Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.
(John 4:14)

(LIVING WATER)
ISSUE: #136

MEM

(Messianic Email Message)
Psalms 119:97 - 104

Seeking The Truth
MEM Index
Article Index

And he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb
(Rev 22:1)

For His Glory!

Message
The Gift of Faith Scripture indicates that there is a faith, imparted from the Ever living One, for those that seek the truth. Our faith is what we believe, what we are convinced about to the point of acting on that belief. We all have faith in things, people, ideologies, and even some people in evolution. The faith of Scripture is being persuaded of the truth. Faith - being persuaded of the truth Heb 11:1 NET Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, being convinced of what we do not see. … 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God… (All Scripture from NAS unless noted) There is only One Faith for YHVH’s people Eph 4:5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism… This Faith leads to Salvation Eph 2:1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, Acts 20:21 NET … about repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus. Hebrews 6:12 NET … imitators of those who through faith and perseverance inherit the promises. Many have died in faith awaiting the promises: Hebrews 11:13 NET These all died in faith without receiving the things promised, but they saw them in the distance and welcomed them and acknowledged that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth. Without this faith… Heb 11:6 Now without faith it is impossible to please him, for the one who approaches God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. We have little or no faith to start with Matt 17:20 … "Because of the littleness of your faith… Mark 4:40 And He said to them, "… How is it that you have no faith?" Luke 8:25 And He said to them, "Where is your faith?" … We need to increase our Faith Luke 17:5 And the apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" We start by listening Rom 10:8 … -- that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, *Rom 10:17 So faith comes* from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. Faith Came? This faith is now available in Messiah: Gal 3:23 But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. …25 But now that faith has come… Where is that Faith found? Gal 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me*; and the life* which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me. 2Tim 1:13 … in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. Faith as a gift 1Cor 12:4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit…9 to another faith by the same Spirit … Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; All saints are given a measure of faith Rom 12:3 … as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. Rom 12:6 And since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us…according to the proportion of his faith; (This faith is His faith - Yeshua’s faith imparted to us for our calling.(#1) 2Pet 1:1 Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: Ephesians 4:7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. 1 Corinthians 12:11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. ** Healed by faith from Yeshua Acts 3:16 "And on the basis of faith in His name*, it is* the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all. Full of the Holy Spirit and faith (both from YHVH) Acts 11:24 for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith… Faith - a Spirit 2Cor 4:13 But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I believed, therefore I spoke," we also believe, therefore also we speak; A law of Faith: Rom 3:27 Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith. Faith a Shield Eph 6:16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one. Faith a Mystery 1Tim 3:9 but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. We can wander away from or deny the Faith 1Tim 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith… Rev 2:13 'I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is; and you hold fast My name, and did not deny My faith… This faith was delivered to the saints: Jude 1:3 Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. Therefore: 1Tim 6:11 … pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. Heb 12:2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith… Because: Heb 11:6 …without faith it is impossible to please Him… Faith is evident by what we do: Jas 2:18 But someone may well say, "You have faith, and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works." Remember our faith is to be Yeshua’s faith Rev 14:12 ASV Here is the patience of the saints, they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. Just Remember Faith is not everything 1Cor 13:2 … if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. A common faith: Titus 1:4 to Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. ** #1) Barnes: According to the proportion*. This word is nowhere else used in the New Testament. With us it means analogy… or resemblance* between the truths taught by reason and revelation. But this is not its meaning here, It means the measure, the amount of faith bestowed on them; for he was exhorting them to Rom 12:3 "think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." The word faith here means, evidently, not the truths of the Bible elsewhere revealed; nor their confidence in God; nor their personal piety; but the extraordinary endowment bestowed on them by the gifts of prophecy. …the extraordinary endowment conferred on them. *The word faith* is thus used often to denote that extraordinary confidence in God** which attended the working of miracles, etc., Matt 17:20; Matt 21:21; Luke 17:6. They are to employ them in the purpose for which God gave them; AND FOR NO OTHER. Thy Kingdom come… Amen ( editing is done to shorten length - you are encouraged to read the full commentary where applicable)*

Proverbs
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding. Proverbs 22:19 So that your trust may be in the LORD, I have taught you today, even you. Webster 1828 (edited for length) FAITH n. [L. to trust; Gr. to persuade, to draw towards anything, to conciliate; to believe, to obey.] 1. Belief; the assent of the mind to the truth of what is declared by another… 2. The assent of the mind to the truth of a proposition advanced by another; belief, or probable evidence of any kind. 3. In theology, the assent of the mind or understanding to the truth of what God has revealed. 4. Evangelical, justifying, or saving faith, is the assent of the mind to the truth … Faith is an affectionate practical confidence in the testimony of God. Faith is a firm, cordial belief in the veracity of God, in all the declarations of his word; or a full and affectionate confidence in the certainty of those things which God has declared, and because he has declared them. ******** Yeshua, we believe so we are persuaded to walk in Your ways.

Saying(s)
"Your success and happiness lie in you…Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties." - Helen Keller Phil 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things. ******** YHVH help us to resolve to rejoice in Your promises even when we face difficulties.

Bible Quiz
Who buried Yeshua’s (Jesus’) body? What is the third book of the Pentateuch? Where did Paul go after leaving Athens? What happened while Peter was preaching at Cornelius’s house? Why were the Israelites captured and deported to Assyria? When the people returned to Jerusalem from captivity in Babylon, who oversaw the rebuilding of the temple? Who said, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home"?

Humility
In our pursuit of humility: (Lessons from humility and death to self.) "Humble yourself unto death. It is in the death to self that humility is perfected. At the root of all real experience of grace and true advance in consecration is conformity to the likeness of Jesus, which affects our dispositions and our habits. …it is possible to speak of waking in the Spirit while there is still evidence of self. True humility will manifest itself in daily life. The one who has it will take the form of a servant." Andrew Murray ****** Gal 2:20** "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me. Mark 9:35 And sitting down, He called the twelve and said to them, "If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all." Mark 10:45 "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." ******** Yeshua, when will we realize we are to be like You; and You took on the form of a servant.

Prayer
Understanding the precepts of prayer. In the book of Job, Job’s three friends had wise advice though they may have been misguided as to the source of Job’s trials. Consider Eliphaz’s admonition about YHVH’s great mercy. Job 22:21 "Yield now and be at peace with Him; Thereby good will come to you. 22 Please receive instruction from His mouth, And establish His words in your heart. 23 If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored; If you remove unrighteousness far from your tent, 24 And place your gold in the dust, And the gold of Ophir among the stones of the brooks, 25 Then the Almighty will be your gold And choice silver to you. Job 22:26 "For then you will delight in the Almighty, And lift up your face to God. 27 You will pray to Him, and He will hear you; And you will pay your vows. 28 You will also decree a thing, and it will be established for you; And light will shine on your ways. 29 When you are cast down, you will speak with confidence And the humble person He will save. ******** YHVH, at the heart of worship is yielding to You - and You will establish us.

Heart of God
How does God feel about issues we face today? The Desires of You Heart Are you familiar with God’s promise that He will give you the desires of your heart? Do you understand that this is an ambiguous statement? How does it read to you? Do you think it means that everything you want will be fulfilled? Or that the desires themselves will be imparted by God? Which do you prefer? Most people like the first sense, because they want what they want. Yet those who have their hearts set on God and His Kingdom understand the greater value of the second meaning, for their greatest desire is to be transformed into His likeness, and they shall have the fulfillment of this promise in both ways. (Adopted from a blog post by Dale Cresap) Delight yourself also in the LORD: and he shall give you the desires of yours heart. (Ps 37:4) Material in this section is based on various prayer diaries.

Did you know:
Bill Cosby "I'm 76 and Tired" I'm 76. Except for brief period in the 50's when I was doing my National Service, I've worked hard since I was 17. Except for some serious health challenges, I put in 50-hour weeks, and didn't call in sick in nearly 40 years. I made a reasonable salary, but I didn't inherit my job or my income, and I worked to get where I am. Given the economy, it looks as though retirement was a bad idea, and I'm tired. Very tired. I'm tired of being told that I have to "spread the wealth" to people who don't have my work ethic. I'm tired of being told the government will take the money I earned, by force if necessary, and give it to people too lazy to earn it. I'm tired of being told that Islam is a "Religion of Peace," when every day I can read dozens of stories of Muslim men killing their sisters, wives and daughters for their family "honor"; of Muslims rioting over some slight offense; of Muslims murdering Christians and Jews because they aren't "believers"; of Muslims burning schools for girls; of Muslims stoning teenage rape victims to death for "adultery"; of Muslims mutilating the genitals of little girls; all in the name of Allah, because the Qur'an and Shari'a law tells them to. I'm tired of being told that out of "tolerance for other cultures" we must let Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries use our oil money to fund mosques and madrassa Islamic schools to preach hate in Australia, New Zealand, UK , America and Canada , while no one from these countries are allowed to fund a church, synagogue or religious school in Saudi Arabia or any other Arab country to teach love and tolerance.. I'm tired of being told I must lower my living standard to fight global warming, which no one is allowed to debate. I'm tired of being told that drug addicts have a disease, and I must help support and treat them, and pay for the damage they do. Did a giant germ rush out of a dark alley, grab them, and stuff white powder up their noses or stick a needle in their arm while they tried to fight it off? I'm tired of hearing wealthy athletes, entertainers and politicians of all parties talking about innocent mistakes, stupid mistakes or youthful mistakes, when we all know they think their only mistake was getting caught. I'm tired of people with a sense of entitlement, rich or poor. I'm really tired of people who don't take responsibility for their lives and actions. I'm tired of hearing them blame the government, or discrimination or big-whatever for their problems. I'm also tired and fed up with seeing young men and women in their teens and early 20's be-deck themselves in tattoos and face studs, thereby making themselves un-employable and claiming money from the Government. Yes, I'm tired. But I'm also glad to be 76... Because, mostly, I'm not going to have to see the world these people are making. I'm just sorry for my granddaughter and her children. Thank God I'm on the way out and not on the way in.

Lighter Side
Same word - different meanings *The Polish Divorce* A Polish man moved to the USA and married an American girl. Although his English was far from perfect, they got along very well. One day he rushed into a lawyer's office and asked him if he could arrange a divorce for him. The lawyer said that getting a divorce would depend on the circumstances, and asked him the following questions: Have you any grounds? Yes, an acre and half and nice little home. No, I mean what is the foundation of this case? It made of concrete. I don't think you understand. Does either of you have a real grudge? No, we have carport, and not need one. I mean what are your relations like? All my relations still in Poland. Is there any infidelity in your marriage? We have hi-fidelity stereo and good DVD player. Does your wife beat you up? No, I always up before her. Is your wife a nagger? No, she white. Why do you want this divorce? She going to kill me. What makes you think that? I got proof. What kind of proof? *She going to poison me.* She buy a bottle at drugstore and put on shelf in bathroom. I can read English pretty good, and it say: *~~~Polish Remover~~~* **************** Have a good day!

Cause and Effect
Scribbles (By Michael Boldea Jr.) Do all to Stand Knowing that the enemy is merciless, ruthless, vile and heartless, his whims will always gravitate toward creating an environment of pain, sorrow and heartache for those who surrender and give up the fight. When we are faithful, when we honor God in the little things, when we look upon a patch of land and a handful of barley as David and Eleazar (2 Samuel 23:9-10) did and say in our hearts it is not dispensable, it is not expendable, it is worth defending and worth standing our ground over, we know that God stands with us, and though the enemy might outnumber us, it is the Lord who will save us by a great deliverance. The wise man prepares for the worst, the foolish man sits idly by and hopes against hope that things will either miraculously, or magically turn around or get back on track. Michael Boldea Jr.

Consider
A wee-chosen word can speak volumes Never go to a doctor whose office plants are dying Don’t sit and wait for your ship to come in-swim our to meet it Maybe you’re not overweight. You could be just a few inches short for your weight total If your wife is a bird-watcher, she’s probably watching you like a hawk My metabolism stinks-I gain weight just listening to dinner music Do a good deed even if you don’ feel like doing it

Bytes
Good News! Your God reigns Now the LORD said to Abram, "Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." (Genesis 12:1-3; ESV) In the New Covenant book of Galatians; And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "In you shall all the nations be blessed." (Galatians 3:8; ESV) According to Paul, God's promise of blessing to the nations through Abraham (who was called Abram at the time) is the gospel. The word "gospel" comes from the Greek word, "euangelion," meaning "good news" and is most likely in reference to the "good news" passages in Isaiah (40:9, 41:27, 52:7, 60:6, and 61:1). How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, "Your God reigns." (Isaiah 52:7; ESV) According to Isaiah here, the good news has to do with the proclamation of the reign of God. For Israel, the reign of God means release from foreign oppression and spiritual restoration for the nation. Paul may have also had in mind how the Greek word was used in the Roman Empire of his day. A proclamation by Caesar that would bring benefit to the empire was called "euangelion," - "good news." Therefore, for Paul, while "good news" was rooted in Jewish expectation, he also had in mind its world-wide implications as he announced the reign of the true king. This good news was the objective of God's promises to Abraham. God called him away from his homeland in Mesopotamia to journey to a foreign land, which would one day be called Israel, in order to accomplish his desire to resolve human alienation from God, which began with our first parents in the Garden of Eden. Paul's reference to this good news finding its origins in Abraham confirms the Bible's teaching that the coming of Yeshua as Messiah is part of God's overall plan and purpose from the beginning. God's choosing of the people of Israel through the forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, was the necessary outworking of his plan to make himself known to all nations. God's choosing of Israel was not simply a warm-up to the coming of the Messiah, as if God was biding his time until then. Nor was Israel some sort of "Plan A" that failed when the majority of Israel failed to recognize Yeshua as Messiah. Rather, beginning with Abraham, God worked out his master plan through to its fulfillment in Yeshua. God chose Israel to reveal himself to the world. His revelation through the Hebrew Scriptures is the basis of what we know of the true God. The nature and personhood of God is provided to us through the prophetic history of Israel. While general things about God as Creator can be known through creation, it is through Israel that we learn about him and his ways. Also, it is the Hebrew Scriptures that provide us with the Messiah's credentials in order to recognize him when he came. The good news is not just a message of individual salvation. That's included, but more fully it is the grand announcement that the long-awaited Messiah, through whom God would establish his reign, as foretold by the Jewish prophets, has come. In Yeshua the expectation of Abraham is fulfilled… God's reign as King over all the earth is established. By Alan Gilman TorahBytes Communications *(This document may be edited for length)

Psalm Promise
Psalm 145 17 The LORD is righteous in all His ways, And kind in all His deeds. 18 The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth. 19 He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He will also hear their cry and will save them. 20 The LORD keeps all who love Him… Promises for those who call upon Him, in truth, with fear, in love. ****** Blessed be YHVH** (Genesis 14:20 And blessed be God Most High…)

Essence of Message
Rom 10:17 [NET] Consequently faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the preached word of Christ.

Quiz Answers
1. Joseph of Arimathea - Matthew 27: 57-60 2. Leviticus 3. To Corinth - Acts 18:1 4. The Holy Spirit came on all that heard Peter’s message - Acts 10:24, 44 5. Because they had sinned against YHVH (the Lord) - 2 Kings 17:6-7 6. Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and their brothers - Ezra 3:8 7. Yeshua (Jesus) - Mark 2:11

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