Moving Towards CHRIST our PASSOVER .... LOVE Your Neighbor

REMEMBER:You are dust, 

and to dust you shall return.

REPENT, and believe the GOSPEL+. 

+  +  +

Most HOLY and Most Merciful ABBA... 

We confess to THEE and to one another and to the whole communion of saints in Heaven and on earth and before Your Heavenly Host... 

that we have sinned

by our own fault

in thought, word, and deed; 

by what we have DONE

and by what we have

LEFT UN-DONE. 

 As it is written:

Thou shalt love The LORD thy GOD, The ELOHIM, with ALL thy heart, with ALL of thy soul, and with ALL  thy mind, and with all of thy strength.  

This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it:  Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 

On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets. There is no commandment greater than these.
( Matthew 22: 37-40 and Mark 12: 29-31, combined.)

So now, we confess to THEE, O LORD:

We have failed 
to love our neighbor 
as ourself.  
+ + +

Do we wish to be favorably thought-of by our friends, at all times?

Do we wish ourselves to be given the "benefit of the doubt" when hard choices have to be made ... and our friends hear about them ? 

If we become busy, do we want our friends to be "hurt" because of our SEEMING neglect of them ? 

If we become unavoidably taken with pressing duties and responsibilities, do we want our friends to feel like we are then giving THEM the "cold shoulder" and ignoring their friendship ? 

THEN.... if we wish our friends to be understanding, let us not harden our hearts towards them, when their duties call them away from interacting with us.

Do we love our neighbor as ourselves in the every day contingencies of life ? 

If WE DO NOT WISH to be: 

• ill-thought of when others hear of the hard choices we have had to make
• accused as neglectful of our friends when other duties press
• labeled as ignoring our friends when we are simply laden with an overload of cares... 

Then let us learn to tell the accuser of the brethren: 

BEGONE , you lying torment !  

Furthermore, let us make it an iron-clad RULE: 

When the accuser of the brethren tries to make us agree with him that we are being slighted by our friends and family  ~  that is a call to prayer for them ! 

If the accuser still badgers us about how they have "hurt" us by ignoring our friendship ...

THEN  let us fortify our prayers for them by fasting a meal or a day in their behalf.  

In this way we send notice to the adversary of our souls when he brings his lies to make us feel "hurt" when none was intended. 

In this way we train ourselves to be more watchful of accusing thoughts towards our friends and neighbors --- surely an indulgence of self-pity ( and / or bitterness, resentment, anger, etc. ) on our part. 

If we take heed to the accuser's thoughts hurled at us, we will have an AUTOMATIC CALL TO PRAYER for our beleaguered friends who may not have time for us.

THEY MAY NEED THOSE PRAYERS RIGHT AT THAT TIME that we are clamoring for their attention ! 

Thus, by prayers and fasting, we defeat the sly wiles of the devil and refrain from "joining the chorus of bullies" that are ranged against our friends. They are NOT neglectful: they are beleaguered ! 

We are able, with our corrected perspective now, to strengthen the Body of CHRIST with our hidden support. 

Ourselves, we REPENT... ashamed to have followed the father of lies instead of our good Master+ The LORD JESUS CHRIST, Who+ loved all.   We learn to love as HE+ loved, not accuse. 

LET US LEARN, then , to love our neighbors as ourselves, instead of reproaching them in our hearts when we feel "neglected." 

JESUS SAID: 

Therefore 

all things whatsoever ye would 

that men should do to you, 

do ye even so to them: 

for this is the law 

and the prophets. 

Matthew 7:12

+  +  +

 Let us pray:

O dear Heavenly FATHER, I have sinned against my friends.  They have meant me no harm. Nor have they even tried to neglect me. I have accused them of not caring and I am so ashamed of myself. 

Help me to stop this self-pity when my friends become busy or over-whelmed with life. 

Help me to fill my heart and my time with THEE+, O Righteous FATHER.  Help me to not be so focused on my needs that I neglect my busy friends. 

Let my prayers for THEM fill my heart instead of reproaches towards them.

I repent of my self-centeredness. I rebuke the accuser of the brethren; let him not control my thoughts. 

And LORD, when I am empty, help me to turn to THEE+ instead of to my friends.  Help me to turn to THEE+ for every need of my heart.  Then I will be fully supplied to be there for my friends, when they should have a need. 

This I pray in the Name of Our LORD JESUS CHRIST  Who+ held nothing back from me. 

Praise, honor, and glory are THINE+, O LORD !
 
 Amen. 

+  +  +

 Create in me a clean heart, 

O GOD and renew a right spirit within me. 

Cast me not away 

from Thy+ Presence; 

and take not Thy HOLY SPIRIT

from me. 

Restore unto me 

the joy of Thy+ SALVATION; 

and uphold me with Thy free spirit.

Psalm 51

+  +  +

Ashes to Ashes,

Dust to Dust

in sure and certain hope

of the Resurrection

unto Eternal Life

through

JESUS CHRIST

our LORD.

+ + +

With ALL thy STRENGTH

REMEMBER: You are dust, 

and to dust you shall return.

REPENT, and believe the GOSPEL+. 

+  +  +

Most HOLY and Most Merciful ABBA... 

We confess to THEE and to one another and to the whole communion of saints in Heaven and on earth and before Your Heavenly Host... 

that we have sinned

by our own fault

in thought, word, and deed; 

by what we have DONE

and by what we have

LEFT UN-DONE. 

 As it is written:

Thou shalt love The LORD thy GOD, The ELOHIM, with ALL thy heart, with ALL of thy soul, and with ALL  thy mind, and with all of thy strength.  

This is the first and great commandment.

So now, we confess to THEE, O LORD:

We have FAILED to love THEE 
with ALL of our strength.

+ + + 

We all want to be "strong" , not weak, in mind, in spirit, in heart, and in body. 

However, human strength at its best is sheer weakness in the eyes of The ELOHIM. We are only strong in the eyes of weak men who are naturally-minded, focused on this transitory and temporary life. Natural strength passes away with the sunset. 

Scripture tell us: 

HIS+ Strength is 

made perfect

in weakness. 

Therefore, the sooner we accept this TRUTH, the more we may draw upon HIS+ Strength.  

The more honest and humble we become about our own natural power,  the more joyous we grow in our weakness. 

 

  And HE+ said unto me,

My+ Grace is sufficient for thee: 

for My+ Strength is 

made perfect 

in weakness. 

Most gladly 

therefore will I 

rather 

glory in my infirmities, 

that the power 

of  CHRIST+

may rest upon me.

  Therefore I take pleasure 
in infirmities, 
in reproaches,
 in necessities,
 in persecutions, 
in distresses 
for CHRIST'S+ sake: 

for when I am weak, 
then am I strong.

2 Corinthians 12: 9-10

+  +  +

 Let us pray:

O LORD My+ GOD, I have been on the wrong track; I have sought human strength and prowess.  I have foolishly set my energies to achieve all that my natural man could achieve in my own strength. 

Help me to forsake the zest for fake, transitory strength and set my energies towards KNOWING YOU+,  instead.

Change my view of weakness. Change my idea of REAL STRENGTH. 

Melt me. 

Mold me.  

Fill me with Your+ Strength.

Use me. 

In my weakness, I come to YOU+.  Establish Your+ strength in my weakness, O LORD,  however it pleases YOU.+   

 In The Name of The LORD JESUS CHRIST I pray .

Amen. 

+  +  +

 Create in me a clean heart, 

O GOD and renew a right spirit within me. 

Cast me not away 

from Thy+ Presence; 

and take not Thy HOLY SPIRIT

from me. 

Restore unto me 

the joy of Thy+ SALVATION; 

and uphold me with Thy free spirit.

Psalm 51

+  +  +

Ashes to Ashes,

Dust to Dust

in sure and certain hope

of the Resurrection

unto Eternal Life

through

JESUS CHRIST

our LORD.

+ + +

With ALL our MIND

REMEMBER:

You are dust, 
and to dust you shall return.

REPENT,

and believe the GOSPEL+. 

+  +  +

Most HOLY and Most Merciful ABBA... 

We confess to THEE and to one another and to the whole communion of saints in Heaven and on earth and before Your Heavenly Host... 

that we have sinned

by our own fault

in thought, word, and deed; 

by what we have DONE

and by what we have

LEFT UN-DONE. 

 As it is written:

Thou shalt love The LORD thy GOD, The ELOHIM, with ALL thy heart, with ALL of thy soul, with ALL of thy mind, and with ALL  thy strength.  

This is the first and great commandment.

So now, we confess to THEE, O LORD:

We have FAILED to love THEE 
with ALL 

of our Mind.

+ + + 

Where do we stop stray dogs from entering our home?

  AT THE DOOR of our house.  

Likewise, our MIND is a DOOR.  We stop temptations to sin, derogatory thoughts, urges to rebel against rules --- domestic home rules, public ordinances, and GOD'S HOLY ways --- at the DOOR of our MIND. 

But The LORD has given us a WATCH-DOG :  His+ Word. It will keep the "stray dogs" of the world away from  our MIND.   Let us honor this Divine Protector well, and set it to WATCH OVER THE ENTRANCE.

  Casting down imaginations, 

and every high thing 

that exalteth itself 

against the knowledge of GOD, 

and bringing 

into captivity every thought 

to the obedience of CHRIST;

 2 Corinthians 10:5

Let us Listen to the Apostle's admonishments about what to DO with our MIND:
  

 Let this mind be in you, 

which was also

 in Y'SHU+ the M'SHIKHA:

Who+, being in the form of GOD, 

thought it not a thing to be held onto 

to be equal with GOD:

But made HIMSELF+ of no reputation, 

and took upon HIM+ the form of a servant, 

and was made in the likeness of men:

And being found in fashion as a man, 

HE+ humbled himself, 

and became obedient unto death, 

even the death of the cross. 

Philippians 2: 5-8

+  +  +

 Let us pray:

 Heavenly FATHER, take my mind away from worldly concerns. YOU already know the things I have need of  before I ask. 

Your Word is TRUTH.  Sanctify my mind, so that I agree with Your Word in thought and in purpose and in deed.  


Grant me an understanding of Your Word so that I can replace my earth-bound thoughts with Your Word. 

I ask to have the Mind of CHRIST, as promised, so that I may perfectly love YOU and worthily magnify Your Holy Name, through The LORD JESUS CHRIST. 

Amen. 

+  +  +

 Create in me a clean heart, 

O GOD and renew a right spirit within me. 

Cast me not away 

from Thy+ Presence; 

and take not Thy RUACH ha KADOSH 

from me. 

Restore unto me 

the joy of Thy+ SALVATION; 

and uphold me with Thy free spirit.

Psalm 51

+  +  +

Ashes to Ashes,

Dust to Dust

in sure and certain hope

of the Resurrection

unto Eternal Life

through

JESUS CHRIST

our LORD.

+ + +

With All our SOUL ...

REMEMBER:

You are dust, 
and to dust you shall return.

REPENT,

and believe the GOSPEL+. 

+  +  +

Most HOLY and Most Merciful ABBA... 

We confess to THEE and to one another and to the whole communion of saints in Heaven and on earth and before Your Heavenly Host... 

that we have sinned

by our own fault

in thought, word, and deed; 

by what we have DONE

and by what we have

LEFT UN-DONE. 

 As it is written:

Thou shalt love The LORD thy GOD, The ELOHIM, with ALL thy heart, with ALL of thy soul, with ALL of thy mind, and with ALL  thy strength.  

This is the first and great commandment.

So now, we confess to THEE, O LORD:

We have FAILED to love THEE with ALL 

of our Soul.

We have failed to remove the LEAVEN as commanded us in Thy HOLY WORD.  Our "temple" is far from being "holy", ( worship services notwithstanding). 

We are content to KEEP ON GATHERING MANNA even when we have our allotted pot full. Nay, we are MORE than content to spend entire days with our eyes on the earthly concerns which our Soul savors.

Our Soul, our Nephesh,  is interested in our Daily Bread more that we are interested in The Living BREAD+ from Heaven. 

We say, "Can GOD know this? Is there understanding in the Most High ?" 

GOD'S UNDERSTANDING

IS NOT LACKING;

OURS IS.

+ + +

   

TAKE HEED:  Scripture ASSURES US ... 

 For the word of GOD is quick,  

and powerful, 

and sharper 

than any two-edged sword, 

piercing even to the dividing 

asunder of soul and spirit,  

and of the joints and marrow,  

and is a discerner 

of the thoughts and intents 

of the heart.  

Hebrews 4:12

 Let us pray:

O HOLY FATHER, I have played fast and loose with THEE.  I thought Thy SON+ was such a one as myself. 

I have forgotten the sharpness of Thine eyes ... and of Thy Divine Sword, the HOLY SPIRIT.

Thy forgiveness I need; I dare not raise my eyes to Heaven.  My soul, my Nephesh, has gone astray from Thy Word.  It has gone astray from Thy Ways.  

I have long savored the things of this world more than things of  Thy Kingdom. I have offered THEE a pittance of my soul, a corner of it, that's all.

Cleanse me by The BLOOD+ of Thy HOLY SON+ JESUS CHRIST. I now yield the contents of my soul to THEE. Empty it. Shake it down. Scrape it out and help me start a-fresh.

 Help my soul to adhere to THEE, as the ONLY ARK of safety.  Help me to monitor all things which I allow into my soul,  in order to please THEE ... unto WHOM my soul must make an account. 

This I ask in the Name of The ONE+ Who+ redeemed my soul from destruction, and crowns me with mercy and loving-kindness,  The LORD JESUS CHRIST

Amen. 

+  +  +

 Create in me a clean heart, 

O GOD and renew a right spirit within me. 

Cast me not away 

from Thy+ Presence; 

and take not Thy HOLY SPIRIT

from me. 

Restore unto me 

the joy of Thy+ SALVATION; 

and uphold me with Thy free spirit.

Psalm 51

+  +  +

Ashes to Ashes,

Dust to Dust

in sure and certain hope

of the Resurrection

unto Eternal Life

through

JESUS CHRIST

our LORD.

+ + +

HE+ Shall PURIFY the Sons of LEVI

REMEMBER:

You are dust, and to dust you shall return.

REPENT,

and believe the GOSPEL+. 

+  +  +

Most HOLY and Most Merciful ABBA... 

We confess to THEE and to one another and to the whole communion of saints in Heaven and on earth and before Your Heavenly Host... 

that we have sinned

by our own fault

in thought, word, and deed; 

by what we have DONE

and by what we have

LEFT UN-DONE. 

 As it is written:

Thou shalt love The LORD thy GOD, The ELOHIM, with ALL thy heart, with ALL of thy soul, with ALL of thy mind, and with ALL  thy strength.  

This is the first and great commandment.

So now, we confess to THEE, O LORD:

We have not loved THEE with our whole heart... 

NO RATHER,

we have set our hearts on other things, other persons, other loyalties. We are divided in our loyalty to THEE; only a "part" do we give to THEE, alas. 


Yes, we love THEE and Thy Holy SON+ JESUS,  ... but we have mingled our love of THEE with strange things that are NOT of THEE+.  We have placed strange fire upon Thy Altar, the altar of our hearts. 

Cleanse our hearts, O HOLY ONE+ of Israel, by the in-breathing of Thy Precious HOLY SPIRIT.  Help us to separate ourselves unto THEE+ during this season of the Preparation for the GREAT PASCHA, the Great Passover. 

O HOLY FATHER, HOLY ABBA... we ask Thy help to find all the leaven in our house, in our temple, that we may make an offering to you in Righteousness ... after we remove those hateful things from our midst.   

What? know ye not .  .  .

 that your body is the temple 

of the HOLY SPIRIT
which is in you,
 which ye have of GOD, 
and ye 
are not your own?


For ye are bought 
with a PRICE+.


Therefore glorify GOD 

in your body, 

and in your spirit, 

which are GOD'S.
1 Corinthians 6: 19 -20

 +  +  +

 Create in me a clean heart, 

O GOD and renew a right spirit within me. 

Cast me not away 

from Thy+ Presence; 

and take not Thy HOLY SPIRIT

from me. 

Restore unto me 

the joy of Thy+ SALVATION; 

and uphold me with Thy free spirit.

Psalm 51

+  +  + 

Ashes to ashes,
 Dust to Dust
in sure and certain hope 
of the Resurrection
unto Eternal Life,  
through JESUS CHRIST 
OUR LORD. 
+  +  +

Amen, and thankfully so !

ASHES to ASHES...

REMEMBER:

You are dust, 

and to dust 

you shall return. 

Repent, 

and believe the GOSPEL+. 

+  +  +

In the Name of Our LORD JESUS CHRIST,  the invitation is extended to each and every one, to a season of self-examination and repentance. The Season of Preparation for the remembrance of the Great Passover, the Great Pascha, is upon us. 

Let us therefore spend time in  thinking upon the Mirror of GOD'S HOLY WORD ... and the reflection we see of ourselves in it.

All are invited to make a right beginning of repentance and to COME at the Invitation of Our HOLY LORD JESUS CHRIST WHO+ said:

Come unto ME+

all ye that labor 

and are heavy laden

and I+ will give you rest.

Take My+ Yoke upon you 

and learn of ME+, 

for I+ am meek and lowly, 

and ye shall find rest 

unto your souls. 

For My+ Yoke is easy, 

and My+ burden is Light.

Matthew 11: 28-30

+  +  +

Have mercy upon me, O GOD, 

according to Thy lovingkindness: 

according unto the multitude 

of Thy tender mercies 

blot out my transgressions.

Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

Against THEE, THEE only, have I sinned, and done evil in Thy sight: that THOU mightest be justified when THOU speakest, and be clear when THOU judgest.

Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. 

Behold, 

THOU desirest truth 

in the inward parts: 

and in the hidden part

THOU shalt make me 

to know wisdom.

 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which THOU hast broken may rejoice.

Hide Thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

 Create in me a clean heart, 

O GOD; 

and renew a right spirit 

within me.

Cast me not away from Thy presence; and take not Thy HOLY SPIRIT from me.

 Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation; and uphold me with Thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors Thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto THEE.

 

Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O GOD, THOU, GOD of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of Thy righteousness. O LORD, open THOU my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth Thy praise.

 For THOU desirest not sacrifice; 

else would I give it: 

THOU delightest not 

in burnt offering. 

The sacrifices of GOD 

are a broken spirit: 

a broken 

and a contrite heart, 

O GOD, 

THOU wilt not despise.

 Do good in Thy good pleasure unto Zion: build THOU the walls of Jerusalem. Then shalt THOU be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon Thine altar.

 Psalm 51

+  +  +