torstai 22. helmikuuta 2024

Reflections on Shabat 23d Feb 2024

 


  We see our solar system in the picture and the starry sky in the background. Since the seventh fruit of the Spirit is a double fruit: faith & faithfulness, I will briefly discuss them separately and together. Also called the father of faith, Abram represents man's faith, that is, trust in the Creator's promises at its best. The earth and the starry sky represent our Creator's faithfulness to all His chosen ones.


  What is faith?

  It is keeping the teachings and promises given in the Bible true and also living according to them in practice, according to the amount of faith that has been granted to each believer in Adonai Yeshua. The amount of our faith increases as we walk with our Savior.

  According to faith, reaching out means making big decisions of faith that have a revolutionary effect on our life after the decision! It's about choices such as profession and related studies, friends, workplace, place of residence and possible spouse.

  It is especially important to pray to find a soberly functioning community of believers where you can grow healthily under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The believer should strive to be ready to accept the spiritual tasks that he feels the Holy Spirit has given him, whether they are serving the home congregation or going to the missionary field.

  Adonai Yeshua is the originator and finisher of our faith: Hebr. 12:1-2
>>1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, we must get rid of every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and run with endurance the race set out for us, 2 keeping our eyes fixed on Yeshua, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy set out for him he endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of Elohim.<<



  What is faithfulness?

  In relation to the service work of believers, it means the desire to make an effort and act in precisely those tasks that the Holy Spirit has assigned to each believer. Do not neglect tasks that may seem trivial. It is good to remember Adonai Yeshua's promise: Matt. 25:21
 
>>His master answered, 'Well done, good and faithful slave! You have been faithful in a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.'<<

  It is very important to note that this is about the payment of wages beyond the limit of time, i.e. in eternity, and it concerns the servant acting faithfully in the tasks that Adonai Yeshua has entrusted to him. During a long religious life, there may be several tasks.

  I have observed such a general phenomenon that in many congregations there is an unhealthy striving for prestigious positions, even though the aspirant lacks the prerequisites and sufficient life experience. The teaching of the apostle Paul warns against this: Rom. 12:16
>>Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not vain glory, but associate with those who are humble. Be not wise in your own conceits.<< 
  
  If a believer feels that he and his abilities are not taken into account, I recommend first self-examination and prayer. If you still feel the same, then it is worth discussing the matter in the congregation one-on-one with the leader of the congregation or a parent leading brother. If the feedback is inappropriate and humiliating, then it is wise get out of there and join to another congregation. Otherwise, the believer becomes bitter and his spiritual growth is hindered.

  It is good for a believer to join the local congregation. But perhaps at some point it turns out to be unhealthy and some heresy has gained power there. Then it is necessary to pray - preferably with the help of the gift of tongues - for help and guidance that there is a reason to part with it? If so, then one should leave it and pray that which congregation or group of believers should he join after that?

  I told that last lesson from my own experience. If I had stayed in the congregation, where I did join on, I would have grown up spiritually crooked, my faith would have been distorted and I would have finally become a member of sectarian! Sectarians cannot inherit the Kingdom of Elohim!


  
How are faith & faithfulness related?

  
A believer in Adonai Yeshua wants to be faithful because he knows that he is Adonai's co-worker and that his work is infinitely valuable! Valuable because he guides those without faith to find a saving faith and he assists other believers to grow from a shared faith. Genuine faith is a prerequisite for faithfulness.

  As for faithfulness in married life, it is already necessary for the believer's own salvation, and it is also an absolute condition for Adonai Yeshua to be able to use him as an intermediary in spreading the message of salvation. I have seen too many believers working in leadership positions divorce their spouses.

  When a believer grows old, exhausted by various diseases and when his physical condition declines decisively, it is good to be kind to himself as well. So we should also love and have mercy on ourselves. Since Adonai is not a slave whip, let's not be like that towards ourselves and our neighbors! However, it is good for us to always encourage each other to love and good deeds, as long as we have enough strength and resources!


  Yehowah's faithfulness is our strong security!

  He gave his chosen people the following sure promise of his own faithfulness to them: Jer. 31:37
>>So says Yehowah, If the heavens above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth below can be searched out, I will also reject all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, declares Yehowah.<<

  The same promise applies to all the elect of the New Covenant, regardless of their ethnic background, if only we believe in him and trust in his faithfulness. Since Adonai Yeshua is the originator of faith and its perfecter, and since we are children of the faithful Elohim, let us ask Yeshua for faith and learn more faithfulness from Elohim!


  Songs suitable for the topic

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