Thursday, October 31, 2013

31 Days of His Wisdom - Day 31 - A Virtuous Woman

Our dear friend, Barbara, who makes the challah for us each Sabbath
Doesn't Barbara look like the perfect Proverbs 31 woman? (Kind of reminds you of Martha Stewart, right?)   She is a very good example of a what the chapter talks about. She loves the L-rd, her family, and her neighbors...plus she has her own business on top of all that.  


My favorite chapter of Proverbs ends this 31-day series.  Proverbs 31 describes a capable wife.  There is so much in this chapter, but this part is my focus for today:


ע 25 Clothed with strength and dignity,
        she can laugh at the days to come.
פ 26When she opens her mouth, she speaks wisely;
        on her tongue is loving instruction.
צ 27 She watches how things go in her house,
        not eating the bread of idleness.
ק 28 Her children arise; they make her happy;
        her husband too, as he praises her:
ר 29 “Many women have done wonderful things,
        but you surpass them all!”
ש 30 Charm can lie, beauty can vanish,
        but a woman who fears Adonai should be praised.
ת 31 Give her a share in what she produces;
        let her works speak her praises at the city gates.

As a young woman in my twenties, I attended a workshop about this chapter.  All the things a wife should do for her home, husband, children, and community seemed overwhelming at first, but since that day, I have aspired to become this kind of woman.

A year ago, I lost a dear friend, who I think was the epitomy of the Proverbs 31 woman.  I still can't think of her without crying. She was a joy and an inspiration to everyone who knew her. We were kindred spirits in the desire of our hearts.  This is her quote: "I am very focused... on my home and family...children and grandchildren.  The desire of my heart is multi-generational faithfulness to G-d, that they would know Him and walk in His ways." ~clb.  The words on her grave are her legacy:



Every morning when I wake up, my husband says, "Good morning, gorgeous!"  I love that he thinks I'm beautiful, but as verse thirty says, "beauty can vanish".  I know that the most important thing is to fear ADONAI (obey Him).  My prayer is that I would be remembered, not for my beauty, but for my life lived for His glory.  Like my friend, Cheryl, I also pray for future generations to follow Him. 

 If you've never read this chapter, I pray you will study it verse by verse and think about whether or not you are doing what the verse describes. 

Next week, in my Wisdom Wednesday feature, I will do a more in-depth explanation of how the chapter can guide us in today's world. 

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Quotations are from The Complete Jewish Bible
Each time I read through Proverbs, something different jumps out at me.  This is ADONAI quickening His Word to my heart.  

As I go through this month of studying Proverbs, I hope you'll join me and read the chapter, too.  I'll share what stands out to me for that day.  

I'd love for you to share something He shows you through the day's reading. 
I'll be linking these posts to the 31 Days event at The Nester


This 31 day series will focus on the things I learned from Proverbs, as well as some things from Torah study, and will add in a sprinkling of what I've learned from Judaism. 

I will be posting daily through October 31.  To read the posts, just go to the Labels section on the left, and click on "31 Days of His Wisdom".

^^^



I'm sharing this post with:
Spiritual Sundays

Let's Get Social Sunday

A Wise Woman Builds

Thought Provoking Thursday
Hearts for Home
Favorite Things
 
Faith Filled Friday

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

31 Days of His Wisdom - Day 30 - Which Bible Version?




source Microsoft Office.com

5 Every word of G-d’s is pure;
    He shields those taking refuge in Him.
Don’t add anything to His words;
    or He will rebuke you, and you be found a liar.

In Judaism, the Torah is the basis of all teaching. I said yesterday that reading the Scriptures, especially the New Testament, through the lens of the Torah aids in understanding.   I'd like to give some background on why this is so important.

The Torah contains the first five books of the Old Testament.  These were given to Moses by G-d .  These words have been preserved through thousands of years with great meticulous care.  

The Hebrew language is more than just a language.  It contains the mind of ADONAI.  Each letter teaches a lesson.  The way the lines are set up is important.  The spacing is important.  All of these things combine to make a source of wisdom unseen in the volumes most people hold in their hands today.

A sefer is someone who has gone to school for many years to learn how to write Hebrew and the Torah so that no mistakes can be made.  Torah scrolls have been written the same way for thousands of years.  This is very important so that the message is not changed or diluted in any way.

Can you see what a difference there is between the Torah and the modern-day translations we use?  So many things have been changed to reflect present culture. For instance, I learned recently about a new translation that is gender neutral.  That is wrong. 

I've also seen translations that remove the words related to homosexuality because that would offend those who are homosexual.  This is definitely wrong.  

The Roman Catholic Church destroyed original manuscripts of the New Testament documents, so who knows what the originals had to say?  We know that they stripped all Jewishness from their church, changed the Sabbath, and replaced G-d's Feasts and Festivals with pagan holidays.

We do know that the disciples were Jews, and they would not have written in Greek.  Yet, how often have you heard preachers refer to the Greek translation for the meaning of a passage?

Trust me on this point:  The Jews did not then, and do not now, think from a Greek point of view.  So, I am not interested in the Greek.  I want to know the Jewish perspective.  I think that would be more accurate, don't you?  
 
When my husband, Rabbi Jem, and I got married, we read Proverbs together daily.  I read from the King James Version, while he read from the Hebrew.  I was amazed at the difference in many passages.  This made me realize the in-fallibility of that version. I had to conclude that the closer I got to the Hebrew, the better.

I am sure that thinking along this line is disconcerting to you if you have been brought up in the Greek mindset, following the pagan customs of the Christian church.  It was frightening to me at first.  I grew up with a preacher telling me that the King James Version was the infallible word of the L-rd.  It is not.  It is a translation and it contains many instances of wrong translation.  

This is why a study of the Torah enables one to understand the New Testament.  It helps one understand Yeshua's words and actions.  He did not say or do anything that contradicts the Torah.  He even said, "I have not come to do away with the Torah, but to fulfill it."  He showed us how to live in obedience to it.  He did not abandon Judaism, and He did not start a new religion. 

I'm sure I've given you something to think about, and I hope and pray you will consider this and seek G-d's face on these points.


^^^^^

Quotations are from The Complete Jewish Bible

Each time I read through Proverbs, something different jumps out at me.  This is ADONAI quickening His Word to my heart.  

As I go through this month of studying Proverbs, I hope you'll join me and read the chapter, too.  I'll share what stands out to me for that day.  

I'd love for you to share something He shows you through the day's reading. 
I'll be linking these posts to the 31 Days event at The Nester


This 31 day series will focus on the things I learned from Proverbs, as well as some things from Torah study, and will add in a sprinkling of what I've learned from Judaism. 

I will be posting daily through October 31.  To read the posts, just go to the Labels section on the left, and click on "31 Days of His Wisdom".

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

31 Days of His Wisdom - Day 29 - Child Rearing

source Microsoft Office.com


 Proverbs 29 today, and this verse caught my eye and my spirit:


17 Discipline your son, and he will give you rest;
    yes, he will be your delight.

G-d blessed me with two lovely children who were and are, to this day, my delight.

I thoroughly enjoyed the years they lived at home, and the problems I had with them were minimal.  I credit this to strong discipline, and to rearing them with Biblical values.  Yes, they were spanked, and they both turned out to be lovely women and are responsible adults.   

If you've ever been around children who are not well disciplined, you can get a great perspective on this verse.  I'm sure, like me, you've been in a department or grocery store and seen a little one running around like a wild animal, wrecking the store, screaming like a banshee, and making everyone around them miserable.  If you watch the parent, you will see one of two things:  they will either ignore the child or they will scream at him / her. Needless to say, neither of these two methods of child rearing work.  

On the other hand, I've seen a young mother with five children in tow.  They hold each other's hands, walk quietly together, and do exactly what their mother says, when she says it.  When I see this, I always speak to the parent and commend them for their child-rearing skills. 

I understand exceptions apply because of medical /mental issues, but for the most part, children misbehave because they can get away with it.  If they have firm boundaries, they will be happy and will make their parents happy, too.  

My children were both very strong-willed, and one much more so than the other.  My second daughter had to be disciplined over and over again for the same issues.  There were days I thought I would just give up, but I knew discipline includes consistency.  I'd go into my bedroom and cry and pray for strength to be firm and apply the discipline, even though I was ready to give in.  It paid off.  She eventually knew I meant business and that she would not have her way.  

I tell you this story to give you courage, young mothers.  Stand your ground and be firm because the book of Proverbs teaches over and over that discipline is important in child rearing.  Proverbs 22:15 says

Doing wrong is firmly tied to the heart of a child,
    but the rod of discipline will drive it far away from him.

and Proverbs 19:18 says:
  
Discipline your son while there is hope, and do not give in to his crying. (KJV)

The Complete Jewish Version says:  don't be so angry that you kill him.  

This is important.  I can remember being angry with my children, so be careful to give yourself time out to get your emotions under control before you discipline them.  They will cry.  They won't like being disciplined.  But, think it through, be consistent, and assure them of your love always.

I encourage you to read through Proverbs, making note of the verses that deal with how to discipline and rear children.  You will be amazed.  

Disciplining children is not easy, but it is worth it -  for you, as well as the child.  


^^^
Quotations are from The Complete Jewish Bible

Each time I read through Proverbs, something different jumps out at me.  This is ADONAI quickening His Word to my heart.  

As I go through this month of studying Proverbs, I hope you'll join me and read the chapter, too.  I'll share what stands out to me for that day.  

I'd love for you to share something He shows you through the day's reading. 
I'll be linking these posts to the 31 Days event at The Nester


This 31 day series will focus on the things I learned from Proverbs, as well as some things from Torah study, and will add in a sprinkling of what I've learned from Judaism. 

I will be posting daily through October 31.  To read the posts, just go to the Labels section on the left, and click on "31 Days of His Wisdom".

Monday, October 28, 2013

31 Days of His Wisdom - Day 28 - Torah and Teshuva


Ma'gen Da'vid's Torah scroll

Proverbs 28 is my focus today, and this verse is so important:

Those who abandon Torah praise the wicked,
    but those who keep Torah fight them.

I've written about this before, but I must address it once again.  Torah is Life.  The truths found in the first five books of the Holy Scriptures are very important to living a life of success and peace.  Those truths destroy evil.

Many of the things taught in Torah have been diluted, ignored, and completely rejected by many who call themselves believers today.  Yeshua (Jesus the Messiah) did not say to do this.  Nowhere will you find that He said to reject the Torah.  

Yeshua was an observant Jew who studied and obeyed the Torah.  He spoke out against the religious leaders who had substituted their own man-made laws for G-d's holy truths. 

He said, "If you love me, keep my commandments."  He was G-d in the flesh, and He was speaking of the commandments in the Torah.

He observed the Feasts and Festivals commanded in Leviticus (Vayekra in Hebrew).

He observed the Sabbath commanded in the Ten Commandments so popular in churches today.  Yet, the Command about the Sabbath is disobeyed.  Nowhere in the New Testament will you find that G-d changed His mind about it.

He observed the dietary laws commanded in Torah.  I know your first thought is, "Paul said..."  Paul's statements have been perverted, and totally misunderstood.**  

Most of all, Yeshua preached  teshuva which is Hebrew for repent, and carries the meaning return to Torah.   John the Baptist preached teshuva prior to Yeshua's coming on the scene.  The disciples preached teshuva after Yeshua's death and resurrection. 

Teshuva is the great need of our world today.  We live in a world of the feel-good message and easy-believism.  Repentance is not preached and is not practiced, and many will be surprised when they hear G-d say, "Depart from Me.  I never knew you."

The Torah is a life preserver, and the New Testament should be read throught he lens of the Torah in order to understand Scripture.  When I learned this, my questions were all answered.***

If the things I've said here make you feel uncomfortable, the Holy Spirit is speaking to you.  Seek His face, and His wisdom...not your denomination, your preacher, or your religion.  I don't want you to hear G-d tell you to depart when you stand before Him in judgement.


**If you want to learn the truth about Paul and the dietary laws, please get the book The Genesis Diet by Gordon Tessler.  Very helpful.  

***I also recommend the book Our Father Abraham  - Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith by Marvin R. Wilson.  This book will explain how the Jewishness of faith in Yeshua was stripped out, and replaced with a great deal of lies and paganism.  After I read this book, I cried out to G-d for wisdom, and was led to Messianic Judaism.

^^^



Quotations are from The Complete Jewish Bible

Each time I read through Proverbs, something different jumps out at me.  This is ADONAI quickening His Word to my heart.  

As I go through this month of studying Proverbs, I hope you'll join me and read the chapter, too.  I'll share what stands out to me for that day.  

I'd love for you to share something He shows you through the day's reading. 
I'll be linking these posts to the 31 Days event at The Nester


This 31 day series will focus on the things I learned from Proverbs, as well as some things from Torah study, and will add in a sprinkling of what I've learned from Judaism. 

I will be posting daily through October 31.  To read the posts, just go to the Labels section on the left, and click on "31 Days of His Wisdom".

Sunday, October 27, 2013

31 Days of His Wisdom - Day 27 - Quiet Time

My veranda

Proverbs 27 contains one of my favorite verses:

14 Whoever greets his neighbor in a loud voice at dawn
    might just as well have cursed him.

Wisdom teaches us that mornings are supposed to be quiet.  No loud voices.  This is important, especially to me.

I'll never forget a ladies retreat I attended.  My roomie woke me up singing, "Good morning to YOU!" A soft song might have been nice, but she sang it in the loudest, most annoying voice you could imagine.  UGH!  

I said, "Alisha, did you know the Bible says that using a loud voice to someone in the morning is like cursing them?"

"It does not.."

"Oh, yes, it sure does.  I'll show you.....after I have my coffee."  

I love a quiet morning.  A cup of coffee on my veranda, listening to and watching the birds is how I like to start my day.  It is easy to praise Him when I see the beauty all around me and focus on the blessings in my life.  

Quietness helps me hear the voice of Hashem. There is no better way to start the day than seeking His face, listening to His voice and renewing my mind through reading the Holy Scripture.  My prayer mentor George Mueller said this daily discipline helped him get his soul in a happy state, and I agree with him.  Starting the day in quiet meditation sets the tone for a good day.


^ ^^^
31 Days of His Wisdom, discernment, Proverbs, Wisdom
Quotations are from The Complete Jewish Bible
Each time I read through Proverbs, something different jumps out at me.  This is ADONAI quickening His Word to my heart.  

As I go through this month of studying Proverbs, I hope you'll join me and read the chapter, too.  I'll share what stands out to me for that day.  

I'd love for you to share something He shows you through the day's reading. 
I'll be linking these posts to the 31 Days event at The Nester


This 31 day series will focus on the things I learned from Proverbs, as well as some things from Torah study, and will add in a sprinkling of what I've learned from Judaism. 

I will be posting daily through October 31.  To read the posts, just go to the Labels section on the left, and click on "31 Days of His Wisdom".


^^^
 I'm sharing this post with:
Spiritual Sundays

Let's Get Social Sunday

Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers!
A Wise Woman Builds

Thought Provoking Thursday
Hearts for Home
Favorite Things
 
Faith Filled Friday
Friendship Friday