ISSUE: #26

MEM

Message

Are we being good stewards of our time? I heard an interesting message about using time wisely. One important point, at the end of each day, was to give an account to our Creator for how we used His time that day. In my job I have to account for how I spent my time, what resources I used, how I spent the company’s money, and then write a report of my activities when away from the home office.

Is it too much to do the same for my Creator? I belong to Him – He tells me He will care for me and I am to care for His creation. Would giving an account every day make me more aware of my daily usage of His time, His investment in me and His resources? Would that make it easier when I have to stand before His judgment seat and give account for a lifetime?

We only have so much time, 70-80 years at best. Am I spending it wisely? Am I doing or being something wasteful? Time, just as the land, is a resource. Jeremiah is complaining in chapter 12 about the wicked prospering. YHVH tells him in verse 7 "I have forsaken My house, I have abandoned My inheritance; I have given the beloved of My soul into the hand of her enemies."

Why? 10-11 "Many shepherds have ruined My vineyard, They have trampled down My field; They have made My pleasant field a desolate wilderness. It has been made a desolation, desolate, it mourns before Me; The whole land has been made desolate, Because no man lays it to heart."

Abandoned by YHVH the wicked spring up and prosper. It was because we failed to take care of His resources – we did not even think how our actions would end in desolation.

Let us give account to Elohim for our time, our actions, and our thoughts each day, then ask for His direction.

Proverb

Proverbs 12:11 Hard work means prosperity; only fools idle away their time.

Proverbs 15:23 Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!

Proverbs 23:4 Don’t weary yourself trying to get rich. Why waste your time?

Proverbs 21:13 Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need.

(From the NLT)

Saying

Yesterday is a cancelled check; tomorrow is a promissory note; today is the only cash you have – so spend it wisely.

Kay Lyons

Highly pro-active people recognize their "response-ability’ – the ability to choose their response. They do not blame circumstances, conditions, or conditioning for their behavior. Their behavior is a product of their own conscious choice.

Stephen R. Covey

Bible Quiz

1. What did Yeshua prophesy would happen to the stones of the temple?
2. What word of Egyptian origin was frequently used for dry measure, and in capacity was equivalent to the liquid measure "bath"?
3. What happened to the men who had falsely accused Daniel and caused him to be thrown into the lions’ den?
4. From Hebrews 6, through what do we inherit what has been promised?
5. How many proverbs did Solomon speak?
6. Who was the mother of Abel?
7. Who said, "Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of the rock?"

Hebraic Lesson

The Messianic Kingdom

Many are looking forward to the Messianic age. Are there any scriptures to support this belief?

Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that has part in the first resurrection; on such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Revelation is not the only book of the Bible that speaks of Messiah’s kingdom on earth but there are many references throughout the Bible. We have been admonished to pray: "Thy kingdom come…" in Matthew 6.

Zechariah 14:9 And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one.

Micah 4:2 And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths; for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. v. 5 …We will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever.

During the Messiah’s reign we will be keeping the feast days of YHVH.

Zechariah 14: 16-19 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations that came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King. The LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. And it shall be whoso of all the families of the earth goes not up unto Jerusalem to worship the king , the LORD (Yahweh) of hosts, upon them there shall be no rain. And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain, there shall be the plaque wherewith the Lord will smite the nations that go not up to keep the feast of Tabernacles. …

Luke 1:30-33 And the angel said unto her, Mary: for you have found favor with God. And behold, you shall conceive in your womb, and bring forth a son, and shall call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

This is only a small sample of the hundreds of prophesies of the Kingdom of God on earth. What a wonderful time to look forward to.

Article/Website/Book/Audio Spotlight

New website article: "Encouragement"

http://www.seekingthetruth.com/articles/encouragement.htm

Encouragement in YHVH (God) and His Word.

Is God real? Is His word accurate? How will trials affect us?

For encouragement, read our online article.

The Garden Corner

Daffodils are best kept to themselves in arrangements because their sap contains crystals of calcium oxalate, an irritant that will cause other flowers to wilt.

The Morning Glory vine, whose flowers boom just as the sun rises and close in the afternoon, twines around its support clockwise, regardless of climate or hemisphere.

Humor

Ever wonder….

…if con is the opposite of Pro, is Congress the opposite of Progress

Some actual labels or instructions on consumer goods.

On a Sears hairdryer: Do not use while sleeping.

On a bag of Fritos: You could be a winner! No purchase necessary, details inside.

On a bar of Dial soap: "Directions: Use like regular soap."

On some Swanson frozen dinners. "Serving suggestion: Defrost."

On Marks & Spencer Bread Pudding. "Product will be hot after heating."

On Tesco’s Tiramisu dessert (printed on bottom) "Do not turn up side down."

Children’s Story

Pierre decided to take the path up over the high inland trail rather than walk the longer path to the Hatah village. With the smoked fish tucked under his arm, wrapped in a large leaf from the palm tree, he started his ascent up the trail. If he hurried he would be able to get there before noon and enjoy some activities with the youth of the village before his return.

Pierre was making good time under the cool overhanging vegetation, however he soon grew tired because of the steep angle the trail was taking. At one spot, the trail broke into a clearing next to the stream. He stopped to rest as he watched the stream tumble down a steep cliff, plunging into a pool of crystal clear water. This was a favorite spot for the family to swim and enjoy a picnic occasionally. Putting the smoked fish on a large flat stone he slid down the bank to the pool’s edge to dangle his feet in the cool water for a while.

Finally refreshed he scurried up the bank to the flat rock. To his surprise the fish was gone. Pierre looked around thinking it may have fallen from the rock, or did he place it somewhere else? His heart began to sink as he considered not having a gift for the friendly Hatahs. What could have happened to the fish? He looked along the river bank thinking maybe he placed it there – then he looked up and down the trail near the rock. Where is the smoked fish, he wondered?

Heart beating a little faster and disappointed he decided to stop and think. What would his father do? What had he been taught to do when sadness or doubt entered his life? Pierre kneeled down by the rock and began to ask God what he should do. He told God how his intentions were to share their abundance with the native tribe on the southern shore of their island. How he was thankful for all God has done for him. Should he go home? Should he go on to the village? Should he continue to look for the fish? Then Pierre waited for some direction as he had been taught by Missionary Bill. He waited and waited for what seemed like an hour. His knees were beginning to ache and the hot sun was beating down on his back as it got higher in the sky and began to shine through the clearing.

It was difficult to keep his focus on the Mighty Creator and think about some of the Psalms the family had learned by singing them. Soon a peace came and it seemed to block the normal noise of the forest and the water tumbling into the pond. Then Pierre heard a chatter – he strained to listen. Sure enough it was the curious chatter of monkeys. A sound they make when they have discovered something new. He leaped to his feet and headed in the direction of the chatter. Not far from the trail into the forest he found about four monkeys trying to decide what to do with the leaf wrapped fish that had been tied securely with string.

As Pierre pushed his way through the foliage to the monkeys, they did not notice him as they were so enthralled with their find. When they finally spotted him, they squawked and scurried up some overhanging vines to surrounding tree branches. Picking up his package of fish he investigated it for any damage that might indicate the meat had been soiled. It looked like it was all okay so he peeled back a part of torn leaf and broke away a handful of fish. Placing the broken piece on the matted undergrowth Pierre retreated to a spot where he could watch the monkeys. Soon their curiosity got the best of them and they cautiously approached the fish, keeping watch on the eyes peering at them through the vegetation. After one brave monkey had ventured to the fish and taken a handful the others followed.

Smiling, Pierre was soon back on the trail headed for the Hatah village. He began to sing: I was crying to the LORD with my voice, And He answered me from His holy mountain. (Psalm 3:4) Thank you oh Eternal One.

Quiz Answers

1. That not one stone would be left on another. - Mark 13:1-2
2. Ephah
3. They were also thrown into the lions’ den - Daniel 6:24
4. Faith and patience - Hebrews 6:12
5. 3,000 - 1 Kings 4:32
6. Eve - Genesis 4:1-2
7. Moses - Numbers 20:10