3/05/2017

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.
+ + +

3/03/2017

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 !

3/02/2017

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
+  +  +
 


3/01/2017

REMEMBER: You Are DUST, and to DUST You Shall Return




REMEMBER:
You are dust, and to dust you shall return.

REPENT,
and believe the GOSPEL+. 

+  +  +

ALMIGHTY GOD . . .

THOU hast created us out of the dust of the earth. 

Grant that these ashes may be to us a sign of our mortality and repentance, that we may remember that it is ONLY by Thy gracious gift that we are given Everlasting Life, through JESUS CHRIST our SAVIOR+.  Amen.
+  +  +

ALMIGHTY and Everlasting GOD Who hates nothing that THOU hast made and Who forgiveth the sins of all who  heartily repent; 

  Create in me a clean heart, O GOD; 
and renew a right spirit within me. 

That I, lamenting my sins and acknowledging my wretchedness before THEE, 

May obtain of THEE, the GOD of all mercy and truth, a perfect remission of my sins, 

Through The LAMB+ of GOD, JESUS CHRIST our LORD, 
WHO+ lives and reigns with THEE and Thy HOLY SPIRIT

ONE ELOHIM,

to the ages of the ages. 
Amen.  
+  +  +

 Repent, and be baptized 
every one of you 
in the name of JESUS CHRIST
for the remission of sins, 
 and ye shall receive the gift 
of the HOLY SPIRIT. 
Acts 2:38
+  +  +


Ashes to ashes, 
dust to dust 
in sure and certain hope 
of the resurrection 
unto Eternal Life, 
through  
Y'SHU+ the M'SHIKHA , 
our LORD. 
+  +  +
 

2/28/2017

HE+ SHALL PURIFY...


Behold, I will send My messenger, 
and he shall prepare the way before ME:

and the LORD, whom ye seek, 
shall suddenly come to His+ temple,

even the Messenger of the Covenant, 
whom ye delight in: 

behold, HE+ shall come, 
saith the LORD of Hosts.



But who may abide 
the day of HIS+ Coming?

and who shall stand 
when HE+ appeareth? 

for HE+ is like a refiner's fire, 
and like fullers' soap:



And HE+ shall sit as a refiner 
and purifier of silver: 

and HE+ shall purify the sons of Levi, 
and purge them as gold and silver, 

that they may offer unto the LORD
an offering in righteousness.
+  +  +
Now the GOD of peace, 
that brought again from the dead 
our Lord JESUS,  
that Great Shepherd+ of the sheep, 
through the Blood 
of the Everlasting Covenant,


Make you perfect in every good work to do HIS will, working in you that which is well pleasing in HIS sight, through JESUS CHRIST our LORD.

 to whom be glory for ever and ever. 
Amen. 
Hebrews 12:20-21
+  +  +

The Time of the Preparation for the GREAT PASSOVER is upon us once more. 

Repentance is due now .  .  .

for WHO may abide 
the Day of HIS+ Coming ?  

As the people of YHWH were in the wilderness 40 years, as Our LORD JESUS CHRIST was in His+ wilderness being tempted by the devil for 40 days, let us SET ASIDE these next 40 days before HOLY WEEK and even now, remove the leaven out of our hearts and homes and lives.  

As followers of JESUS,  we know HE+ forgives the repentant one.  But let us walk these days in the awareness that we are mortal: 


"Remember: you are dust 
and to dust 
you shall return," 

REPENT and 
BELIEVE the GOSPEL.
+  +  +  

2/26/2017

The GREAT Passover... the Time of Preparation

 
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
+  +  +
The Lenten Season is upon us once again. It starts on Wednesday, March 1. 


It is the season observed by many Christians in many church groups to remember the GREAT Passover of the LAMB+ of GOD… the Greatest Passover … and the Last Passover… recognized by GOD. 


The Lenten Season is NOT the sole property of the Roman Catholic, the Eastern Orthodox, or any of the liturgical churches. It belongs to all Christians everywhere.



During this time on the Christian church calendar, Ash Wednesday ( arbitrarily selected)  starts the remembrance of The LORD'S journey towards Jerusalem as HE+ headed towards His+ Crucifixion.


Many churches observe this Season as a time of serious reflection upon what it cost The LORD to save us from our sins --- and the Second Death in the Lake of Fire, for all Eternity ---  and thus, as a serious season of repentance. 


During this time, Christians try to bring the body under more control of the HOLY SPIRIT. To do this, supernatural strength is required. So, Christians fast, calling upon The LORD for help. 


Some Christians choose to fast from a favorite food (coffee,  pizza, chocolate, popcorn, sweets, all snacks,  etc.) simply as a way to REMIND their flesh that the spirit is in control, not the body. When they do this, they are usually shocked at the battle such a small commitment begins between their flesh and their spirit. 


Others choose to fast from a meal or  do one or two days of total fasting. Oddly enough, THIS type of fasting actually is easier; there is no battle, once the commitment is made. The "eating" time then becomes Quiet Time of Refreshment from The LORD.


There are other types of "fasts" that some Christians do during this( arbitrarily selected ) 40-day season.


Here are some little ways one could choose to submit the body to the spirit:  



   No parties or social get-togethers.
No games.

No reading, apart from the Bible.
An hour of total silence per evening / day.

No "chit-chat" or long conversations.

No un-necessary conversations.

Limited social interaction, be it by phone, emails, or visits.

No dining out.

No DVD's, No magazines, No computer... Nothing that could be construed as "entertaining."
No music or no up-beat music.
Only dark purple clothing is worn or no bright clothing until after the Resurrection.



The purpose of fasting is not to be ascetic but to cut away worldly distractions IN ORDER TO FOCUS more fully upon The LORD JESUS.


Time with HIM+;

Stillness with HIM+.


UN-CLUTTERED TIME WITH HIM+

.... a stillness that is SO STILL

that it ceases to think about

the day's events and duties.


Some Christians have heavy work-loads. Some work in the public; some attend classes and have time-absorbing assignments and exams; some have small children in the home; some home-school.


Whatever the situation,

The LORD will

show the WILLING HEART

what kind of fast is pleasing to HIM+

... and how much

... and WHEN

it is to be done.


Even a 5-minute break with The LORD . . . 
and a brief meditation on a verse of Isaiah 53 or a verse of a Psalm --- instead of a cup of coffee and a doughnut --- will increase the closeness one has with The LORD during this season.  Much good fruit of repentance and Quietness before HIM+ refreshes the body more than coffee and doughnuts.


 

But HE+ was wounded ...


is a good place to start the Lenten Season of Meditations focused upon The LORD JESUS CHRIST.


Other good Lenten Season Meditations include: Isaiah 53, Psalm 51, Psalm 32, John 14, John 15,  and John 17. Revelation chapters 2 and 3 lend themselves to serious reflection for repentance, also.



During Lenten Season, there is no great rush ...
to finish a Psalm or Isaiah 53. Line by line, phrase by phrase of Isaiah 53 ... one phrase a day...  works well for the spirit to meditate upon WHY HE+ was wounded.


What did your life, your sins cost HIM+ ?


What are your life and your sins

still costing HIM+ ?


Is HE+ being wounded

by your sins

that you choose to hide

and not confess and turn from ?


Is HE+ again being wounded

because you refuse

to yield the controls over to HIM+ ?


Are you wounding HIM+

because you are being sovereign

over some areas of your "own" life ?


Are there any worldly values or goals

you are holding or pursuing

that are wounding HIM+ afresh ?


+  +  +

Thus, whether "your church" does the Lenten Season remembrances or not, each Christian can still choose to observe the 40-day time of preparation for the Great Passover ... the greatest Passover the world has ever had, and the last.


Thus, I pray each one of you search your heart and see if HE+ is calling you to observe this season of the preparation for the Great Passover ... not from duty, but from a sincere heart of love for what HE+ has done for you. 
~ Sr. Judith Hannah  + + +