Category Archives: Scripture

Scripture Studies

What guides us? Your truth, my truth or divine truth? (part 2)

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John 18:38, What is truth? 

In this age of moral relativism or situational ethics, it is unpopular to believe in, much less purport, that there is one single truth. Most humans live under the notion that every person can determine their own truth for themselves. The problem with this delusion is that when your truth conflicts with my truth there will inevitably be conflict. Ultimately, there will be a breakdown in law and order leading to anarchy resulting in unending theft, murder and wars. This was the case in primeval and medieval societies like Europe before strong central governments evolved to enforce law and order. The history of British Isles alone before there was a strong king in London was one series of blood baths after another by various raping and pillaging parties.

The reality that a single truth is better than multiple truths is reflected in the laws of a nation. Ostensibly there is supposed to be one set of laws (or one truth that determines what is right and wrong) for all the citizens of that country, state or city. For example, if each person who drove an automobile on the public roads had a different set of rules or truths, mayhem would occur. So at this level, it’s not difficult to see the need for one set of rules or, literally, one truth when it comes to driving a vehicle.

The difference of opinion as to what constitutes truth, however, occurs when we take this Continue reading →

 

What guides us? Your truth, my truth or divine truth? (part 1)

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What is truth? Is it relative (i.e. each person determines their own truth, which may be different from that of the next person and it changes over time), or is it absolute (i.e. it is unchangeable and there is one truth out there for all time that is the same for everyone)? Who or what determines what truth is?

Some truths or laws can be determined through observation of empirical evidence. This is the basis of true science. But what about moral and spiritual truths not cannot be scientifically proven or tested? Who or who determines these? What if different people have different ideas of what moral truth is? For example, if a person has decided that murder, adultery, lying or stealing are morally acceptable to them, then how will this effect those around them and society as a whole?

These are important questions to ask. If one doesn’t know the answer, then how does a person live their life and determine what is right and wrong?

Also, in our modern society, all too often the definition of truth is changing such that what was truth at one time (e.g. male and female, marriage, family, the sanctity of life and what was considered life, standards governing human sexuality) is no longer truth. In fact, in many cases, the standards that society has traditionally considered to be right and wrong have been turned upside down: wrong or sin is now lauded as virtuous and commendable, and that which was morally right is now considered passé and even repugnant! How confusing is this?

What are the effects morally on a society that at one time deemed such things as adultery, fornication, homosexuality, abortion, the illegality of certain mind-altering drugs, pornography and, in some cases, even divorce to be morally wrong, but over time societal standards have changed, and so have the laws such that these things are no longer considered immoral or illegal? How does this effect the moral foundations of a society, an individual, the family unit, children, and how people in a society interact with each other?

If society, the family or an individual is like a building, then what is the moral foundation that they are built on? Is it sand or rock? How one defines truth and whether is it is relative (changing) or immutable (unchanging) will determine the solidity of that foundation. This not only affects us, but also those around us including the succeeding generations that we influence. It’s like the rings that spread out when a pebble is dropped into a pool of water.

The Bible addresses these issues.

If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do? (Ps 11:3)

 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” (Matt 24:24–27)

Can humans really determine what moral truth is? Or do we need someone outside of our existence and who is greater and more knowledgeable than us to tell us what right and wrong is? Someone  who has the oversight, wisdom and knowledge to understand what the short and long-range consequences of our actions will be upon us and society if we act one way or another?

With the idea that man needs a little (or maybe a lot!) of help from his Creator to determine moral truth, so that he doesn’t find himself in a societal mess of conflicting values resulting in confusion and chaos, and eventually destruction and death, let’s now examine the concept of truth from a biblical perspective.

John 17:17, Truth. Yeshua, the One sent to this earth from Elohim in heaven, says here, “Thy [Elohim’s] Word is truth.” In Matthew  4:4, Yeshua said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of Elohim.”

So what is truth? The word in Hebrew for truth is emet (spelled aleph, mem, tav), which is Continue reading →

 

What is holy and who determines it and how to tell the difference

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Leviticus 8:12, Anointing oil … consecrates [Heb. kadash]. The Hebrew word kadash signifies the state of something that belongs to the realm of the sacred, and which is set-apart for divine use and has been separated from the sphere of the secular, common or profane. The Bible often uses the term holy (meaning “set-apart”) to signify this state of being. The word of Elohim designate many things as set-apart:

  • The ground upon which YHVH is standing (Exod 3:5; Josh 5:15)
  • The people of Israel (Exod 19:6; Deut 14:21; 26:19)
  • The Sabbath (Exod 16:23; 20:8)
  • The Tabernacle of Moses (Exod 26:33)
  • The garments worn by the high priest (Exod 28:2)
  • The altar of sacrifice (Exod 40:10)
  • The offerings made on the altar (Lev 6:18)
  • YHVH’s feast days (Lev 23:2)
  • The camp of Israel (Deut 23:14)
  • Heaven as the abode of Elohim (Deut 26:15)
  • YHVH Elohim (Job 6:10; Pss 22:3; 78:4; 99:5)
  • Zion and Jerusalem (Ps 2:6; Matt 27:53; Rev 22:19)
  • The Spirit of Elohim (Matt 1:20)
  • The angels (Matt 25:31)
  • The servants of Elohim (Mark 6:20)
  • The name of YHVH (Luke 1:49)
  • Yeshua (Acts 2:27; 3:14)
  • YHVH’s prophets (Acts 3:21)
  • The saints (1 Pet 2:9; Rev 22:11)
  • The Torah (2 Pet 3:21) 

The people, times and items listed on this listed are holy because Elohim has designated them as such. Only Elohim has the power and authority to determine what is holy and Continue reading →

 

Abide in Yeshua who is the Tree of Life

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John 15:1–10, Abide in me. 

What Does It Mean to Abide in YHVH-Yeshua?

Here is a list of scriptures that speak of “abiding” with or in YHVH in some way.

YHVH, who shall abide [Heb. goor meaning “to sojourn, dwell for a time, stay for a while, to assemble oneself with, to seek hospitality with”] in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? (Ps 15:1)

I will abide [Heb. goor] in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. (Ps 61:4)

He shall abide [Heb. yashab meaing “to sit down, to set, to remain, to stay”] before Elohim for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him. (Ps 61:7)

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide [Heb. luwn meaning “to temporarily lodge, pass the night, stop over”] under the shadow of the Almighty. (Ps 91:1)

I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide [Gr. meno meaning “to remain, to sojourn, tarry, not to depart, to continue to be present, to be held, kept, continually] in darkness. (John 12:46)

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide [Gr. meno] with you for ever. (John 14:16)

Abide [Gr. meno] in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide [Gr. meno] in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide [Gr. meno] in me .… 6 If a man abide [Gr. meno] not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men Continue reading →

 

What are the greater works of Yeshua that his disciples would do?

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John 14:12, Greater works. Works is the Greek word ergon, and is the generic word meaning “deeds, acts, business, employment, or occupation,” and isn’t confined to just miraculous deeds. Throughout his ministry, Yeshua did many great works. He occupied each of the five-fold ministry offices (apostle, prophet, evangelist, shepherd and teacher, Eph 4:11), and performed all nine gifts of the Set-Apart Spirit (wisdom, knowledge faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, tongues and interpretation of tongues) were at his disposal if and when he needed them.

What are the greater works that his disciples and those who would follow in their footsteps  down through the ages would do?

Yeshua has now distributed his ministry offices and the gifts of the Spirit throughout his Continue reading →

 

Some Prophetic Implications of the Sacrifices: The Crucifixion, Sin and Communion

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Leviticus 6:9, Shall be on the hearth. It took most of the day (see v. 12) and all night to burn up an animal completely. Similarly, Yeshua hung on the cross for a long time—from sometime after the third hour (9 AM) until the ninth hour (3 PM). Not only this, but from the six hour (12 PM) to the ninth hour (3 PM) when Yeshua died, darkness come over the earth (Matt 27:45; Luke 23:44). Both the burnt offering and Yeshua’s time on the cross encompassed hours of daylight and darkness.

Leviticus 6:17, No leaven. Why does YHVH stipulate this prohibition? The main Jewish commentaries are unable to answer this question. It is not until we understand the spiritual implications of leavening as revealed in the Testimony of Yeshua that this prohibition makes sense. Leavening is a Hebraism for false doctrines, hypocrisy and sin (Matt 16:1–5, 12; Luke 12:1; 1 Cor 5:1–5). Unleavened bread, on the other hand, is a metaphor for sincerity and truth (1 Cor 5:5, the last words of the verse). This is why unleavened bread is consumed at communion on Passover, for it is a symbol of Yeshua’s sinless life that he offered up on the cross for sinners (Matt 26:26), and it symbolizes what should be the heart of the saint. 

Leviticus 7:6, Every male…may eat it. Why were the priests allowed to eat some of the offerings? What’s this all about? Let’s answer this question with a question. Why do believers in Yeshua eat the communion elements, and what do they represent? Is there a Continue reading →

 

Prayer Points by Dr. Darlene

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The eyes of YHVH are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. (Psalm 34:15)

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (James 5:16)

If you have suggestions for additions to this prayer list, please post them in the comments section. Thank you for praying!

  1. Pray for you children (and grandchildren) that YHVH will give us the wisdom and knowledge to raise them in the fear, love, faith and understanding of YHVH Elohim and Yeshua the Messiah, so that they will remain faithful and pass on his truth to the next generation. Pray that our prodigal children who have walked away from YHVH will come back to him and fall in love  with Yeshua and his word and embrace and follow the light of his truth.
  2. Pray for the people in the MidWest (of the U.S.) who are suffering from flooding from the storm.
  3. Because I was traveling (by air), I was particularly aware of the crash that killed so many people. Many loved ones were left behind and they need prayer for strength to go on.  We live in a high tech world and the people who invent and create these high tech items; they need to be particularly wise, knowledgeable and diligent in order to protect us from calamity.
  4. Terror attack is never good regardless of the victims. We must prayer for those left in the aftermath of the terror attack on the mosque.
  5. Pray that our schools would again teach history. If we don’t learn our history, we are doomed to repeat the mistakes of history in the rise of socialism, which will lead to communism.
  6. Some U.S. states are beginning to pass laws to force immunization. This is not freedom and it is not safe.  Many people cannot process the adjuvants that can lead to severe disorder and even death.
  7. Pray for our  (U.S.) President who must battle even his own party to try to lead the country.
  8. Many have been affected by the U.S. college scandal. Jobs will be lost, and students have been harmed.  We need integrity in the country, so these type of things don’t happen.  It appears that in this and some of the above, that the love of money is at the root of this evil.
  9. Fake News is propaganda. The most recent and blatant was the accusation made by the actor who claimed to have been beaten up by two conservatives when in fact, he paid people to beat him up to cause division.   A news report this week revealed more than a dozen of these type things that have occurred in just the last month.  This is pure propaganda and is designed to cause discord and to deceive people so that they make decisions based on lies.  We must pray for the TRUTH to be revealed in all situations and for people’s eyes to be opened and for them to have discernment.
  10. Many people have already thrown their hats into the U.S. presidential campaign for 2020.  President Trump has already had campaign rallies.  It is time to REALLY pray about this next election which truly will determine whether the U.S. remains free or goes socialist.
  11. Pray for all widows and orphans and especially those of our fallen military and law enforcement public servants.
  12. Pray for Father to reveal to us what He would have us to do to aid someone who needs help.
  13. I am hearing rumblings of ISIS gaining strength again. Pray against this enemy of our Father’s people living in the Middle East.
  14. Pray that President Trump will not be halted by members of the U.S. congress in trying to protect our borders.
  15. Pray for those who for some reason feel they cannot go on. May they reach for help and FIND it so that they do not chose to take their lives in despair.
  16. Pray for unity among the church denominations. Yeshua said that those not against them were for them!  There were and are differences and some are significant, but the heart of the Father would, I believe, wish for us to find SOME common ground—and love each other.
  17. Although some depend on pharmaceuticals for their existence for some reason or another, and while lowering the prices of prescription meds is a GOOD thing, pray that people would be healed and not NEED these meds and that they would not be dependent on them.  The whole pharmaceutical industry has become a giant entity that could control everyone who depends on it.
  18. Pray for the homeless, and pray that Father would reveal to each of us, someone who genuinely needs a hand out to help them back up.
  19. Pray for President Trump, for protection and good health for him and his family, for wisdom, knowledge, discernment, self control, courage, strength to lead our nation in spite of the opposition against truth and righteousness.
  20. Pray for the spiritual and political opposition, and that their eyes would be open to Truth that they might turn to Father and follow His ways.
  21. Pray for the general population, and that Father would pour His conviction out upon all and that we would all turn to Him in confession of sin, repentance, and obedience to Elohim.
  22. Pray that the conservatives of America would have the courage and strength to stand up and be active to the goal of protecting our southern border.
  23. Pray for the people who have so far been unable or unwilling to understand the sanctity of life from conception, so that they would reverse their thinking and remove unrighteous laws from the books that allow the murder of innocent babies.
  24. Pray for the people who honestly NEED asylum in America, and that they would be shown proper channels, so that our nation could be a help to those truly in need.
  25. Pray for those in charge of voter registration to accomplish a purge of illegal voters, so that our elections would be AMERICAN elections.
  26. Pray for victims of human trafficking, and that they would be found and returned and that this practice would be stopped.
  27. Pray for the leaders of “the church” who are whitewashing the Truth and deceiving their congregants.
  28. Pray that our Father’s will be accomplished in all things and that Yeshua would come soon.
  29. Prayer for Israel/Jerusalem, the land and the people.
  30. Prayer for those suffering during unseasonable cold weather conditions, especially the homeless and the poor.
  31. For those who are addicted whether to alcohol, drugs (both prescription AND street drugs) and pornography.