for our Father in heaven too! If you don't choose His Way, He let's you go down your own highway. But, you better hang on because as you look and see, it is a bumpy ride.
I was looking up the Psalm 119 in my husband's bible. This Psalm is all about our Father's Torah. But I would like to quote the comment made at the bottom of the page from Nelson's NKJV Bible on this chapter.
"The Hebrew word torah, translated law, basically means "instruction" or "direction." Broadly it refers to all God's instructions from Moses to the prophets. More strictly it refers to the first five books of the Old Testament. The Law was never designed as a means of salvation; no one could be saved by keeping it. The Lord gave His law to a people with whom He had already graciously established a covenantal relationship (Ex. 20:2). Instead, the Law was the means for the Israelites to learn how to live as God's holy people. The psalmists consistently describe the Law of God as a great blessing, for it was God's gracious revelation to His people for their own good. (Deut. 6:1-3). In the Law, God mercifully pointed out the right path to follow. Only mistaken legalistic interpretations of the Law prompted the negative statements concerning it in the New Testament."
While typing this I was reminded of the scripture in Deut. 4:5,6:
"Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it.
Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people."
Did you see that? This is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations. Wow.
While going over what I wrote above I realized I missed a whole sentence so I asked my husband to read the comment back to me while I read what I typed and he reminded me of a quote we used to have on our frig. I had copied from a NLT Study Bible we have. So I would like to also share.
"Biblical law is more that lists of do's and don'ts. It is a system of divine expectaions regarding belief and behavior which, if faithfully carried out, will bring God's richest blessing. Life itself depends on keeping the law (Deut. 4:1; see also 5:32-33; 8:1; 16:20).
The exodus from Egypt freed the nation of Israel to become God's servant. When God delivered Israel from bondage by "a strong hand, a powerful arm, and terrifying acts"(4:34), it was not because Israel had earned this right through its own righteousness but because God is gracious and faithful to his promises to Abraham. The purpose of the rescue from Egypt was not just to relieve the Israelites of their onerous burdens (Exodus 1:11-22; 5:4-23), but to make a covenant with them. The covenant relationship did not make the Israelites God's people; they already were his people (see Ex. 4:22-23). Obedience was not a precondition to the, but the proper response to it. It placed on them the responsibility of serving God as a priestly kingdom and a holy nation (Ex. 19:4-6).
The covenant guaranteed the people of Israel abundant and meaningful life if they kept the law. The covenant document consists of broad principles, patterns and standards. God's instructions are embodied most famously in the Ten Commandmenst (Deut 5:6-21) and most succinctly in the Shema (6:4-5). All other laws of God are interpretations and applications of these primary principls. The law was given to regulate Israel's affairs as a nation so that God's people would be a beacon of his grace to the whole world.
The life that resulted from obedience to the law was not eternal life in the NT sense. It was God's promise that is the Israelites were faithful to the covenant, the nation could expect long and prosperous days in the land (4:1; 5:16, 33; 10:8-9). Jesus also exhorted his disciples to keep the Ten Commandments and the demands of the Shema (Matt. 22:37-40)--not to have eternal life but as an expression of commitment to him(Matt. 5:17-19; John 14:15-21)."
The church has taught that we only follow what Jesus says in the New Testament. But as I have said before the New wasn't even written yet when he spoke. He only quoted the Old. Quote out of NLT Bible:
"The blessings of Jesus are Beatitudes because of Latin Vulgate translates the Greek word blessed as beati. No single word can capture all that Jesus is communicationg with this term here. He is describing the special favor of God toward his people, both physically and spiritually, and the consequences of living within that faor, Jesus calls men and women to follow him as he proclaims the message of the Kingdom of Israel (Matt.11:6; 13:16; 16:17; 24:46) The Beatitudes describe the lifestyle and character of a follower of Jesus. Those who are blessed have repented in response to the proclamation of the kingdom (4:17-22). The Beatitudes (Matt. 5:3-12) are quoted from/connected to Isa. 61:1-3. The Spirit endows, leads to proclamation, and blesses the poor, the humble, and the righteous.
"God blesses" conveys the ideas of divine origin and approval (Matt. 25:34), fulfillment (11:6; 13:16; 16:17), reversal (Luke 1-2; 6:20-26) and the condition of obedience required in order to enjoy the blessings (Psalm 1:1, 3-6; 106:3; 112:1; 119:102; Pro. 8:32; Isa 56:2). The blessings are inaugurated with the Messiah's coming, with a confident hope that they with be enjoyed eternally and completely."
Yeshua said "Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near"(Matt. 4:17).
He was talking to those who had turned away from Torah. Repent means to turn back to the place you came from.
The church has taught that we don't have to keep the law. But like Peter says, if someone is not learned in the Torah they will misinterpret Paul and follow after those of lawlessness (2 Peter 3:15-17) Sounds like the church. It teaches lawlessness. Lucy you have some splainin to do. Why would He go through all of that to set up a Way for His people to live and then drop it like a hot potato. I don't thinks so. He says He doesn't do anything without revealing His secrets to His prophets (Amos 3:7). So if it ain't in the Old it wasn't changed.
Look at this world we live in. The more left the church has become so has the world. He has had enough, and our sins are reaching Heaven. He will be coming down soon to deal with it. He came as a lamb the first time but when He returns, it will be as a Lion.
Written by: Jana D. Pindell
I was looking up the Psalm 119 in my husband's bible. This Psalm is all about our Father's Torah. But I would like to quote the comment made at the bottom of the page from Nelson's NKJV Bible on this chapter.
"The Hebrew word torah, translated law, basically means "instruction" or "direction." Broadly it refers to all God's instructions from Moses to the prophets. More strictly it refers to the first five books of the Old Testament. The Law was never designed as a means of salvation; no one could be saved by keeping it. The Lord gave His law to a people with whom He had already graciously established a covenantal relationship (Ex. 20:2). Instead, the Law was the means for the Israelites to learn how to live as God's holy people. The psalmists consistently describe the Law of God as a great blessing, for it was God's gracious revelation to His people for their own good. (Deut. 6:1-3). In the Law, God mercifully pointed out the right path to follow. Only mistaken legalistic interpretations of the Law prompted the negative statements concerning it in the New Testament."
While typing this I was reminded of the scripture in Deut. 4:5,6:
"Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it.
Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people."
Did you see that? This is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations. Wow.
While going over what I wrote above I realized I missed a whole sentence so I asked my husband to read the comment back to me while I read what I typed and he reminded me of a quote we used to have on our frig. I had copied from a NLT Study Bible we have. So I would like to also share.
"Biblical law is more that lists of do's and don'ts. It is a system of divine expectaions regarding belief and behavior which, if faithfully carried out, will bring God's richest blessing. Life itself depends on keeping the law (Deut. 4:1; see also 5:32-33; 8:1; 16:20).
The exodus from Egypt freed the nation of Israel to become God's servant. When God delivered Israel from bondage by "a strong hand, a powerful arm, and terrifying acts"(4:34), it was not because Israel had earned this right through its own righteousness but because God is gracious and faithful to his promises to Abraham. The purpose of the rescue from Egypt was not just to relieve the Israelites of their onerous burdens (Exodus 1:11-22; 5:4-23), but to make a covenant with them. The covenant relationship did not make the Israelites God's people; they already were his people (see Ex. 4:22-23). Obedience was not a precondition to the, but the proper response to it. It placed on them the responsibility of serving God as a priestly kingdom and a holy nation (Ex. 19:4-6).
The covenant guaranteed the people of Israel abundant and meaningful life if they kept the law. The covenant document consists of broad principles, patterns and standards. God's instructions are embodied most famously in the Ten Commandmenst (Deut 5:6-21) and most succinctly in the Shema (6:4-5). All other laws of God are interpretations and applications of these primary principls. The law was given to regulate Israel's affairs as a nation so that God's people would be a beacon of his grace to the whole world.
The life that resulted from obedience to the law was not eternal life in the NT sense. It was God's promise that is the Israelites were faithful to the covenant, the nation could expect long and prosperous days in the land (4:1; 5:16, 33; 10:8-9). Jesus also exhorted his disciples to keep the Ten Commandments and the demands of the Shema (Matt. 22:37-40)--not to have eternal life but as an expression of commitment to him(Matt. 5:17-19; John 14:15-21)."
The church has taught that we only follow what Jesus says in the New Testament. But as I have said before the New wasn't even written yet when he spoke. He only quoted the Old. Quote out of NLT Bible:
"The blessings of Jesus are Beatitudes because of Latin Vulgate translates the Greek word blessed as beati. No single word can capture all that Jesus is communicationg with this term here. He is describing the special favor of God toward his people, both physically and spiritually, and the consequences of living within that faor, Jesus calls men and women to follow him as he proclaims the message of the Kingdom of Israel (Matt.11:6; 13:16; 16:17; 24:46) The Beatitudes describe the lifestyle and character of a follower of Jesus. Those who are blessed have repented in response to the proclamation of the kingdom (4:17-22). The Beatitudes (Matt. 5:3-12) are quoted from/connected to Isa. 61:1-3. The Spirit endows, leads to proclamation, and blesses the poor, the humble, and the righteous.
"God blesses" conveys the ideas of divine origin and approval (Matt. 25:34), fulfillment (11:6; 13:16; 16:17), reversal (Luke 1-2; 6:20-26) and the condition of obedience required in order to enjoy the blessings (Psalm 1:1, 3-6; 106:3; 112:1; 119:102; Pro. 8:32; Isa 56:2). The blessings are inaugurated with the Messiah's coming, with a confident hope that they with be enjoyed eternally and completely."
Yeshua said "Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near"(Matt. 4:17).
He was talking to those who had turned away from Torah. Repent means to turn back to the place you came from.
The church has taught that we don't have to keep the law. But like Peter says, if someone is not learned in the Torah they will misinterpret Paul and follow after those of lawlessness (2 Peter 3:15-17) Sounds like the church. It teaches lawlessness. Lucy you have some splainin to do. Why would He go through all of that to set up a Way for His people to live and then drop it like a hot potato. I don't thinks so. He says He doesn't do anything without revealing His secrets to His prophets (Amos 3:7). So if it ain't in the Old it wasn't changed.
Look at this world we live in. The more left the church has become so has the world. He has had enough, and our sins are reaching Heaven. He will be coming down soon to deal with it. He came as a lamb the first time but when He returns, it will be as a Lion.
Written by: Jana D. Pindell
How Do We Love Our Elohim?
I am married and I love my husband. On our wedding day we both agreed to our marriage covenant and all its rules and restrictions. There are things that are expected from both of us. If he does his part and I don't do my part then our marriage will not go well. If I do not love him the way he needs to be loved but if I decide what he needs without listening to him then I do not truly love him, I am being selfish.
Over the years I have come to realize I do not like household items for gifts. I do not wish to receive a vacuum cleaner as a gift for me. It is a not something that shows that my husband has been listening to me. I am a chocolates, jewelry, flowers and cards kind of woman. I want him to listen to me when I talk and hear of things that my heart holds dear and buy me a gift that goes along with my interests. And that goes the same for me. If my husband talks about golfing and goes golfing but I always buy him hunting supplies, which he is not a hunter, then my heart has not been in tune to his. I am loving him my way, not how he has asked me. It is a two way street that we both have to walk. I do for him and he does for me. I want to love him how he wants to be loved.
That is the same way it is with our covenant with our Elohim. My marriage to my husband is a copy of the marriage covenant to our Elohim. I am to love Him how he has told me to love Him. If I go against His ways that He has given in the Bible, how He has asked me to love Him, then I am not listening to Him. I am not in tune with Him. I am loving Him my way. And as we know in marriage that does not go well. When the Israelites agreed to the Commandments at the foot of the Mountain. They were coming into a marriage covenant. His was their Elohim and they were to be His people. He would do for them and they would do for Him. Give and take. In Deuteronomy 6 it says:
Deu 6:1
Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it:
Deu 6:2
That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.
Deu 6:3Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey.
Deu 6:4Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:
Deu 6:5And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
Deu 6:6And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
Verse 5 says "love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might."
Deu 6:1
Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it:
Deu 6:2
That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.
Deu 6:3Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey.
Deu 6:4Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:
Deu 6:5And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
Deu 6:6And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
Verse 5 says "love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might."
I believe Yeshua quoted that in the New Testament. Remember He is Yahweh, he repeatedly said that They are One. He only says what the Father says. The Father's Words are in the Old Testament. The New Testament wasn't written until twenty and more years later. So the only Words that are quoted in all the New Testament are from the Old. Verse 6 "shall be in thine heart." They were to write them on their heart. So how were they to love Him? By keeping his commandments, statutes, etc. "If you love me, keep my commandments." Joh 14:15. What commandments? Old Testament commandments. They are His instructions for righteousness.
Deu 11:13
And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul,
And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul,
1Jn 3:16 By this we have known love, because He laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.
1Jn 3:17 But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his tender affections from him, how does the love of Elohim stay in him?
1Jn 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.
Quoted from Deut. 15:7-11.
Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Mat 22:38 This is the first and great commandment.
Mat 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Mat 22:40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Quoted from Deut 6:5.
His instructions for righteousness. That is what the Torah is about, how to love Him and love our neighbor. Just like we have the laws of this country. If we abide in these laws it keeps us on the path. If we break the law of speeding and you are pulled over and the cop lets you off the hook. Does that mean you go off and speed again? No, you have been given grace and therefore you should drive off with the heart of obeying.
What amazes me is so many people have been engrained with "we don't have to keep the law". But have you ever sat down and read the them? They are beautiful. The Way for His people to live, a path. When we keep them it shows that we love Him. Just like when my husband asks something of me. With all my heart I try to do it to his requirements, what he has asked, because he loves me and I love him. We need to love our Father, to His requirements, how he has asked.
Deu 10:12 And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,
Deu 10:13 To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good.
Written by: Jana D. Pindell
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Crucified Life Ministries
I don't remember how I came upon this website, but it wasn't a coincidence. If you didn't know there is no word in Hebrew for coincidence. This website is the only website where I know that I am getting pure Truth. I have never in all my life of being in the church received such wisdom and understanding. Every week the Jewish people read a section of the Torah. My family and I sit down every Sabbath and we read the Torah portion. I bought the Complete Jewish Bible by David H. Stern and in the Torah it is sectioned off by Torah portions for that week. Real handy. The folllowing Sunday or 1st day I cannot get on the internet fast enough to see what was written in the commentary about the previous Torah portion. This website blesses me so much. I hope it blesses you as much.
http://www.crucifiedlifemin.com/
Written by Jana D. Pindell
http://www.crucifiedlifemin.com/
Written by Jana D. Pindell
Sunday, February 6, 2011
The Truth that the church Doesn't Teach
I came across the best teaching the last week. It is Jim Staley laying out the Truth of the Bible. The True plan of Salvation. There is nothing I can add to it. It is nine parts about ten minutes each. Please watch and let the Truth unfold before your eyes and ears. Because of this Truth not being taught 7/8 of the bible is shut to your understanding (taken from part 9). That is a scary thing. That explains to me why for all my life I would gloss over so much scripture while saying that does not partain to me. What a lie I have been told Jer. 16:19. Please watch and come to the true understanding of His Plan of Salvation.
http://www.youtube.com/user/PassionForTruthVideo#p/c/2989D35DDF313C43
I do want to clarify two things from the videos. Paul is from the tribe of Benjamin (Romans 11:1) and Judah still has the scepter (Gen 49:10). Shiloh is Yeshua and we have not been gathered unto Him yet, that is in the millenium.
Written by: Jana D. Pindell
http://www.youtube.com/user/PassionForTruthVideo#p/c/2989D35DDF313C43
I do want to clarify two things from the videos. Paul is from the tribe of Benjamin (Romans 11:1) and Judah still has the scepter (Gen 49:10). Shiloh is Yeshua and we have not been gathered unto Him yet, that is in the millenium.
Written by: Jana D. Pindell
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
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