ReturnToYehovah: December 2015

These past couple of weeks I've seen or read multiple blogs, newsletters or emails all with the same theme: attacking the belief in the Law as NOT done away for believers in Yeshua (Jesus). It is from what I call the "old guard" believers of the previous generation who are at the tail end of the last move of God (at least in the West). They are hanging on to what they know and have believed all their Christian lives. What many of them can't do is accept that God might be moving again but with something they never expected.

They were told early on that the Law is done away with. Paul is quoted 2 or 3 times and they are told that is enough to do away with all that the Torah, Prophets and Writings taught about or emphasized regarding God's commandments. They even believe Yeshua agreed with all this twisted understanding of God's word. But, I can't blame them. I will get to that after the next portion below.

I was reading a favorite blog site: kaseyburt.blopspot.com

http://kaseyburt.blogspot.com/2015/12/gods-law-vsfalse-mercy.html

She was having similar frustrations along of the lines of the enemy not wanting her to keep God's Law. Her solution came from the LORD via the book of Maccabees. It was so similar to what I had just gone through, that I had to write to her.

"Sister Kasey, I was feeling hit from all sides recently along the same lines as you mentioned above. Trying to follow God's Law and His Ways is not popular nor understood with most of the Church of Jesus Christ. The world comes at us from every angle, friends, family, Christian brothers or sisters. I also found myself going to the book of Maccabees for encouragement. I didn't plan that, but it worked out that way. How interesting that it happened during the time of Hanukkah this year. I have wondered if this is the kind of push back the reformers got from the church of their day. People are comfortable with what they believe and many don't want to be challenged to prove their beliefs with the Bible. I also am pretty sure the early Pentecostal believers (early 1900's) were rejected, laughed at and ridiculed for their faith, but they KNEW that the Spirit of God had done the work, not they themselves. I see this true with the Messianic Jewish , or Hebrew Roots or whatever else you want to call the "movement" that God has birthed. HE is bringing people back to HIS TORAH - His Commandments. But it is not Jewish people he is doing this with, it is Christians. True believers who know there is more have found it when they dig into the truths of the Tanakh. Not only do they know and understand the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob better, but they greatly increase their understanding of who Yeshua was and is, and what He has done for us! It is so widespread, and so unplanned by men. No one could make this happen; only God. I share your struggles and frustrations, but let us all remember what the many heroes of the faith went through. Daniel, Joseph, Moses, Gideon, Shadrach/Meshach/Abednego and so many others. In addition to the various martyrs and heroes of the Maccabees. All were meant to prepare us for our future struggles. I can't help but think of Revelation 12 - the enemy is making war on those of us who "have the testimony of Yeshua, and keep the commandments of God"! We are not two different groups, we are believers who have come to know BOTH parts. We love God for saving us through Yeshua and because we love Him, we want to keep His commandments. Thank you for encouraging me with this as I am sure there are others of us out there who needed to hear. YVHV bless you. Gregg"

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Not sure if that would resonate with anyone who might stumble across this blog, but wanted to pass it on.

Now, back to why I don't blame the "old guard" believers...

Partly as I mentioned to Kasey above, I think we Torah following (or attempting to) Believers are in a weird place. In some ways, we must be like the 1st Century believers. For centuries, the people of Israel - which were composed of the tribes of Judah, Benjamin and some Levites - called the Jews - had very fixed definite beliefs. When they followed God's ways (which was not often) they did their best to keep his commandments and looked forward to the coming of a great Messiah.

When Yeshua came, he spoke against many of their false beliefs and practices. He explained how their traditions were "making void the Law of God". Many didn't like that. Some however, listened and agreed with him!! Hmmm. He was starting to "reform" things - get them back on the correct track that God wanted.

After He rose and ascended to Heaven, the disciples were left to go forth. They still had to deal with the same resistant people who had not accepted Yeshua's words. Add to that the enemy did not want this New Covenant truth spreading to others! As always, our Father gives us help. He sent the promised Comforter - His Mighty Holy Spirit - the Ruach Ha Kodesh. He gave power, boldness and strength of faith to the followers of Yeshua. They were able to stand against the enemy and spread the gospel across the world.

Of course books could be written on that topic alone! But let's fast forward several centuries. This past week when I was struggling with this frustration, Rick Joyner just happened to post an article about John Hus. I had heard of John, but didn't know much about him. In short, he was one of the earliest (if not the earliest) of the reformers. He wanted to "reform" the church of his day, but the "old guard" in the form of the Roman Catholic Church, wanted nothing to do with it. He was tried as an heretic and burned at the stake. You can read more about him, a great man of God, who later inspired the next wave of reformers.

I couldn't help but think that he faced the same opposition that many of us Hebrew Roots believers face today. Whenever people are moved by God to "reform" the status quo - specifically with the way the Church of God is working - they will meet opposition.

I have also read how that the early Pentecostal believers who had received the Baptism in the Holy Ghost - were opposed. They too had their "old guard" to deal with. Mainline Christian denominations just knew this new movement must be "of the devil". It didn't stop God from spreading the power of His Spirit in signs and wonders. People were saved, healed, delivered from bondage, and saw all of the gifts of the Spirit at work in churches. You will notice, they had to start NEW churches. The old ones didn't want them.

Maybe that is what needs to happen again. The early believers were eventually kicked out of 'mainline' synagogues. The reformers were kicked out of the 'mainline' churches. The Pentecostals were not welcomed at 'mainline' churches of their day. So too, many of us are finding a less than warm welcome when we try to tell people to keep the Sabbath, the Feasts of the LORD, or any of God's Law. At this time of Hanukkah, we can add the Maccabees to our list of believers persecuted for wanting to keep God's Law.

So, we are in good company. No matter how you look at it. All through history, when God wants to do something in this world, the enemy fights it. He can use the "old guard" in various forms. We just need to persevere like all those mentioned above. We still have the Spirit of God with us and within us. All we need now is for God to bring us together in some way.

We need to preach the Gospel of salvation through faith in Yeshua. We need to be filled with the Holy Spirit with power. We need to teach believers the Truth found in the Torah and Tanakh (Old Testament). We need our God to confirm His Word, His Truth with signs and wonders as Has always done. Then, the people will know that we speak His Truth. Pray that this will come soon.

YEHOVAH bless you and keep you all.

Gregg

ReturnToYehovah

Sunday, December 13, 2015

ReturnToYehovah: Reform Always meets with Resistance

Reform Always meets with Resistance

Thursday, December 10, 2015

ReturnToYehovah: Yeshua came from God

ReturnToYehovah: Yeshua has ALL Authority

ReturnToYehovah: Yeshua came from God

ReturnToYehovah: The Church Needs to WAKE UP!

ReturnToYehovah: My People Are Destroyed!