"Engulfed In Determined Graced"

# Embracing the Path of Blessing: A Journey of Faith and Obedience

## Understanding Our Human Nature

In the realization and depth of understanding of the truest human natures, we may discern that a portion of the human condition leads to pride, pleasure in sin, and a weak opposition to spiritual assassination. These forces arise from the darkest and most easily manipulated parts of our will. They keep many of us walking the glittered path of self-destruction, preventing entry into a life of blessing through obedience to the covenant of Hashem (G-d).

Equally true is the belief held by those new to their call of faith. They often think that coming forth to faith in Ha’ Mashiach (our Messiah) and living a life of obedience to Hashem means all our problems and trials vanish into the sweet, lingering mist of Rauch Ha Chodesh (Holy Spirit). Our merciful Yehoshua certainly made no such promise.

As a matter of fact, Yehoshua assures us that in this life, we shall indeed encounter trials. Though He remains Ben Elohim (The Son of G-d), He was Elohim in the flesh. He faced persecution, as did His followers, in attempts to obscure the truth—the light and truth of Elohim. Despite the fallacies and misunderstandings of His nature by those who persecute, we need not be discouraged. We may hold high confidence within a cheerful spirit, ever joyful in our Redeemer; for He has overcome the world. “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” – {Book of Yochanan/John 16:33}

## The Challenge of Obedience

To assure ourselves and choose to behold joy through obedience to Hashem’s commandments during times of trouble is not always easy. Most especially when the whole world seems to have gone mad, and we find ourselves swept in many different directions, barely catching our breath while struggling to maintain our footing in devoted faith.

Struggling against the tides of this world requires a great deal of faith and determination. Even the simple choice to obey Hashem (G-d) can be excruciatingly painful. Ha Moshiach Yehoshua (The Anointed One, Joshua) experienced this in the Garden of Gethsemane when He submitted to the will of His Father completely, even to the point of death on the tree. It was here, in the dark valley of decision, where the battle was won. Yehoshua said, “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless, not my will, but thine, be done.” – {Book of Lukos/Luke 22:42}

Seemingly tortured in decisiveness, our Redeemer appeared to sweat drops of blood: “And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” – {Book of Lukos/Luke 22:44}. While we may not actually sweat drops of blood, we shall each come to a crossroad in our lives where we must decide whether to obey Hashem's will or to continue stumbling in our own. The price may seem beyond our ability to comprehend, let alone bear. However, Hashem has promised that His grace is sufficient for each of us in every circumstance. Choosing to obey the direction of Hashem shall surely lead to the path of blessing; however, we may not receive the fullness of our reward until His Kingdom is fully established—until His Father's Kingdom has been brought to bear here on Earth, creating a paradise for a life of salvation in our Rock and Redeemer.

## Keeping an Eternal Perspective

In this understanding, we must always live with a constant eye toward eternal perspective, not allowing the trials of life, here and now, to weaken our faith. “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” – {Book of Ya'aqov/James 1:12}. We can always clearly find the path of blessing: “For thou art a holy people unto the L-rd thy G-d, and the L-rd hath chosen thee to be His own treasure out of all peoples that are upon the face of the earth.” – {Book of D'varim/Deuteronomy 14:2}.

The above scripture emphasizes that the path of blessing includes the complete rebuking of false faiths, false gods, false prophets, false idols, and graven images. “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.” - {Book of Bereishit/Exodus 2:4}. Even the crucifix you wear about your neck and the one you prostrate yourself before in your houses of worship are indeed graven images. “Ye shall make you no idols, neither shall ye rear you up a graven image, or a pillar, neither shall ye place any figured stone in your land, to bow down unto it; for I am the L-rd your G-d.”- {Book of Vayikra/Leviticus 26:1}.

Each of these are remnants of pagan worship. Even those incorporated into our daily rituals by the confounding of the saints within the powers of evil and deception must be purged from our lifestyle. Only then can we be the Holy People that Hashem has called us to be. The narrow way described in the Parashat Re’eh (Torah portion) includes Hashem’s commandments regarding the consumption of clean and unclean animals: “Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing.” – {Book of D'varim/Deuteronomy 14:3}. In this Torah portion, Moses tells the Israelites that if they worship idols, they will be punished. Moshe explains the laws of kosher food and details the three pilgrimage festivals: Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot.

## The Importance of Following the Law

Although in present times, many faithful consider these dietary commands abolished, Yehoshua did not support this ill-conceived school of thought. He made this astounding statement: “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” – {Book of Mattiyahu/Matthew 5:17–19}.

Elohim's prescription regarding Tithes is also a great path of blessing. It includes giving tithes to the Levites (Priests of the Temple), who were dependent on the people for their sustenance and livelihood: “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the L-RD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” - {Trei Assar (Twelve Prophets) Book of Malachi 3:10}. The word "Tithe" literally means "One-Tenth."

“Then shalt thou turn it into money, and bind up the money in thy hand, and shalt go unto the place which thy L-rd thy G-d shall choose. And thou shalt bestow the money for whatsoever thy soul desireth, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul asketh of thee; and thou shalt eat there before the L-rd thy G-d, and thou shalt rejoice, thou and thy household. And the Levite that is within thy gates, thou shalt not forsake him; for he hath no portion nor inheritance with thee. At the end of every three years, even in the same year, thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase, and shall lay it up within thy gates. And the Levite, because he hath no portion nor inheritance with thee, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the L-rd thy G-d may bless thee in all the work of thy hand which thou doest.” – {Book of D'varim/Deuteronomy 14:25-29}.

## Generosity and Prosperity

In addition to Tithes to the Levites, generosity towards the poor is also important. Hashem stated we are to open our hand and our heart to give to the poor in our land. “If there be among you a needy man, one of thy brethren, within any of thy gates, in thy land which the L-rd thy G-d giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thy heart, nor shut thy hand from thy needy brother; but thou shalt surely open thy hand unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need in that which he wanteth.” - {Deuteronomy 15:7–8}.

Prosperity and financial blessing are not simply the result of hard work, nor is it owed to us merely as Believers. Prosperity relies on exercising these spiritual principles of sowing and reaping. As we give, it will be given back to us. Hashem will bless us as we sow generous seeds in giving to the poor and to Hashem’s faithful servants. “Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the L-RD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto.” - {Deuteronomy 15:10}. We are choosing the Path to Eternal Life. “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” – {Isaiah 53:5}. Amazing how few recognize the DIRECT references to Yehoshua within the Original (Old) Testament.

One of the greatest decisions each of us must make daily is whether or not to receive Yehoshua as our singular and true Redeemer. This decision rests on the atonement for all our transgressions through Yehoshua, in which we receive the great gift of eternal life. Our Messianic redemption is not something we simply read about or hear from the pulpit. When Ha’ Moshiach returns, He will come on the clouds, and every eye will see Him. “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.” – {Book of Hhazon/Revelation 1:7}.

## The Prophetic Promise of His Return

This New and greatly important Covenant in Scripture concerning the second coming of Ha' Moshiach is founded upon several Messianic prophecies. The Hebrew prophets foresee Ha’ Moshiach coming with the clouds: “The burden of Egypt. Behold, the L-RD rideth upon a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt: and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of it.” – {The Written Law; Book of Yeshayahu/Isaiah 19:1}.

“I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.” – {Daniel 7:13}. One day, we shall all see the Son of man coming on the clouds with great power and glory! The faithful shall rejoice and prostrate themselves before Him. Until that day comes, may we choose to faithfully and diligently walk on the path of blessing, keeping His commandments. “And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.” – {Book of Lukos/Luke 11:2}.

All grace comes to those who await in patience, practicing grace and praise upon He who Redeems the faithful. It is with purpose and repose in His shared wisdom that we shall always find ourselves engulfed in determined and graced faith.

Pastor Mark