Wrestle With God

This article is one that I wrote last September. I recently pulled it out again to remind myself of what it means to “lay things down” and “wrestle with God.” Situations in my life are causing me to seek Him in new and deeper ways. I am truly “wrestling with Him” as I ask these questions.

I am reposting this article as my last post for a while. I have requested to take a break for several months as I am in this period of wrestling.  I will continue to write as HE gives me thoughts and ideas. I pray that you will continue to seek Him in Spirit and Truth.

Reblog:

I’m so excited I’m not sure where to begin. I wrote last week about “submit and surrender.” I mentioned that I was going to talk to Hebrew speaking friends to get their thoughts because the word “surrender” isn’t really in the Bible.

What I wrote last week is that “surrender is a willingness to give something up.” There is that element and concept in the Bible, yes, but as I have done a deeper study, I’m moving away from the idea of “surrendering to God.”

It started when I realized again (I had heard it before but it never truly resonated with me) that when Jacob’s name was changed to “Israel” it is because he “wrestled with God.” That is the meaning of Israel – “wrestle with God.” Therefore, because I believe in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Israel), I need to understand what it means to “wrestle with God.”

My thoughts are going a mile a minute, but I was just talking to a friend and pieces are coming together. So, all I can do is start typing and pray that Holy Spirit writes through me and that the thoughts become fluid enough for others to understand.

Let me say that this post may rub some of you the wrong way. I pray that you just take what is written and ponder on it. I’m not saying I am “right,” but I have shared this with a few friends and it resonates with them.

My question is: What if, “I Surrender All” really should be, “I Will Wrestle with my God”?????

When I heard back from my Jewish, Hebrew speaking friends and contacts, they told me that there is NOT a Hebrew/Jewish thought of surrendering to God. This kind of blew me away. And my brain started to spin.

What if the idea of surrender to God isn’t really what we think? We say that because Jesus “gave His life” He surrendered to the Father. But, did He?

The definition of “I surrender” is: What does I surrender mean? (Entry 1 of 2) transitive verb. 1a : to yield to the power, control, or possession of another upon compulsion or demand surrendered the fort. b : to give up completely or agree to forgo especially in favor of another.

The definition of “surrender” according to the Cambridge dictionary is: to stop fighting and admit defeat:

Hmmm… If Jesus “surrendered to God” than that means He felt defeat. And yet, in that moment He had more VICTORY than ever before. Satan THOUGHT He had won, but we know he did not. GOD DID.

So, if I surrender to God, that means I admit defeat. Does God really want me to admit defeat? He wants me to admit when I am wrong, but to feel defeat? He wants me to be victorious! An overcomer.

There is a New Testament Studies professor at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. I had the privilege of hearing her speak at a local synagogue when we lived in Nashville. Her name is Amy-Jill Levine and she is an Orthodox Jew. She has studied the New Testament in depth and brings to the table lots of Jewish History and understanding that Christians often miss. When I asked her about the idea/concept of “surrendering to God” her response was this:

“The Jewish tradition is sufficiently diverse that there may be a surrender idea somewhere, but I am not familiar with it. The tradition is more inclined to argue with the divine, as the Lament Psalms, Jeremiah, Moses, Abraham…. all indicate. “Israel” traditionally means “to wrestle with G-d” — that is not the image of surrender.”

Since this was not the first time I had heard that there is NOT a concept of “Surrender to God” in Jewish thought, my mind began to ponder things more.

What if we had it wrong? What if we have been teaching something the wrong way? And then I asked myself, What does it mean to “wrestle with God?”

I reached out to a friend in Florida tonight. We sent WhatsApp messages back and forth. She gave me the verse Matthew 16:24:

Then Yeshua told his talmidim, “If anyone wants to come after me, let him say ‘No’ to himself, take up his execution-stake, and keep following me.

In this there is the idea of self-denial. It isn’t truly the concept of “surrender.” My friend used the words, “humble yourselves, deny yourselves, crucify…”

When she used those words, I immediately thought, “these are a form of wrestling.” We are “struggling against something.” When we “humble ourselves” we actively have to “lay something down.” When we “deny ourselves” we “give something up.” But, in NONE of these situations does it say we admit defeat, or that we are defeated.

Ephesians 6:12 For we are not struggling against human beings, but against the rulers, authorities and cosmic powers governing this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm.

We have to “wrestle the flesh” inside of us. Just like Jacob “wrestled with God” to get rid of his flesh, we are “wrestling with the flesh daily.” My friend in Florida quoted it this way:

“The spirit of God nature part of us wrestles with the non-God part of us, our flesh. So in a sense, we wrestle against the Spirit of God that lives in us.”

We all know that we wrestle our flesh often. Our spirit is willing, but our flesh is weak.

Matthew 26:41 Stay awake, and pray that you will not be put to the test — the spirit indeed is eager, but human nature is weak.”

My thought is this: understanding the concept of following Jesus might make more sense to people if they do not feel like they are “losing control” by surrendering. Sometimes to “surrender” seems so overwhelming.

But, I can wrestle against something. It is difficult to feel like you are “losing control” when you wrestle. You “fight to win.” And when you are “fighting WITH God, how could you lose?

My friend responded with this: “I feel like this is good – surrender you are giving up your will like as a prisoner, but Jesus never asks us to be His prisoners. He calls us friend, brother, beside, daughter etc…”

SO TRUE!!!!! I got chills when I read that message from her.

We are called to “fight the flesh” and “wrestle against our flesh.” We WANT to give it up and follow Him, but we don’t admit defeat to Him. We actually walk victorious WITH HIM when we yield to the Spirit.

Friends, take up your cross today and fight the flesh. Wrestle with God and His Spirit within you. When you do, you will RISE UP and find victory! This is what it means to FOLLOW HIM in Spirit and in Truth.

We admit our flesh is there, but we ACTIVELY fight it. We actively WRESTLE with it. HE is our friend and HE is our brother! HE walks beside us. That is NOT an attitude of surrender, but one of ACTIVELY working together to bring HIS KINGDOM on earth as it is in Heaven.

Friends, I pray this resonates with you. I pray that you take hold of knowing and understanding how to “wrestle with God” and LET HIM WIN. If we all take on this idea of “wrestling with God” seriously, can you imagine the VICTORY we could have????

Shabbat Shalom,

Rose Horton

Photo by Marek Piwnicki on Unsplash

Psalm 91

Psalm 91… This is known to be for soldiers and those needing protection. It is considered a prayer for when calamity strikes. We all know that we have been in this position lately. Sickness seems to be covering the earth. I am going to put Psalm 91 in two different translations.

Monday evening, September 20th begins the celebration of Sukkot. This is a time that temporary dwellings are built and used for eating (and sometimes sleeping). The covering is left partially open (palm branches) so that the majesty of the sky can be seen and observed. It is a way to recognize the greatness of Adonai.

Friends, God is our covering. In all of our coming and going HE is the One Who is protecting us. As we enter this time of KNOWING and BELIEVING that God is watching over us, may you read these Words and claim them for you and your loved ones. Celebrate LIFE with HIM during this season of giving thanks for ALL He has done and provided.

Complete Jewish Bible:

You who live in the shelter of ‘Elyon, who spend your nights in the shadow of Shaddai, who say to Adonai, “My refuge! My fortress! My God, in whom I trust!” — he will rescue you from the trap of the hunter and from the plague of calamities; he will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his truth is a shield and protection. You will not fear the terrors of night or the arrow that flies by day, or the plague that roams in the dark, or the scourge that wreaks havoc at noon. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand; but it won’t come near you. Only keep your eyes open, and you will see how the wicked are punished. For you have made Adonai, the Most High, who is my refuge, your dwelling-place. No disaster will happen to you, no calamity will come near your tent; for he will order his angels to care for you and guard you wherever you go. They will carry you in their hands, so that you won’t trip on a stone. You will tread down lions and snakes, young lions and serpents you will trample underfoot. “Because he loves me, I will rescue him; because he knows my name, I will protect him. He will call on me, and I will answer him. I will be with him when he is in trouble. I will extricate him and bring him honor. I will satisfy him with long life and show him my salvation.”

The Passion Translation:

When you abide under the shadow of Shaddai, you are hidden in the strength of God Most High. He’s the hope that holds me and the stronghold to shelter me, the only God for me, and my great confidence. He will rescue you from every hidden trap of the enemy, and he will protect you from false accusation and any deadly curse. His massive arms are wrapped around you, protecting you.You can run under his covering of majesty and hide. His arms of faithfulness are a shield keeping you from harm. You will never worry about an attack of demonic forces at night nor have to fear a spirit of darkness coming against you. Don’t fear a thing! Whether by night or by day, demonic danger will not trouble you,nor will the powers of evil be launched against you. Even in a time of disaster, with thousands and thousands being killed, you will remain unscathed and unharmed. You will be a spectator as the wicked perish in judgment, for they will be paid back for what they have done! When we live our lives within the shadow of God Most High,our secret hiding place, we will always be shielded from harm. How then could evil prevail against us or disease infect us? God sends angels with special orders to protect you wherever you go, defending you from all harm. If you walk into a trap, they’ll be there for you and keep you from stumbling. You’ll even walk unharmed among the fiercest powers of darkness,trampling every one of them beneath your feet! For here is what the Lord has spoken to me: “Because you loved me, delighted in me, and have been loyal to my name, I will greatly protect you. I will answer your cry for help every time you pray, and you will feel my presence in your time of trouble. I will deliver you and bring you honor. I will satisfy you with a full life and with all that I do for you. For you will enjoy the fullness of my salvation!”

Here is a song that is based on Psalm 91. I was recently introduced to it and have been blessed by it over and over.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jt3xkSeCE7A

Shabbat Shalom,

Rose Horton

Photo by Cindy Chen on Unsplash

Law And Legalism

As we enter the High Holy Days (we just celebrated Rosh Hashanah), many times I hear that we do not need to celebrate the festivals anymore. I wrote this article in 2018. It is the reason I do my best to follow the Hebrew calendar. I admit, that living in the US makes it much more challenging, however, it is my heart.

The Law… The word law usually makes people cringe, especially when it is also used in connection with the Bible. Many people want to say that since Jesus came we are in the age of grace and not under the law anymore. As I have spent time in Israel, and learned more about what the “law” is, and how it relates to the New Covenant (Testament), I believe we need to turn back the pages of time and understand Paul’s writings from a Hebraic standpoint. Remember, Paul was Jewish. He was speaking to Jewish people. With this understanding, clarification and insight about the first five books of the Bible should bring excitement about following the Law instead of dread. (As a note here, I capitalize the word Law to show that it represents the first five books of the Bible, known as the Torah).

We all know that law is important in the world. Without laws we would have absolute chaos. Most laws in the world are based on the Ten Commandments. Do not kill. Don’t steal. Most people recognize that it is important to honor your father and mother. Commandments one and two, about not having idols and taking the name of the Lord in vain, are important to those who follow God. Even the idea of not coveting is considered an important virtue in the eyes of most people. If we choose to follow these ideals and thoughts, we have a smoother life. We don’t have to worry about law enforcement coming after us. We don’t have to worry about arguing with our neighbors. The Ten Commandments might be in the Bible, but they do bring a positive structure to life.

There is one commandment I did not mention. That is number four, remember the Sabbath to keep it holy. This begins a discussion for most people. It has been taught for thousands of years that the Sabbath is now on Sunday. For those of us who have begun to follow the understanding of Sabbath and consider ourselves “Sabbatarians,” we are accused of “going back under the law.” This is what I want to address in this article.

What exactly does it mean to “live by the Law of Torah.”

The first idea that needs to be addressed is that Jesus followed the Torah. Jesus was Jewish and lived by the Law. He clearly states in Matthew 5:17-19, “Don’t think that I have come to abolish the Torah or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete. Yes indeed! I tell you that until heaven and earth pass away, not so much as a yud (a letter in the Hebrew alphabet that looks like a dot) or a stroke will pass from the Torah — not until everything that must happen has happened. So whoever disobeys the least of these mitzvot (commands) and teaches others to do so will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But whoever obeys them and so teaches will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.”

Jesus challenged those who wanted to dot every i and cross every t and caused problems because they began to follow traditions of man instead of what God gave Moses in the Torah. They began to become legalistic. These leaders commanded people to act in ways that were not required by God. Jesus NEVER did not follow the Law. Jesus was required to mikvah if He was unclean. Jesus was required to keep the Sabbath. Jesus was required to keep the Festivals. Jesus was required to do sacrifices. These were all things that had to happen in normal Jewish life.

A study of these 613 laws in the Torah that Jesus was required to follow can be placed into two groups. There are 248 Positive Commandments and 365 Negative Commandments. The 248 can be broken down further into different groups (gospeloutreach.net has a great outline of all the laws broken down). As we study them we can quickly see that many are not applicable for today because we do not have a Temple. Sacrifices and obligations to the Priests cannot be completed today. Some of the cleanliness laws were given because they lived in the wilderness and needed guidelines to keep their community clean. Today we have sanitation and sewer systems in place that do those things for us. There are many laws that we should still apply today. These have to do with the negative commands that deal with worship of false gods and related practices.

In Romans 6:14 we have read the verse to say, “For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.” This interpretation of this verse leads many to come to the conclusion that the Law was done away with. Many say that those books of the Bible and the 613 laws that God gave the Israelites now mean nothing. Jesus came, so now we have grace.

What do we do with this verse in Romans? In the Complete Jewish Bible, which has studied the Hebraic culture and has an understanding of who Paul was writing to, this verse has been changed to read, “For sin will not have authority over you; because you are not under legalism but under grace.” Do you see the major difference??? Legalism is a much different understanding than the word law. Most people are adamantly opposed to legalism, and rightly so. That is what Jesus taught against. Man made traditions are not to be followed. Legalistic requirements are man made traditions.

Why would the Complete Jewish Bible use a different word for this verse? First, who was Paul writing to when he wrote the book of Romans. He was writing to the communities of faith in Rome. They would have been Jewish, with Gentiles beginning to join in. However, these Jewish communities had requirements to follow the Torah that God established. They had requirements to do keep the Sabbath, Festivals, keep their houses clean, not marry inappropriately etc… They could not abandon the Law. It would have confused them greatly if Paul would have written them and said they were not under the Law anymore. They would have considered him a false teacher. However, for Paul to write and tell them they are not under legalism (man made traditions that are not in the Torah/Law), that does make sense. They can know they are free to follow what God established, not what man established. When they are following God’s Law, grace abounds because God loves His children. He did rescue the children of Israel when they messed up. God can discipline, when people follow legalism and traditions of men, but He also extends grace when He knows people are following His commands.

Some of you might be reading this and wonder what this has to do with Gentiles. If we read Romans 11, we find that Gentiles have been “grafted in” to the Covenant that God made with Abraham. It is not the Judaism as we know it today because perversions have happened along the way. We were grafted in to the original intent of God’s heart to follow Him and serve Him only. This was God’s plan from the beginning! In Amos 9:11-12 it says, “When that day comes, I will raise up the fallen sukkah of David. I will close up its gaps, raise up its ruins and rebuild it as it used to be, so that Israel can possess what is left of Edom and of all the nations bearing my name,” says Adonai, who is doing this.” Acts 15 also makes it clear that the Gentiles are to be allowed to enter the group of those following Jesus.  This is from verse 3, “After being sent off by the congregation, they made their way through Phoenicia and Shomron, recounting in detail how the Gentiles had turned to God; and this news brought great joy to all the brothers.”

In Colossians 2:16-17 it says, “So don’t let anyone pass judgment on you in connection with eating and drinking, or in regard to a Jewish festival or Rosh-Hodesh (New Moon) or Shabbat. These are a shadow of things that are coming, but the body is of the Messiah.” Some try to say that this exempts followers of Jesus from celebrating the Feasts because it says we shouldn’t pass judgement on someone about them. Paul states that these Festivals are a “shadow of things that are coming.” He does not say to stop celebrating them. Another verse that is used to state that we do not need to celebrate the Festivals today is Galatians 4:10, “You observe special days, months, seasons and years!” The verses around it lead some to think that Paul was saying it is okay to stop observing them. Once again, when we understand the Hebraic culture that Paul was speaking to, we can see that Paul is teaching the Galatians to stop following astrology and superstitions. This was not allowed in the Law/Torah, but some had begun to follow these practices.

No where in the New Testament does it tell anyone to stop observing the appointed times and feasts. In fact, it is usually quite clear that they should be done without malice or wickedness. I Corinthians 5:8 “So let us celebrate the Seder (Passover) not with leftover hametz (leaven – sin), the hametz of wickedness and evil, but with the matzah (bread without leaven – without sin) of purity and truth. The early communities of faith were Jewish and required to celebrate the Festivals. If those who began to follow Jesus had stopped celebrating the feasts, they would have been judged by their brothers.

We must remember that God gave these appointed times for us to watch His seasons and know what is happening. Jesus died at Passover. The Holy Spirit was sent at Shavuot (known to us as Pentecost). They all fit into special gifts God gave years before and those with eyes to see and ears to hear recognized that Jesus was God’s gift to fulfill prophecies because of these Festivals.

So, what does it mean to “follow the Law?” Why is it still important for all people who claim Jesus as their Messiah to obey them? I hope this article helps you want to understand the New Testament from the Hebraic mindset it was written in. I hope this helps you want to read the New Testament through knowing that the people it was written to were obligated to follow the Law, just not with legalism. If these communities of faith were following the Torah/Law that had been given to them as a guide so their lives would be blessed, why wouldn’t we want to follow them as well? I know that my life has been richly blessed since I began to understand that Jesus FULFILLED the Law. He did not abolish it, but came to bring LIFE and LIFE more abundant, when we study HIS Word, which always points to the Torah/Law (the Words He spoke are from the Old Testament. I hope you want to study this together and apply The Word in a new and exciting way to your life.

(I quoted from the Complete Jewish Bible with words in parenthesis next to it to clarify some of the Hebrew words.)

Shabbat Shalom,

Rose Horton

Photo by Taylor Wilcox on Unsplash

Worship

Worship… This has been heavy on my heart lately. It is what I try to do when I wake up. As I lay my head down I do my best. I’m not perfect in this. I struggle to let go of the cares of the day… But, worship has brought clarity. It has brought focus. It is what gets me through when I want to give up.

The verses below are all about declaring His victory and giving Him praise. I pray that you find ways to incorporate worship into your day.

I Chronicles 16:23-27 Sing to Adonai, all the earth!Proclaim his victory day after day! Declare his glory among the nations, his wonders among all peoples!For Adonai is great, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared more than all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are nothing, but Adonai made the heavens. In his presence are honor and majesty; in his place, strength and joy.

Daniel 2:20 “Blessed be the name of God from eternity past to eternity future! For wisdom and power are his alone;

Jeremiah 20:13 Sing to Adonai! Praise Adonai! For he rescues those in need from the clutches of evildoers.

John 4:21-24 -21 Yeshua said, “Lady, believe me, the time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Yerushalayim. 22 You people don’t know what you are worshipping; we worship what we do know, because salvation comes from the Jews. 23 But the time is coming — indeed, it’s here now — when the true worshippers will worship the Father spiritually and truly, for these are the kind of people the Father wants worshipping him. 24 God is spirit; and worshippers must worship him spiritually and truly.”

Worship is key in the days and times we live in. There is so much corruption and chaos everywhere. Battles are won with worship. The Israelites had the walls of Jericho fall with the sound of shofars. The enemy hates when we give God praise. It is time we incorporate PRAISE into our day.

I’m not talking about feel good worship songs. I’m talking about songs that give HIM glory and honor. HE deserves the glory!

Enjoy the weekend as you give HIM praise!

Shabbat Shalom,

Rose Horton

Photo by Zac Durant on Unsplash

Boxes

Last week I wrote about the old and new… I really hope you grasped the importance of believing that the “old” is the foundation of the “new.” You cannot have one without the other! You cannot take a foundation away and expect anything new to stand. You always have to have a foundation.

That being said, what is in the idea that Jesus came and taught outside the box of the “old teachings?” Did Jesus leave that box?

As I mentioned last week, Jesus did NOT stop following the commands God gave to the Israelites. Jesus was a Jew and was required to follow the teachings handed to Moses. What Jesus did do was remove the fences put up by man-made religion.

How does this apply today?

Within Jewish laws today are man-made fences so they “don’t accidentally break the law.” Take for instance the idea of not working on the Sabbath. In some circles you are not allowed to tear toilet paper on the Sabbath because it is considered work. Is this what God intended? Is this what Jesus would have desired to see happening as He walked on this earth? Jesus would have removed the man-made fence, but would not have taken away the idea of not working on the Sabbath. Not working on the Sabbath came from God.

Okay, so let’s apply this to outside the Jewish context… Within Christian circles there are fellowships that do not allow for certain color vehicles to be driven. Is this a man-made fence? I guess in those circles it would not be considered that, but is it a command in the Bible? I could list others, but as we know the list would get long.

Across the board men have put up fences in order to “keep themselves from accidentally breaking the law.”

Putting up fences has caused us to put ourselves in boxes that God never intended for us to be in. Establishing “rules and guidelines” that are not part of God’s original intent have put us into situations that keep us caught in religion.

God never wanted religion. God wanted a relationship.

God sent His Son Jesus to the earth so that He could establish a relationship with His people. God told them that He wanted His Words to be written on hearts of flesh, not on stone tablets. He wanted them to BE WITH HIM in Spirit and Truth, so He sent the WORD to be flesh. Jesus was the walking Word of God. He LIVED and BREATHED Torah.

If we look at boxes in the Bible, they were only used to hold precious items.

Exodus 25:21-22 “Inside the ark you will put the testimony that I am about to give you. 22 There I will meet with you. I will speak with you from above the ark-cover, from between the two k’ruvim which are on the ark for the testimony, about all the orders I am giving you for the people of Isra’el.

Matthew 26:7 A woman who had an alabaster jar filled with very expensive perfume approached Yeshua while he was eating and began pouring it on his head.

(some translations say box instead of jar)

God wants us to be His precious items, but He doesn’t want us in boxes. He doesn’t want us struggling in fear to “live up to religious laws.” God wants us to have a relationship with Him.

I continue to ask Him every day about boxes I need removed. I ask for His wisdom to teach me and give me understanding into what I need to let go of. I want my relationship to go deeper and deeper as He writes more and more of His LOVE on my heart.

We need to have commands because we need guidelines and instruction. But, they were never intended to keep us in fear and bondage. His grace is more than enough to bring us out of those places.

As you live, move and find your being in HIM, place your precious items into a box to remind yourself that He is with you. DON’T place yourself in a box. Ask yourself every day to rid yourself of things that will entangle you and drag you down. Believe that HE will give you clear direction when you Ask, Seek and Knock…

Shabbat Shalom,

Rose Horton

Old And New

As I begin to write this, I know it will rub some people the wrong way. I know that discussions could begin. I’m not one to stir up controversy. I hate debates. I know what I believe in my heart. If you believe differently, than it is between you and God. I simply want to share what Holy Spirit has revealed to me over the past 20 years. It brought freedom to my soul and spirit. I found peace in the middle of the storms. I can only pray it stirs an awakening inside of you and brings you to a new place with your Father.

Just over 20 years ago I began to learn about Israel. I freely admit that early on I was hesitant. I enjoyed going to groups that taught a “Hebrew Roots” understanding, but it was more head than heart. Than in early 2005 that changed and I knew Israel would be an important part of my life.

That fall I took my first trip to Israel. The Lord brought circumstances into my life that allowed me to live there for the fall. It grew until travel back and forth happened for several years, than I lived there for a longer season.

Every time I went I felt like I was home. When I was there for long periods of time, I missed aspects of life in the US, but I knew I was where HE wanted me.

During these years I learned that the church did NOT replace Israel as presented by some teachers. Jesus did NOT start something “new” that did away with the “old.” We are NOT supposed to disregard the commandments in the OT because Jesus came and showed us love.

My heart hurts that these things are still actively taught today. It really should not be called the “old” and “new” testaments. It makes it sound like one should be done away with. The “old” is actually the FOUNDATION for what the disciples, prophets and apostles wrote about after Jesus lived on this earth. When the disciples, prophets and apostles wrote what we call the “new testament” ALL they had to rely on was the Torah and writings of the prophets.

If we truly believe that God NEVER changes, than WHY WOULD HE CHANGE HIS MESSAGE???? Why would He send a Son to save the world who would change His teachings???? Yes, Jesus changed the world, but He NEVER changed the message and commands of God! Jesus was the WORD of God in the flesh and He LIVED and BREATHED the commands of Torah.

There is a book by David Friedman called, “They Loved the Torah” that explains this truth in depth. Jesus and the Disciples were Jews who LIVED Torah and FOLLOWED the commands God gave Moses and the Children of Israel when they left Egypt. Those commands allowed the Jews to survive and because they LIVED, Jesus was born!

Jesus and the Disciples did NOT break the commands, rather they LIVED them to the fullest! To be honest, those who broke the commands were the Pharisees and Sadducees because they put up man-made religious fences to try and keep the commands of God. By doing so, they actually caused heart-ache in the eyes of God because they did not have a relationship with Him. They were caught more in the “how and why” of doing something than in the concept that God had written His Truth on their hearts and all they had to do was LISTEN to Him! Many people still live in this type of religion today. Jesus taught against this form of religion.

Romans 11 is all about Gentiles being “grafted into” this special group of people that God calls “His Children.” Those who have chosen to follow His Son are also heirs to this Kingdom. Those who choose to believe in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who believe that Jesus was sent by God to put His Kingdom on earth and be the Messiah for ALL who believe, those people now have the right to be called, “Children of God.”

BUT, we do NOT replace the Jews. We now walk alongside them and support them. We now look to them and their teachings to teach us. It is a side-by-side working together to understand the ways of God in a deeper way. They can teach us and we can teach them.

There is NO old and new. There is a foundation that was laid by God through Adam, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses and the Children of Israel. When Jesus came He helped it grow. He brought it LIFE and LIFE more abundant. Humans have messed it up and tried to remove God’s people from the equation. God’s TRUTH doesn’t change.

Deuteronomy 7:12-14 “Because you are listening to these rulings, keeping and obeying them, Adonai your God will keep with you the covenant and mercy that he swore to your ancestors. 13 He will love you, bless you and increase your numbers; he will also bless the fruit of your body and the fruit of your ground — your grain, wine, olive oil and the young of your cattle and sheep — in the land he swore to your ancestors that he would give you. 14 You will be blessed more than all other peoples;

Isaiah 61:9 Their descendants will be known among the nations, their offspring among the peoples; all who see them will acknowledge that they are the seed Adonai has blessed.

Romans 11:2-12 God has not repudiated his people, whom he chose in advance. Or don’t you know what the Tanakh says about Eliyahu? He pleads with God against Isra’el, 3 “Adonai, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars, and I’m the only one left, and now they want to kill me too!” 4 But what is God’s answer to him? “I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not knelt down to Ba‘al.” 5 It’s the same way in the present age: there is a remnant, chosen by grace. 6 (Now if it is by grace, it is accordingly not based on legalistic works; if it were otherwise, grace would no longer be grace.) 7 What follows is that Isra’el has not attained the goal for which she is striving. The ones chosen have obtained it, but the rest have been made stonelike, 8 just as the Tanakh says, “God has given them a spirit of dullness — eyes that do not see and ears that do not hear, right down to the present day.” 9 And David says, “Let their dining table become for them a snare and a trap, a pitfall and a punishment. 10 Let their eyes be darkened, so that they can’t see, with their backs bent continually.” 11 “In that case, I say, isn’t it that they have stumbled with the result that they have permanently fallen away?” Heaven forbid! Quite the contrary, it is by means of their stumbling that the deliverance has come to the Gentiles, in order to provoke them to jealousy. 12 Moreover, if their stumbling is bringing riches to the world — that is, if Isra’el’s being placed temporarily in a condition less favored than that of the Gentiles is bringing riches to the latter — how much greater riches will Isra’el in its fullness bring them!

God established Israel so that she would show us the way. When Israel chose to disobey, God’s plan was ALWAYS that Gentiles would be allowed to understand too. We as Gentiles are supposed to provoke Israel to jealousy. Once all of these things occur, Israel will bring its fullness and riches too!

Friends, it is time we stop looking at old and new. It is time we see the Bible as ONE COMPLETE teaching that builds on the foundations God gave FROM THE BEGINNING. Be a part of the remnant that God has kept through the ages.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rose Horton

Photo by Stacey Franco on Unsplash

Stand

Stand…

Last week I wrote on cornerstone. To stand firmly one must have a strong foundation. In the world we live in today, we must find a way to STAND.

I Corinthians 16:13 Stay alert, stand firm in the faith, behave like a mentsh (a good person), grow strong. 14 Let everything you do be done in love.

Jeremiah 6:16 Here is what Adonai says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask about the ancient paths, ‘Which one is the good way?’ Take it, and you will find rest for your souls.

It isn’t easy to stand today. It isn’t easy to be strong in a world that is so divided. And yet… we must find the firm foundation and STAND.

It is time we BELIEVE Him and follow HIS path. I know that even His path can be divided. More and more fellowships divide because they can’t find His common ground.

The enemy knows how to get in the way. He is sneaky. He places thoughts and ideas that divide. He brings chaos to divide. He tries to change the WORD. He twists the Words of God and tries to make us think we can do it alone. He convinces us we are full of power.

I don’t know about you, but I’m tired. Trying to fight the battles and STAND strong in Him is so exhausting. The darts come fast and furious. But, in the middle of it all, HIS foundation brings peace.

Standing firm doesn’t mean we are mean. The verse above says, “grow strong. Let everything you do be done in love.” Showing love is not a sign of weakness, it is a sign of strength. It is possible to stand your ground and still show love.

Finding rest for our souls means standing and listening so we know the good ancient path to follow. That is where I want to be.

Friends, don’t be afraid to STAND on HIS Words and for His Truth. We cannot let the enemy take over. Walk in LOVE with those around you.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rose Horton

Cornerstone

Cornerstone

A strong word. A word that we need to put in our minds so we believe in strength when we are weak.

Isaiah 28:16 therefore here is what Adonai Elohim says: “Look, I am laying in Tziyon a tested stone, a costly cornerstone,a firm foundation-stone; he who trusts will not rush here and there.

Psalm 118:22 The very rock that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone!

I Peter 2:6-8 This is why the Tanakh says, “Look! I am laying in Tziyon a stone, a chosen and precious cornerstone; and whoever rests his trust on it will certainly not be humiliated.” Now to you who keep trusting, he is precious. But to those who are not trusting, “The very stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone”; 8 also he is a stone that will make people stumble, a rock over which they will trip. They are stumbling at the Word, disobeying it — as had been planned

I know that I need strength. I know that I need to put my TRUST in a ROCK that will not be moved.

Don’t forget the last line from I Peter: They are stumbling at the Word, disobeying it — as had been planned

I observe communities stumbling over the Words. Disobedience is becoming easier and easier. Lack of repentance is prevalent. No one wants to admit they could be wrong. How can I change this in my life?

I have had the opportunity to walk underneath the Hotel (Western Wall in Jerusalem). I have seen the cornerstones that the Temple was built on. Friends, the work to put those rocks into place had to have been amazing to watch. Those rocks are huge. I was strangely moved when I saw them. I KNEW then that my cornerstone, Adonai – three in one – was my strength and foundation. The gratitude at that moment overwhelmed me.

Seeing those rocks with my own eyes reminded me that just as those rocks are made solid to build a wall (one that has lasted for thousands of years), so I must do the same thing with the Words of God. I must put the pieces together. Look for ways to make them fit together so I am stronger. As I put the secrets of the Word into place, than my foundation is stronger. I want to BUILD a cornerstone on HIS Words, and His Words alone.

Put your TRUST in the ROCK today. Listen to HIS Words and build your wall. Let HIM be your cornerstone.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rose Horton

Photo by Snowscat on Unsplash

Courteous

Tonight as I was praying about a word to write about as I was washing dishes. The word, “courteous” came to me. The next questions were, “Is that even in the Bible?” And “what does it mean?”

Courteous (according to Merriam and Webster):

1: marked by polished manners, gallantry, or ceremonial usage of a court

2: marked by respect for and consideration of others

dictionary.com: having or showing good manners; polite.

Basically, it has to do with being polite and showing respect.

The following information comes from this website:

https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Topical.show/RTD/CGG/ID/5985/Courtesy.htm

The ISV renders the Greek word praiotes as “courtesy,” while other versions translate it as “meekness,” “gentleness” or “humility.” The ISV has taken some liberties, but it gives a sense, in today’s English, of what Paul is saying. A humble attitude is necessary to show courtesy to others.

So, if the English “courtesy” is not literally in Titus 3:2, is it elsewhere? The Greek word philophron, which translates directly to the English “courtesy,” is used only once in the Bible. It comes from two other Greek words, philos, meaning “friend,” and phren, meaning “understanding,” “perceiving,” and “judging.” These two words indicating “understanding a friend” are put together to suggest the idea of courtesy.

Philophron appears in I Peter 3:8: “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one for another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous” (King James Version). Many translations interpret philophron as “kind” or “humble,” and this is correct as well. Both Thayer’s Greek Lexicon and Strong’s Concordance define philophron as “friendly” and “kind,” but Strong’s goes a little further, saying it can be summed up as the English word “courteous.”

The above information is very helpful to understand what “courteous” is in the Bible. Here is the verse that (according to the KJV) uses the word, “courteous.”

I Peter 3:8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: (KJV)

Finally, all of you, be one in mind and feeling; love as brothers; and be compassionate and humble-minded, (CJB)

I see lack of courtesy today. In fact, I see lack of humility. People are so focused on moving forward that they only think of themselves. This isn’t really what God intended. Yes, He wants us to take care of ourselves. Yes, in order to love others we have to love ourselves first.

Somehow those concepts have gotten twisted. We have forgotten compassion and humbleness.

Friends, it is time to think about others and show the courteous behavior God grants to us. Rethink humility. Find a way to LOVE.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rose Horton

Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

Lovingkindness

Lovingkindness…

This is a word we often hear, but what does it actually mean? As is usual, the word in the Bible isn’t always what the Hebrew word really means. It is often difficult to really translate what the Hebrew word is. This article explains it well:

https://www.gotquestions.org/lovingkindness.html

The verses below have the word lovingkindness in them in older translations. Newer ones use grace or mercy. As you read these WORDS of LOVE below, let HIS LOVINGKINDESS overflow to you. May you KNOW in your heart that HE is all you need!! He overlooks ALL you have done and will give you LIFE everlasting! Then let HIS LOVE flow to all those you meet.

Micah 7:18-19 Who is a God like you, pardoning the sin and overlooking the crimes of the remnant of his heritage? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in grace. He will again have compassion on us, he will subdue our iniquities. You will throw all their sins into the depths of the sea.

Jeremiah 31:3 From a distance Adonai appeared to me, [saying,] “I love you with an everlasting love; this is why in my grace I draw you to me.

As you let HIS LOVE flow through you, let this song bring NEW understanding to WHO your Father is for you!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSyrPa_QPuM&list=OLAK5uy_mo83CEOniqTZTmfydI5Sfxg7N1_6ShxMo&index=22

Let your heart be HIS home.

Shabbat Shalom!

Rose Horton

Photo by Tyler Nix on Unsplash