Grandchildren, dementia, and life in general

This is a repost from three years ago.  Even as Ed's health is decreasing,  G-d does not change.  Hope this is an encouragement to you.

For the past week we have had nine grandchildren here( not all to once).  Now grandchildren on any level are interesting.  These were no different.  They are a blessing and so different from each other.  They are an amusement to my husband and helps him to enjoy life a little bit.  ("Children's children are the crown of old men;..."Proverbs 17:6a)
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Ed's dementia has increase.  He has had schizophrenia for years, now he also has dementia.   As the doctor said, "he could loose quite a bit of his memory and it not be noticeable because he is so intelligent". Sometimes he uses the wrong word for what he is trying to say, doesn't remember what was told him, tires from activity easily, gets the time of day turned around, doesn't know the day,month,etc.("He removeth away the speech of the trusty, and taketh away the understanding of the aged." Job 12:20)

What I just wrote is a picture of real life, good and bad.  One thing that makes life worth living is the joy G-d gives us each day in small things and in bad situations,God's wisdom to see life in terms of eternity (Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel and afterwards receive me to glory."  Psalms 73:24), the Bible's truths being lived out in front of my eyes("For ever, O L-RD, thy word is settled in heaven.") .Enjoy the day, be thankful for what you have, love the L-RD with all your heart.  You will not regret it.("This is the day which the L-RD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalms118:24)

Two things

This is an interesting petition found in the book of Proverbs(chapter 30:7-9)

"Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die: Remove far from me vanity and lies; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me; Lest I be full; and deny thee, and say , Who is the L-RD? or lest I be poor, and steal. and take the name of my G-d in vain."

It is good to be content with such things as we have and to be thankful to G-d for them. When we have abundance it gives us a false sense of security and causes us to think we do not need G-d. When we lack the necessities of life we want to curse G-d and blame Him for our lack. Those who have put trust in Yeshua have an inheritance in heaven where moth and rust does not corrupt and thieves do not break in and steal.

The Power of The Devil

"Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and delivered them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham" Hebrews 2:14-16

We are made of flesh and blood so Yeshua (Jesus) also took part of flesh and blood. (Yeshua's blood being G-d's blood-Acts 20:28). Through Yeshua's death and bodily resurrection the Devil's power over death was destroyed. For those that have put their faith in Yeshua there is no more need to fear death. We are secure in Him.

Gentile=Catholic=Christian

Some Jews are fearful of embracing Messiah because they belief that would make them a Goy(Gentile) and all Gentiles are Catholic which is Christian.

First of all, nothing can change you physically from what you already are no matter what you believe. Beliefs change your position spiritually with G-d, not physically with G-d.

Second, all Gentiles are not Catholic. There are many religions among the Gentiles and only one of them is Catholic.

Thirdly Catholics are not Christian believers. Catholics say they are Christian but a Christian believer is one who believes in the Trinity, that there is one mediator between G-d and man and that is the man Christ(Messiah) Jesus(Yeshua), the Bible is the final authority, no one and nothing else is the final authority. Turning to G-d from idols, having faith in the finished work of the Messiah. in the blood of Jesus(Yeshua) and his resurrection redeems a person and makes them a new creature, giving them a home in heaven when they leave this earth.

There are many other differences between a Catholic and a Christian believer. When a person truly embraces the Messiah they become G-d's child, spiritually Jewish, and changed inwardly forever.

Still singing

If you enjoy singing you are not alone.  Singing is an important part of worshiping the L-RD.

"And all the congregation worshipped, and the singers sang..." II Chronicles 29:28
"And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the L-RD;because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel." Ezra 3:11
"Serve the L-RD with gladness: come before his presence with singing." Psalm100:2

Not only do we enjoy singing or listening to singing but one day The L-RD thy G-d  will sing over Israel.
 
"Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.  The L-RD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the L-RD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil anymore.  In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack.  The L-RD thy G-d in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing."

Change

The people voted for change in 2008 and America is changing rapidly which makes for instability. There are some things that will never change and we can rest on them.

1. "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." The scriptures will always be . They will not change

2. "Jesus Christ(Yeshua Messiah) the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." The Redeemer never changes.

Read the scriptures and learn about the unchanging Redeemer.

Hanukkah and Nativity - Yeshua's message for Hanukkah

This year hanukkah ends the day before the celebration of the nativity of the Messiah.  We have 16 grandchildren that enjoy  Hanukkah and also look forward to celebrating nativity .  One of the children noticed these celebrations came one after the other this year and thought it was neat.

Hanukkah is not mentioned in the Tenach for obvious reasons.  The writings of the Tenach had been completed before the miracle of Hanukkah took place.  Hanukkah, also know as the feast of dedication,  is mentioned in the New Covenant. We think of the defeat of the enemy and the cleansing of the temple and the miracle of the oil lasting 8 days until more was able to be dedicated for the light.  I can think of a lot of verses to go along with this feast but lets see what Yeshua ( known as the light of the world) said on Hanukkah to the Jews(when the word Jew is used most of the time it refers to the leaders, especially the spiritual leaders of the Jewish people of the day, it does not refer to the common people).

"And it was at Jerusalem, the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.  And Yeshua walked in the temple in Solomon's porch.   Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ(Greek word for Messiah), tell us plainly.  Yeshua answered them, I told you, and ye believed not; the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.  But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish,neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.  My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand,  I and my Father are one".    This is Yeshua's message for Hanukkah.  May people hear his message.

To those that have reason to celebrate the nativity of the Messiah may you be blessed with His peace throughout the Year. May you love His law and nothing will offend you.