Spiritual/Physical Fitness

Today my family went to the gym. We have been trying to go more frequently after paying for gym memberships that have hardly been used over the past three years. As I was sitting on the stationary bike, I felt like the Ruach (Holy Spirit) gave me a little insight.

I am about 20 lbs. overweight right now. It didn't happen in a day, week, or even a year. It happened little by little throughout my life. Yes, I have delivered six babies, the youngest is 16. So, there that could be an  excuse, right??? Not. Bottom line friends, the weight I have put on is due to a lack of discipline and pure laziness. I lack the discipline to put the right foods into my body, which is the temple of the Holy Spirit. The laziness factor comes into the picture because I just don't feel like exercising. Let's all be honest with ourselves, that is the truth.

So while I was sitting on the bike, it occurred to me that as goes the physical, so goes the spiritual. As believers in Yeshua (Jesus), the church has many body parts that are out of shape. Some just a little out of shape and some are way out of shape. The same contributing factors are in the equation for the spiritual as the physical. The body of Messiah is not fit because of a lack of discipline and pure laziness. We are saved through the blood of Yeshua, but God has work for us to do. And we won't be able to do it unless we are physically and spiritually fit. Do you see the word "discipline?" It should remind us all that we are to be disciples of the Lord. Are we reading His Word and praying? Are we in fellowship with other believers? If not, it is time to start. The time is getting short. We have work to do church!!! People living in darkness need to see the light, and we are the light!

I would like to encourage you to get spiritually fit starting today. Just take baby steps! Just like going to the gym. I didn't put the extra weight on all at once and it will take some time to take it off. Getting spiritually fit will take time and work also! So with that being said - shine the Light!!!

Walk Out Your Calling

Scripture - I Samuel 3:15 - So Samuel lay down until morning. Then he opened the doors to the house of the Lord, but Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli.

Observation - God had spoken to Samuel regarding Eli's poor parenting skills. Samuel didn't have peace in giving the message to Eli. He actually was full of fear. I don't think it was something he desired to do, yet he was the one the Yahweh chose and called as a prophet.

Application - If God calls you to a ministry, you may have to come out of your comfort zone. You may actually experience fear as you walk out your ministry calling. Yet God will be with you if you start.

Prayer  Father, let us walk in your calling even if we are fearful. Be with us as we go and minister. Amen.

Overcoming Condemnation & the Enemy

Scripture - Zephaniah 3:15 The Lord has taken away the judgments against you; he has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the Lord is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil.

Observation - When we come to salvation through the blood of Yeshua (Jesus), the judgment or condemnation is taken from our lives. The Lord is the one who removes the enemies from my life. He is in our midst even as he was in Israel's midst; and because His Holy Spirit lives in us, we don't need to fear evil.

Application - My focus must be on God, who is much bigger than anything the enemy could throw at me. As I spend time in his presence in worship and prayer and learning his word, he will take care of everything that rises up against me.

Prayer - Father, let me focus on your greatness. As I live to bring you glory, take care of every detail in my life. In Yeshua's name. Amen.

Planetshakers - Holy Spirit (with Lyrics/Subtitles) (Worship Song for Je...

Watermelon Seeds

Have you ever heard someone share God's Word and there are things just don't set right with your spirit? Well, it was once told to me that it is like eating watermelon. Every pastor/teacher is human. Sometimes they say things that are out of the fleshy side rather than the Spirit, and that is understandable. We are all human and many things shared are from our life experiences.

We need to ask the Lord for discernment when we are being taught His Word. As with eating watermelon, seedless is best. But it is ok if there are a few seeds to spit out. But we must beware if every mouthful of watermelon is full of seeds. Maybe this is for someone out there. The thought just came to me a little while ago this afternoon.

Blessings in Yeshua! Pray for wisdom and understanding.

Shavu'ot (Pentecost), the Torah, and the Holy Spirit

Scripture - The festival of Shavu‘ot arrived, and the believers all gathered together in one place. Acts 2:1

Observation- I was totally blown away when I realized the importance of this scripture. As most of my believing friends may know, the book of Acts has to do with the early church. The second chapter has to do with the giving of the Ruach Hakodesh (Holy Spirit). The festival was Shavu'ot. This festival is when Israel celebrated the giving of the Torah on Mt. Sinai. Torah is sometimes translated as the Law, but what it means is "instructions." How you feel about Torah is all about your perception. Instructions are always good. So, the believers were celebrating the Torah. Then like the sound of a mighty wind, the Holy Spirit entered the room!!! How totally awesome. 

I thought about Yeshua's words in John where he said,  "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” The Torah is the truth. He sealed the believers with his Spirit as they celebrated his Truth.

Application - There is a delicate balance between Spirit and Truth. Too much truth without the Spirit leads you into legalism, and too much Spirit without truth leads you into foolishness. As a believer, I must learn the proper balance in my spiritual life. I am very thankful that God is leading my life and will continue to show me His ways.

Prayer - Father, thank you for giving us your Torah and your Spirit. May we learn to walk in a proper balance thereby showing the world the way that believers ought to be. I pray for your church. Please help us to find the way. In Yeshua's name. Amen.

Qualifications of a Good Leader

S - Joshua 1:6, 7 - Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses my servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or the left, so that you may have success wherever you go.

O - Joshua's success as a leader was determined by three qualifications 1) God had chosen him 2) that he would be strong and courageous 3) that he would not stray from God's law.  Focusing on #3 - God gave his law to Moses. Joshua was mentored by Moses. Moses showed him by example how to follow God. Joshua had everything he needed to lead Israel to the promised land. As long as he did things according to God's Torah (instructions), he was promised success.

A - I must focus on the instructions in God's Word to be successful in my life. It is sometimes easy to stray. Like a parent who looks their child in the eye and gently holds their chin steady, so the Father does to us so our focus will be on Him and walking out this life His way. As long as I do things is way, his blessings will come.

P - Father, may I keep my focus on you, and follow your ways, as I read your Word and walk out this life in the power of your Holy Spirit. In Yeshua's name. Amen.

Do You Want to Be Healed?

Scripture - John 5:7 the sick man answered Yeshua, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me."

Observation - Yeshua healed this man who had been ill for 38 years. The man was helpless in his situation. The only hope he had was to try to get into the pool when the angel stirred up the waters, but someone always got in before him due to his condition. He still had hope for his healing or he wouldn't have even bothered to sit by the water. He was waiting for his turn for a miracle. Looking in the natural, there was no hope for him. Then Yeshua came by. When the King of Glory entered the scene, the man was healed. All the others at the pool had some sense of self-sufficiency, but this man could not help himself until he met Yeshua, Yeshua stepped in and did for him what he couldn't do for himself.

Application - There are circumstances and situations in people's live that can only change when Jesus (Yeshua) comes into their life. Yeshua asked, "Do you want to get well?" There are many people who need to answer, "Yes" like the man at the pool. The circumstances say it is impossible, but when Yeshua arrives on the scene, the situations change. WE must allow Yeshua into our helpless situations to bring healing.

Prayer - Lord, help me. I am helpless. I have hope and faith in you. I can not change the people around me who need you and seem to not even be looking for you. But I know when they are helpless in their situations, if they ask you, you will heal them. I pray for my children who don't serve you. Lord, please make them helpless if necessary, that they will look to you. Amen.

Worship Him in Spirit and Truth

Scripture - John 4:23-24 But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be his worshiper. God is spirit and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.

Observation - God is seeking to meet with those who truly worship him. The place of worship is not important, it is the spirit of worship. God is not limited to one place. He is everywhere all the time. We are called to be his worshipers.

Application - I will bless the Lord at all times, his praise shall continually be in my mouth. We are called to worship him in spirit and in truth. No matter what I may be going through - I am called to worship Him. He will work out all of the details in my life.

Prayer - Lord, help me to truly worship you. Bring me to new levels as a worshiper. Bring me higher in the Holy Spirit. I seek to worship you. Amen.

The Light Came Into the World

Scripture - John 3:19 This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.

Observation - Those who walk in the darkness of their evil ways do not want to walk in the Lord's light for fear of their deeds being exposed. That is judgment. The light is shining, but people choose darkness.

Application - As believers, we must walk in the light. Jesus is the light. His sacrifice is sufficient for my salvation. His Hebrew name "Yeshua" means "salvation." As a believer, I must choose to continue to walk in the light, not in the darkness of evil.

Prayer - Lord, help me to be a person who radiates your light. Help me to search my life and see if there is darkness. Amen.

Inner Circle Relationships

Scripture - John 2:25 Jesus did not need anyone to tell him about people, because he knew what was in people's minds.

Observation - Jesus did miracles at the Passover feast and many believed. After doing the miracles, Jesus said he did not trust himself to them because he knew them all. He knew people's characters Jesus had a small group of 12 disciples that he had close relationship with (and even one of those betrayed him). Jesus walked with Father Yahweh and carefully chose the men in his inner circle of fellowship. They were the ones he trusted. Jesus knew the character of the people. Perhaps they were seeking after miracles, not really wanting an intimate relationship with God.

Application - We need to be careful who we allow in our inner circle of friends. There are those whose characters are so flawed that they will make us lose site of the important things in life like knowing God. We must surround ourselves with others who are learning God's heart.

Prayer - Lord, help me to discern my inner circle of friends. Let your work through me manifest miracles to those in need. Feed me by your Word and love. Give me discernment and wisdom. Amen.