Love The Lord, With All Your Heart, Soul, Mind And Spirit, Likewise, Love Each Other.

Philippians 2:1

These things being so, for whoever is encouraged in Messiah, whoever is comforted by total commitment, whoever communes in the Spirit having an inward affection and compassion and mercy.

As we roll out of the first chapter of Philippians, Paul transitions from what Messiah Y’shua has done for us, to what the natural Messianic outpouring of the Spirit and our outwardly commitment to God, through the Messiah, should look like.

He also gives us an internal litmus test, as to what our Spiritual Self should reflect. Our Spirit should

- be encouraged in the Messiah.
- be comforted by his Agape, his Total Comittment
- have communion with the Spirit of God
- have an inward affection for God, ourselves and others, reflected in compassion and mercy.

These are things that we need to ask ourselves on a daily basis. Otherwise, let’s take a Spiritual inventory every day, before we start our day and end our day.

Philippians 2:2

Fill up my joy completely by thinking the same of yourself, commit yourselves in love of one mind and spirit. Spirit, Mind, One Purpose.

Unfortunately, this is one aspect at which the modern church has failed miserably. We are far from one mind and spirit, little alone, one purpose. We are so fractured from years of Biblical and Spiritual disagreement, that the church no longer reflects the true body of Christ, the Messianic Remnant. We have so many denominations, in which resides so many different doctrines. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that the church is sitting exactly where Satan has planned, far from One Spirit, One Mind, One Purpose.

We need to get back to what the Word of God says, not what the traditions and doctrines of man say. It’s so easy, especially in today’s world, to explore the original Word of God. There are so many resources to explore the ancient Hebrew, Aramaic and Languages and the culture, in which they were written. This generation will have absolutely no excuse not to know what the One Mind, One Spirit should be. Again, as the Bible tells us, so many will perish because they know of Messiah Y’shua (The Word of God), they don’t know Messiah Y’shua personally.

Keep in mind, not only does it fill Paul's Joy to the upmost, when the Remnant of God is of One Mind, One Spirit, One Purpose, we also complete God's Joy.

Philippians 2:3-4

not according to electioneering (a partisan and fractious spirit), nor by groundless, self esteem, empty pride but lead one another with modesty, humility and lowliness of mind holding each other in higher than yourselves, not taking heed to you ownself but after each other.

It’s amazing that Paul, through the eyes of God, saw and forewarned us about people, who would attempt to solicit each other, with their own non-biblical perceptions, based on grounds not supported by the Scriptures. They would do this, based on empty pride and self esteem.

I wonder if Paul knew that empty and self serving pride would result in versions of the Bible, which would skew the original meaning. No doubt that God knew. That’s why he put these two verses in the Bible.

I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.     Revelation 22:18-19

Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.     Proverbs 30:5-6


Paul goes on to tell us that we need to lead each other with modesty and humility, while considering the needs of others, before our own. If we do what is commanded here, then our needs will be taken care of, automatically. It reflects the greatest commandment, which encompasses all the commandments.

Love the Lord, with all your heart, soul, mind and spirit and likewise Love each other.

Think about it. We Love God and God takes care of us. Likewise, If We Love each other, we are taken care of.

Amazing, How that works. Shalom!

I chose Jerusalem. My Name is there.

Within the Judaic and the Messianic Jewish community, there is a statement, a pledge of allegiance recited at the beginning of every day and before bedtime. It is also said before daily prayers and when praising God and beseeching Him. It is called the Sh'ma. It goes like this:

Shema Yisrael Adonai Eloheinu Adonai Echad.

Hear, O Israel, the Eternal is our God, the Eternal is One.

In Devarim, Deuteronomy 6, we are commanded to write this upon our doorstep and gates. Since the beginning, the Jewish people have made small containers, called a Mezuzah, and attached them to their doors and gates. The Sh'ma is written on a parchment and inserted into the Mezuzah. On these Mezuzah, the Hebrew letter Shin is inscribed. Shin is the first letter of Shaddai, the Almighty. Within the Jewish community, the pronunciation of the name of God is prohibited. Therefore, the name, El Shaddai, is held up in great reverence. The letter shin looks like this:

An interesting alternate ancient rendering of Shin is:

Another interesting piece of information is that in 2 Divrei ha-Yamim, 2 Chronicles 6:6, God says, 

"I chose Jerusalem. My Name is there."

God stated this, before Israel was in the land. Yahweh is saying that his name is already there.

Another amazing fact, is that, in a literal reading of Deuteronomy 12:11, God states that he is in that place. Then he states his name, as to stamp his claim, upon the place. Then goes on to say that Elohim chose his name to dwell there, signifying that his name has been there, from the beginning. 

"I am (I exist) in that place. Yahweh. Elohim chose his name to dwell there." 

Now, I am a firm literalist. I believe that God says what he means and means what he says. In his Word, all things are to be taken literally, first, as our anchor to reality. 

So, with all that said, it begs the questions, "Is God literally there?" or "Is God's Name literally there?". I will not go into the first question, within this post, but the answer is "Yes", to both questions.

As mentioned earlier, the Jews, out of extreme reverence, towards God's Name, use the name, Shaddai, instead of Yahweh. They use the Hebrew letter "Shin", as an abbreviation. Is God's Name really in Jerusalem, upon Mt. Zion? I'll let you decide while looking at the following topographical picture of Mt. Zion. I think you know what I think.

Some will say that it's a coincidence. However, after a while, coincidences are evidence of design.

To Live Or Die, Do It Worthy Of The Grace Of God.

Philippians 1:19-21

For seeing with my own eyes that this will result in my deliverance through your prayers and the supply of Spirit in Y’shua Messiah in my anxious and persistent expectation and hope because without shame but in all free and fearless confidence as always to presently give the Messiah glory and praise in my body by life or by death. For me to live a life worthy of the Messiah and to die is gain.

Amazing to see the words that Paul uses, when he writes. Here in verse 19, he uses the Greek word 'eido'. Eido is normally interpreted as 'to know', kind of like seeing with your mind, which is true, but it also can be used convey as 'literally seeing with his eyes'. This verse gives us the allusion that Pauls faith is so great, that he could literally see the Philippians faithfulness. Knowing that God moved Paul to write this also for you and me, could Paul also perceive the Remnants faithfulness, throughout history. I don't know the answer, for sure, but it is amazing what we can do, with the help of God's Spirit, if we only engage.

Now, did Paul literally see a future meeting with the Philippians? Did he see the future Remnant's faithfulness. For me, I honestly think so. That is how God rewards the faithful...with eyes to see the future of his Kingdom.

Notice, also, how Paul describes our prayers, through the Spirit. He writes in verse 20,

"in my anxious and persistent expectation and hope because without shame but in all free and fearless confidence..."

In modern day lingo, we should pray with such an assurance that we can literally taste it. Let's reach out and Eido (Literally See) that our prayers are already answered. I think that we sell God short sometimes. If we are of the Remnant and in the Will of God, then our prayers should be a statement of what the future will be. I have to admit, I am weak and lack the faith sometimes. However, the power is there. We just have to tap into it and use it for the edification and well-being of the Remnant and the advancement of the Kingdom of God.

I also love the last statement. So many people say that it is great to die for the Messiah, but Paul tells us that living or dying for the Messiah is equally advantageous. I hear that it's so great to die for a cause, but I honestly feel that it's easy to die. But to live for God, by the Messiah's example, in his Spirit, is hard and lot more rewarding. However, whether you die or live for the Messiah, it is for his and God's glory, not ours and will have the same outcome.

Philippians 1:22-25

Nevertheless, if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labor, but what is chosen, I know not.
For I am besieged by both, having desire for what is forbidden to depart from life and be with the Messiah, by far, much better. But, persevering, in the flesh, is necessary because of you (Agape)
and with this confidence, I believe I will remain and continue to live for you all for your progress and joy of Faith.

Every time I read these verses, I wonder how many people actually see what is going on.

Paul is wondering whether God is going to allow him to live or die for the cause. Then he tells us that he is contemplating suicide because, in his old age, it would be so much better to be with the Messiah. Please think about that for a little bit. Here we have a man of God contemplating taking his own life, to go home with the savior. Now, I'm not advocating suicide. However, if you have thought about suicide, you aren't alone.

Many have contemplated suicide.

With that said, notice verse 24 and 25. It implies that suicide is selfish. To persevere through the suicidal times is to show your agape, your committed love to God and to your brothers and sisters in the Messiah. You should also have confidence that God has a plan for you and that plan includes edifying your brothers and sisters and furthering the Kingdom. This will surely result in the Joy of Faith.

What is the Joy of Faith?

The Joy of Faith is the assurance that you gain, whenever your Faith is increased. This happens in so many ways. The Proof of God is out there. All we have to do is step out on Faith and open our eyes.

Philippians 1:26

In order that your rejoicing and boastful glorifying be exceeding to the greatest extent in Y’shua, the Messiah, with me, by my coming to you again.

So many people have interpret this as an example of Paul's arrogance. He is saying that you'll be so happy to see me, that you will praise the Messiah to your upmost. Your praise will be greater than it ever has been or will be in the future. Now, to be honest, if we are echad, one with each other, then we should be extremely happy to see each other, all the time, that we would praise God, to the fullest extent. Paul is just stating the plain facts of the family relationship, within the Kingdom of God.

Philippians 1:27-30

But, behave as a citizen worthy of the grace of God, through the Messiah whether I come and see you or am absent, hearing your accounts that you’re standing firm in one Spirit, only one mind, striving together, faithfully in God’s Grace through the Messiah, and in nothing or no one, God Forbid, be terrified by those who present opposition or earnestly demonstrates heresies, moreover your salvation and that which would separate you from God, because your forgiveness, on your behalf, is by the Messiah. Nothing Else!!! Only by committing yourself unto him, moreover also feeling the passion or suffering with him, having his battles, such as what you have seen in me and now hearing by me.

Paul kind of switches gears, but not entirely. He reminds them that, whether God allows him to come to Philippi or not, they should act as though they are worthy of God's Grace. Don't be arrogant in the Spirit. Unfortunately, many Christians act as though we are special human being, when in reality, we are the same as everyone else, the typical human that has faith in a God, that has saved us. At the end of everyday, we should ask ourselves, if we are acting as if we were worthy of God's Grace.

He wants to hear that they are standing in the Spirit, with one mind, acting as one. This is one of the many verses that shows that there is only one true way to interpret the scriptures. With so many Christians believing something differently, real Christians continually search out for the real scripture, the real life, the real God, while the luke-warm Christians do not.

Now, that doesn't mean if we believe differently, that some of us are not real Christians. No. However, when you don't continually search the scriptures to see if your beliefs are in accordance with the Full Counsel Of God, it does reflect where your true allegiance are, God or Man or Satan. It will also restrict your access to the throne room of God and your ability to tap into His Spiritual Power.

Again, the Remnant, the Real Christian, will search the scriptures daily to see if what they believe is according to God's Word and his Will. Doing so will allow you the ability to live "faithfully in God’s Grace through the Messiah."

Notice that Paul goes on to say that if your beliefs are in opposition to the Book of God or the demonstrative Book of Nature, you are supporting and demonstrating heresies. However, he also tells us that even these destructive heresies cannot separate you from God's forgiveness. This is due to your forgiveness, salvation, is based on the Messiah, nothing else.

Finally, he reiterates that your life should demonstrate a passion or suffering that reveals that you are engaging in his battles not yours. I hate to sound like a broken record, but you should live a life worthy of the Grace of God. You should live your life according to God's Will, His Word and His Truth. A slight deviation, from God's Will, His Word and His Truth, prohibits full access.

Finally, I don't understand the average Christian, especially in these times. We have access to the original writings, amazing tools, literary access and science to reveal the intricacies of God, but we continue to cling to what the local minister says, while ignoring God's Truth. God is crying out to you. Answer his call. Seek him out.

So What???? Either Way, It's The Gospel

Philippians 1: 12

Nevertheless, I want you to understand brothers that things against me occur, to a greater degree, for the advancement of the news of the grace of God manifested and pledged in Messiah. 

Here we have Paul wanting the average Christian to understand that he has experienced persecution, far greater than most Christians at this time. He is not necessarily bragging, but he is setting up an example that all True Believers can emulate.

Philippians 1: 14

As a result, my bond-servitude in Messiah has been made known in all the Roman judgment halls and everywhere else. Also, an increasing number of brothers, in the Lord, has gain an increasing confidence, by my bond-servitude, becoming more bold to speak the Word without fear.

In these verses, we have an example of getting a wrong idea from erroneous English versions of the Bible. On the surface, this example is not bad, but it can be dangerous and shows how the average reader will absorb an erroneous concept and allow the interpreters to build a false doctrine, right under our noses. We need to get back to the original Word of God and allow the Spirit to lead us, not man. Now, back to the verse.

Most English versions of the Bible tells us that Paul has been in palaces. Palaces conjure up a vision of grandiose buildings, in which kings and queens abide. However, the word, translated as palaces, is in reality, praitorion, which means a tent. A praitorion is a movable tent, serving as a judgement hall.  It is where the Praetor lived, while out on the road. The Praetor is the leader of the local Roman Army and also served as the local Magistrate, or judge. Many interpreters also add the word, guard, to this verse. While it is true that guards would most likely be there, the verse doesn't say it.

So what's the problem. The problem is that once you add to the Word of God, the reader could begin to get the wrong idea, about what’s really going on. By not doing their homework, a great amount of scholars and commentators have leapt to the conclusion that it meant the Praetorian Guard, which was an elite unit of the Imperial Roman army, whose members served as personal bodyguards to the Roman emperor. If the Praetorian Guard was there, then your next logical assumption would be that Paul was tried in front of Emperor Caligula, Claudius, Nero , Vespasian or Titus. In reality, he was not, at this time. You see one small misinterpretation could lead to a snowball effect, leading you down the wrong path.

To conclude this thought, by all means, there were most likely guards and most of the time, these guards were actually chained to the prisoners. In this case, Paul. What better way to spread the gospel than to evangelize the guards, who would come in contact with many people, outside of Paul’s immediate influence and thereby continue to spread the good news of God’s Grace, through the Messiah, Y’shua, throughout the Roman Empire. Isn’t it amazing how God moves.

Through Paul’s extreme example of being a Bond-Servitude, many Christians, who have heard of Paul’s hardship and persecution, are now gaining a confidence to go out and spread the gospel without any fear. Don’t get me wrong, there were still plenty of chances for persecution during that day, but it served as a motivator to take the first step and live a full Messianic existence.

This brings up the fact that Christian persecution is just as prevalent today, in many countries. However, there are also many, who are blessed to live in a free society and able to actively participate and spread the gospel on a daily basis, without fear of any retribution. How about you?  No response needed... just think about that for yourself.

Philippians 1:15-17

Also, certain ones indeed preach Messiah, for the sake of envy and controversial debate, even for the sake of good pleasure. Some preach Messiah out of partisanship, to divide, insincerity, thinking to impose distress to my bond and not out of committed love, knowing that we are appointed for the reasoned defense of the good news of the grace of God manifested and pledged in Messiah.

Even  though it is wrong to do so, there were many, in that day and today, that preached and preach the Messiah for personal gain and pleasure, not for the real reason of spreading the gospel of Y’shua ha Mashiach, Jesus Christ, through a committed love for God and mankind.

Philippians 1:18

What then?(So What?) Regardless of the manner, whether a pretense or truth, Messiah is preached. Even so, rejoice in this. Rejoice! Yes, even so, Rejoice!

Now, Paul‘s response to those preachers is amazing. It is not the typical response of most Christians. Most Christians want to judge and persecute those self-serving preachers. However, Paul says, “So what!?“ don’t get bogged down about people doing the right thing for the wrong reason. They will pay for the wrong reason, when they are before the throne of God. As long as the true gospel is being preached, you should rejoice exceedingly.

With that said, it must be the true gospel, not a false gospel. We are warned against following a false gospel, which is not supported by the Word of God. There are plenty of preachers, out there, preaching the wrong gospel for the wrong reasons. Do we need to identify and revealed this to the rest of the world? Yes, we need to put the truth out there and motivate other Christians to learn the Word themselves, through the tutorage of the Spirit of God. Only by this method can those of the Messiah be differentiated from those of the Antichrist. Let God deal with the individuals, based on their own actions. Our responsibility includes only spreading that true Word of God and letting the Spirit work in the lives of those who receive it.

On the other hand, how about the individuals within our local church? The Bible is quite clear on how to approach these individuals to either lead them in the correct way, chastise them or possibly remove them from the church. In the end, their salvation and their actions are to be judged by God, not by us.

The Amazing Results Of A True Believer's Agape/True Love

This week, we continued in the study of Philippians, from the Original Messianic Perspective, the original Church.

Philippians 1: 9-11

And for this I offer my prayers, that your commitment exceeds to the greatest degree and more in precise and correct knowledge of ethical and divine things and all perception, not only by the senses but by the intellect, cognitive discernment, so you, can test and discern, to distinguish between good and evil in order, that you may be found pure and without offense until the day/time of Y’shua Messiah, to bring forth fruits of righteousness, which are through Y’shua Messiah, for the glorious worship and praise of God.

The word, translated as commitment, is Agape. Many have already heard this word, for it is used a lot in the modern church. It is considered Godlike Love. However, I believe that Godlike Love is somewhat vague, because many don't understand many true attributes of God. A good example of this can be found in 1 John 2:15-17.

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

In Corinthians 13:2-18, it is gives the true definition of Agape.

If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

Notice that Paul desired and prayed that your agape, your commitment, would exceed the greatest degree. Yes, there are varying levels of maturity that a True Believer goes through, on his/her quest towards true Echad/Oneness, with God. This maturity could take a moment in time or last your entire lifetime. This is the resulting maturity, that comes naturally, when you place you complete faith, in the work done by God, through his son, Y'shua. This maturity quest is what Paul is talking about in Philippians 2:12-13.

Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good pleasure.

Many interpret this as a list of "Have To's" to fulfill your salvation. No. Working out your salvation is the progress through which you gravitate, by faith, towards being Godlike. Notice, in the above verses, that it says that it is not you doing stuff to obtain or fulfill your salvation, ... it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good pleasure, based on your ever increasing faith. This is reiterated in Ephesians 2:12-13.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by ones own works, so anyone can boast.

Your agape will result in Godly knowledge. What is Godly knowledge? Knowledge isn't just knowing things. It is living it. Making it your own. It's having an inward Godly perspective to perceive the difference between good and evil, which is only possible by having the precise knowledge of ethical and divine things. Is this really possible? Many say, No. But, here in Philippians, Paul alludes to the possibility. How? Again, by living the Word of God, not just knowing it.

Making the Word of God your own, for the betterment of others and especially yourself results in having the mentally knowledge and cognitive discernment to test others and yourself and distinguish between good and evil. This naturally results in you and others becoming pure, which results in the manifestation of fruits of righteousness. What are fruits of righteousness? They are the natural resulting righteous and just actions of the True Believer, when they place an ever increasing faith in God and in God's Word, which was manifested in Y'shua.

These verses also tell us that this quest of Godlike pureness and its resulting acts of righteousness, only through the Messiah Y'shua, the Word of God, will result in being without offense, blameless, at the time of the return of the Messiah, which includes the Day of Judgement.

As a side note, these two events will be the fulfillment of the Fall Feasts of Yom Teruah and Yom Kippur.

As an additional benefit of this quest is that you will have the strongest spiritual armor possible, so you can, as Ephesians 6:10-18 says

...be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

You will automatically have

...on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground.

And after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Finally, if you ask most people to define Godly Praise and Worship, they will begin to describe their music service, prior to a sermon. Even though that is true, here, we are told that living our Agape, our total commitment is Glorious Praise and Worship, through the Word of God, the Messiah Y'shua.

Yom Kippur-The Day Of Reckoning

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, the most solemn day of the year, started at sundown. On this awesome day, on a future Yom Kippur, all accounts between Yahweh and His covenant people are settled. And it is on this day that the final jubilee year is reconciled. God's people will be gathered themselves together in a solemn assembly before Yahweh, to present themselves before the final judgement seat. According to Messianic Judaism, Y'shua, the Son of God, the Messiah, along with the saints, will stand in judgement over those who refuse to believe. On that day, the Book of Life will be opened. Therefore, is this yearly day of Atonement a prophesy Of a future day of reckoning? 

Gemar Chatimah Tovah.(May your final sealing be in the Book of Life)

Shabbat Shalom (Sabbath Peace) 

BREAKING NEWS!!! The Tenth Red Heifer Has Arrived. Is The Prophesied Third Temple Just Around The Corner?

On the 17th day of Elul, 5778, (August 28, 2018), a red heifer was born in the land of Israel. The red heifer candidate is being raised and specially cared for under the auspices of the Temple Institute's 'Raise a Red Heifer' program.

One week after its birth, the heifer underwent an extensive examination by rabbinical experts, who determined that the heifer is currently a viable candidate for the Biblical red heifer, as described in the book of Numbers, chapter 19. This is a necessary prerequisite for the renewal of the Divine service in the Holy Temple.

For almost 2000 years, the world has dismissed the Third Temple prophecy, as impossible. However, they said the same about the Israel becoming a nation again for the Jews. Then there was the Jerusalem becoming the Jewish capital and earlier this year, that too became a reality.

The ancient Jewish scribe Maimonides prophesied that there would only be ten red heifers, in the Temple's History, before Messiah come. This would be the tenth and final one. Obviously, the Temple would be built on the Temple Mount, with the Dome of the Rock presently in the court of the Gentiles. This would be very controversial and cause turmoil for all nations. This is also prophesied in the Bible.

“Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem.”

“And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.”
Zechariah 12:2-3

Amazingly, there are people and actual Christians, that say that all Biblical prophecy has been fulfilled, even when the prophecies continue to be fulfilled in front of our eyes. Now, is the time to get into the Bible and check it out. It's time to sit back and see how God makes this happen.