ISSUE: #35

MEM

Message

Last time we looked at how we can know the Truth. How? By studying the Word of Truth, accepting the Word of Truth, and listening to the Spirit of Truth. Paul tells us in Colossians 1:27 to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

We have our human nature, the seed from the tree of knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:17). When we accept the sacrifice of Yeshua, He will place within us His Seed, the Holy Spirit. Therefore, within us is a constant struggle between these two seeds; which one will bear fruit in our lives? Self, which is so natural to us, it is grounded in the pride of life and is supported by the spiritual power of the Evil One. We have no hope except by the greater power of the Holy One, which is "Christ in you, the hope of glory."

There are many Scriptures instructing us to put away self and follow in the footsteps of our Savior. By giving heed to these Scriptures and the voice of our victorious Messiah we will overcome selfish pride, our evil desires, and the world of sin.

Luke 9:23 And He was saying to them all, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. Be determined to deny those things which oppose the Spirit – daily dying to the pulls of our old nature.

Luke 22:27 … But I am among you as the one who serves. We can tell if we have the Spirit of Messiah if we have a spirit of serving.

1 Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; …yet not I, but the grace of God with me. Paul was careful to clarify it was not himself, but the Spirit (grace of God).

Romans 8:13-16 for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, Here it is plainly put, if we are living according to our flesh, we must die. So our only hope is to be led by the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 3:17-18 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, …are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. When we have the Spirit, we have the Lord our Messiah (Christ), we are being transformed into His image.

Galatians 5:16-17 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. It is evident there is a struggle with the flesh in order to walk by the Spirit.

Ephesians 2:2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. This is a spiritual power that only Yeshua can overcome.

Philippians 3:3 for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh,

1 John 4:2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; We can look at it this way: He has come into this flesh of ours to save us from ourselves, from sin and from Satan. Praise YHVH!

Proverb

Proverbs 1:23 "Turn to my reproof, Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.

Proverbs 16:32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.

Proverbs 20:27 The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD, Searching all the innermost parts of his being.

Saying

Desire is the key to motivation, but it’s the determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal – a commitment to excellence – that will enable you to attain the success you seek. Mario Andretti (Race Car Driver)

I believe in the mirror test. Look into the mirror; who do you see? MEM

We are effective only when we have integrity – when our actions are in line with our values. Stephen R. Covey (Are our values YHVH’s values?)

Bible Quiz

1. Who could not understand how a man could be born again when he is old?
2. Name two of the five Old Testament books that are not referred to in the New Testament.
3. Jews in Jerusalem accused Paul of bringing Gentiles (Greeks) into what place?
4. What was Tertullus’s occupation?
5. When the Israelites cried to God in Egypt, what did God do?
6. Jacob worked for Laban for seven years to acquire whom?
7. Who said "God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering"?

Humility

Last time we wrote how Satan deceived Eve and thus all of humanity. We lost our dependence on our Creator – looking instead to ourselves for direction (deciding for ourselves what is right and wrong). Our Savior demonstrated His humility by taking upon Himself human flesh. He died for us – paid the ransom price so our relationship could be restored with the Almighty.

He even humbled Himself further by dwelling in our flesh; enabling us to have a relationship with the Father through His righteousness. The only way we can have this restored position is to humble ourselves, and recognize our need for Yeshua’s humility, that He might save us from ourselves. Recognize our need for total dependence on our Savior, He is our humility, He is the Grace of our Father. Blessed be his Name.

Did you know:

Brazil got its name from the nut, not the other way around.

Canada has more lakes than the rest of the world combined.

Canada is an Indian word meaning "Big Village."

Next to Warsaw, Chicago has the largest Polish population in the world.

Woodward Avenue in Detroit, Michigan carries the designation M-1, named so because it was the first paved road anywhere.

Damascus, Syria was flourishing a couple of thousand years before Rome was founded in 753 BC, making it the oldest continuously inhabited city in existence.

Lighter Side

• A Jewish man called his mother in Florida.
  He said to his mother, "How are you doing?"
  She said, "Not too good. I've been very weak."
  The son then asked, "Why are you so weak?"
  She said, "Because I haven't eaten in 38 days."
  The son then asked, "Why you haven't eaten in 38 days!?"
  She said, "Because I didn't want my mouth to be filled with food when you called." (Taken from www.torahbytes.org/sechel/Jewish%20Humor.htm)

Children’s Story

It was early on the first day of the week; Pierre was helping his father stock his boat, Slow Poke, for his weekly trip. Jacques was explaining to Pierre how new businesses at Mirada’s Safe Harbor would bring economic stability to the local islands.

It was hard for Pierre to understand how life could be better than the peaceful tranquility and happiness he presently enjoyed on their small Pacific island. Jacques helped him understand by telling him how his own work on the Safe Harbor Pier enabled them to enjoy added comforts they would not have if it were not for his job and skill as a carpenter. The new businesses would bring jobs which would expand to help the local natives improve their lifestyle. Better housing, utensils for safer preparation of foods, healthier lives, wholesome variety, improved education and the spread of the Gospel.

Jacques suggested Pierre might think about his future. How he should also learn some trade to enable him to travel; to further his education; to prepare himself to benefit others and not only himself. "All your life you have been on the receiving end of God’s and other’s goodness. It was now time you think of how you might do the same for mankind." Jacques continued, "The Great God placed you on this earth for a purpose; put Him first, then go do unto others as you would have them do to you."

With that last statement fresh on his mind, Pierre waved as his father turned his boat to head out to sea. When Jacques increased Slow Poke’s engine a light cloud of smoke lifted above the water as she plowed into the on coming waves.

Pierre walked slowly up the trail to the house. His head lowered, hands behind his back, he kicked at twigs and fallen leaves. How could a 12 year old prepare for a life of service to others?

Instead of going into the house to begin his school work, he sat on the log bench near the Time Tree. Back bent, elbows on his knees, his head in his hands, he continued to contemplate his future. His mother came out and sat beside him not saying a thing; waiting for her boy to break the silence. "Mom," Pierre asked quizzically, "How can I, a 12 year old, properly prepare to serve our God and fellow man?"

Leona was taken back by such a question. She first informed him he would be a teenager in just two more days. Then she told him the Creator brought him into being to ultimately become like his Maker. He had to come to depend on Him for instruction and rely on Him for guidance. One should start by studying His Word, trusting His Word, and walking by His Word. When one is totally committed to Yeshua (Jesus), He will bring about His purpose in your life. However it has to be sought after through diligent prayer, and by listening carefully through continual study.

As they continued to talk about their relationship with the Messiah and the Father, Pierre began to feel better as he recalled the many answers to prayer he had experienced. He determined to make God’s purpose for his life a foremost topic in prayer, beginning now. Leona and Pierre knelt by the bench, they faced toward Jerusalem (1 Kings 8:30). As they requested YHVH’s blessings on all those of their acquaintance, they made a special request for indicators as to Pierre’s calling and purpose, to show him how he could be of service to the Creator and His creation.

Quiz Answers

1. Nicodemus - John 3:4

2. Ruth, Ezra, Nehemiah, Song of Solomon, Lamentations

3. The temple area - Acts 21:27-29

4. A lawyer - Acts 24:1

5. He remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob - Exodus 2:24

6. Rachel - Genesis 29:18

7. Abraham - Genesis 22:8