Have you been with people who ramble on and on in their prayer?
Have you notice that some fill in any pauses with Father, God, Lord, Father_God. etc.?
Their ramblings are full of nice standard phrases and accepted varying tones like Robert Schuller or monotone without any nuances whatsoever. Let me stop and say that I'm not saying that these people are not saved or believers. They are just stuck in a rut.
G-d does not want you to talk at him but he wants you to talk with him. He loves to hear his Word used in your prayer but he doesn't want you preaching at him. Record yourselves sometimes, you'll be surprised.
I know. I have wrote about this before, about a year ago.
But it is a big pet peeve of G-ds. Sometimes, you can hear him say "Shut Up Already...Aren't going to let me get a word in?"
Let me finish by saying that G-d loves to listen. But he wants you to take a chill pill, relax and listen to what he has to say sometimes. You never know....you may learn something or at least hear him say, "I Love You" and "I'll be back soon."
Shalom
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
God, Help My Doggie Find Her Way Home
Last week, my son in law, Brandon, put one of his family dogs out in the backyard in order to stretch her legs. Her name is Bella. Yes, her name is a direct result of the "Twilight" phenomena. But don't blame Brandon, it was my daughter, Angela, who chose the name. But I digress.
Brandon went back in the house to lay down for a few minutes. And before he knew it, Bella, who is a great jumper, jumped the fence and was on her way down the creek. Knowing her, she was happily on her way to a great adventure.
Bella, running away, adversely effected the family. Brandon was down and out, Angela was in tears at the mention of Bellas name and Madison kept saying, "where's Bella?". Madison is my three year old granddaughter. OK...she's actually two until September 18th. They spent the week in this condition, while they searched the surrounding area for Bella.
As a side note, my eldest daughter, Stephanie actually helped with the search. You are going to have to take my word for it that Stephanie getting out in the heat of the summer and searching for a dog is a miracle in itself and a testimony of her love for animals.
Anyway, this is the way it continued until my beautiful granddaughter asked the one and only person that could really help, and that is God. Last night, she kneelled down at her bed like she has been lead to by her mom and dad since the early age of one. :-)
Out of the blue, Madison ends her prayer with, "...and God, help my doggie find her way home." If that doesn't bring you to tears, nothing will.
Well, I just received a phone call from my wife, Karrin, saying that Brandon just got a call from an animal shelter concerning Bella. Bella was found this morning and could be picked up at any time.
Coincidence?????? I Don't Think So.
Isn't God amazing?
Sometimes, we need the children to bring us back to the child-like faith that we need to truly see God.
Thank You God. And Thank You Madison.
Madison, God Loves You and So Do I.
BTW. Here's Madison and Bella.
Shalom My Friends
Brandon went back in the house to lay down for a few minutes. And before he knew it, Bella, who is a great jumper, jumped the fence and was on her way down the creek. Knowing her, she was happily on her way to a great adventure.
Bella, running away, adversely effected the family. Brandon was down and out, Angela was in tears at the mention of Bellas name and Madison kept saying, "where's Bella?". Madison is my three year old granddaughter. OK...she's actually two until September 18th. They spent the week in this condition, while they searched the surrounding area for Bella.
As a side note, my eldest daughter, Stephanie actually helped with the search. You are going to have to take my word for it that Stephanie getting out in the heat of the summer and searching for a dog is a miracle in itself and a testimony of her love for animals.
Anyway, this is the way it continued until my beautiful granddaughter asked the one and only person that could really help, and that is God. Last night, she kneelled down at her bed like she has been lead to by her mom and dad since the early age of one. :-)
Out of the blue, Madison ends her prayer with, "...and God, help my doggie find her way home." If that doesn't bring you to tears, nothing will.
Well, I just received a phone call from my wife, Karrin, saying that Brandon just got a call from an animal shelter concerning Bella. Bella was found this morning and could be picked up at any time.
Coincidence?????? I Don't Think So.
Isn't God amazing?
Sometimes, we need the children to bring us back to the child-like faith that we need to truly see God.
Thank You God. And Thank You Madison.
Madison, God Loves You and So Do I.
BTW. Here's Madison and Bella.
Shalom My Friends
Monday, August 2, 2010
The Heavens Declare Thy Existence
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork.
Psalm 19:1
Recent cosmic discoveries are boggling the minds of secular science. Imagine that. Not to sound flippant, but they just need to put on the glasses in order to perceive reality....their "Christ Colored" glasses that is.
Beginning approximately 30 years ago, scientists began to notice that there was far more matter in the universe than the matter we can see. As a matter of fact, :-), the matter that we see only makes up approximately 20% of the total matter, while 80% was what is now known as Dark Matter. Dark, because they see evidence of it but can not actually see it.
As we come forward in time, they now know that Dark Matter is the force responsible for holding all visible matter together. Isn't that what Colossians 1:17 says, speaking of G-d:
"He is before all things, and in him all things hold together."
In 2008, scientists revealed evidence of another force called, "Dark Energy". This energy is actually trying to tear us apart. Imagine that. Again, that is what G-ds Word says in I Peter 5:8.
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may tear apart:"
Can science now actually see the evidence of the cosmic battle between good and evil?
Or could it be just coincidence?
What do I believe? I rely on the old Jewish saying.....
"Coincidence Is Not A Kosher Word"
May the Lord keep you safe from the devouring lion.
Shalom Tov,
Keith
Psalm 19:1
Recent cosmic discoveries are boggling the minds of secular science. Imagine that. Not to sound flippant, but they just need to put on the glasses in order to perceive reality....their "Christ Colored" glasses that is.
Beginning approximately 30 years ago, scientists began to notice that there was far more matter in the universe than the matter we can see. As a matter of fact, :-), the matter that we see only makes up approximately 20% of the total matter, while 80% was what is now known as Dark Matter. Dark, because they see evidence of it but can not actually see it.
As we come forward in time, they now know that Dark Matter is the force responsible for holding all visible matter together. Isn't that what Colossians 1:17 says, speaking of G-d:
"He is before all things, and in him all things hold together."
In 2008, scientists revealed evidence of another force called, "Dark Energy". This energy is actually trying to tear us apart. Imagine that. Again, that is what G-ds Word says in I Peter 5:8.
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may tear apart:"
Can science now actually see the evidence of the cosmic battle between good and evil?
Or could it be just coincidence?
What do I believe? I rely on the old Jewish saying.....
"Coincidence Is Not A Kosher Word"
May the Lord keep you safe from the devouring lion.
Shalom Tov,
Keith
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Pesach Part Eight
We finally come to the fourth and final cup of the ceremonial Seder meal. This cup is the same cup that is documented in Matthew: 26:29.
"But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom."
This truly exciting because the final cup is called, "The Cup Of The Taking Out." We are to lift this cup and recite the promise G-d gives us and gave the Jewish people in Exodus 6:7.
"And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians."
My friends, we are to look forward to the day in which there will be a great feast in heaven after the Messiah comes and take us home as his bride and drink the fourth and final cup.
This is documented in Revelation 19:7-9.
"Let us be glad and rejoice and honor him. For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself. She is permitted to wear the finest white linen." (Fine linen represents the good deeds done by the people of God.) And the angel said, "Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb." And he added, "These are true words that come from God."
Shabbat Shalom
"But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom."
This truly exciting because the final cup is called, "The Cup Of The Taking Out." We are to lift this cup and recite the promise G-d gives us and gave the Jewish people in Exodus 6:7.
"And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians."
My friends, we are to look forward to the day in which there will be a great feast in heaven after the Messiah comes and take us home as his bride and drink the fourth and final cup.
This is documented in Revelation 19:7-9.
"Let us be glad and rejoice and honor him. For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself. She is permitted to wear the finest white linen." (Fine linen represents the good deeds done by the people of God.) And the angel said, "Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb." And he added, "These are true words that come from God."
Shabbat Shalom
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Here Is Your King
This is one of those opportunities that I got to preach at our church. I hope you enjoy.
For the the sermon, click here:
Sermon
If you want to view the presentation click here:
Presentation
Shabbat Shalom
For the the sermon, click here:
Sermon
If you want to view the presentation click here:
Presentation
Shabbat Shalom
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Pesach Part Seven
After the third cup, the three matzah are displayed. They are representative of G-ds Redemptive plan for his people otherwise known as the Tanahk, the scriptures, the Old Testament. The first matzah is the Torah, the first five books of the bible, second is the Nevi'im, the prophets and the third is the Ketuvim, the writings. It is written that the Torah, Nevi'im and the Ketuvim always point to the G-d.
We are also told to break the middle piece, Nevi’im in two. The first piece of these two matzah is the Afrikomen, which is wrapped in a cloth and hidden away. This will be search for by the children on the Shabbat following the Shabbat after Pesach, which is the Feast of First Fruits. This represents the gift of freedom and salvation for future generations and the promise of the Messiah.
The second piece is then held up and presented as the substitute for the lamb of God. The leader says, "Behold the Lamb of God that takes away our sins." We normally break the matzah and pass it around for everyone to eat.
I tried my best to describe this section of the ceremony without any comment. However, you can't go through this part without getting goosebumps. It doesn't need any comment. But I will from here to the end.
During the ceremonial seder meal, Matzah, unleaven bread is used in place of the sacrificial lamb. Rabbinical law requires matzah to be without leaven, striped, bruised and pierced. Nothing in any Jewish writing tell us the reason for these requirements except for the “without leaven”. This is to show that the Passover lamb is to be perfect, without sin. However, Isaiah 53 tells us:
“…he was pierced for our transgressions, he was broken for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”
We now know that this was to point to the death and resurrection of the future Messiah. The lamb of God would have a two-fold appearance, first to die for and rise in triumph over sin, the second to come in glory as King.
Also, please notice the cloth that holds the three pieces of Matzah. It is called the unity cloth. This is representative of the power of God, the fabric that holds all things together. There are three sections. Can we say the Father, Son and Holy Spirit?
The breaking of the Matzah has always sent chills down my spine and tears from my eyes. Chills, because it points to one person, the one who fulfilled the Nevi'im, the prophecies, Y'shua ha Mashiach, Jesus Christ. Tears because of our Jewish brothers and sisters who remain blinded to the Messiah.
However, as Saul (Paul) said in Romans 11:25-26:
"For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved."
Our Judaic brothers and sisters will come to know the Messiah and I rejoice in that future uncovering.
Finally, remember the piece of Nevi'im, which was wrapped up and put away? It is to represent the coming Messiah. It is to be unwrapped on the Shabbat after the Shabbat after Pesach, which is always Sunday, the Feast of First Fruits. It was the third day, Sunday, after his death on the altar of G-d, that Y'shua rose victoriously as King on the Feast of First Fruits.
Isn't G-d amazing? His Word always points to Yeshua, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
We are also told to break the middle piece, Nevi’im in two. The first piece of these two matzah is the Afrikomen, which is wrapped in a cloth and hidden away. This will be search for by the children on the Shabbat following the Shabbat after Pesach, which is the Feast of First Fruits. This represents the gift of freedom and salvation for future generations and the promise of the Messiah.
The second piece is then held up and presented as the substitute for the lamb of God. The leader says, "Behold the Lamb of God that takes away our sins." We normally break the matzah and pass it around for everyone to eat.
I tried my best to describe this section of the ceremony without any comment. However, you can't go through this part without getting goosebumps. It doesn't need any comment. But I will from here to the end.
During the ceremonial seder meal, Matzah, unleaven bread is used in place of the sacrificial lamb. Rabbinical law requires matzah to be without leaven, striped, bruised and pierced. Nothing in any Jewish writing tell us the reason for these requirements except for the “without leaven”. This is to show that the Passover lamb is to be perfect, without sin. However, Isaiah 53 tells us:
“…he was pierced for our transgressions, he was broken for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”
We now know that this was to point to the death and resurrection of the future Messiah. The lamb of God would have a two-fold appearance, first to die for and rise in triumph over sin, the second to come in glory as King.
Also, please notice the cloth that holds the three pieces of Matzah. It is called the unity cloth. This is representative of the power of God, the fabric that holds all things together. There are three sections. Can we say the Father, Son and Holy Spirit?
The breaking of the Matzah has always sent chills down my spine and tears from my eyes. Chills, because it points to one person, the one who fulfilled the Nevi'im, the prophecies, Y'shua ha Mashiach, Jesus Christ. Tears because of our Jewish brothers and sisters who remain blinded to the Messiah.
However, as Saul (Paul) said in Romans 11:25-26:
"For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved."
Our Judaic brothers and sisters will come to know the Messiah and I rejoice in that future uncovering.
Finally, remember the piece of Nevi'im, which was wrapped up and put away? It is to represent the coming Messiah. It is to be unwrapped on the Shabbat after the Shabbat after Pesach, which is always Sunday, the Feast of First Fruits. It was the third day, Sunday, after his death on the altar of G-d, that Y'shua rose victoriously as King on the Feast of First Fruits.
Isn't G-d amazing? His Word always points to Yeshua, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Pesach Part Six
It's definitely been a busy Pesach season and I'm sorry for not posting very often.
However, with that said, we come to my favorite cup, the second cup, Kos Sheni, the Cup of Judgement. This represents G-ds second "I will" statement. I will judge the Egyptians. It is during this cup, we remember G-ds judgement on Egyptians, which is synonymous with the world and sin.
During this time, we recite the plagues, G-d used to smite the Egyptians for not following G-ds Word.
But before continuing, I would like to remind you of a few verses.
The first verse is John 5:39. This is where Y'shua is telling everyone that when you search the scriptures, you find eternal life and that is testifying of a future Messiah and that is Y'shua, the one and the same that is standing right in front of you.
"You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is these that bear witness of Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me, that you may have life."
Also,
"Whom will He teach knowledge? And whom will He make to understand the message? Those just weaned from milk? Those just drawn from the breasts? For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little" (Isaiah 28:9-10).
and Proverbs 25:2
"It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings."
These last two verses tell us that G-d hides things for his children to discover and that those jewels are not always on the surface, but hidden from plain view.
Now, let's look at the plagues. As we recite them, notice that the first word is the Hebrew, the second is the English and finally, what the word means.
1. DAWM
BLOOD
LIFE
2. TZ'FARDAYAH
FROGS
IS REQUIRED
3. KANE
LICE
BY WAY OF FASTENING IN A CROSSING MANNER
4. AHRAB
FLIES
GIVEN AS AN EXCHANGE
5. MIKNEH
LIVESTOCK
IN ORDER TO BUY OR PURCHASE OR REDEEM
6. SHEK'CHEEN
BOILS
RISE UP OR THRU FIRE BY WAY OF JUDGEMENT
7. BAWRAWD
HAIL
ROCK FROM HEAVEN
8. ARBEH
LOCUST
INCREASE IN US AN ABUNDANCE
9. KHOSHECK
DARKNESS
THROUGH DEATH
10. MAWVETH B'CHOROT
DEATH OF THE FIRSTBORN
THE DEATH OF THE FIRSTBORN
As seen in different places throughout the Tanakh, the Old Testament, here we find that we are to recite G-ds judgement upon the world and the salvation of his people. If we put the plagues in sentence form, we find:
Lifeblood is required by way of fastening in a crossing manner and given as an exchange in order to redeem. Rise up Fallen Rock. Increase in us an abundance through death, the death of the Firstborn.
Here, we have the life, death and resurrection of the Messiah as a hidden prophesy, a prophecy that points to none other then Y’shua ha Mashiach, Jesus Christ. In this, we find that the Messiahs death and resurrection is G-ds judgement upon the world and sin. Hallelujah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!He is risen.
However, with that said, we come to my favorite cup, the second cup, Kos Sheni, the Cup of Judgement. This represents G-ds second "I will" statement. I will judge the Egyptians. It is during this cup, we remember G-ds judgement on Egyptians, which is synonymous with the world and sin.
During this time, we recite the plagues, G-d used to smite the Egyptians for not following G-ds Word.
But before continuing, I would like to remind you of a few verses.
The first verse is John 5:39. This is where Y'shua is telling everyone that when you search the scriptures, you find eternal life and that is testifying of a future Messiah and that is Y'shua, the one and the same that is standing right in front of you.
"You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is these that bear witness of Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me, that you may have life."
Also,
"Whom will He teach knowledge? And whom will He make to understand the message? Those just weaned from milk? Those just drawn from the breasts? For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little" (Isaiah 28:9-10).
and Proverbs 25:2
"It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings."
These last two verses tell us that G-d hides things for his children to discover and that those jewels are not always on the surface, but hidden from plain view.
Now, let's look at the plagues. As we recite them, notice that the first word is the Hebrew, the second is the English and finally, what the word means.
1. DAWM
BLOOD
LIFE
2. TZ'FARDAYAH
FROGS
IS REQUIRED
3. KANE
LICE
BY WAY OF FASTENING IN A CROSSING MANNER
4. AHRAB
FLIES
GIVEN AS AN EXCHANGE
5. MIKNEH
LIVESTOCK
IN ORDER TO BUY OR PURCHASE OR REDEEM
6. SHEK'CHEEN
BOILS
RISE UP OR THRU FIRE BY WAY OF JUDGEMENT
7. BAWRAWD
HAIL
ROCK FROM HEAVEN
8. ARBEH
LOCUST
INCREASE IN US AN ABUNDANCE
9. KHOSHECK
DARKNESS
THROUGH DEATH
10. MAWVETH B'CHOROT
DEATH OF THE FIRSTBORN
THE DEATH OF THE FIRSTBORN
As seen in different places throughout the Tanakh, the Old Testament, here we find that we are to recite G-ds judgement upon the world and the salvation of his people. If we put the plagues in sentence form, we find:
Lifeblood is required by way of fastening in a crossing manner and given as an exchange in order to redeem. Rise up Fallen Rock. Increase in us an abundance through death, the death of the Firstborn.
Here, we have the life, death and resurrection of the Messiah as a hidden prophesy, a prophecy that points to none other then Y’shua ha Mashiach, Jesus Christ. In this, we find that the Messiahs death and resurrection is G-ds judgement upon the world and sin. Hallelujah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!He is risen.
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