*Remember who the author and finisher of your life is.

Hebrews 12:2 “Looking to the Princely Leader and Perfecter of our belief, יהושע, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the stake, having despised the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of Elohim.”

I came to the belief and understanding recently that, once I have given my life to Yahweh and Yahshua, my life is not my own. My physical days on this earth have been decided and it is up to me if I will continue to surrender my life to Him or try to save my own life.

*Improve your health.

If you are dependent on conventional medicine, then improve your health by weaning your body off prescriptions. Start eating food that supports and strengthens your body to its fullest potential. By eating healthily, your body, in turn, will be able to resist bacteria and infections that can drain your health and cause further problems.

*Use your talents to serve others.

1Peter 4:10, “As each one has received a gift, serve one another, as good trustees of the manifold favor of Elohim.”

I believe that we all have talents and have been created for such a time as this. Pray and seek Yahweh concerning the gifts you have to build up and strengthen those around you. If you have a gift of prayer, encouragement, music, speech, and more, share with those whom the Father puts in your path. We do not know how much of our personality helps those around us.

*Improve your relationship with Yahweh and your family.

While this time of quarantine is unpleasant and difficult, it is the perfect time to reflect and to spend time in Scripture and prayer. If you have been busy running around from appointment to appointment, then this is a great time to rebuild relationships with your loved ones. If we look at this time of being stationary and take the time to study Yah’s Word and work on our relationships in our immediate family, then we will be strengthened for the battle that is ahead.

*Accept change, as Yahweh is in control.

Habbakuk 3:16 “I heard, and my body trembled, My lips quivered at the sound, Rottenness came into my bones. And I trembled within myself, That I might rest for the day of distress, To come upon the people who would attack us.”

More than likely, once this version of “lockdown” is over, life will not go back to what it was before. There will be changes and trials that will test our beliefs.

Remember in all things that Yahweh is in control. His Word states in Jeremiah 29:11, “’For I know the plans I am planning for you,’ declares יהוה, ’plans of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and an expectancy.’”

By: Luann Avalos

Here is a list of Inspiring Scriptures to remind us that Yahweh is with us!

Deuteronomy 31:8
And Yahweh, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

Joshua 1:9
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for Yahweh thy Elohim is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

2 Samuel 22:31-33
As for El, his way is perfect; the word of Yahweh is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him. For who is El, save Yahweh? and who is a rock, save our Elohim? El is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.

1Kings 17:7-16
And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land. And the word of Yahweh came unto him, saying, Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee. So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink. And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand. And she said, As Yahweh thy Elohim liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die. And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. For thus saith Yahweh Elohim of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that Yahweh sendeth rain upon the earth. And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of Yahweh, which he spake by Elijah.

Nehemiah 1:5, 9-10
And said, I beseech thee, O Yahweh Elohim of heaven, the great and awe inspiring El, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments:, But if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there. Now these are thy servants and thy people, whom thou hast redeemed by thy great power, and by thy strong hand.

Psalms 1:1-3
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the wicked, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of Yahweh; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Psalms 4:8
I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou Yahweh, only makest me dwell in safety.

Psalms 5:1-8
Give ear to my words, O Yahweh, consider my meditation. Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my Elohim: for unto thee will I pray. My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Yahweh; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up. For thou art not a El that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee. The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity. Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: Yahweh will abhor the bloody and deceitful man. But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple. Lead me, O Yahweh, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.

Psalms 5:11-12
But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice…for thou, Yahweh, will bless the righteous, with favor wilt thou compass him as with a shield.

Psalms 9:10
And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou Yahweh, has not forsaken them that seek thee.

Psalms 13:6
I will sing unto Yahweh, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.

Psalms 16:11
Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy, at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Psalms 17:8
Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings.

Psalms 18:2
Yahweh is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer, my El, my strength in whom I will trust, my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

Psalms 23
Yahweh is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of  death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of Yahweh for ever.

Psalms 34:4
I sought Yahweh, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

Psalms 34:7
The angel of Yahweh encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

Psalms 37:3, 7-11
Trust in Yahweh, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and vrily thou shall be fed., Rest in Yahweh, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon Yahweh, they shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

Psalms 37:25
I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

Psalms 37: 39
The salvation of the righteous is of Yahweh: he is their strength in the time of trouble.

Psalms 46:1-2, 10-11
Elohim is our refuge and strength, A help in distress, soon found. Therefore we do not fear, Though the earth reels And mountains topple into the heart of seas, Be still, and know that I am Elohim: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. Yahweh of hosts is with us; the Elohim of Jacob is our refuge.

Psalms 55:22
Cast thy burden upon Yahweh, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Psalms 56:3-4
What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In Elohim I will praise his word, in Elohim I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.

Psalms 69:30
I will praise the name of Elohim with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.

Psalms 91
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of Yahweh, He is my refuge and my fortress: my Elohim; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made Yahweh, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

Psalms 103:1-6
Bless Yahweh, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless Yahweh, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Yahweh executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.

Psalms 118:5-6
I called upon Yah in distress: Yah answered me, and set me in a large place. Yahweh is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?

Psalms 121:1-8
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from Yahweh, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. Yahweh is thy keeper: Yahweh is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. Yahweh shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. Yahweh shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

Psalms 138:8
Yahweh will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Yahweh, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.

Psalms 150:6
Let every thing that hath breath praise Yah. Praise ye Yah.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in Yahweh with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Proverbs 18:10
The name of Yahweh is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

Proverbs 29:25
The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in Yahweh shall be safe.

Ecclesiastes 1:9
The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.

Isaiah 1:18
Come now, and let us reason together, saith Yahweh: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Isaiah 12:2
Behold, El is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for Yah YAHWEH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.

Isaiah 35:4
Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your Elohim will come with vengeance, even Elohim with a recompence; he will come and save you.

Isaiah 40:31
But they that wait upon Yahweh shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Isaiah 41:10
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy Elohim: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Jeremiah 17:7-8
Blessed is the man that trusteth in Yahweh, and whose hope Yahweh is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

Joel 2:32
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of Yahweh shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as Yahweh hath said, and in the remnant whom Yahweh shall call.

Amos 5:4, 14
For thus saith Yahweh unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me, and ye shall live:, Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so Yahweh, the Elohim of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken.

Matthew 6:25-26
Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what you shall put on. Is not the life more than meat and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air; for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are you not much better than they?

Matthew 6:34
Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.

Matthew 18:20
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Matthew 19:26
… with Yahweh all things are possible.

Luke 9:12-17
And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place. But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people. For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company. And they did so, and made them all sit down. Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude. And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets.

Luke 11:3
Give us day by day our daily bread.

Luke 12:7
But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

2 Corinthians 5:7
(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

Philippians 1:6
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Yahshua the Messiah:

Philippians 4:6-7
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto Elohim. And the peace of Yahweh, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Messiah Yahshua.

2 Timothy 1:7
For Elohim hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Hebrews 12:1-2
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Yahshua the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the stake, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of Elohim.

Hebrews 13:5-6
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have for he hath said I WILL NEVER LEAVE THEE, NOR FORSAKE THEE. So that we may boldly say Yahweh IS MY HELPER, AND I WILL NOT FEAR WHAT MAN SHALL DO UNTO ME.

1Peter 5:6-9
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of Elohim, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

I John 4:18
There is no fear in love; but perfect love cast out fear:

Praise to Yahweh for Inspiration!

Contributors: Michael & Meandy Bishop, Michael & Sandra Daley, Christopher Fouts, Jose Gonzalez, Brenda Hobbs, Jessica Kruse, Jevon Love, Debbie Reed, Judy Stern, and additional brothers and sisters.

The Bible is full of inspiration and tells us exactly what we are required to do as believers, as children of Yahweh. It instructs us how our loving Father wants us to have lives filled with love (Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Leviticus 19:18; Mark 12:20-21; 1Corinthians 13), joy, peace and Fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), to enjoy many blessings and be a part of the coming Kingdom (John 14:23). Yet the Bible is so often misquoted; verses are often taken out of context and misunderstood. The answers are there… if we pray to Yahweh and ask for His help to understand His Word and His Way. If we read the book He provides for instruction and guidance, and if we allow Scripture to explain Scripture, it is amazing what we can discover and learn! (John 5:39; Acts 17:11; 1Thessalonians 5:17-21; 2Timothy 2:15).

One teaching that is based on misunderstandings and misinterpretations is the “saved by grace through faith alone” doctrine and associated misconceptions, such as: “The Old Testament is ‘old’ and therefore no longer relevant; we no longer need to keep Sabbaths and Feasts; Yahshua put an end to observing the law. In conclusion, we no longer need to do anything. All we need to do is have Faith.…”

REALLY? Is this scripturally supported? All we have to do is… NOTHING???

In this article, we will take a look at some New Testament Scriptures that can be erroneously transformed into a “saved by grace through faith alone” doctrine. We will also see what the New Testament actually says about following the Mosaic Laws, and see how we know the Old Testament is still valid.

These are some Scriptures used to “prove” that all we need is to have faith:

1) Matthew 5:17-18: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.”

2) Romans 3:28: “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.”

3) Galatians 3:13: “Messiah hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us…”

(Restoration Study Bible, 3rd edition, based on the Old and New Testaments of the King James Version)

(We will look at these verses in more detail momentarily.)

WOW, if everything was done for us then all we have to do is… nothing! WHEW! Wait a minute…

Sometimes it is great to do nothing!!! Yes, it is important to rest and take some down time, but also consider… our residences do not come equipped with self-clean buttons, food does not cook itself (even with slow cookers and instant pots you still have to grow/buy your food and chop, prep, and add the ingredients!), and bills need to get paid. Therefore, we must have some income source; we need to shop for things needed for daily living, etc. We have to “do” things in order to live! Doing means action. We need to make an effort to make things happen. Makes sense, right? If we have to “do” in order to enjoy the blessings our Heavenly Father Yahweh provides now (food, shelter, clothing, etc.), then let us do as we are commanded to because there are bigger blessings yet to come with the Kingdom! (1Corinthians 2:9 and 3:8) Our efforts now to have faith and to obey can lead to eternal life where we will no longer get sick, suffer, die, nor want for anything, and we will live with our Almighty Father Yahweh! (Revelation 21:1-4)

Yahshua’s words as recorded in Matthew 7:21 state, “Not everyone who says to me ‘Master, Master’ will enter the Kingdom of the Heavens, but only those who are obedient to my Father who is in Heaven.” (Weymouth New Testament). Yahshua goes on to say that whoever hears what He is saying and does it is like a wise man who built his house on a rock that remains standing after a rainstorm, versus “a foolish man who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice and builds a house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” (Matthew 7:24-27, New International Version) Did you catch that? Yahshua says “he that doeth the will of my Father,” and “he that hears his words and does them” is like a wise man; not “he that has faith alone.”

There we see the “doing” theme, as Yahshua – the Son of Almighty Yahweh – taught. In addition, consider, did He tell His disciples following Him that all they needed to do, since they started to follow Him, was to have faith? NO! Yahshua sent them out to teach Yahweh’s ways, first to the lost sheep of Israel (Matthew 10:1-20), then after His death and resurrection, out to the Gentiles (Matthew 28:18-20).

If we need to “do,” by sheer logic that directly contradicts that we don’t have to “do”. In addition, nowhere in Scripture does it say that we are saved by grace and that faith alone is needed. In fact, James 2:14-26 very clearly and plainly states that both faith AND works are necessary. Here are some specific verses from James 2: “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (v.17); “You believe that there is one [Elohim]. You do well. Even the demons believe and tremble!” (v.19); “a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.” (v. 24) (Holman Study Bible, NKJV edition). If nothing else in that Scripture stands out, then how about verse 24 which clearly says NOT BY FAITH ALONE! The Bible does not contradict itself (2 Peter 1:20-21; 2Timothy 3:16-17). Therefore, if we are being clearly told that both faith AND works are required, then logically we see that it CANNOT possibly teach that all you need is faith alone.

Let’s take a look at the Scriptures mentioned previously, often used to “prove” the faith-alone doctrine:

1) In Matthew 5:17-18, Yahshua said He “came not to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them,” and that not a thing, “not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen of the Law will pass away until all is fulfilled.” (NIV) The Greek word for fulfill is “pleroo”, and it means to make full, to cause to abound, to render perfect, to carry out (taken from footnote in Restoration Study Bible 3rd ed.; see also Strong’s Greek Dictionary No. 4137). Some say that Yahshua fulfilled the Law and it’s done and over with and no longer applicable. If you examine the meaning of the word fulfill, AND look at the broader context of this Scripture (this is part of the Sermon on the Mount; why would Yahshua teach that which was being done away with?), it is clear that Yahshua is saying that He is carrying out the Law. In addition, if you look throughout the Evangels, you will see several examples of Yahshua following the Laws. Yahshua’s earthly parents, Mary and Joseph, went to the temple for Passover observances, and Yahshua went with them (Luke 2:41-42). Yahshua kept the Passover (Matthew 26:17-21; Mark 14:1-18; Luke 22:1-18) AND commanded His disciples to continue to do it in remembrance of Him (Luke 22:19-20). When Yahshua healed the leper, He told the man to go to the temple and see the priest, and to give the offering according to what was “prescribed by Moses” (Matthew 8:2-4). Yahshua often quoted Mosaic Law: when He was tempted by Satan (Matthew 4:4-10 and Luke 4:4-12), during the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:27-48), when answering the Pharisees regarding their question as to why His disciples did not wash their hands before a meal (Matthew 15:3-4), when asked by a scribe what are the most important commandments (Mark 12:28-34), and when asked by someone what to do to gain eternal life, Yahshua answered, “If thou will enter into life, keep the commandments.” (Matthew 19:17). Did you catch that? Yahshua clearly said “KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS.” Does it make sense that Yahshua would teach to keep the commandments if they were to be done away with? Clearly not. Also note: Yahshua quoted other Scriptures as well, which today are known as part of the Old Testament, specifically mentioning Isaiah and Hosea, for example (Luke 4:17-21; Matthew 9:13). He also refers to other Scriptures, such as Psalms (Matthew 21:42), for example. Why would Yahshua continually quote invalid OT Scriptures?

2) Romans 3:28 says, “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” (RSB). Cherry pickers love this one!!! As mentioned previously, the Bible does not contradict itself. In addition, it is good practice when reading and studying the Bible to look at the verse in context and to read what is before and after the verse (like when one reads any other book and applies context clues for deeper meaning). Therefore, if we read the entire third chapter of Romans, we learn Paul is teaching that Law is necessary because there is sin, and all fall short of the glory of Elohim; however, now through the sacrifice of Yahshua the Messiah, there is hope of being saved, both for Jews and for Gentiles, by having faith in Yahshua the Messiah. And to finish this thought, verse 31 clearly states: “Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not: yea, we establish the law.” (RSB) “Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.” (NIV) Paul makes it abundantly clear that the Law is NOT voided, and two Bible versions are presented here, showing the Law is established, upheld!

3) Galatians 3:13 says, “Messiah hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us.” (RSB) Wow, the Law is a curse? Again, let us read the Scriptures around this verse for deeper meaning and look for understanding in context. This is a verse that in and of itself may not be easy to understand. However, if we take a look at what it says in the entire third chapter of Galatians, we see mentioned the faith of Abraham, whom had great faith in Yahweh and was obedient. This chapter of Galatians goes on to quote Deuteronomy 27:26 which states that, “Cursed is anyone who does not uphold the words of this law by carrying them out.” (NIV) Since we all fall short, as discussed above, and no one but Yahshua the Messiah has followed all the Law perfectly, we must put our faith in Him, who by being hung on a tree became cursed, “being made a curse for us” (see also Deuteronomy 11:25; 21:22-23) and through Him “we find justification from that punishment and an opportunity to obtain grace” (Commentary from Restoration Study Bible v.13, 3rd ed.). If we are part of the body of Messiah, then we are “Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (v.29, RSB and NIV)

Oh wait, there’s one more… the end of the Law… Cherry pickers love this one too!

Romans 10:4: “For Messiah is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” (RSB)
Well, there you have it…Yahshua ended the law!!! Wait a minute… if we follow the logic presented so far, then we have seen that in Scripture: 1) there are no contradictions; the Bible does not contradict itself and all Scripture is valid; 2) it is recorded that Yahshua taught using the Laws and the Scriptures; 3) it is recorded how the apostles followed and taught the Laws long after Yahshua was resurrected; and, 4) we can search for answers about Scriptures within Scriptures, reading verses before and after and examining related chapters/verses. If we apply these principles, then we see that there must be a deeper meaning to this verse. In addition, as we saw above when examining Matthew 5:17-18, it is useful when studying Scripture to look up words in the Hebrew/Greek dictionaries and to cross-check Bible versions for deeper study. The word for end in Greek is “telos” which means to set out for a definite point or goal; it can also mean the conclusion of an act or state. (Note in Restoration Study Bible, see also Strong’s Greek Dictionary No. 5056.) Since there are two possible definitions, then we must look at Scripture for answers as to which definition applies here. If we apply what we know, that Scripture does not contradict itself, and look at how that same word “end,” (telos), is used in other Scriptures, we can arrive at its meaning in this one. We have seen in other Scriptures such as the need for the Law (Romans 3:31). There are other Scriptures where the word “end,” (telos), is used with the first definition; for example, James 5:11 (“the patience of Job and seen the end of Yahweh” – end meaning goal, for we know that Yahweh is eternal), and 1Peter 1:9 (“the end of your faith” – again, end meaning goal, as the same verse says “we receive salvation of our souls,” for salvation we must have faith, as we discussed). By following principles of Scripture study and looking at context and original language definitions, we see that the first definition applies here as well. Since Scriptures are not contradictory and other Scriptures show the word “end” (telos) meaning “goal,” the same meaning applies here.

In this discussion, we see that the doctrine of being saved by grace through faith alone is NOT scriptural and NOT what the Bible teaches. We clearly see that we must have faith AND obedience (doing what we are taught, following the commandments) in order to have hope for eternal life in the Kingdom. Having faith in Yahweh and in Yahshua the Messiah leads to obedience, and we learn what they teach and what we are required to do by reading and studying the Scriptures, Romans 1:3-5. Obedience means to follow what? The Laws, clearly spelled out in the Torah (the Pentateuch) written by Moses as commanded by Yahweh, as reiterated and illustrated in other books in the Old Testament and as taught and emphasized by Yahshua.

Not only did Yahshua follow and teach the Law, we also see that long after His death and resurrection the apostles (directly taught by Messiah) kept the Sabbath days and the Feasts. The book of Acts of the Apostles show many examples of this, including where the apostles and Jews were gathered and observed the Pentecost (known as the Feast of Weeks in the OT, 1:12-2:4); where Peter said he kept clean food laws (10:14); where Paul kept the Sabbaths and read aloud the Laws (13:14-15; 17:2 and 18:4); and where Paul was determined to arrive at Jerusalem for Pentecost (20:16). The apostles were following the example set by Yahshua. We are reminded that, as believers, we need to follow His example: 1Peter 2:21: “Messiah also suffered for us, leaving us an example that we should follow in his steps” (RSB).

The Bible quotes in this article are taken from the Restoration Study Bible 3rd edition, which is based on the Old and New Testaments of the King James Version; the Weymouth New Testament (as found on biblehub.com); the New International Version (2011); and the Holman Study Bible New King James Version edition. Please read and study these Scriptures for your own edification. Continue to read and study, have faith and obey Yahweh’s ways, for your well-being and salvation.

~by Judy Stern as published in the Come to the Garden Women’s Blog

Are parents capable of educating their children at home, or should this be left to qualified professors or academics?  Parents will often stiffen up and say, “I am not educated enough to teach my child,” or “I leave the education of my child up to the professionals.”

Long before there was a law that children of a certain age needed to attend school, parents were teaching their children to read and write. Once a child is old enough to comprehend what their parent or guardian is saying to them, the parents are educating their children on the world around them. Prior to entering the public-school system, the parents are educating their child on how to navigate this world by teaching him or her at home.

Once their child reaches the age of compulsory attendance – “Compulsory school attendance refers to the minimum and maximum age required by each state in which a student must be enrolled in and attending public school or some equivalent education program defined by the law,” (Education Commission of the States) – most parents turn the teaching over to the school systems while they either go to work or stay home.

The question that comes to mind is, “When did the laws change that required a child to attend public school or to be educated at all?” Horace Mann, known as the “Father of Common School,” argued that, “’universal public education was the best way to turn unruly American children into disciplined, judicious republican citizens.’ Mann won widespread approval from modernizers, especially in the Whig Party, for building public schools.” (Wikipedia).  In some cases, this works to the good of the population and in others it can degrade the values and morals of the community.  It works toward the good of the population when it allows all participants to get an education that was only accessible to the rich who could afford to pay for their child’s education.  In other circumstances, children were needed at home and not allowed to get an education due to responsibilities. This mainly applied to girls who would be the future home-makers and only needed to know how to manage a house, not be among the working class.

While the goal to provide an education that is universal is a noble one, this can create concerns for parents who do not agree with the teachings that are being presented on a neutral platform. Some universal teachings can conflict with the religious and personal beliefs of the parents.

While providing this luxury to all citizens of a community, regardless of social or economic status, the next stipulation that came into play was that children were required by law to be educated between specific age requirements or the parents or guardians would face penalties for disregarding this law. While the common school was set in place to allow education for everyone whether they could afford it or not, it eventually became the mandate for the public at large.  However, parents are now in the situation where they must fight for the right to educate their children at home again, whether it is for religious reasons or just the fact that they want to be the ones to educate their offspring.

Parents who decide to take on the task of educating their children are often considered irresponsible with a lack of concern for their children’s future education and societal standing in the community. They may also be viewed by their community as being religious zealots who want to skirt the system that has been set in place for everyone.

Prior to the enactment of public education, it was thought that homeschooled children were smarter and more well-rounded individuals compared to their peers. Today, children who are educated at home or by private tutors have the one-on-one education that public-school children lack. Due to overcrowding or teacher/pupil ratio, students that need additional support in learning may suffer the lack of proper education or time that their personal situation warrants.  If a child is struggling to understand the current lesson, due to time constraints educators cannot stop and review until the student picks up the material.  If the child can’t keep up, he will flunk the class or end up repeating it until he graduates or quits. The benefits of the one-on-one education is that time can be granted a student who is struggling or teaching strategies can be adjusted for that one child, which cannot be duplicated in a public-school setting. Some students learn better by reading, hearing (auditory), or seeing (visual) the material in a way that promotes comprehension. Parents know their child better than anyone else and can easily adjust to meet the need.

Another benefit of homeschooling is flexibility in scheduling the education course. Instead of being at their desk for the timed school day, students have the freedom to take their education on the road if need be. The parents have the freedom to take a vacation which can also be combined with field trips. The student not only reads about the Grand Canyon, but also they can travel and see all aspects of the Grand Canyon in person and write a paper on their own experience. If the family does not have any travel constraints then they have the option of taking a few more days of study in another area. This allowance gives the student a hands-on approach to their learning achievements.

Home-education is not to be confused with mass education production. Educating children at home should be for the purpose of giving them quality education for the benefit of each student. There are requirements that home-school parents must follow to meet state guidelines. In Missouri one of the laws states that parents must “b) Offer at least one thousand hours of instruction, at least six hundred hours of which will be in reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies and science or academic courses that are related to the aforementioned subject areas and consonant with the pupil’s age and ability. At least four hundred of the six hundred hours shall occur at the regular home school location” (Families for Home Education). According to this law, parents must provide the required hours of education in the core subjects, but the content of that instruction is the choice of the instructor. If the parents would like to instill religious teachings in core subjects there is liberty to do so. Parents can also choose an “eclectic” curriculum which means “deriving ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources” (Wikipedia). Becca, a mom who homeschooled for eight years stated, “My approach has morphed many times but it has always fallen under the category of what I term eclectic homeschooling. Basically, I use whatever works” (The Homeschooling Option).

Time constraints or strict schedules are not part of a home-schooler’s vocabulary. Due to the more relaxed pace of home education, school can start at 8:00 a.m. or in the afternoon.  It is possible for single parents or parents who both work outside jobs to educate their children. Due to the persistence of parents and supporters of home education, many advancements have been created and instituted to allow more individuals to teach more advanced subjects. Workbooks for all grade levels can be found at the local retail market or publishing companies. Software companies such as Switched on Schoolhouse have contributed to the homeschool program by designing educational programs that allow customization of the curriculum or use the one they created. Many of these programs have been structured and evaluated by teaching professionals, which allows the parent to implement them with confidence.  There are also free websites which allow printing of worksheets, certain subject material, or even allow students timed coursework such as math, spelling, and typing assignments which can be great supplements.

A parent who works a job in the morning can come home and educate their child in the evenings.  Along the same lines of that freedom is the ability to homeschool during normal school times, year-round or times based on family needs. If there is a need for extra hands during a certain time period of the year, schooling can be adjusted to meet these demands.

Homeschooling allows many benefits to the student’s overall academic performance and should not be reduced to a mass education. Parents should have the ability to educate their children if they so choose without the interference from officials who would like to structure the curriculum. Homeschooled children have been proving, unlike their prior stereotypes, that the individualized education has made them more knowledgeable, well-rounded individuals who can relate to their peers and adults to a higher degree (National Home Education Research Institute).  Homeschooled children are not isolated, withdrawn, uneducated, or dregs of society. They are starting to prove their place in the academic realm.

by Luann Avalos

Cite Works

“Horace Mann Wikipedia”: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horace_Mann

“Education Commission of the States.”:

https://www.ncsl.org/documents/educ/ECSCompulsoryAge.pdf

Families for Home Education https://fhe-mo.org/missourilaw

Lisa Rivero. “The Homeschooling Option”, 2008 pg. 93

National Home Education Research Institute: https://www.nheri.org/research-facts-on-homeschooling/

“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Heb. 11:1)

What is faith? It is not physical; so how do we know that faith exists? To have faith, one
starts with hope which will lead to belief. I have hope that I will overcome my educational
obstacles and retain the knowledge I am seeking to excel in my career path. When I build upon
this hope by telling myself that I can overcome, it will eventually become something tangible
and real. Constant repetition of the belief will force the mind to accept that the idea or concept
once “hoped” for can, in actuality, be realized. It then becomes a substance that feels physical
and real. Our mind is shaped and formed by what we tell ourselves. If we inwardly say that we
cannot be a successful business owner or become the doctor that we have always dreamed of
becoming, our mind will follow in this line of thinking and make this a reality.

This is such a valuable thought – to remember that we are not subject to the whims and
ways of this world. Our life can be changed by how much our minds have been bent to accept
that anything is possible. In the past, I have restricted my existence to what I can see and feel
and not on what is possible to achieve. However, we do not have to accept that if only we are
in the right place at the right time then what we truly want can be obtained. My generation has
been taught that, as long as you live in the right neighborhood and go to the right schools, you
are automatically primed for the most rewards in this life. Further, if you do not have these
things, then you will never succeed to your full potential.

This world would be so dismal without faith to give us the hope we need for better days.

It is the thought that as long as I keep having faith in the things that I cannot see or feel, one
day it will become physical. What I am doing in the unseen world can and will be revealed in
this world. I can also change the outcome of my life by having faith, hope, and then belief that
anything is possible. Faith can also bring about other positive changes.

“Do unto others as you would have done unto you.” (Luke 6:31)

In my life, there have been many times that circumstances required change. When I had
been faced with accusations or insults and anger had begun to rise, I began to learn that what
you feel in the moment is usually not the truth. There are times where negative emotions like
rage, jealousy, bitterness, selfishness, and depression can be upon us so strongly that to be free
of their grasp seems impossible. However, when I truly reflect on those feelings and why I am
choosing to accept them, the root is usually pride. I am believing that those emotions are
impossible to shake, yet there are many verses that deny this:

“All is permitted me, but not all do profit. All is permitted me, but I shall not be under
authority of any.” (1Cor. 6:12)

“And I say: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not accomplish the lust of the flesh.” (Gal. 5:16)

“I sought יהוה, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.” (Ps. 34:4)

When I tell myself I can choose joy, or that I can choose faith, or that I choose to believe
I can do all things, I am choosing faith. As I am in this faith, I choose to make steps that will
direct the course of my belief. If I want to be joyful, I smile more; if I am afraid, I tell myself that
I am not alone and He watches over me; if I want to succeed, I prepare, study, and work.

Another area of life that requires faith is relationships, as they are valuable to our
existence. It is important to cultivate this partnership between two or more people. The
existence of our physical bodies in this world can be bleak if we isolate ourselves because we
have treated those in our closest circle in a harsh, unloving way.

When I feel valued and loved, it brings a warm, serene feeling to my soul. It makes me
want to reach out to others and share this aura with them as well. The result of this makes me
want to surround many cities and states with this beautiful “thing” called happiness.
The feelings of bitterness and anger also operate along the same lines of transportation.
When the feeling of annoyance, which turns to anger, starts to rise up in our body, everyone
around us will have some participation in this sad turn of events. The harsh, snarling tones
erupt like flames of fire and can destroy a group of people in just a matter of seconds.

It takes perseverance and courage to push past the conflict we have with others,
whether we are to blame or not. I cherish the idea that we are to love, serve, honor, protect,
care for, and value others as we would want the same from those around us. This idea is so
precious to me because it is what I do not accomplish on my own. It is something that I am
consistently striving to achieve every day in my personal relationships.

Each day is a new beginning toward building our personal relationships with those
around us. If we remember to act in a way that we would want to be treated, then some of our
relationships might be spared estrangement and loneliness. If we want kindness and love, then
we must be the ones who give it. This is true faith with action, to be in the moment but to
believe in a better future and consciously make sure steps toward it.

By: Luann Avalos

Life throws curve balls. Sometimes it plays tricks and, needless to say, we face many trials in this life. With all the “zigging” and “zagging” it is sometimes hard to know which way to go, who to depend on and where to look for guidance.  Following are some truths that each of us should consider as we navigate the rough waters and rocky roads:

LOOK TO YAHWEH AND TRUST HIS GUIDANCE.

1. He created you and knows you intimately.

Isa 43:1 But now thus saith YHWH that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel,

Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

2. He promises you wisdom and guidance.

Jas 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of Elohim, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Joh 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself;  but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak:

and he will shew you things to come.

3. He is pleased with your faith in Him and will answer your prayers.

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to Elohim must believe that he is,  and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Mat 17:20 And Yahshua said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Mat 21:21 Yahshua answered and said unto them,  Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.

1Pe 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire,  might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Yahshua the Messiah:

DO CHECK TO SEE IF YOU ARE IN THE WILL OF YAHWEH.

1. Does it line up with Torah and the rest of the scriptures?

2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of Elohim, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

2. Seek wise human counsel.

Pro 15:22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

Jas 3:13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

3. Allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you and confirm or deny your plans.

1Ki 19:12 And after the earthquake a fire; but YHWH was not in the fire:  and after the fire a still small voice.

Psa 25:9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.

Psa 32:8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

Joh 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

4. Be honest with yourself. Is it wise, is it scriptural, is it in your best interest and the best interest of others? Do you have righteous motives?

Pro 16:2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but YHWH weigheth the spirits.

Jas 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits,  without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

Psa 26:2 Examine me, O YHWH, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.

1Co 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

2Co 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Yahshua the Messiah is in you,  except ye be reprobates?

Jas 3:15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

Jas 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated,  full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

DON’T GIVE UP ON YOUR GOALS, DREAMS AND PASSIONS.

1. Pray, Listen, Believe.

1Th 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

Deu 4:1 Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes  and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live,  and go in and possess the land  which YHWH Elohim of your fathers giveth you.

Deu_7:12 Wherefore it shall come to pass,  if ye hearken to these judgments, and keep, and do them,  that YHWH thy Elohim shall keep  unto thee the covenant and the mercy which he sware unto thy fathers:

Mar 9:23 Yahshua said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

2. Plan and Prepare.

Pro 21:5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.

Pro 16:1 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from YHWH.

Pro 16:3 Commit thy works unto YHWH, and thy thoughts shall be established.

3. Wait for Confirmation.

Ecc 7:8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

Rom 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

4. Fly with Confidence.

Num 23:19 Elohim is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it?  or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

1Sa 15:29 And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent.

2Ti 1:7 For Elohim hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Isa 58:11 And YHWH shall guide thee continually,  and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water,  whose waters fail not.

Psalm 13:1-6

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. How long wilt thou forget me, O YHWH? forever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?  How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily?  how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?  Consider and hear me, O YHWH my EL: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;  Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.  But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.  I will sing unto YHWH, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.

By: Gayle Bonato

As we enter a time in history where respect, authority, and submission are met with arguments and challenging debate, the question of the importance of a head covering seems to be a recurring theme, especially among the women.  Is it still important today? Does the Father really expect us to cover our heads in worship?

I am writing from a woman’s perspective of wearing a head covering in worship to my Father. Yahweh is the King over all creation.  Yahweh has placed Yahshua in authority underneath Him and then has created man to serve next in line underneath Yahshua.  We see from Scripture that woman was created for man’s companionship and not the other way around:

Yahweh———-Yahshua———-man———-wife———-children.

Just as in a major company, there is a President (head), then someone next in line who serves the President and then there are managers who are underneath the Vice President and answer to him.  If there are problems or issues in the chain of command, the one in charge is the one who answers to his boss, etc. When we wear coverings on our head, especially in our worship, we are acknowledging that there is someone in authority over us, that we are submitting, agreeing, and recognizing the authority line that He has placed in existence.

In Genesis 24 we read of the situation where Rebecca sought to cover herself with a veil when she learned it was Isaac (her soon-to-be husband/master) who was approaching them.

Gen 24:65, “…and she had said to the servant, ‘Who is this man walking in the field to meet us? And the servant said, ‘It is my master.’ So she took a veil and covered herself.”

When a sin or disobedience to Yahweh’s Word happened in the chain of command, we see in the following verse that the woman bore her sin alone and the husband was not responsible to account for her or bear her sin.  Her covering/protection was removed and she would bear full punishment for her actions.  Looking at the Scripture below, we surmise that if a woman was guilty of committing adultery or causing her husband to suspect her of adultery then she was brought to the temple and her head was “uncovered.”

Num 5:18, “And the priest shall make the woman stand before יהוה, and shall uncover the woman’s head, and put the offering for remembering in her hands, which is the grain offering of jealousy, while the priest holds in his hand the bitter water that brings a curse.”

An important aspect that seems to be missing in the concept of the head covering is that a woman is protected underneath her husband or her Father.  If her covering was removed or off of her head, then essentially her “protection” was no longer applicable.

Eph 5:22-27, “Wives, subject yourselves to your own husbands, as to the Master.” 

 Eph 5:23, “Because the husband is head of the wife, as also the Messiah is head of the assembly, and He is Savior of the body.”

 Eph 5:24, “But as the assembly is subject to Messiah, so also let the wives be to their own husbands in every respect.” 

Eph 5:25, “Husbands, love your wives, as Messiah also did love the assembly and gave Himself for it.”  

Eph 5:26, “in order to set it apart and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word,” (Footnote: Rev. 19:8-9).  

Eph 5:27, “in order to present it to Himself a splendid assembly, not having spot or wrinkle or any of this sort, but that it might be set-apart and blameless.”  

Wearing a head covering shows that we respect the chain of authority that Yahweh has put in place since creation.  The woman was made to serve the man and man was NOT made for the woman. The reason for the covering, I believe, is to know and understand that during worship we are in submission to our Creator and we are outwardly acknowledging that with our physical covering.

May YHWH be with you as you further your search for the truth!

– Luann Avalos

BEST FRIEND

Many lives appear the same yesterday, today and forever more.
With life rushing past so quickly, how do you behave when the one who is your
best friend comes to your door?

Is there an awareness that, day or night, your friend is by your side?
A friend so close that rides with you as your mind wanders here and there,
your thoughts open and clear, things you don’t think to change or hide?

Your friend is your salvation and he is there when, perhaps, you unthinkingly complain.
He is there when situations and thoughts of every sort occur – so many “what ifs” or “buts” that it’s difficult to name.

Do you share your highs and not just your lows?
Calling on him as your very best friend who is wonderful to know?

Do you delight yourself in knowing he is there for whatever situation that
comes your way?
Even when you are asleep, he is right there. And, if a frightening dream should appear, he is with you – able to lead you again in peace to stay.

Do you remember him when you are at work or play?
Do you carry yourself knowing he is your unseen guest every day?

Too hot, too cold, too long, too short and more.
May we be found not being too arrogant, too fearful and or unbelieving when he is at your door.

Praise Yahweh that he gives each of us time to learn.
A contrite spirit and a repentant heart he will not spurn.

Psalms 51:17

By: Michelle Love

As little chickens you were under my feet,
As I scurried around to find you something to eat.
The messes we made kept me busy all day,
Washing and cooking while you romped and played.

Moments in time that passed in a hurry,
Never to happen again.  Now it’s so blurry.
What happened to my children?
O where has time gone?

Where are my sweet children that gave me such joy?
Where is the laughter of my little boy?
Their sweet little hands, their tiny little feet,
Their chubby little tummies and chubby little cheeks.

From babies to children to grownups they grew.
At the time it seemed forever;
Now the process is through.
It’s not possible to go back, if only I could.
To spend the day with them, I surely would.

Pictures of the past, precious moments in time,
Only to be remembered, never to happen again.
If I could only turn back the time,
Knowing what I know today, I would try so very hard
To be a better mother in every-way.

By: Brenda Riddle

Israel came to the sea and couldn’t get across,
But that was no problem for Yahweh.
The sea was wide and the waters were deep,
But that was no problem for Yahweh.

The desert was barren, no water in sight,
But that was no problem for Yahweh.
The people were hungry and needed some food,
But that was no problem for Yahweh.

That was no problem for Yahweh.
That was no problem for Yahweh.
He gave them food and water to drink.
That was no problem for Yahweh.

To the promise land He led them, too.
That was no problem for Yahweh.
To the promised land He will carry us, too.
That is no problem for Yahweh.

It was no problem for Yahweh.
It was no problem for Yahweh.
Whatever the problem His people may have,
That is no problem for Yahweh.

By: Brenda Riddle