January 5th, 2023
To question what it is that He, my Elohim, is bringing to teach me something, or to practice out what is good and pleasing to Him, by my reaction/behavior when situations arise.
Situations that might seem stressful, or uncomfortable. How will I respond?
Maybe these things are also to display Messiah in me for others to witness.
I totally believe my Father is so multi-faceted and does not work in singularities.
Scripture is a constant reminder to walk in His ways, to imitate Elohim, to follow (imitate) our Messiah and how He walked out all things.
The Torah is our instructions and commands on how He is telling us to walk and learn His righteous and perfect way.
We were made in Their image and likeness, so therefore I believe that entails us becoming like Him. That we may be as One in Him, as our Messiah states that He and the Father are One, and He continues in that prayer that we become one with Him and the Father.
My behavior should reflect His behavior. What is His behavior, His characteristics?
People should see that in me by the way I live, react, treat others, all people not just those that I think deserve kindness, because all mankind was created in His image and likeness, and He desires that ALL would be saved.
In order for me to learn this, I must pay heed to Who He is and how He loves me, all His creation.
First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be made for all men, for sovereigns and all those who are in authority, in order that we lead a calm and peaceable life in all reverence and seriousness. For this is good and acceptable before Elohim our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Beloved ones, I appeal to you as sojourners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts which battle against the being, having your behavior among the nations good so that when they speak against you as evil-doers, let them, by observing your good works, esteem Elohim in a day of visitation.
Let your light so shine before men, so that they see your good works and praise your Father who is in the heavens.
In the same way, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that if any are disobedient to the Word, they, without a word, might be won by the behavior of their wives, having seen your blameless behavior in fear.
I have a LONG way to go, and these scriptures continue to cry out to me.
To look at myself, praying and pleading for His wisdom, and His strength to be found in me. Always asking, “Father, what are you trying to show me?” when life becomes difficult, or maybe it is because I am in the way, not getting my expectations met.
Why aren’t they being met?
Maybe my expectations are wrong, or self-centered.
I do not always know the answers, just tons of questions at myself.
Not being preoccupied with others and what they do or do not do.
Not saying I have completely escaped that place in life, but I desire to.
Maybe even, my expectations are right/good but the response I get from someone is not good.
Again, I have His word as a reminder that I am to behave righteously no matter what comes my way.
My behavior therefore should be a mirror of Him.
I am not to change my behavior depending on my ‘audience,’ i.e., if they are kind, I am kind, if they are unkind, then I am unkind.
I am to behave in such a way that is pleasing to Elohim in ALL circumstances.
Otherwise, I behave as the world and am making Him a liar.
I am casting judgment on people as to how I see them.
For יהוה your Elohim is Elohim of mighty ones and Master of masters, the great Ěl, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe. He executes right-ruling for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and a garment. And you shall love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Mitsrayim.
And opening his mouth, Kĕpha said, Truly I see that Elohim shows no partiality, but in every nation, he who fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.
Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the crooked ones. For this is favor, if because of conscience toward Elohim anyone bears up under grief, suffering un-righteously. For what credit is there in enduring a beating when you sin? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure, this finds favor with Elohim. For to this you were called, because Messiah also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps, (again to imitate) who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth, who, being reviled, did not revile in return; suffering, did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins Isa 53:4 in His body on the timber, so that we, having died to sins, might live unto righteousness – by whose stripes you were healed.
I, for one, cannot say I have committed no sin!
And yet, my Messiah who committed NO sin took quite the verbal and physical beating during His walk in the flesh with us.
He committed Himself to Him, (His Father) to judge righteously, and yet He our Messiah took on our sins and died for us, so that we could have the ability to again return to our Elohim’s ways.
Wow, just wow!!
I am to love my neighbor, like He loves us. Tall order that goes against my flesh, my ego, my throne. Whatever word fits in there. And yet I say I love Elohim whom I have not seen.
And again, scripture brings me to my knees and makes me question, “Do I really love you, Father?”
If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and are not doing the truth.
The one who says, I know Him,” and does not guard His commands, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
If someone says, “I love Elohim,” and hates his brother, he is a liar. For the one not loving his brother whom he has seen, how is he able to love Elohim whom he has not seen? And we have this command from Him, that the one loving Elohim should love his brother too.
I pray to You, Father in all sincerity, that You will help me to overcome.
That through the Word You have given me, Your truth and through Your Ruach, and with any vessel You have chosen, that I will listen intently.
That only through the understanding of Your truth, I will become a good and faithful servant of Messiah Yeshua.
I thank You for those You have placed in my life, to grow me and to show me Who You are and how I am to become.
I know that I cannot do this without You.
Help me to be thankful, truly thankful, and not a complainer of everything You have given.
I never want to displease You, yet… I do daily.
I ask You for forgiveness, and that nudge always to remind me to see the times that I fail.
To repent and come back to Your desire. Amein