Pure

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called sons of G-d! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are sons of G-d; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. ~ 1 John 3:1-3

Dwell

"And for the house of Israel there shall be no more a briar to prick or a thorn to hurt them among all their neighbors who have treated them with contempt. Then they will know that I am the L-rd G-D. Thus says the L-rd G-D: When I gather the house of Israel from the peoples among whom they are scattered, and manifest My holiness in them in the sight of the nations, then they shall dwell in their own land that I gave to my servant Yakov. And they shall dwell securely in it, and they shall build houses and plant vineyards. They shall dwell securely, when I execute judgments upon all their neighbors who have treated them with contempt. Then they will know that I Am the L-RD their G-d." ~ Yehezkel 28:24-26

Will vs. Way

I’ve had a few discussions recently with a Christian friend that have really caused me to boil things down a bit - bringing those ethereal and spiritual ideas we accept without hesitation into the lens of someone who is unable to accept them, or perhaps, has never heard such things. It seems that there are a great many out there who desire to know G-d, His "will for their life", and to walk in what He has planned for them - some even hoping to find a believing spouse, but they reject the concept of the Word of G-d being directly applicable to their lives in any real, tangible way. To them, it's like the U.S. Constitution. They know it's out there, and they're vaguely familiar with what it says, but they're certain it doesn't say anything that directly pertains to their life today. This perspective troubles me greatly. If you don't feel that becoming one with HaShem, subsequently purging the influence of this darkened world from your heart and mind is G-d's "will for your life" and that He has provided us with instructions on how to do just that, I don't know what else there is to say.

I've found, in these recent conversations, that it's beneficial to completely re-approach the idea of who Yeshua is, what He has shown us, what He accomplished, what He has enabled us to accomplish through Him. While, depending on your audience, this can be painstaking, it is completely necessary. Because so many Christians have been programmed to shut down at the mention of anything they perceive to be "legalistic", I have to explain that I'm not advocating adding “works” or any similar notions to the salvation that has been freely provided us through Yeshua - but then ask, what has He saved us to do? Equally, I’m not a proponent of putting on a show to persuade someone into adopting my belief system – as some try to suggest Shaul was doing - but then ask, how do we do our "works before men so that they might glorify our Father in heaven", as we are instructed by our Master?

Hold fast.

Thus says the L-RD: "Keep justice, and do righteousness, for soon My salvation will come, and My deliverance be revealed. Blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath, not profaning it, and keeps his hand from doing any evil." Let not the foreigner who has joined himself to the L-RD say, "The L-RD will surely separate me from His people"; and let not the eunuch say, "Behold, I am a dry tree." For thus says the L-RD: "To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths, who choose the things that please Me and hold fast My covenant, I will give in My house and within My walls a monument and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off. "And the foreigners who join themselves to the L-RD, to minister to Him, to love the Name of the L-RD, and to be His servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it, and holds fast My covenant, these I will bring to My Holy Mountain, and make them joyful in My House of Prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on My altar; for My house shall be called a House of Prayer for All Peoples." The L-rd G-D, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, declares, "I will gather yet others to him besides those already gathered." ~ Yeshayahu 56:1-8

His Face

"For just a moment I deserted you, but with great compassion I will gather you. In overflowing anger for a moment I hid My Face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you," says the L-RD, your Redeemer. "This is like the days of Noach to Me: as I swore that the waters of Noach should no more go over the earth, so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you, and will not rebuke you. For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but My steadfast love shall not depart from you, and My covenant of peace shall not be removed," says the L-RD, having compassion on you. ~ Yeshayahu 54:7-10

In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you. If anyone gathers against you, it is not from Me; whoever stirs up strife and attacks you shall fall because of you. ~ Yeshayahu 54:14,15

No Comparison