Showing posts with label truth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label truth. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

Wisdom Wednesdays - Emet / Truth


Hebrew is a unique and fascinating language.  The graphic above explains the Hebrew word "emet" which means truth.  (graphic from MiYah Music)

An understanding of Torah and Hebrew are vital to understanding the New Testament.  The graphic above is a perfect example.  If you, like me, were taught a Christian view and theology, you know the verse from Revelation 22:13 as, "I am the (alpha)beginning and the (omega)end."  This is because modern translations are from the Greek.  As the saying goes, "A lot gets lost in translation."

Remember, when Yeshua spoke the following words, He was speaking in Aramaic / Hebrew.  Truth was understood to mean Torah.  He was speaking of Himself as the embodiment of Torah (the living Torah).  Ponder these words:

I am the way, the truth (emet) and the life. (John 14:6)


You will know the truth (emet), and the truth (emet) will make you free. (John 8:32)



But the time is coming — indeed, it’s here now — when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth (emet), for these are the kind of people the Father wants worshipping him.
 (John 4:23)


The  119th Psalm is all about truth.  When you read/study it, keep the word emet in mind.  Here are just a few examples:

Your righteousness is eternal righteousness, and your Torah is truth (emet).  (Psalm 119:142)
You are close by, ADONAI, and all of your commandments are truth (emet).  (Psalm 119:151)

With reference to the graphic: If you erase the alef, you are left with mem and tav, which is the Hebrew word "met," which means  "death." We must have the whole truth which leads to life - not half-truths.

 
Beloved, are you following the "emet"? Or are you following half truths?  I asked myself this question almost twenty years ago.  I sought His wisdom and He led me to emet.

You can learn more about Messianic Judaism at this LINK.

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I sometimes share my posts with these friends: 

Spiritual Sundays     GRAND Social      Modest Mom Monday Link-up      The Art of Homemaking Mondays
   BLOGGING GRANDMOTHERS LINK PARTYTitus 2 Tuesday       TITUS TUESDAYS @CORNERSTONE CONFESSIONS    Share Your Cup Wednesday Wordless Wednesdays    Classical Homemaking Link-Up        Favorite Things Home and Garden Thursday at Delightsome Life  Paula's Weekend No Rules Blog Party Friendship Friday

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Guts, Truth, and Common Sense


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The horrible tragedy in Charlottesville, Virginia this week has been heavy on my mind.  It's spurred me on to write this post.

I'll start out by letting you know that I condemn every hate group represented at that event.  My heart breaks for the mother who lost her daughter, and for those who were injured.  Violence revolts me.

Second, I'll say that the Confederate flag is not a symbol of white supremacy for me.  I'm a Southern gal whose ancestors fought in the Civil War.  I'm proud of my heritage, and I fly that flag in my yard to show my love for the South.  I'm not a racist.   We are Jews, and we know about hate, bigotry, and racism from personal experience.  My husband is a Southerner and a historian of the Civil War.  He has done years of research on the subject and speaks to groups to help them understand the truth about our heritage.  The characterization of Southerners as racist bigots is a lie propagated by the media, plain and simple.  I must remind you that we, as Southerners, have the First Amendment right to express our views and to fly our flag without fear.

Third, it is still not clear to me which group was permitted first to hold a protest in Charlottesville.  If it was a group such as the Sons of Confederate Veterans wanting to protect their Southern heritage, then I'm with them one hundred percent.  If it was a hate group that claims whites are superior to other races, then I'm one hundred percent against them.

The videos of the violence turned my stomach.  The way the network news handled it made me even sicker.   I began to feel hopelessness creep in.  I feel that every time I watch the network news.

But then, I watched President Trump's press conference yesterday and felt a great surge of hope shower over me.  I heard him say that ALL of the hate groups were at fault and condemned their actions.  He then went on to say (about the removal of Confederate statues), "Where do we go from here?  Will Lincoln or Washington or Jefferson statues have to be removed?  Where does this end?"

Finally, the voice of common sense was raised.  The truth was spoken.   My hope was renewed.  I sat still, basking in the knowledge that we have a great president.  I felt so glad that he's not afraid to speak up against the evil things happening in my country.


I've felt that hope every time he comes out with his frank expressions of truth.  America has lacked truth and common sense for a long time, my friends.  We've watched politicians pad their pocketbooks and their pride with backroom deals and good old boy shenanigans till we got sick of it.  We voted for Trump because he said he would "MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN."  He talked about "draining the swamp," and we liked that.  We liked that he wasn't part of the swamp, and he didn't need anybody's money to build his empire.

So, he was elected. . . and now all of the devils in hell have come forth to beat him to a pulp.  They've been saying for the past two years that he could not get past his latest tweet, but he comes through with flying colors every time.  Why? Because we read his tweets and we like what he says.  We like that his words can't be twisted by the media propagandists.

I made the mistake of watching the network news again last night,  just to see if they'd air his entire statement.  Of course not! But they did air his condemnation of the hate groups and violence.  And they aired the statement about "where does it end?" Hip! Hip! Hooray!  But, I waited too long to turn it off.  They began to twist his words, and attack him without mercy.  I got so mad, I wanted to throw my shoe at the TV.  My calm, level-headed husband calmed me down and told me everything would be okay.

He's told me that so many times, friends.  I'm beginning to believe him now because I can see that Trump is not going to back down.  He's not going to cower and run away with his tail between his legs.  He's a man of conviction, and he's going to fight for us.  He IS fighting for us.  You won't hear about the good things he's done on the network news.

I encourage you to read and listen to the news from alternative sources.  Turn off the propaganda.  Read Trump's tweets.  Watch videos on Twitter and YouTube to hear his words without edits.  Here's the full press conference from yesterday.  This is from Fox New Phoenix.


Please pray for our President.  He's got a hard row to hoe, as my daddy used to say.  It's a big job to drain the swamp, and he has to fight off vicious snakes (politicians) and alligators (the liberal media), and it's not going to be easy.  Pray that he will be protected and that G-d will lead him in the paths of righteousness and justice.

Two years ago, I prayed and hoped for a change when the time drew near for Obama to leave office.  Donald Trump was not my first choice, but I am well pleased with the job he's done since taking office.  The man has a deep love of America, is unafraid to speak the truth, and he has common sense.

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I sometimes share my posts with these friends: 

Spiritual Sundays     GRAND Social      Modest Mom Monday Link-up      The Art of Homemaking Mondays
   BLOGGING GRANDMOTHERS LINK PARTYTitus 2 Tuesday       TITUS TUESDAYS @CORNERSTONE CONFESSIONS    Share Your Cup Wednesday Wordless Wednesdays    Classical Homemaking Link-Up        Favorite Things Home and Garden Thursday at Delightsome Life  Paula's Weekend No Rules Blog Party Friendship Friday

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Wisdom Wednesdays # - Are you seeking the Truth?


I am so grateful for my Bible.  It helps me see the good and the beautiful in my life.  The Scriptures have led me to wisdom, which is more valuable than any amount of money.  A billion dollar lottery is tiny compared to the wealth of wisdom. 

In my reading of the Scriptures today, I was impressed with this passage in Proverbs 3, and I highlighted the benefits of following G-d's ways:

13 Happy the person who finds wisdom,
the person who acquires understanding;
14 for her profit exceeds that of silver,
gaining her is better than gold,
15 she is more precious than pearls —
nothing you want can compare with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand,
riches and honor in her left.
17 Her ways are pleasant ways,
and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who grasp her;
whoever holds fast to her will be made happy.

And there is even more.  I encourage you to read the whole chapter and write down the many gifts of wisdom.  

True wisdom is not just reading the Scripture.  Wisdom is obedience to G-d's ways...not the ways of men, churches, religions, or denominations.  

I can't tell you how many times I've heard teachers and preachers say, "The Old Testament is not relevant to today."  And yet, those same teachers pick and choose the parts of the Old Testament they like.  A good example is tithing.  Yes, they love that one.

Beloved, these are false teachers.  Yeshua said they are ravenous wolves who have come to kill, steal and destroy the sheep (Matthew 7:15-20)  Don't follow a teacher who disregards the Torah** and the Old Testament.  Yeshua embraced it and obeyed it.  After all, He is the author.  He is the G-d of the entire Old Testament.  He is the same yesterday, today and forever.  (Hebrews 13:8)

Yeshua also said, "If you love me, keep my commandments."  (John 14:15)  Remember, the New Testament had not been written at that time.  Also keep in mind, Yeshua is G-d in the flesh, the author of Torah.  

Until I began to study Torah, I puzzled over some of the sayings of Yeshua.  Now I understand them.  I encourage you to study the Torah.  It is the basis of all understanding of Scripture.  It is the source of wisdom (Truth).

One day we'll stand before G-d and answer to Him alone. So, don't look to a man, a religion, a denomination, or a teacher. Get on your knees with your Bible and seek Him alone. If you are sincerely seeking, you will find the Truth. Then, it's up to you to obey it.  

Remember the Ethiopian eunuch - he was reading the scroll of Isaiah, and seeking to understand.  G-d sent His messenger, Phillip,  to guide him to the Truth (Acts 8:26-40).  If you seek, you will find:


Matthew 7:7
“Keep asking, and it will be given to you; keep seeking, and you will find; keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you.


2 Chronicles 15:2
He went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa, and all Y’hudah and Binyamin! Adonai is with you, as long as you are with him; if you seek him, you will find him; but if you abandon him, he will abandon you!

I believe our lives, families, country, and the world can find peace if wisdom is found and applied.  The chapter quoted in Chronicles above is a good example.  Wisdom (obedience to ADONAI) has been replaced with un-truths and half-truths (lies), and society is bearing the consequences.

I encourage you to read 2 Chronicles 15, Matthew 7, and Proverbs 3.  They are all related.  The common theme is "wisdom equals obedience to G-d's ways".

Here is what the Bible says about Truth:  "Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your Law (Torah) is Truth."  (Psalm 119:142)   The whole chapter is compelling if your are sincerely seeking the Truth.


** The Torah includes the first five books of the Bible:  Genesis, Exodux, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.
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  I'm linking up today with:

 
Spiritual Sunday

GRAND Social

All Things Bright and Beautiful Link-Up
 The Gathering Spot Link-Up

Modest Mom Monday Link-up 
Share Your Stuff Tuesday

Jenny's Monday Meet-Up



Winsome Wednesday A Wise Woman Builds
Whole Hearted Wednesday 
Wake Up Wednesday

Hearts for Home
Favorite Things 

Fab Creative Friday
Friendship Friday 
Freedom Friday

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Wisdom Wednesday #9 - Wise Words

 

This week in our study of Proverbs 31, we look at this verse:

פ 26 When she opens her mouth, she speaks wisely;
        on her tongue is loving instruction.


Oh, what an admonition.  This is the desire of my heart - to speak word of wisdom in a loving and kind way.   

Words are all around us - on television, in music, books and magazines, on billboards, signs and bumper stickers, and now the internet.  Some words are good, some are mediocre, and some are destructive.

There is a computer term called GIGO, which means "garbage in - garbage out".  In other words, what comes out of the computer program is only as good as what is put in by the programmer.  The same is true of our minds and words.  If we put garbage in our minds, garbage will come out of our mouths.  

Daily input of G-d's Word / Wisdom will produce words of wisdom and kindness.   This is greatly needed in our world today.  There is so much mean, tough talk.  So much cursing and profanity.  

I learned to cuss growing up at home.  My father used every cuss word you've ever heard.  So cussing became a part of my mind, even though I didn't cuss at home in front of my parents.  Later, when I left home, I cussed.  

When I started going to church, in my twenties, and was around Christian people, I learned a new way of talking.  It felt like a whole new world.  It was.  A world where people spoke with kindness, love and caring. Speaking with love is important and needed, but there is more to this verse.  

Speaking with wisdom is mentioned first, and is the most important thing, because if all I do is speak with love and kindness, and don't speak wisdom, I have failed you and G-d.


This verse explains my point:

Grace and truth have met together;
justice and peace have kissed each other.
(Psalm 85:10) 

G-d is both grace and truth because they work together.  One without the other is not a representation of Him. I pray to daily speak truth with love.

Our world needs love, yes, but truth is needed, too.  I remember giving a speech about abortion in college a few years ago.  After the class, several young students came up to me with tears in their eyes, saying they'd never heard the truth about abortion.  What an opportunity to share G-d's wisdom and mercy.  

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Prayer for America - Day 17




This post is part of a 31 day series from the American Prayer Initiative
You can sign up at the link and have the prayers sent to you daily in your
 e-mail box.  I encourage you to join us in praying daily for America
up through the general election on November 6, 2012.

Truth
Suggested Scriptural references ...
Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.  John 17:17
If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.  John 8:31b-32
Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the G-d of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.   Psalm 25:5
When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth.  John 16:13

Suggested prayers ...
We ask for a renewed hunger for Your Truth in our land.
We ask You to give us a renewed hunger for Your word.  May we rediscover both individually and corporately as a nation, that Your Word not only lights our path, but provides the roadmap for our journey through life.  May we discover how Your Truth not only protects, but truly liberates anyone who allows its precepts to be written on the tablets of the human heart.
Draw us, O G-d, to a reverence for the truth of Your Word.
Grant us the ability to understand right and wrong as defined and determined by Your truth.
We ask You, Father, to grant Americans the ability to know Your true character, and to surrender our man-made images of who You might be.
We ask that self-evident truths become self-evident once again.
We ask You, Father, to grant Americans the wisdom to discern truth from deception.
We ask that Americans will be lovers of truth, rejecting false witness and distortions of the truth.
In love and humility, may we serve as Your truth Ambassadors.  Show us Your perfect balance of living gracefully while championing truth.  May our lives be evidence of Your goodness and righteousness.

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Yes, Father, I agree and  offer these prayers in the name of Yeshua Ha-Mashiach. Amain.