Friday, October 22, 2010
TM
Shabbat Shalom Loved One!
P.S. If (big word) I count properly Sukkot will start for those who wish to celebrate again on Tues 26th at sundown.
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Truth Searcher- you’re keeping Tabernacles again? Ha ha. Yep. I will explain why shortly, so hear me out. Loved One, we remember that our pursuit of the Fathers heart is one of desire- not duty. It is about relationship not religion. People used to ask me, do I have to keep the Sabbath? Nope. It is made for man not man made for Sabbath, you get to keep it! It is a wonderful blessing- those who have determined to keep the Sabbath know of the wonderful gift it is- He gave it! You would be hard pressed to find someone who has kept it- and would ever give it up! Since it is us that desire Him we should remember; He knows every thought we have, every word we speak, even what we consider hidden- is seen by the King of Glory. Our desire is to not harbor any wicked, self-serving; hate filled or judgmental thoughts toward others. Our pursuit is His heart which makes no room for evil. We are not capable of making others do what we do, think like we think or expect others to understand what we do. So if you do not want to keep the feast again- very much ok! We are only allowed to deal with ourselves- it is called repentance. That is why the spirit of Elijah must come again before the great and terrible Day of the Lord; just like he came before in Yah Chanan (John the Baptist) as his very name is Yah’s mercy—and we get that mercy by repenting. This is exactly what John came preaching- REPENT!
(Mat 10:25) "It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, and the slave like his master. If they have called the head of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign the members of his household! (Mat 10:26) "Therefore do not fear them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. (Mat 10:27) "What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops. (Mat 10:28) "Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. (Mat 10:29) "Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. (Mat 10:30) "But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. (Mat 10:31) "So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.
I get letters occasionally from loved ones coming out of various religious traditions and denominations. They write they were so happy to join those that have returned to the ancient paths of Torah. Then they are surprised when they see that the Jewish or even Messianic Jewish remnant that they were learning from; who supposedly has not strayed from obeying the Torah (instructions or law) for years or even eons, don’t keep the same dates for the Feasts, don’t agree on everything, etc. It has never been about trying to cause division; but we are mere humans, so it is about really searching for Truth and doing our utmost to do what He says. He is the One that is restoring all things. Frankly, we live to repent…and repent, and repent. Why, you may ask, because as we are being restored as more truth comes and we continually learn of Him. I expect when messiah comes, He will straighten us out on much. We learn not to point the finger and disassociate ourselves from other believers because we don’t agree on matters. We might just learn somewhere down the road that we are the ones who were wrong! We are those our Messiah spoke of- His Family, who desire to do the will of the Father. Sometimes Loved One, the road must be repeated. That is why it is a Torah Cycle. (Comment: the cycle is likened to the ancient path we are to return to; a path is often considered “a beaten path” due to returning to it often) We must learn to seek YHWH for His love and compassion to download to us; for others in our lives. Sometimes we only understand after returning many times. We can read the Scriptures over and over and then out of nowhere it seems YHWH reveals new Truth to us! Once again we need to remind ourselves why you and I and they are Family and as such you (we) are “Loved Ones”! I consider all “Truth Seekers” family and therefore loved ones. Once again, here’s why; (Matthew 12:46) While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood without, desiring to speak with him.(Matthew 12:47) Then one said unto him, Behold, your mother and your brothers stand without, desiring to speak with you. (Matthew 12:48) But he answered and said unto him that told him, who is my mother? And who are my brothers?
(Matthew 12:49) And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, behold my mother and my brothers! (Matthew 12:50) For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. Understand if we are willing to humble ourselves and submit to the will of YHWH and do the Father’s will (His TORAH! /Instructions) we are Yahshua’s (Jesus) family!
Why am I keeping Tabernacles/Sukkot again at this particular time, and should we all be? Absolutely NOT! I just really looked at the Aviv (start of the year agricultural witness) being borderline early this year and when we heard that the various harvests (other than the grapes) were not ready to harvest by our Sukkot time a month ago, and from my perspective, that is a Scriptural and practical matter. The harvest would need completion before you go off and leave your home and fields etc and party at the feast in Jerusalem for 8 days plus all the days of travel- and then return home to a possible rotting harvest? We know there are at least 3 growing climates in Israel. It appears to me that the coolest climate (takes the longest for certain fall harvest to get ready there) would be Jerusalem. That is where the High Priest lived and would do the Firstfruits offering in the month of the Aviv that started the year. As I thought about that, I just could not imagine the High Priest travelling 20-30- 50 miles to go find a warmer climate and some “Aviv” barley and declare Aviv. I would expect he would desire the guarantee that the whole of Israel was complete in six months with the fall harvest also; as this Feast of YHWH is and was also a requirement to come to Jerusalem. This idea would promote him waiting as long as possible to guarantee unity, and have Adar bet- the added 13th month that year.
YHWH is restoring all things, it is a learning process and not everyone or anyone is required to agree, but surely we are not so religious that we cannot love one another and offer some mercy and room for others who understand differently! I am so thankful we can and do offer love and mercy to each other! I can vouch for you, I have received so many wonderful and encouraging letters from so many of you- it has brought tears to my eyes, and I thank you loved ones- from the depths of my soul! We will never do our job of provoking the Jew to jealousy and toward messiah Yahshua by just agreeing with them and not obeying Scripture; we are to walk in His love and power because who lives in us- Yahshua! (John 13:34) "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. (John 13:35) "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (Luke 10:19) “See, I give you the power (authority) to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and none at all shall hurt you. (Luke 10:20) “But do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names have been written in the heavens.” (Luke 10:21) In that hour יהושע exulted in the Spirit and said, “I praise you, Father, Master of the heaven and of the earth, that you have hidden these matters from clever and learned ones, and did reveal them to babes. Yea, Father, because thus it was well-pleasing in your sight.
Much trouble is just ahead. YHWH is warning His loved ones to draw near to Him. Problems will be many, but to dwell on the problem will allow you to be overcome by it. We must forgive and overcome the problems, trials. It is not a surprise that they are allowed, but do we grow or perish from them? Do we get busy pointing the finger at others or should we look at ourselves and ask how we may grow and overcome? Everyone born again of His Spirit may overcome! (John 16:33) "These things I have spoken to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation (troubles and trials), but take courage; I have overcome the world." (1Jn 5:1) Everyone who believes that יהושע is the Messiah has been born of Elohim, and everyone who loves the one bringing forth also loves the one having been born of Him. (1Jn 5:2) By this we know that we love the children of Elohim, when we love Elohim and guard His commands. (1Jn 5:3) For this is the love for Elohim, that we guard His commands,1 and His commands are not heavy (burdensome), Footnote: 1See 5:2, 2 John v. 6, John 14:15. (1Jn 5:4) Everyone having been born of Elohim overcomes the world. And this is the overcoming that has overcome the world: our belief (faith in action). (1Jn 5:5) Who is the one who overcomes the world but he who believes that יהושע is the Son of Elohim? (1Jn 5:6) This is the One that came by water and blood: יהושע Messiah, not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is the Truth. (1Jn 5:7) Because there are three who bear witness: (1Jn 5:8) the Spirit, and the water, and the blood. And the three are in agreement.
With another opportunity in mind to celebrate Sukkot let’s turn our hearts toward the Torah Scriptures this week.
Here are this week’s Torah Scriptures: Sukkot/Tabernacles Feast of Booths
Leviticus 22:26—23:44; Numbers 29:12-16; Zechariah 14:1-21; Revelation 21:1-8;
(Lev 22:26) And יהוה spoke to Mosheh, saying, (Lev 22:27) “When a bull or a sheep or a goat is born, it shall be seven days with its mother. And from the eighth day and thereafter it is acceptable as an offering made by fire to יהוה. (Lev 22:28) “But do not slaughter a cow or a sheep and its young on the same day. (Lev 22:29) “And when you bring a slaughtering of thanksgiving to יהוה, bring it for your acceptance. (Lev 22:30) “It is eaten that same day leave none of it till morning. I am יהוה. (Lev 22:31) “And you shall guard my commands and do them. I am יהוה. (Lev 22:32) “And do not profane my set-apart name, and I shall be set-apart among the children of Yisra’ĕl. I am יהוה, who sets you apart, (Lev 22:33) who brought you out of the land of Mitsrayim, to be your Elohim. I am יהוה.” (Lev 23:1) And יהוה spoke to Mosheh, saying, (Lev 23:2) “Speak to the children of Yisra’ĕl, and say to them, ‘the appointed times of יהוה, which you are to proclaim as set-apart gatherings, my appointed times, are these: (Lev 23:3) ‘Six days work is done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, a set-apart gathering. You do no work it is a Sabbath to יהוה in all your dwellings. (Lev 23:4) ‘These are the appointed times of יהוה, set-apart gatherings which you are to proclaim at their appointed times. (Lev 23:5) ‘In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, between the evenings, is the Passover to יהוה. (Lev 23:6) ‘And on the fifteenth day of this month is the Festival of Unleavened Bread to יהוה – seven days you eat unleavened bread. (Lev 23:7) ‘On the first day you have a set-apart gathering, you do no servile work. (Lev 23:8) ‘And you shall bring an offering made by fire to יהוה for seven days. On the seventh day is a set-apart gathering, you do no servile work.’ ” (Lev 23:9) and יהוה spoke to Mosheh, saying, (Lev 23:10) “Speak to the children of Yisra’ĕl, and you shall say to them, ‘When you come into the land which I give you, and shall reap its harvest, then you shall bring a sheaf of the first-fruits of your harvest to the priest. (Lev 23:11) ‘And he shall wave the sheaf before יהוה, for your acceptance. On the morrow after the Sabbath the priest waves it. (Lev 23:12) ‘And on that day when you wave the sheaf, you shall prepare a male lamb a year old, a perfect one, as a burnt offering to יהוה, (Lev 23:13) and its grain offering: two-tenths of an ĕphah of fine flour mixed with oil, an offering made by fire to יהוה, a sweet fragrance, and its drink offering: one-fourth of a hin of wine. (Lev 23:14) ‘And you do not eat bread or roasted grain or fresh grain until the same day that you have brought an offering to your Elohim – a law forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. (Lev 23:15) ‘And from the morrow after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, you shall count for yourselves: seven completed Sabbaths. (Lev 23:16) ‘Until the morrow after the seventh Sabbath you count fifty days, then you shall bring a new grain offering to יהוה. (Lev 23:17) ‘Bring from your dwellings for a wave offering two loaves of bread, of two-tenths of a ĕphah of fine flour they are, baked with leaven, first-fruits to יהוה. (Lev 23:18) ‘And besides the bread, you shall bring seven lambs a year old, perfect ones, and one young bull and two rams. They are a burnt offering to יהוה, with their grain offering and their drink offerings, an offering made by fire for a sweet fragrance to יהוה. (Lev 23:19) ‘And you shall offer one male goat as a sin offering, and two male lambs a year old, as a peace offering. (Lev 23:20) ‘And the priest shall wave them, besides the bread of the first-fruits, as a wave offering before יהוה, besides the two lambs. They are set-apart to יהוה for the priest. (Lev 23:21) ‘And on this same day you shall proclaim a set-apart gathering for yourselves, you do no servile work on it – a law forever in all your dwellings throughout your generations. (Lev 23:22) ‘And when you reap the harvest of your land do not completely reap the corners of your field when you reap, and do not gather any gleaning from your harvest. Leave them for the poor and for the stranger. I am יהוה your Elohim.’ ”
Feast of Trumpets and Yom Kippur- Atonement- Sukkot/Tabernacles
(Lev 23:23) And יהוה spoke to Mosheh, saying, (Lev 23:24) “Speak to the children of Yisra’ĕl, saying, ‘In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you have a rest, a remembrance of blowing of trumpets, a set-apart gathering. (Lev 23:25) ‘You do no servile work, and you shall bring an offering made by fire to יהוה.’ ” (Lev 23:26) And יהוה spoke to Mosheh, saying, (Lev 23:27) “On the tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. It shall be a set-apart gathering for you. And you shall afflict your beings, and shall bring an offering made by fire to יהוה. (Lev 23:28) “And you do no work on that same day, for it is the Day of Atonement, to make atonement for you before יהוה your Elohim. (Lev 23:29) “For any being who is not afflicted on that same day, he shall be cut off from his people. (Lev 23:30) “And any being who does any work on that same day, that being I shall destroy from the midst of his people. (Lev 23:31) “You do no work – a law forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. (Lev 23:32) ‘It is a Sabbath of rest to you, and you shall afflict your beings. On the ninth day of the month at evening, from evening to evening, you observe your Sabbath.” Tabernacles- Sukkot- Let’s all go build our mangers! (Lev 23:33) And יהוה spoke to Mosheh, saying, (Lev 23:34) “Speak to the children of Yisra’ĕl, saying, ‘On the fifteenth day of this seventh month is the Festival of Booths for seven days to יהוה. (Lev 23:35) ‘On the first day is a set-apart gathering, you do no servile work. (Lev 23:36) ‘For seven days you bring an offering made by fire to יהוה. On the eighth day there shall be a set-apart gathering for you, and you shall bring an offering made by fire to יהוה. It is a closing festival, you do no servile work. (Lev 23:37) ‘These are the appointed times of יהוה which you proclaim as set-apart gatherings, to bring an offering made by fire to יהוה, a burnt offering and a grain offering, a slaughtering and drink offerings, as commanded for every day – (Lev 23:38) besides the Sabbaths of יהוה, and besides your gifts, and besides all your vows, and besides all your voluntary offerings which you give to יהוה. (Lev 23:39) ‘On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you gather in the fruit of the land, observe the festival of יהוה for seven days. On the first day is a rest, and on the eighth day a rest. (Lev 23:40) ‘And you shall take for yourselves on the first day the fruit of good trees, branches of palm trees, twigs of leafy trees, and willows of the stream, and shall rejoice before יהוה your Elohim for seven days. (Lev 23:41) ‘And you shall observe it as a festival to יהוה for seven days in the year – a law forever in your generations. Observe it in the seventh month. (Lev 23:42) ‘Dwell in booth (Sukkoth’s- mangers) for seven days; all who are native Yisra’ĕlites dwell in booths, (Lev 23:43) so that your generations know that I made the children of Yisra’ĕl dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Mitsrayim. I am יהוה your Elohim.’ ” (Lev 23:44) Thus did Mosheh speak of the appointed times of יהוה to the children of Yisra’ĕl.
Another witness- Tabernacles – when Yahshua dwells with His people!
(Num 29:12) ‘And on the fifteenth day of the seventh month you have a set-apart gathering, you do no servile work. And you shall observe a festival to יהוה seven days, (Num 29:13) and you shall bring near a burnt offering, an offering made by fire a sweet fragrance to יהוה: thirteen young bulls, two rams, fourteen lambs a year old, perfect ones they are, (Num 29:14) and their grain offering: fine flour mixed with oil, three-tenths of an ĕphah for each of the thirteen bulls, two-tenths for each of the two rams, (Num 29:15) and one-tenth for each of the fourteen lambs, (Num 29:16) and one male goat as a sin offering, besides the continual burnt offering, its grain offering, and its drink offering.
Yahshua is coming! He will fight for us so we now must make ourselves ready!
(Zec 14:1) See, a day shall come for יהוה, and your spoil shall be divided in your midst. (Zec 14:2) And I shall gather all the gentiles to battle against Yerushalayim1. And the city shall be taken, the houses plundered, and the women ravished. Half of the city shall go into exile, but the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Footnote: 1Joel 3:2, Zeph. 3:8, Rev. 16:14. (Zec 14:3) And יהוה shall go forth, and He shall fight against those gentiles, as He fights in the day of battle. (Zec 14:4) And in that day His feet shall stand upon the Mount of Olives, which faces Yerushalayim on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, from east to west, a very great valley, and half of the mountain shall move toward the north and half of it toward the south. (Zec 14:5) And you shall flee to the valley of my mountain – for the valley of the mountains reaches to Atsal. And you shall flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziyah sovereign of Yehuḏah. יהוה my Elohim shall come – all the set-apart ones with you. (Zec 14:6) And in that day it shall be: there is no light, it is dark. (Zec 14:7) And it shall be one day which is known to יהוה, neither day nor night, but at evening time there shall be light. (Zec 14:8) And in that day it shall be that living waters flow from Yerushalayim1, half of them toward the eastern sea and half of them toward the western sea, in summer as well as in winter. Footnote: 1Rev. 22:1-2. (Zec 14:9) And יהוה shall be Sovereign over all the earth1. In that day there shall be one יהוה, and His Name one. Footnote: 1Isa. 24:23, Dan. 2:44, Rev. 11:15. (Zec 14:10) All the land shall be changed into a desert plain from Geḇa to Rimmon south of Yerushalayim, and she shall be raised up and inhabited in her place from Binyamin’s Gate to the place of the First Gate and the Corner Gate, and from the Tower of Ḥanan’ĕl to the winepresses of the sovereign. (Zec 14:11) And they shall dwell in her, and there shall be no more utter destruction1, but Yerushalayim shall be safely inhabited. Footnote: 1Mal. 4:6. (Zec 14:12) And this is the plague with which יהוה plagues all the people who fought against Yerushalayim: their flesh shall decay while they stand on their feet, and their eyes decay in their sockets, and their tongues decay in their mouths. (Zec 14:13) And it shall be in that day that a great confusion from יהוה is among them, and every one of them shall seize the hand of his neighbor, and his hand rise up against his neighbor’s hand. (Zec 14:14) And Yehuḏah shall fight at Yerushalayim as well. And the wealth of all the gentiles round about shall be gathered together: gold, and silver, and garments in great quantities. (Zec 14:15) So also is the plague on the horse and the mule, on the camel and the donkey, and on all the cattle that are in those camps – as this plague. (Zec 14:16) And it shall be that all who are left from all the gentiles which came up against Yerushalayim, shall go up from year to year to bow themselves to the Sovereign, יהוה of hosts, and to observe the Festival of Booths.
If these Feasts are all done away with- why does Messiah command us to keep them in the millennium? (Maybe – just maybe they are not really done away with- besides we still have a heaven and earth- even to us casual observers!)
(Mat 5:17) "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. (Mat 5:18) "For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. PS ALL is not accomplished – Messiah will reign from Jerusalem!
(Zec 14:17) And it shall be that if anyone of the clans of the earth does not come up to Yerushalayim to bow himself to the sovereign, יהוה of hosts, on them there is to be no rain. (Zec 14:18) And if the clan of Mitsrayim (Egypt) does not come up and enter in, then there is no rain. On them is the plague with which יהוה plagues the gentiles who do not come up to observe the Festival of Booths. (Zec 14:19) This is the punishment of Mitsrayim and the punishment of all the gentiles that do not come up to observe the Festival of Booths. (Zec 14:20) In that day “SET-APART TO יהוה” shall be engraved on the bells of the horses. And the pots in the House of יהוה shall be like the bowls before the altar. (Zec 14:21) And every pot in Yerushalayim and Yehuḏah shall be set-apart to יהוה of hosts. And all those who slaughter shall come and take them and cook in them. And there shall no longer be a merchant in the House of יהוה of hosts, in that day.
He will indeed dwell with us! See!
(Rev 21:1) And I saw a renewed heaven and a renewed earth, for the former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea is no more. (Rev 21:2) And I, Yoḥanan, saw the set-apart city, renewed Yerushalayim, coming down out of the heaven from Elohim, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. (Rev 21:3) And I heard a loud voice from the heaven saying, “See, the Booth of Elohim is with men, and He shall dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and Elohim Himself shall be with them and be their Elohim. (Rev 21:4) “And Elohim shall wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, nor mourning, nor crying. And there shall be no more pain, for the former matters have passed away.” (Rev 21:5) And He who was sitting on the throne said, “See I make all matters new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and trustworthy.” (Rev 21:6) And He said to me, “It is done! I am the ‘Aleph’ and the ‘Taw’, the Beginning and the End. To the one who thirsts I shall give of the fountain of the water of life without payment. (Rev 21:7) “The one who overcomes shall inherit all this, and I shall be his Elohim and he shall be my son. (Rev 21:8) “But as for the cowardly (fearful), and untrustworthy, and abominable, and murderers, and those who whore, and drug sorcerers, and idolaters, and all the false, their part is in the lake which burns with fire and sulphur, which is the second death.”
Yahshua has won! He came to destroy the works of the devil- which was and in some cases still is; our enslavement. Part of that destroying the devils work was to gather His lost sheep of Israel. Who were scattered all over the earth for our sun god worship and Easter fertility goddess worship which we joined into these pagan rituals. Ezekiel was shown this and promised our scattering all over the earth. Where we now live, 2730 years later we still are for the most part. Remember we are ALL grafted in to Israel by faith (trust) in making Yahshua our master and are heirs according to the promise given Abraham. The 390 years of our promised judgment was indeed multiplied by 7 = 2730 years for our continued disobedience and desiring to add to and take away from his commands and worship Him as we desired using pagan traditions. Many believe that from when Assyrian General Shalmaneser took us away captive is now 2730 years. One account of this General is found at: http://www.livius.org/io-iz/israel/kingdom.html. Our scattering judgment would be over. IF we repent and obey our King! (1Co 15:50) And this I say, brothers; that flesh and blood is unable to inherit the reign of Elohim, neither does corruption inherit incorruption. (1Co 15:51) See, I speak a secret (Mystery-remesh) to you: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, (1Co 15:52) in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (1Co 15:53) For this corruptible has to put on incorruption, and this mortal to put on immortality. (1Co 15:54) And when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, and then shall come to be the word that has been written, “Death is swallowed up in overcoming.” (1Co 15:55) “O Death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your overcoming?” (1Co 15:56) And the sting of death is the sin, and the power of the sin is the Torah. (1Co 15:57) But thanks to Elohim who gives us the overcoming (victory) through our Master יהושע Messiah. However, for us to enter in to the victory He has already wrought for us, we must believe His promises and act as though we believe them. This brings us to what fasting and praying can do. It will literally rid us of our unbelief! ALL things are possible to him (or her) who believes! Let’s look together again at the topic Yahshua was really teaching about in the following Scriptures. He is truly preparing us to fast and have the victory He paid for so we could be free from fear and anxiety in the days approaching Planet Earth (Called Jacob’s Trouble) prior to His return. Please note: the topic is not some big devil- they all have to bow- even their king-hasatan IF we believe. This is Yahshua’s topic- believing or not believing. Also note that he is not happy when we do not believe…because He cannot give us what He already paid for! IF we can believe ALL things are possible.
(Mar 9:19) And He answered him and said, “O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him to me.” (Mar 9:20) So they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit threw him into convulsions. And falling on the ground, he rolled about, foaming at the mouth. (Mar 9:21) And He asked his father, “How long has he been like this?” And he said, “From childhood, (Mar 9:22) and often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if it is at all possible for you, have compassion on us and help us.” (Mar 9:23) And יהושע said to him, “If you are able to believe, all is possible to him who believes.” (Mar 9:24) And immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “I believe Master, help my unbelief!” (Mar 9:25) And when יהושע saw that a crowd came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to him, “You deaf and dumb spirit, I order you, come out of him, and never again enter into him!” (Mar 9:26) And crying out, and convulsing him much, it came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said that he was dead. (Mar 9:27) But יהושע, taking him by the hand, lifted him up, and he arose. (Mar 9:28) And when He came into a house, His taught ones asked Him separately, “Why were we unable to cast him out?” (Mar 9:29) And He said to them, “It is impossible for this kind to come out except through prayer and fasting.”
Here’s another look and Yahshua’s response when the disciples ask why couldn’t we cast it out?
(Mat 17:17) And יהושע answering, said, “O generation, unbelieving and perverted, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to me.” (Mat 17:18) And יהושע rebuked the demon, and he came out of him. And the child was healed from that hour. (Mat 17:19) Then the taught ones came to יהושע by Himself and said, “Why were we unable to cast him out?” (Mat 17:20) And יהושע said to them, “Because of your unbelief, for truly, I say to you, if you have belief as a mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it shall move. And no matter shall be impossible for you. (Mat 17:21) “But this kind does not go out except through prayer and fasting.”
Again, I ask you- what is the topic? It is our unbelief- that is what must go for us to have his victory! Is it any wonder that Joel warns us to fast and pray in the Day of the Lord? That Day is a day of great trials and famine, pestilence and sword. Let’s quickly look, but remember that drunkards may not be drunk on wine but they are not sober and alert- watching and praying like Yahshua warned us:
(Joe 1:5) Wake up, you drunkards, and weep. And wail, all you drinkers of wine, on account of the new wine, for it has been cut off from your mouth. (Joe 1:6) For a nation has come up against my land, strong, and innumerable. Its teeth are the teeth of a lion, and it has the fangs of a lioness. (Joe 1:7) It has laid waste my vine and splintered my fig tree. It has made it entirely bare and cast it away, its branches became white. (Joe 1:8) Wail like a maiden girded with sackcloth for the husband of her youth. (Joe 1:9) The grain offering and the drink offering have been cut off from the House of יהוה. The priests, servants of יהוה, have mourned. (Joe 1:10) The field is ravaged, the ground has mourned, for the grain is ruined, the new wine has dried up, the oil fails. (Joe 1:11) The farmers are ashamed the vinedressers wail over the wheat and over the barley, for the harvest of the field is destroyed. (Joe 1:12) The vine has dried up, and the fig tree droops, pomegranate, also palm, and apple tree, all the trees of the field are dried up, because joy has dried up among the sons of men. (Joe 1:13) Gird yourselves and lament, you priests. Wail you attendants of the altar. Come lie all night in sackcloth, you attendants of my Elohim. For the grain offering and the drink offering are withheld from the house of your Elohim. (Joe 1:14) Set apart a fast. Call an assembly, gather the elders, all the inhabitants of the land, into the House of יהוה your Elohim, and cry out to יהוה. (Joe 1:15) Alas for the day! The Day of יהוה is near, and it comes as destruction from the Almighty. (Joe 1:16) Is not the food cut off before our eyes, joy and gladness from the House of our Elohim?
We don’t have any excuse for being fearful IF we will pursue him with all our hearts, minds, and strength! (Pro 8:17) "I love those who love me; and those who diligently seek me will find me. (Jer 29:11) ‘For I know the plans I am planning for you,’ declares יהוה, ‘plans of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and expectancy (hope). (Jer 29:12) ‘Then you shall call on me, and shall come and pray to me, and I shall listen to you. (Jer 29:13) ‘And you shall seek me, and shall find me, when you search for me with all your heart1. Footnote: 1Dt. 4:29, Joel 2:12. (Jer 29:14) ‘And I shall be found by you,’ declares יהוה, ‘and I shall turn back your captivity, and shall gather you from all the gentiles and from all the places where I have driven you (Scattering all over the earth), declares יהוה. And I shall bring you back to the place from which I have exiled you.’
FEAR NOT! YHWH is great and greatly to be praised! He is coming to deal with all rebellion and wickedness. Let’s make sure we are on the winning team when He arrives! He will indeed dwell (tabernacle) with men soon- not only in us but walk among us! I hope you are one who gets to keep Tabernacles with our King again, but no matter what your circumstances- remember- YOU ARE MUCH LOVED! Thank you from my heart to yours, loved one, for your continued prayers for wisdom and understanding, for absolute confusion of the enemy and his hordes, and for our protection, direction, and provision. This prayer will be answered quickly for us and you- because as you freely give of your prayers- they are multiplied back for your loved ones. You are sowing prayers unselfishly in secret and He will reward you openly! Praise be to YHWH, who gives us the victory through Yahshua the messiah!
Shalom to your home and thank you again for your blessings of encouragement,
Thurston
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