Praying For Others

"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Ruach (Spirit), and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all qodeshiym (saints);"

- Eph'siym (Ephesians) 6:18 Cepher

"Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the Torah of Mashiach (Christ)."

- Galatiym (Galatians) 6:2 Cepher 

Have you ever gone through a hard time all alone? It can be pretty tough to make it through, even if you’re praying all day to Yah (Lord) and trusting He will deliver. I have found that having a brother or sister in Mashiach (Christ) help pray with you can always bring more hope and encouragement knowing that another has your back. It’s also great to be able to, in return, help another when they are struggling. If you belong to a church consider joining the prayer team there or finding some brothers and sisters whom you can keep in contact with to share the good times and bad times with, study Yah’s Word with, and to pray with and for. This will help grow a community of fellow believers and you will have someone to always be there when you need it.

Shalom

Judging Others

A couple weeks ago I had someone I know say they were going to go see the new Dr. Strange movie. (You can read my opinion on the new Dr. Strange movie in my previous blog What We Watch) Both myself and my oldest son told them why we think it’s not an appropriate movie to watch. They said they didn’t care and were still going to watch it. This person has also watched and supported several other anti God movies/shows/current issues. After I wasn’t in front of that person I told my wife how they are never going to change and they are just headed to hell. My wife told me to not judge and to remember the things I watched before I gave my life to Yah (God).

(A quick history about my past. I went to church pretty much every Sunday growing up but I was living my parents faith. With my friends I watched movies like Silence Of The Lambs, the Nightmare On Elm Street movie series, and Tim Currys version of It along with other movies like these. I also watched the show South Park and the movie they released. Once I had a true personal relationship with Yah I regretted watching those movies and shows and I have not watched any horror movies or many, if any, rated R movies since. I also feel very uncomfortable when lots of language is used in a film or show, especially if they are using Yah’s Name in vain.)

What my wife said to me helped me to be more aware of not judging others and to just pray for them instead. Here is what Yeshua (Jesus) says about judging others.

“Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged. For the way you judge others is how you will be judged — the measure with which you measure out will be used to measure to you."

-Matthew 7:1‭-‬2 CJB

How we judge others we ourselves will be likewise judged with that same measure. We have all sinned and therefore are no better then the next person. Instead of judging others we should humbly pray for them and ourselves that we may all live a life that exalts Yah, and we should also pray that we may partake in things that please Him. Today I pray that our neighbors, our country, our leaders, our world will turn from evil and darkness and instead glorify Yah.

Have a blessed day.

Colossians 4:2

"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." 

- Colossians 4:2 NIV

In everything you and I do we should always be in prayer talking with God throughout the day. When we pray we should first thank God for what He has given us coming to Him with gratitude and a thankful heart. I pray that we can all come to God with our needs but have a grateful heart while doing it.

God Bless.

Mark Of The Beast

Are we seeing the beginning of what could become the ‘mark of the beast’? Here is what the bible says about this mark.

"Also it forces everyone — great and small, rich and poor, free and slave — to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead preventing anyone from buying or selling unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name."

- Revelation of Yeshua to Yochanan (Revelation) 13:16‭-‬17 CJB

With the way things are currently heading in America today I believe that people are being conditioned to accept what will become the mark of the beast as just yet another requirement of life. It may not happen in our lifetime but it seems to be coming soon. As of this writing it’s being suggested and pushed in states that in order to shop or even work you need to take a mark. Our freedom of choice is being taken away little by little each day and Americans are standing by and allowing it to happen. The religious rights that we Christians use to enjoy have also been taken from us while other false religions are still allowed to worship and pray their false gods while in schools and work places. We need to make sure that we remain strong as Christians and fight for God and push back the evil that has infiltrated our country and world. It’s not just a physical battle going on but a spiritual one as well. Pray for God to equip you with the armor you need to stay protected and help win souls for Him.

God Bless

Praying For Food

Growing up my family and I would pray before each meal saying the same prayer each time. As an adult I have found myself not praying before my meals that often. I had never thought about it until I saw one of my co workers praying before he started eating. It made me wonder if it is a commandment in the bible that we are to pray before each meal so I looked it up. There is nothing in the bible that specifically says we are to pray before each meal but here is what Jesus always did.

"And He directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, He gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people."

- Matthew 14:19 NIV

Jesus would give thanks before He would eat. So though the bible doesn’t say we need to pray but if we want to be imitators of Jesus then praying and giving thanks for the meal we are receiving would be a great addition to our behaviours. I challenge you, and myself, to pray before each meal giving thanks to what God has given us.

God Bless

Riots

Here in Minnesota it’s deja vu all over again as buildings are being destroyed and businesses are being looted. I feel that people have the right to peacefully protest and have their voice heard, that’s what makes us America. But when you go and destroy businesses and people’s lively hood then it goes beyond the caring about what your protesting. There may be anger but it’s sinful anger.

"because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires." 

- James 1:20 NIV

Anger lots of times can lead to being sinful. I’m sure we have all had sinful anger at some point, I know that I have plenty of times. We need to make sure that when we do get angry we don’t harm others and we instead bring our anger to God.

"“In your anger do not sin” : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold."

- Ephesians 4:26‭-‬27 NIV

There can be righteous anger and there are times when you need your voice to be heard in order for changes to be made, but it’s what you do with that anger that can turn it into sin. I challenge you that whenever you feel anger to bring it to God in prayer so you don’t give satan a foothold.

God Bless

Resurrection Sunday

Today is Resurrection Sunday, the day we celebrate Jesus having risen from the dead. On this morning at our house instead of the kids looking for eggs with candy in them they look for 12 eggs where 11 of them have trinkets in them. We then read a story and open each egg at different times throughout the story. The story starts with Jesus riding a donkey and ends with the last egg being empty just like the tomb.

"The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him.’ Now I have told you.”"

- Matthew 28:5‭-‬7 NIV

Like the last egg Mary found the tomb empty with an angel standing guard. My guess is that after her interaction with the angel she remembered what Jesus had told her earlier.

"Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”"

- John 11:25‭-‬26 NIV 

What Jesus had told her earlier had come true just like He promised. He was crucified, died on the cross, and later rose from the dead so that we may have eternal life. When you trust in Jesus and put your faith in Him you too may have eternal life. Also when He died the temple curtain was torn in two.

"And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, He gave up His spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life."

- Matthew 27:50‭-‬52 NIV

The curtain ripping in two signifies Jesus creating the way for us to come straight to God and to have a direct connection to Him and Jesus. No longer do we need a priest to go to God for us, we are able to go ourselves. We are able to have a personal relationship with Him and go to Him day or night no matter where we may be. If you have not yet put your trust and faith in Jesus all you need to do is close your eyes and pray to Him. Confess your sins and ask for forgiveness. He loves you and will forgive your sins. No matter what you may have done Jesus has already paid the price for you. All you need to do is come to Him and trust in Him. He will help transform your life.

God Bless

Pray, Don’t Worry

Have you ever worried about stuff that’s out of your control? This past week I started a devotional through the Bible app called “Grow In Prayer!” by Greg Laurie. On the first day Greg says that worry can be a sin, it’s not all the time but can become it, because it’s showing that we have a lack of trust in God. He says that when you worry you are saying:

“God isn’t in control. He isn’t taking care of me in this situation. I’m not trusting in the providence of God.”

“Grow In Prayer!” – Greg Laurie

God does care about us and He is in control. We just need to trust in Him and give our worries to God.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." 

- Philippians 4:6‭-‬7 NIV 

Many things can happen to us or around us. Maybe you are still out of job or have your hours drastically cut because of Covid. Maybe a loved one is sick or a child has turned at from God. No matter what it may be you can always turn to God with trust and prayer. He will be there for you, it may not be in the way you expect but He will be there. I challenge you to turn to God in prayer when worry starts to set in. See how God can help improve your situation through your prayers

God Bless

Thought Of The Day: 02/25/21

Do you pray? Prayers can be powerful. We should pray everyday to God whether it’s in thanksgiving or healing for someone or multitude of other things. God wants us to have conversations with Him throughout the day. When we do pray and we pray with other fellow believers then our prayers will be that much stronger. Not only are we in agreement with others on something but we are having fellowship with one another through Christ.

“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in My Name, there am I with them.”
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- Matthew‬ ‭18:19-20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I pray that we all will pray each and everyday for each other and that you are able to pray with others as well.

God Bless

Thought Of The Day: 02/16/21

Are prayers powerful? In life I’m sure we have all prayed at least one prayer asking God for help in something or maybe to receive something. I’ve prayed many prayers either for myself or for some one else. There can be times when prayers are answered right away and times when it may take a little longer. Maybe you are still praying about something and are still waiting. Know that God hears your prayers and knowing what is best for us will answer them at the right moment. So remember….

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
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- Philippians‬ ‭4:6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

God Bless