Bitten by a serpent

When the people murmered against G-d and Moses, G-d brought judgement on the peoples sin by serpents biting them, causing death. G-d in mercy also provided a way of escape by commanding Moses to make a fiery serpent and put it on a pole. Numbers 21:9 "And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived."

The serpent is a picture of Satan, the serpent's bite  is a picture of sin, the brass serpent is a picture of sin judged. This picture of sin judged by G-d is fulfilled in the New Covenant "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up" John 3:14 When the Son of Man was lifted up on a tree,just like the brass serpent, it was for G-d's judgement of our sins. The Messiah was lifted up on the tree so that who ever looks on Messiah Yeshua will have their transgressions taken away by the Blood and live eternally with G-d.

The blood G-D has provided

When G-d humbled himself to take on human flesh he did not take on our human nature(sin nature).
G-D's blood atonement was provided in a special way by a special One. "Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high." Isaiah 52:13 "Therefore the L-rd himself shall give you a sign: Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son and shall call his name Immanuel" (G-D with us) Isaiah 7:14. "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful: Counsellor, The might G-d, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6. "As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men: So shall he sprinkle many nations: the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider. Who hath believed our report: And to whom is the arm of the L-RD revealed: For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him there is no beauty that we should desire him, He is despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of G-d, and afflicted. 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 52:14-53:5

to be continued

Mental Illness

As Walter Blyth said in one of LM Montgomery's books "It's a mighty poor family that can not boast of at least one mentally ill person in their family." (something to that effect)

If you are blessed with a mentally ill person in your family thank the L-RD for such a one.  They have struggles that we know nothing about and we can learn a lot through their sufferings. In I Thessalonians 5:14 we are admonished to "...comfort the feebleminded,support the weak, be patient toward all men,..." This commandment includes those with week minds.G-d will give you grace to meet the need.  He is there for the well and the ill.

Thanksgiving

I give thanks to the L-Rd for
 
being able to enjoy the cooler weather with out feeling cold
fellowship with those of like precious faith
music
loading me daily with his benefits
Bible to read
family
health
good food
grandchildren( they could fall under the heading of "family" but really, they are in a category all by themselves)
G-d's promises
Eternity
love, mercy,truth of Yeshua
Blood atonement of Yeshua which cleanses me from all unrighteousness

Hanukah The Feast of Dedication

Hanukah comes at an early time this year and is the perfect time to celebrate along with Thanksgiving.  Both are a celebration of G-d's goodness in what He has done for us.  The miracle of the one day supply of the holy oil lasting eight days until more was available is very thank worthy to the L-RD and His abundant mercy in allowing the pilgrims to make it through the first year of hardships is also thank worthy to the L-RD.  We have a holy G-d that cares for his creatures.  Praise ye the L-RD.

The benefits of being justified by faith

Faith and works do not produce the same results.  Here is  a look of results of faith.


The first benefit of being justified by faith is peace with G-d. "Therefore being justified by faith we have peace with G-d through our L-rd Yeshua Messiah."



Other benefits are, we have access by faith into this grace, rejoice in hope,glorying in tribulation knowing that tribulation works patience, and patience , experience and experience, hope. The love of G-d is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.  A person will be saved from wrath through him.  There is  joy in G-d through our L-rd Yeshua Messiah whom we have received the atonement.



The scriptures says it this way "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with G-d through our L-rd Yeshua Messiah: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of G-d. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed because the love of G-d is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Messiah died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But G-d commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Messiah died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to G-d by the death of his Son, much more being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in G-d through our L-rd Yeshua Messiah, by whom we have now received the atonement."

The benefits of faith are many and so mighty. I am praying that peoples eyes will be opened to this faith in Yeshua Messiah.

Faith verses Works

Immanuel, G-d with us, (Isaiah 7:14 in the Tenach and John 1:1,3,14 in the New Covenant) was realized in the coming of Yeshua. G-d clothed himself in our human nature, not our carnal nature. G-d humbled himself to take on human flesh to suffer and pay the penalty for our sins. The blood shed on the tree was the atoning blood of G-d.( Leviticus 17:11 in the Tenach and Hebrews 9:12 in the New Covenant) What does this mean to you personally? Does it cause you to repent toward G-d with a godly sorrow and have faith toward our L-rd Yeshua?

All religions make a person work for righteousness and to be good enough to go to heaven. No religion tells how much or what is enough to gain heaven. G-d's way is to give a person His righteousness when we humble ourselves and repent toward G-d and have faith toward our L-RD Yeshua.

Is your life based on "good works" or on faith , or does it matter to you?