Stress

Are you stressed? 
How often have you had a sore neck because of stress?  Maybe it was even a little stiff?

The Bible says that a stiff-necked person is one who is rebelling against God.  Does that apply to you?

In Exodus 32 we read about a bunch of "stiff-necked people" who made a golden calf and worshiped it rather than the Living God who brought them out of Egypt.  Certainly we aren't like them!  Or are we?

I can think of several times right off hand that my neck has been stiff and NOT because I slept on it wrong or wrenched it somehow.  It was literally stiff for a duration, and each time I was in rebellion against my Creator.

"Yes, but I'm simply stressed out!  You can't tell me it's because I'm rebellious!"  Well, I think I can.  The bible says that the heart of man (and woman) is deceitful and desperately wicked and only God truly knows it (Jeremiah 17:9-10).  We are a rebellious lot to begin with, but let's consider what "stress" really is.

When we are under stress, or even feeling a little depressed, we are under the barrage of the things of this world.  Whether it be our job, our relationships, our bad habits, or what-have-you, a stressed out body is simply the effect of an underlying cause. 

If we are stressing over something could it be that we are simply not trusting God?

I think in most applications this applies.  Our bodies were created to give off warning signs whenever we get away from the design of our Creator. 
Consider Psalm 38:7-8 or Psalm 32:3-4!  Real physical results of a person out of sync with YAH. 

God is so faithful to give us warning when we get off track, and yet so many times we refuse to listen.  We can become sick if we don't take care of ourselves, which is a form of rebellion.   Even eating in opposition to what God says we are to eat is a rebellious attitude (when we are aware of it) and can bring judgment.   I believe that when we are stressed out and burdened we are simply in a place of doubting or not trusting God, or rebelling against His commands.

He has given us everything we need in order to have faith in Him...do we hold on to that?

Consider the event with Peter and Yeshua (Jesus) during the storm at sea.  In Matthew 14:22-33.
In that story the disciples were caught in the midst of a tumultuous storm while Yeshua had gone up to a mountain to pray.  It says that the boat was being tossed about because the waves were "contrary". 
Then we're told that Messiah came walking on the water about the "fourth watch of the night" - the time just before dawn.  The disciples thought it was a ghost but Yeshua called out and told them not to fear.  Then Peter (you gotta love this) answered and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water."  So Yeshua did and Peter came out of the boat and...walked on water!  All because of his faith in his Shepherd!  But we all know what happened next.  Peter began taking his eyes off of the Lord and focused on the storm around him.  When he did, he was afraid and began to sink and cried for Yeshua to save him.  Messiah did save him.  He stretched out His hand and caught him.  What He said to Peter, though, is so interesting.  He said, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"  Why did you doubt?  Whuh?!  The guy just walked on water!  I can not imagine having the faith to walk on water like Peter did.  However, I think I'm finally seeing what Yeshua was saying there.  No matter how big the "storm" is, when we take our eyes off of Him, we begin to place our faith or trust in something (or someone) else.  When we take our eyes off of Yeshua we LET the cares and/or fears of this world overpower our faith in Him.  I've understood that concept for a good number of years, but it actually sinks in more and more the further I walk in this life.  And the more storms I face.

The Creator of all things is able to save us from anything, yet we doubt.  We become afraid.  We grow weary.  Why?  Because we don't trust Him.  We don't cry out to Him.  We rely on our own strength. 

Don't beat yourself up if you are under stress, tribulation is a part of life.  However, seek the Lord during that time.

Remember, God is the God of peace and He promises His peace toward us!  He also promises to work all things to the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose!  What awesome promises.

Sure, stress is a part of this world and something that we will probably always have to deal with on this side of eternity, but it is NOT something that should rule over us.  Stress is simply another challenge to overcome by trusting in our Savior and walking with Him.  The effects of stress (which could be a stiff neck, sore shoulders, inflammation, etc...) are warning signs that we need to stop and seek the Lord for answers and direction. 

Storms

Storms are amazing.  They're at once terrifying and peaceful.  

An awe-inspiring reflection of our Creator.

As I was driving home the other day a storm was heading in from the west.  It was moving very quickly and changing constantly.  As I came to a certain place on the road I noticed this large field and how the clouds looked at that moment and I thought, "I've GOT to get a picture!".
So I pulled over, got out and started snapping away on my iphone.  Oh, if only I had a really nice camera!  Someday, perhaps.  But for now I'm very thankful that I've got something to take pictures with that I have handy all the time (and doesn't do half bad ;)   ).

Anyway, as I stood there taking pictures of this huge storm moving my way I could feel the wind picking up speed.  The trees blew more violently around me and I could smell the rain coming.  What a frightfully wonderful moment!  It reminded me so much of my God.  How amazingly powerful HE is.

The One Who created all things and controls all weather was watching me as I stood there, pretty helpless really, as the storm approached.  Though in HIM I'm not helpless.  Granted it could have been a much worse storm, but that's the thing with them...you never really know how the storm is going to be until you're in it.  God knows this.  He knows what the storms of life are going to be like for us because He knows the outcome.  He also became as one of us so that He might be able to be our perfect intercessor and author and finisher of our faith.  Able to identify in EVERY way with us, no matter what the temptation is that we face.

Hebrews says,

"For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings."
- Hebrews 2:10


When Messiah came to earth in the form of man(kind) He did so for the purpose of dying and defeating the devil who has the power of death.  To give us hope for victory over our own sinful nature.  He did not count His own life more than ours.  He allowed Himself to be murdered by lawless hands so that we might have hope for eternal life...in HIM (Acts 2:23).

I'm still learning that the "storms" I face in life are there to teach me to reach out to my Savior more and more.  The event with Peter comes to my mind in which, when he focused on the Lord he actually walked on water, but as soon as he took his eyes away from HIM and looked at the overwhelming (so he thought) storm around him, Peter began to sink (Matthew 14:22-33).  Everytime I face that storm I have a choice to make:  Will I be fearful and try to save myself, OR will I keep focused on my God and trust HIM to increase my faith in HIM and lead me through it?  This is a question we all must ask ourselves often.  Sometimes we will trust in ourselves, but praise the Lord for His mercy to not allow us to be wiped out and instead give us another chance to trust Him.  However, I don't want to keep making that mistake of trying to do it on my own.  I want to trust Him more everyday, and actually FOLLOW Him through the storm.

There's great peace in the midst of a terrible storm...when you trust the One who allowed it in the first place.


"For You have been a strength to the poor, 
a strength to the needy in his distress, 
a refuge in the storm,
a shade from the heat;
for the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall."
- Isaiah 25:4 

In our walk with God quite often we experience trials and tribulations.
When we are going through those difficult times here's how we can tell the difference between disobedience and obedience, to Him, in every circumstance:
Are you just looking to get out of it...or are you trusting Him to lead you through it?

Bump!!!

BUMP.  That's what the teeny, tiny sign said about the upcoming bridge. 
At least it SEEMED teeny, tiny to me.   
Nonetheless there was a sign there.  However, I didn't see it and proceeded to re-enact a scene from "The Dukes of Hazzard" with my van!
Stuff flew everywhere as the Montana (now renamed the General Lee) went air born and then slammed into the pavement.  My ladder flopped off my roof rack, containers jumped off the shelves, cable boxes slid forward, and things I'd forgotten I had flew into places I didn't know existed in my van.  Oh, and the best part was the old girl bottomed out.  hmmm...not good.   I would've yelled "yeehaw" as I was going through the air if I wasn't so shocked and then mad. 
I don't think "Bump" quite does that spot in the road justice.  I think, "You'd Better Slow Down Or You'll Be Sorry!" would be much better.  Or maybe, "Keep Going At The Speed You Are If You Don't Like Your Vehicle".
Thankfully everything was fine and it seems the ol' Montana is still running at peak...er, well..."normal" performance.
After I checked everything and started heading down the road again (all while fuming a bit) it got me considering the "bumps" we experience in life...and whether or not we pay attention to the signs.  Yes, there are signs!
Let's face it, there are plenty of situations and circumstances in life that toss us around like a carton of cable ties!...just go with it...Yet we still wonder why we didn't see it coming.  I'll admit there are those times when we just get thrown for a loop, but I think those are pretty rare.  If we're really paying attention to what's going on around us we usually aren't too surprised and we end up being better prepared to deal with whatever comes along.

In the Bible, in Matthew 16:3, Yeshua (Jesus) called the Pharisees hypocrites because they sought after a sign from Him to prove He was who He said He was.  He said they could tell what the weather would be like that day but they couldn't discern the signs of the times.  In other words, they could almost predict the nearly unpredictable but they could NOT see the completely obvious!  The fact that the living Word of God - Yeshua the Messiah - stood right there, talked with them, telling them the truth, and yet they didn't get it!  Why?  Because they held their own beliefs at or above the things of God.  Their own word was as good as God's, in their version, whether they realized it or not.  How do I know this?  Because in verse 12 Messiah said that their "doctrine" or teaching was leaven...in other words it was sin.  Their teaching was contrary to God's Torah which Yeshua constantly challenged them on.  They added to it or took from it, which He says specifically not to do.  When we add to or take from His Word we open the door for the devil and our own flesh to deceive us into thinking we understand more than we actually do. That's a dangerous road to walk down.

If we choose to rely on Yahweh and His truth/word then we can rest assured we will have the direction we need for this life...and we'll be able to slow down and deal with those "bumps" along the way.

Thinking Allowed

Over the past several years it's become quite clear that people (myself included) don't like to think. Whenever we're challenged on an issue we'd rather have someone else do the thinking for us and tell us the answer. I can't seem to do that anymore.

I praise YAHWEH that He has opened my eyes and given me ears to hear! I thank Him for waking me up and continuing to call me out of the paganism I was in, my Egypt if you will, ...professing christendom! The problem is that the professing evangelical church is just as steeped in the traditions of men as Catholicism and even Judaism, which all reject the pure Law of the LORD for their own doctrines and commandments.

Yeshua (Jesus) declared that the traditions of men make the commandments of God of no effect in people's lives (Mark 7:9-13).

One thing that got me "thinking" lately is the return of our LORD. Especially concerning that of the pre-tribulation rapture theory. Actually I've been considering this for a few years, but as of late there has been a renewed interest in my spirit concerning THE event of history...coming soon! While, according to the Scripture, it seems as though we are raptured, or caught up, to meet the LORD, we have to examine what HE says in HIS Word to know "when" this will happen.

One thing we must first examine is "What is the pre-tribulation rapture theory?" and what is the origin of this theory? Is it in the Scriptures or not?

The theory says that Christ will come back, in secret, to bring the church up to meet Him in the air. The dead will rise first, and then the living. All this will take place in the twinkling of an eye before the seven year tribulation starts. Christ and all His saints will then return at the end of the seven years and reign for a thousand years. This would suggest that there is not just a Second Coming of Christ, but a Third Coming as well! This is the premise of the theory.

The word "Rapture" is not found in the Bible. It was invented by the reasoning that Christ will "take up" or "catch away" His church.

What is the origin?

I have not yet found any substantiation in the Scriptures for a pre-tribulation rapture (which we will look at in a moment). And throughout centuries of church history and writings, there is nowhere to be found, any thoughts on a "pre-tribulation" rapture.

It wasn't until the 1830's that the teaching of the rapture came to prominence. Nowhere before then was it found. Not in any culture or writing was there found any discussion of the rapture theory, particularly the pre-tribulation view.

In the 1820's a Presbyterian minister by the name of Edward Irving began teaching a message of the restoration of the spiritual gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12-14, which are discussed before Paul talks about the return of the Lord in 15. This was unusual for the time and it prompted some to consider what Irving was suggesting. That the time of the Lord's return was near, and so the spiritual gifts must begin to manifest themselves, essentially. Irving was an impressive speaker and a great deal of excitment accompanied his messages. Soon people began experiencing the "gifts" which led to an assumption that Irving's messages where true, and thus Christ would be returning soon. Because of these "gifts", the Presbyterian Church dismissed Irving in 1832 and his group then established themselves as the Catholic Apostolic Church. As a result, some historians refer to Edward Irving as the "father of modern Pentecostalism".

Two years before Irving's dismissal, people in the lowlands of Scotland were experiencing the supposed outpouring of the Spirit according to Irving's teachings, with phenomena such as speaking in "tongues". On one particular evening the Holy Spirit was said to have rested on a Miss Margaret MacDonald while she was at home ill. It is said that while she was dangerously sick she experienced the power of the Spirit for several hours. She experienced manifestations of "mingled prophecy and vision", leaving her mind in an altered state as she went through intense visionary activity.

*After having read her written utterances it seems as though Miss MacDonald saw, or held to, a post-trib. rapture. Though many have thought that she gave birth to the pre-trib. rapture view (myself included), it doesn't appear to be so. In fact, it was John Darby who, three years earlier in 1827, first taught the pre-tribulation rapture theory.

Having heard of the strange happenings, Darby and Samuel Tragelles visited the area around Edward Irving's church and found the "gifts" that were being manifested to be demonic, in their own opinion. It seems unlikely that Darby gained his pre-trib. views from Margaret MacDonald or any other person involved at that time. Given that he didn't seem to think that what was occuring was from God, but from the devil.

Perhaps MacDonald's vision was from the Lord, perhaps not, but her statement "This is the fiery trial which is to try us. - It will be for the purging and purifying of the real members of the body of Jesus; but Oh it will be a fiery trial. Every soul will he shaken to the very centre." seems to point out that she did not believe in a pre-trib. rapture but a post-trib. rapture.

So how did Darby come to his conclusion of a pre-trib. rapture? It seems as though he couldn't reconcile the relationship between Israel and the church. This led to a fabrication of the rapture theory and the origin of Dispensationalism. Members of Darby's church, the Plymouth Brethren, called his secret rapture theory "unbiblical" and even he had supposedly lingering doubts as late as 1845.

It makes sense that Darby taught what he did. After all, it is tradition that blinds us to the truth of God's Word. John Darby, like other theologians, did not hold to the truth of the Scriptures, but instead believed the lie. He could not understand the view of Israel and the church because he did not have the foundation of the Torah of God. Without the foundation, we have nothing to stand on and will then believe what the enemy perpetrates.*

Regardless of who really started or popularized the pre-tribulation rapture doctrine, the point is that it doesn't seem to line up with Scripture and that's what we will look at.

The Scriptural pattern seems to be that Christ returns, pronounces judgment, and divides the wicked from the righteous (Matthew 24:29-31; 1 Corinthians 15:50-54; Matthew 13:37-43, 25:31-33; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Acts 1:11; Hebrews 9:27-28). There is no secret gathering in the air seven years before His next return. We are seemingly gathered to Him when He returns the Second time.

The pattern in the bible seems consistant, that the Lord never took His people "out of" the world in order to save them. He always took them "through" His judgments.

Noah was preserved through the Flood. The children of Israel were kept through the plagues. The prophets were never taken out, in fact they were all killed. Only Enoch and Elijah were mentioned as being taken away. But there's question as to whether God actually took them to heaven to be with Him from that point on. The situation with Noah interests me, considering people always look to Noah to support their view of the rapture being pre-trib.! The Flood was God's judgment on the whole earth, a picture of the judgment that's coming. The first by water and the second will be by fire. Noah was told to build an ark and God took him through the Flood...not out of it, but through it.

Proponents of the pre-trib. rapture theory also look to
1 Thessalonians 5:9 which says,

"For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,"

While it is true that God has not appointed us to wrath, what is the context here?  The wrath Paul is speaking of here is that of eternal condemnation. Salvation isn't temporary, but eternal, if we hold fast our confession of faith. Jesus won't just save us from one event or circumstance, but from an eternity in hell, if we hold fast to HIM! Hallelujah!

Another verse held on to by pre-tribbers is in Revelation where John is told "Come up here" by the angel. Actually it says,

"...Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this."
-Revelation 4:1b

John was told to "come up" to heaven so that he might see more of the vision which he was being shown and the events taking place in heaven as well as on earth. He was to see the perspective from the Lord's dwelling place and what would come upon the world. This does not substantiate the church being raptured out.

Some say that the Philadelphian church is us today and when John writes of it in Revelation 3, this is a representation of the church that will be raptured out.

"Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole earth, to test those who dwell on the earth."
-Revelation 3:10

The key here is the word "keep" and its meaning.

KEEP
G5083
τηρέω
tēreō
tay-reh'-o
From τηρός teros (a watch; perhaps akin to G2334); to guard (from loss or injury, properly by keeping the eye upon; and thus differing from G5442, which is properly to prevent escaping;
and from G2892, which implies a fortress or full military lines of apparatus), that is, to note (a prophecy; figuratively to fulfil a command); by implication to detain (in custody; figuratively to maintain); by extension to withhold (for personal ends; figuratively to keep unmarried): - hold fast, keep (-er), (ob-, pre-, re) serve, watch.

The Lord is not saying that He will keep, or take away, the church from the hour of trial, but that He will guard it, keep a watchful eye on it. He is a mighty fortress and our shield (Psalm 144:1-2). As the above definition shows, He will even prevent escaping.

The church will go through the hour of trial that will come upon the whole earth, but under YAHWEH's protection!

Later in Revelation we read two interesting passages, both of which deal with believers who "keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ". (Revelation 12:17 & 14:12)

Given the context of chapter 12 it would seem as though those who keep God's commandments and have the faith, or testimony, of Jesus are not simply believing Jews, but believing Gentiles as well. While this might be those who come to faith after a supposed pre-trib. rapture, it would make more sense that it is those who knew the commandments of the LORD and have already placed their faith in Jesus, thereby heeding His warning to them in Matthew 24. and resisting the lies of the wicked one and the antichrist, also called the man of lawlessness.

Speaking of Matthew 24, let's look at what Messiah Himself says.

After Jesus' disciples ask Him what will be the sign of His coming and of the end of the age, He responds first with this statement,

"Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many."
-Matthew 24:4-5

I never realized that Messiah answered with this first for a specific reason...and that He spoke of this throughout His exhortation to them. False messiahs and false prophets have come and will continue to come, leading up to the antichrist and false prophet that will deceive many on the earth. Yeshua (Jesus) was giving them (and us) warning about the enemy's deceitful plotting. That has been the devil's intentions from the beginning...to deceive God's people into trusting in themselves or someone else rather than the LORD Himself. But there is only ONE Lord and when He returns it will be as when the lighting flashes from the east to the west, across the whole earth. No other messiah could or will do that. No other prophet will lead people to the truth of God's Word except Messiah Yeshua! The enemy will even work miracles that seem so convincing to the lawless that they could almost deceive the elect if it were possible.

Then in verses 29 through 31 we read,

"Immediately after the tribulation of those days
the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light;
the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then
all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man
coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet,
and they will gather together His elect from the four winds,
from one end of heaven to the other."
-Matthew 24:29-31

Immediately after the tribulation! Not before, but after. It mentions nothing of Him bringing the elect back with Him (after some supposed pre-trib. rapture and seven years in heaven with Him), but rather, gathering them to Himself at that time.

The Rapture certainly is a subject worth studying and I am continuing to do just that. I don't have all the answers, and IF there is a rapture before the tribulation, then GREAT! I won't complain! But if that's not the case and we are here through the tribulation then we'd better be ready to hold fast to the LORD our God.

Wouldn't it be just like the enemy to get us to believe that we'll be raptured out before the tribulation starts, so that when it does people won't think that it could possibly be the tribulation, because "We won't be here during the tribulation" they'll be thinking.

Thinking...that's the key...but thinking according to the Scriptures.