Habakkuk 1:5 Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told. -LORD God
Tomorrow is never guaranteed, so don’t live like it is. Live each day as if it’s your last. Choose to spend your time wisely, doing what’s good & loving others. God gave us this life for a purpose, live with that purpose.
Ephesians 5:16 Make the best use of time, because the days are evil.
James 4:14 Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time & then vanishes.
Proverbs 27:1 Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.
Psalm 144:4 Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.
Have a purpose filled Memorial Day Weekend my friends!!!
Leviticus 23:15-16 ‘You shall also count for yourselves from the day after the Sabbath, from the day when you brought in the sheaf of the wave offering; there shall be seven complete Sabbaths. You shall count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath; then you shall present a new grain offering to the Lord.
On a Gregorian calendar, we are in the year of 2023, the holiday of Shavuot/Feast of Weeks/Pentecost begins at sunset on Thursday, May 25th. The God Appointed holiday ends at sunset Saturday, May 27th. The Feast takes place in the month of Sivan on the 6th and 7th of a Hebrew calendar. This is the Hebrew year 5783.
Provisions for the holiday include two loaves of bread, sacrificial lambs, a bull, two rams, a goat, and a drink offering of wine. The holiday is also a day of rest with no work (Leviticus 23:17-21).
In the Old Testament and in the Hebrew, this holiday is referred to as Shavuot. The word means: weeks.
Shavuot is one of the three holidays where Jewish men are required to come to Jerusalem (Exodus 23:14-17). The men were to make their presentation and sacrifice before God at the Temple.
As stated in the Leviticus passage, it is seven weeks after Passover. It is a celebration of the completed grain harvest. The holiday is also a celebration of God giving the Torah (instruction or law) to nation Israel. Because of this, Shavuot is considered as the beginning or birth of Judaism.
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The Law was given on Mount Sinai roughly 1,500 years before Christ. Nation Israel honored this holiday every year. Eating and drinking dairy products are part of the celebration of Shavuot. Many think the custom of dairy products is in reference to Bible verses referring to a promised land flowing with milk and honey.
Exodus 3:8a “So I have come down to deliver them from the power of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and spacious land, to a land flowing with milk and honey…
Fast forward to 33 AD. Nation Israel is celebrating and living the holiday.
Acts 2:1 When the day of Pentecost had come, they (apostles) were all together in one place.
In the Greek New Testament, Shavuot (Hebrew) is translated as Pentekoste (Greek). Per Strong’s Concordance, it means: the fiftieth day; the second of the three great Jewish feasts, celebrated at Jerusalem yearly, the seventh week after the Passover, in grateful recognition of the completed wheat harvest. We have transliterated the word to Pentecost (English).
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Pentecost or Shavuot is the day promised by Jesus of the giving of the Holy Spirit.
John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.
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Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.
It is seven weeks after the death of the sacrificial lamb, Jesus. Shavuot or Pentecost is also the day God the Father gave the Holy Spirit. Because of this, Pentecost is considered the beginning or the birth of the church (believers in Jesus Christ).
Acts 2:38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit…”
Ephesians 6:2-3: Honor your father and mother (this is the first commandment with a promise), that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.
Mother: μήτηρ, métér. Simply translated “Mother“. She is a biological female. There is no debate or defense of the term in regards to gender or pronoun.
Words have consistent meaning. There is an unstated social contract and understanding we all agree to when we communicate. If words did not have consistent meaning, the end result would be confusion. To fundamentally change the meaning of basic terminology and semantics results in confusion and break down in social order. We are watching this happen in today’s American society and culture. And who is the author of confusion?
It is a “Mother“, a woman, who has the biological anatomy of a womb. The woman is associated with the womb, not the man. There are countless verses that state this fact over and over.
We are made by God. He created each one of us for a purpose. All of us are here for reason and meaning. We arrived because a “Mother” was our vehicle into this world. This is God’s way and order.
Ecclesiastes 11:5 As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the bones are formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.
Psalm 139:13 For You created my innermost parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb.
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Jesus, the Creator of the universe, recognizes his Mother, Mary, a woman. Both sexes, woman and men, are recognized in the verse below by Christ.
Matthew 12:49 And extending His hand toward His disciples, He said, “Behold: My mother and My brothers!
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Locals recognized that Mary, a woman, was Jesus’ mother. And there are brothers or men mentioned in the verse.
Matthew 13:55 Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas?
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I understand the verse below will likely severely trigger popular culture. The verse will differentiate a biological woman, a biological man, and invoke the Spirit of God. Plus, marriage between a woman and a man is defined. Notice, it is also the woman, a mother, that carries and ultimately brings the Child to birth and into the world.
Matthew 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.
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And for those of you who are openly hostile and frankly nasty towards your parents… After all, they took care of you when you were a mere infant, a helpless baby. They sheltered you. They clothed you. They fed you. And they wiped your butt and cleaned you after you defecated all over your bad little self.
You may disagree with your parents and that is fine. It is okay to disagree. Learn to disagree with civility. Drop the angry, destructive attitude. But, take some time to reflect and show some respect.
Whether you believe in God or not does not change the fact He (note the pronoun) is real and He (pronoun) means what He (pronoun) says. He (pronoun) is merciful and gracious towards those who change their attitude and heart. But stay on the path of a dishonorable mindset…
Proverbs 20:20 If one curses his father or his mother, his lamp will be put out in utter darkness.
Leviticus 20:9 For anyone who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death; he has cursed his father or his mother; his blood is upon him.
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To all the Mothers, women, we salute you and thank you. Happy Mother’s Day!
Zechariah 14:12 And this shall be the plague with which the LORD will strike all the peoples that wage war against Jerusalem: their flesh will rot while they are still standing on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths.
Russia is evacuating about 18 settlements near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. The concern a “severe nuclear accident”.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) indicated the situation was “becoming increasingly unpredictable and potentially dangerous”.
Doctrinal Emphasis: Faith, Believing and Doing God’s Word
Scripture: Hebrews Chapters 11-13
Key Theme: The focus of these three chapters is how one responds to God’s word once they believe it.
What is faith? Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1).
Scripture clearly defines the concept of faith. Without faith, it is impossible to please Him (Hebrews 11:6a). Faith is how we obtain our salvation. For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the Law (Romans 3:28). We can not work or earn our way to Heaven.
A historical review of persons with faith and their actions is discussed in Hebrews chapter 11. Faith begins with creation. God spoke creation into existence (Hebrews 11:3, Genesis 1). There are many examples of men and women with faith (Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, and Rahab to name a few). Short term results are noted because of the faith of these men and women. All these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised (Hebrews 11:13, 39). The promise is an eternal, heavenly city.
Specifically, take Noah and his faith. We should be thankful for Noah’s belief in God’s warning and Noah’s subsequent actions. If Noah had not acted on what God told him, we would not be here. The result of Noah’s action has allowed us the opportunity of life. Could Noah have believed and not built an ark? Yes. Can people believe that Jesus died for sins of the world and not respond? Yes. In Noah’s case as well as others, faith, if it has no works, is dead (James 2:17).
Jesus is our object of faith (Hebrews 12:2).
He died for us, sinners (Romans 5:8).
The text of Hebrews Chapters 11-13 does offer description, location, and characteristics of Christ. He is the author and perfecter of faith. He endured the cross. He is at the right hand of the throne of God the Father (Hebrews 12:2). Jesus endured the hostility of sinners for us (Hebrews 12:3). Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. He does not change (Hebrews 13:8).
The text offers practical advice and application to our response to faith in Jesus. Reasons for conduct are given immediately after a command. We are called to endure discipline (Hebrews 12:7). It is for our own good. Discipline allows us to share God’s holiness (Hebrews 12:10) and it ultimately yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness (Hebrews 12:11).
Strengthen weak hands and feeble knees. We are to make the paths of our feet straight. This leads to healing (Hebrews 12:12-13).
Pursue peace with all men, otherwise no one will see the Lord. Avoid bitterness, it can cause trouble and leads to defilement, or contamination. Do not be an immoral or a godless person like Esau. He initially sold his birthright for a single meal. Later he wanted his inheritance. He was rejected. It was too late and Isaac was not going to be changing his mind. Even crying did not help (Hebrews 12:14-17, see also Genesis 27:36-39).
Let the love of the brothers continue. Show hospitality to others because some have entertained angels without knowing it (Hebrews 13:1-2).
Remember fellow believers who are in prison because they are part of the body, the church (Hebrews 13:3).
Honor marriage by God’s Law. God will judge people who are unfaithful in their marriage (Hebrews 13:4).
We are to be free from the love of money and we are to be content with what we have. The Lord will never desert you, nor will He ever forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).
Remember those who spoke and led you to the word of God. Consider what they did and imitate their faith (Hebrews 13:7).
Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings. It is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace (Hebrews 13:9).
We are to continually offer up sacrifices of praise and give thanks to His name. Do good and share with others, this is pleasing to God (Hebrews 13:15-16).
Obey and submit to leaders because they keep watch over your souls (Hebrews 13:17).
Zephaniah 2:4-5 For Gaza shall be deserted, and Ashkelon shall become a desolation; Ashdod’s people shall be driven out at noon, and Ekron shall be uprooted. Woe to you inhabitants of the seacoast, you nation of the Cherethites! The word of the LORD is against you, O Canaan, land of the Philistines; and I will destroy you until no inhabitant is left.
As usual, the rocket exchange between the Palestinians and the Israelis is all about perspective.
The events appear to be initiated by the death of Palestinian Islamic Jihad’s Khader Adnan. He was on a hunger strike for 86 days. Adnan was arrested in Israel on terrorism charges. When it was announced he died, four rockets were launched from Gaza. Israel responded. Then the two sides exchanged volleys.
Isaiah 66:7-8 Before she was in labor she gave birth; before her pain came upon her she delivered a son. Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall a land be born in one day? Shall a nation be brought forth in one moment? For as soon as Zion was in labor she brought forth her children.
See also Ezekiel 37 and the valley of the dry bones.
Israel celebrated its 75th anniversary of rebirth.
Meshech, Tubal, Gomer, & Beth Togarmah or modern day Turkey.
BREAKING: 🚨Turkey’s President, Erdogan has suffered a heart attack and is in critical condition in the hospital. Erdogan canceled campaign rallies for health reasons, ahead of presidential elections, and a day after he cut short an interview after appearing to be gaging. pic.twitter.com/clvbWnQBO0
— Hertfordshire Friends of Israel 🇮🇱🇺🇦 (@HertfordshireI) April 26, 2023
Yoğun mesaim sebebiyle yayın esnasında geçirdiğim küçük rahatsızlıktan ötürü geçmiş olsun dileklerini ileten, dualarını eksik etmeyen necip milletimin her bir ferdine, her bir kardeşime çok çok teşekkür ediyorum.…
As of Wednesday, May 3rd, President Erdogan was back on the campaign trail giving a speech. Recep even performed some singing to some hip music for his followers.
#BREAKING: Ayatollah Abbas Ali Soleimani, a onetime member of #Iran's Assembly of Experts, has been assassinated. Comes after a series of attacks targeting clerics. Soleimani is Khamenei's former representative in Kashan and notably Sistan and Baluchestan, the scene of many… pic.twitter.com/T2FfqGmXaB
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi flew to Damascus to meet Syrian President Bashar Assad.
Syria was widely shunned by Arab governments over Assad’s brutal crackdown on protesters and the breakdown in relations culminated with Syria being ousted from the Arab League in 2011. The conflict has since killed nearly half a million people and displaced half of Syria’s pre-war population of 23 million. -Times of Israel
Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi sign a memorandum of understanding for the comprehensive long-term strategic cooperation plan between the two countries.
Somebody flew a drone into the Kremlin. Nobody is claiming is responsibility. Zelensky in Ukraine is denying responsibility. Russia is stating this is a terrorist attack and an assassination attempt on President Vladimir Putin.
Who are these people and why were they coming up the Kremlin roof right before the explosion? pic.twitter.com/qVoCJUZHwb
— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) May 3, 2023
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Isaiah 49:12 Look, they come from far away! Look, some come from the north and west, and others from the land of Sinim!
The sons of Sinim or modern day China.
👀 The Indo-Pacific Powder Keg:
– Chinese ship cuts off a Philippines patrol boat, nearly causing a collision – US HIMARS Rockets, Patriot Missiles, & SINKEX in the Philippines – Chinese aircraft carrier back in South China Sea – US nuclear subs to South Korea – Enter: Singapore pic.twitter.com/FPJaJUtZPe
