Sunday, October 24, 2010

TWO STORMS......ONE SHIP......ONE MASTER

And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. Matit'yah ha' Levi 8:23 (Matt.)


We continue our journey with Yahshua (Jesus) here in Matthew (Matit'yah - ha'Levi) where; having healed many who were sick (verse 16) He gives commandment (mitzvah) for travel to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. He enters the ship and His talmidim follow Him.
Here is a subject for pause and contemplation. We are simply told that "....He was entered into the ship, and 'His disciples followed Him'. What can we learn from this verse of Scripture? Many read long passages and 'weary themselves of the door'; and do not enter into a deeper understanding of truth. Every action of Messiah is important in its self and for a wider application.

By entering the ship, Yahshua was simply carrying out His Father's will. He told us plainly " For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me."Yochanan 6:38 (Jn.).  What is the Abbas' will......."And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day". Yochanan 6:40 (Jn.)

Therefore, if we are to have the everlasting life which Yahshua has promised; we must first 'see Him', { that is see Him by faith (See Heb.11:6)} then 'believe on Him' and follow Him. 

At least five times in Matthew Yahsha says to "Follow me" and in Yochanan He says "If ye love me keep my mitzvoth (commandments). Yahshua also said  'If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. So putting these simple verses of Scripture together we have Yahshua carrying out His Father's will by entering the ship. We have his Talmidim obeying Abba's mitzvah in following Yahshua into the ship; and by doing so; they deny themselves, take up their crosses, by following Him.

At this point one may wonder why so many words to this simple teaching? The reason is that the naztarim were about to face a life threatening storm........and so are we.

In order for us to endure this coming storm we must first; open the eye of faith to the Word of Elohim, and then"confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus,' and then,  'believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead,' then ' thou shalt be saved." Rom. 10:9 

The storm that we face is just as real as that faced by Yahshua's naztarim in the story of  Matit'yah ha' Levi 8:23-27 (Matt.).

We see the dark clouds gathering, we hear the distant muffle of thunder and the flashes of lightening. We feel the chill of the ever quickening wind as it swooshes around us (as the love of many waxes cold). The forces of the world are gathering for the last great struggle against the Prince of Life.

And it is now, at this time, that He calls you to....enter the ship.Yes, both you and I will have a cross to carry while on this ship; however we will be in company with One who carried His for us.  It is safe in the ship.(ask Noah) and he will tell you that the ship is safe and with YHWH'S protecting Hand; you will come to the other shore.(Shamayim) Heaven. Yes, the ship of YHWH'S salvation is soon to leave harbor. The Trumpets are now sounding, and making the final call. They will continue to sound and reach a mighty 'strong cry' (SeeHagilu Natan Elohim 18:6)  Do you hear the call? And when the ship sets out to sea there is no turning back.( See Hagilu Natan Elohim 10:6)[Rev.]...'that there should be time no longer:' and ....'the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.(vs.7)  As the ship into which Yahshua entered  endured the storm ; we have the blessed assurance of making it to the other side if we enter in at the Door.

Friday, October 8, 2010

I COULD NOT DO WITHOUT THEE

(The instrumental as played by Mathew Burtner on the CD Hear My Prayer)

I could not do without thee
O Savior of the lost,
whose precious blood redeemed me
at such tremendous cost.
thy righteousness, thy pardon
thy precious blood, must be
my only hope and comfort,
my glory and my plea.

I could not do without thee,
I cannot stand alone,
I have no strength or goodness,
no wisdom of my own;
but thou, beloved Savior,
art all in all to me,
and weakness will be power
if leaning hard on thee.

I could not do without thee,
for O the way is long,
and I am often weary,
and sigh replaces song:
how could I do without thee?
I do not know the way;
thou knowest, and thou leadest,
and wilt not let me stray.

I could not do without thee,
O Jesus, Savior dear;
e'en when my eyes are holden,
I know that thou art near.
How dreary and how lonely
this changeful life would be,
without the sweet communion,
the secret rest with thee!

I could not do without thee;
no other friend can read
the spirit's strange deep longings,
interpreting its need;
no human heart could enter
each dim recess of mine,
and soothe, and hush, and calm it,
O blessèd Lord, but thine.

I could not do without thee,
for years are fleeting fast,
and soon in solemn oneness
the river must be passed;
but thou wilt never leave me,
and though the waves roll high,
I know thou wilt be near me,
and whisper, "It is I."

SELAH.