Received: from latitude [196.25.32.23] by mail.end-time-issues.org.za with ESMTP (SMTPD32-5.05) id A118E64A012E; Tue, 07 Aug 2001 12:27:20 +0200 Message-ID: <013f01c11f2b$38acfb80$180bfea9@latitude> Reply-To: "Lists@End Time Issues" From: "Lists@End Time Issues" To: "Lists@ End Time Issues" Subject: [ETI Main, html, Summary 1A1.01.08.04] Becoming The Bride He Wants Date: Tue, 7 Aug 2001 11:27:12 +0200 Organization: End Time Issues MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="----=_NextPart_000_00BB_01C11F33.E7076820" X-Priority: 3 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 5.50.4133.2400 X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V5.50.4133.2400 X-RCPT-TO: X-UIDL: 44 Status: U This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_00BB_01C11F33.E7076820 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Greetings Received this today and felt it was worth passing on. Shalom aleichem (peace be with you) , James Robertson END TIME ISSUE MINISTRIES james@end-time-issues.org.za Tel : (0027)-(0)-11-791-2327 Cell: (0027)-(0)-83-251-6644 Fax: (0027)-(0)-11-791-5004 PostNet Suite 143, Private Bag X10030, Randburg, 2125, Republic of South = Africa >>FORWARD STARTS<< Norman, This is an old writing of mine that I thought you might appreciate. It = could use some updating but I really don't have time right now. One = thing I will add though is a thought that I recently read in a book: " = There is a subtle misunderstanding often taught in spiritual circles = that actually diminishes the greatness of our Elohim. We hear it in = statements like "She really sacrificed her life for Elohim" or Elohim = deserves my very best." We are being presumptuous, acting as if we have = something we did not receive, when we think Elohim is enriched by the = things we do, the money we give, the ministry we are involved in, or the = sacrificial choices we make. It would be like a beggar on the street = trying to give you fifty cents to say thanks for the twenty you just = gave him. He is the one in need but acts as if he has something to give, = when all he has is what you've given him."=20 I think you will like this rendition of giving. It is simple. But you = could use some simple now and then.=20 [She=92s right: To my shame. I could use some simple now and then. I ask = you please to pray for my increased humility. I need it. - - Norman] Bless you, Lee=20 Giving to Elohim: Let=92s do a study on tithing. Don=92t worry, this study is intended to = be delivered without the pain and chains attached. The Body of Messiah = has been terribly abused by a shallow worldview of this issue and needs = to be set free to give. In Malachi we can find the meat of the matter in chapter 3 verses 6-12. = In verse 6 YHWH establishes the fact that He never changes. It is His = people who do the changing and disregard His ordinances, and in this = particular passage it is the ordinance of tithing He is talking about. = Looking up the word "ordinances" in the Strong=92s, I found that it = could mean "customs." When that word is used today it is usually talking = about another country. I like to consider the Kingdom of Elohim as = another country... "A city whose builder and maker is Elohim." = Elohim=92s Kingdom has different customs than the kingdoms of this = world. Let=92s take a look at some of them as they compare to each = other. Elohim=92s customs seem to be quite different than ours. 1. Elohim says, "Give and it shall be given" We say, "Give to me first = and then I=92ll give." 2. "While we were yet sinners Christ died for us." We say, "Clean up = your act and then I=92ll reward you." 3. "The last shall be first and the first shall be last." We say, "First = come first serve." 4. "Loose your life and you shall gain it." We say, "Live for today, for = tomorrow you may die." There are many other examples but I think I=92ve made my point.=20 Adonai (The Master) is waiting for His Bride Israel to reflect His value = system and walk in His customs rather than the worlds. When she begins = to look on His glorious face then "the things of this world will grow = strangely dim". When our faces are toward the world rather than the = creator of the world we then reflect the ways of the world. When our = faces are toward Adonai (The Master), looking into those eyes of fire, = we then begin to reflect His very character. Looking into the eyes of = her Beloved she would see some extravagant spending going on. His value = system becomes our own. Then the world sees something of heaven here on = earth.=20 Unfortunately the bride spends more time facing the seen worlds system = rather than the unseen Kingdom of Elohim, and so reflects its value = system; and we all know how the world deals with the "green stuff". The = bride is now a penny-pinching, looking-out-for-herself, = saving-up-for-retirement kind of woman. Is that the kind of bride that = Adonai (The Master) will come back for? I think not! He wants to share = eternity with someone who has more things in common with Him.=20 Elohim is longing to show us how things are done in His Kingdom. We = always pray "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in = heaven." Do we really know what we are asking for? His Kingdom has come = but we don=92t know the customs. Do we really want things to be done = like they are in the heavenly realm right here where we live? Have we = read the book of Revelation and seen what goes on there?=20 Now, let=92s look at the custom of giving in His Kingdom. Our Elohim = loves to give!=20 [Luke 6:38] "Give and it shall be given to you: A good measure, pressed = down and shaken together and running over will be put into your bosom. = For with the same measure with which you measure, it shall be measured = back to you." He wants us to have the joy of giving like He does, so we will read next = in Malachi a lesson in giving. We have robbed Elohim by not bringing our = tithes and offerings into the storehouse. We have robbed Him of the = freedom to give to us because in His Kingdom it is customary to give = first and then receive.=20 We must first give, in order to receive! That is the law of the Tithe. = If we don=92t understand or abide by the spiritual laws of His kingdom = then we miss out on some basic experiences that Elohim knows we will = enjoy. In the area of giving, money is a great place to start, but is by no = means the only thing we can give. Money is a big deal in our culture. = Our lives are centered about money in so many ways. We deal with it = every day, handling it and worrying about it. Money is a great place to = start because: "Where your treasure is, there your heart shall be also." = (Mattithyahu/ Matthew 6:21).=20 Elohim is after our hearts. Elohim is not after our money. He does not = need it, because He gives it to us. He is Yahovah Yireh. We need to = learn to give. Tithing is like an object lesson in giving. If we do well = we will have a greater understanding of how the economy works in the = Kingdom of Elohim. OK, now we can enter the message in Malachi. [Malachi 3:10] "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse and prove Me = now in this," says YHWH of hosts, "if I will not open for you the = windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not = be room enough to receive it." There are a few key words to deal with in this passage. I=92ll start = with the word storehouse. In the Strong=92s the meaning is "depository." = It could be likened to a bank account. I hear that the interest rate in = the Kingdom of Elohim is very high so our return might be "pressed down = shaken together and running over" with little risk, since Elohim never = changes. The word "prove" means to investigate. Hey! Check this out! A simple act = of obedience stirred by curiosity could uncover a great mystery. All we = need is a little generosity and then Elohim will be able to respond. He = wants to show His people how His economy works; but we must invest in it = first before we can reap the interest. We have to show Him that we trust = Him. It=92s simple! Now let=92s take a look at Elohim=92s response. See if I will not open = the floodgates of heaven=85. "The floodgates" refers to a gate used to = regulate the flow of water or smoke, according to the Strong=92s. Elohim = has the controls. But He will not open those gates until we invest in = His Kingdom.=20 I would like to take a little detour at this point to consider the = attitude one should have toward giving. I was struck by some passages in = Shemoth (Exodus) Chapter 35. In this chapter we find the people bringing = their riches together so that they may be used in the building of the = Temple of Elohim. Several key words stand out in this story. [Shemoth / Exodus 35:5] Whoever is of a willing heart let him bring... [35:21:] Everyone came, whose heart was stirred, and everyone whose = spirit was willing. [35:22:] They came, both men and women, as many as had a willing heart = and brought. [35:26:] and all the women whose hearts stirred with wisdom... [35:29:] The children of Yisra=92el brought a freewill offering to YHWH, = all the men and women whose hearts were willing. The word willing takes on greater meaning in the Strong=92s concordance. = It means, spontaneous, voluntary, abundant gift, plentiful, liberal, and = magnanimous. A sense of freedom and joy was in their hearts as they gave = to the work of Adonai (The Master). I love that their hearts were = stirred. I don=92t believe that this was a "grit your teeth and just do = it" situation. I believe the Spirit of Elohim gave them joy, as they = were being obedient to His stirrings. Only the ones who experienced the = stirring of the Spirit gave that day. Oh, that we would yield to that = stirring today! I would have loved to be there on that day. They were going against = everything they were taught by the world and entered into something Holy = that day. This story should be an inspiration to the Church today. Now, back to Malachi VS.10...=20 "=85And shall pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room = enough to receive it." (Malachi 3:10) Blessing means prosperity. Now I have my own opinions concerning what = kind of blessings He might be talking about here. I believe that when we = begin to enter into the Kingdoms value system and turn to look in = Elohim=92s face our value system begins to transform.=20 Romans 12:2 says, "Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed = by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and = acceptable and perfect will of Elohim." As we allow this transformation = to take place then we become more interested in the Kingdom of Elohim = rather than the Kingdom of man. Supernatural rather than natural, = eternal rather than temporal becomes our focus.=20 2 Corinthians, Chapters 4 and 5 are excellent reading on this subject. = Chapter 4 verse 18 says, "We do not look at the things which are seen, = but the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are = temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal."=20 Now let=92s look at some Scriptures that reveal the value system that = Elohim uses: [1st Corinthians 2:9-10] "But as it has been written: "Eye has not seen, = and ear has not heard, nor have entered into the heart of man what = Elohim has prepared for those who love Him." (Yeshayahu/ Isaiah 64:4) = [10] But Elohim has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the = Spirit searches all matters, even the depths of Elohim." [1st Timothy 6:17-19] "Charge those who are rich in this present age not = to be high-minded, nor to trust in the uncertainty of riches, but in the = living Elohim, who gives us richly all for enjoyment, to do good, and to = be rich in good works, to be generous, ready to share, storing up for = themselves a good foundation for the time to come, so that they lay hold = on everlasting life." [Ephesians 1:17-19:] "That the Elohim of our Master Yahoshua Messiah, = the Father of glory, would give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation = in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being = enlightened, so that you know what is the expectation of His calling, = and what are the riches of the esteem of His inheritance in the qodesh = (set-apart) ones, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power = toward us who are believing, according to the working of His mighty = strength." [Ephesians 3:8-9:] "To me, the very least of all the qodesh (set-apart) = ones, this favor was given, to bring the Good News (Aramaic: "Gilyon") = of the unsearchable riches of Messiah among the gentiles (Ephraim), and = to make all see how this secret is administered, which for ages past has = been hidden in Elohim who created all through Yahoshua Messiah." [Colossians1: 27-28:] "To whom Elohim desired to make known what are the = riches of the esteem (or glory) of this secret among the gentiles = (Ephraim): which is Messiah in you, the expectancy of esteem (or glory), = whom we announce, warning every man and teaching every man in all = wisdom, in order to present every man perfect in Yahoshua haMashiach." [Colossians 2:2-3:] "In order that their hearts might be encouraged, = being knit together in love, and to all riches of the entire = confirmation of understanding, to a true knowledge of the secret of = Elohim, and of the Father, and of the Messiah, in whom are hidden all = the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." [Romans 11:33] "Oh, the depths of riches, and wisdom and knowledge of = Elohim! How unsearchable His judgments and untraceable His ways!" We must be careful not to limit Elohim=92s blessings to that of the = natural realm. He is much greater! We must guard ourselves from lowering = His standards and allow Him to raise ours to His. He already came to our = world and experienced it. Now let us enter into His world and experience = it.=20 Over and over I can see worldly riches being spoken of negatively in the = Scriptures. They can be an intrusion in our relationship with the = spiritual realm. Mattithyahu (Matthew) 6:21 says, "Where your treasure = is there will be your heart." As stated before, "Elohim is after our = hearts", and if we have given them to the things of this world there = won=92t be much left for Elohim. I believe that when our hearts are = given over to Him then He can be free to prosper us in the natural = realm. Seeking first the Kingdom allows these things to be added to us. = When our priorities are set in order then the things of the world = don=92t own us any more. We can be free to enjoy them but not at the = expense of our relationship with Elohim. We are delivered of our idols. Malachi 3:11 "=91And I shall rebuke the devourer for you, so that it = does not destroy the fruit of your ground, nor does the vine fail to = bear fruit for you in the field,=92 says YHWH of hosts." He will rebuke the devourer for our sakes. No longer will we have to = constantly be aware of our needs. They will not be being devoured. The = natural things will fall into place as we set our affections on the = things that are above it all.=20 As things begin to fall into place in the Church the world will begin to = take notice.=20 Malachi 3:12 "And all the nations will call you blessed, for you will be = a delightful land," says YHWH of hosts." We will be desirable to the heathen. Will it be because Elohim has = blessed us with material wealth? I don=92t believe so. What the world = needs is answers: not more of the world. The Preserved Ones (Hebrew: = Natsarim or "Nazarenes") will be blessed with the knowledge of Elohim. I love the words to a song written by Kevin Prosh: "We ask not for = riches, but look to the cross; and for our inheritance give us the = lost." Now there=92s a man with his priorities straight!=20 Now for a little pep talk... I=92d like to see us so focused on our beloved, generous Elohim that we = are free to run to the offering basket with our offering and expectation = of what His response will be. We can gamble on Elohim like this, = considering that He gave up His most prized possession: His ONLY = begotten Son. Not even our father Avraham did that. We must shed America off of us like a snake sheds his skin. We have been = saturated in our great country and have been caught robbing Elohim again = and again. Consider the joy in which the poor Chinese and Russian = Believers serve their Elohim. We serve the same Elohim. This is not about a simple act of obedience. This is about the = transformation of the Bride of Christ. This is about her rising up to = the quality of a bride fit to marry the very King of the universe and = eternity. When she reflects His standards then (and only then) He will = come for her. He will come when she is desirable. This is about passion and true abandonment of the bride to her Beloved. = This is about the bride becoming worthy of the Groom. This is about = working together with Him for the same purposes. This is about becoming = "Christ-like." [Galatians 2:20] "I have been crucified with Messiah, it is no longer I = who live but Messiah lives in me, so that the life which I now live in = the flesh I live by faith in the Son of Elohim Who loved me and gave = Himself for me." Let us be a reflection of His ways and His very life as we gaze on His = lovely face. ------=_NextPart_000_00BB_01C11F33.E7076820 Content-Type: text/html; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Greetings
 
Received this today and felt it was worth passing on.
 
Shalom aleichem (peace be with you) ,
 
 
 
James Robertson
END TIME ISSUE MINISTRIES
 
james@end-time-issues.org.za=
Tel=20 : (0027)-(0)-11-791-2327
Cell: (0027)-(0)-83-251-6644
Fax:=20 (0027)-(0)-11-791-5004
PostNet Suite 143, Private Bag X10030, = Randburg, 2125,=20 Republic of South Africa
 

>>FORWARD STARTS<<

Norman,

This is an old writing of mine that I thought you might appreciate. = It could=20 use some updating but I really don't have time right now. One thing I = will add=20 though is a thought that I recently read in a book: " There is a subtle=20 misunderstanding often taught in spiritual circles that actually = diminishes the=20 greatness of our Elohim. We hear it in statements like "She really = sacrificed=20 her life for Elohim" or Elohim deserves my very best." We are being=20 presumptuous, acting as if we have something we did not receive, when we = think=20 Elohim is enriched by the things we do, the money we give, the ministry = we are=20 involved in, or the sacrificial choices we make. It would be like a = beggar on=20 the street trying to give you fifty cents to say thanks for the twenty = you just=20 gave him. He is the one in need but acts as if he has something to give, = when=20 all he has is what you've given him." =

I think you will like this rendition of giving. It is simple. But you = could=20 use some simple now and then.

[She=92s right: To my shame. I could use some simple now and then. I = ask you=20 please to pray for my increased humility. I need it. - - = Norman]

Bless you, Lee

 

 

 

Giving to Elohim:

Let=92s do a study on tithing. Don=92t worry, this study is intended = to be=20 delivered without the pain and chains attached. The Body of Messiah has = been=20 terribly abused by a shallow worldview of this issue and needs to be set = free to=20 give.

In Malachi we can find the meat of the matter in chapter 3 verses = 6-12. In=20 verse 6 YHWH establishes the fact that He never changes. It is His = people who do=20 the changing and disregard His ordinances, and in this particular = passage it is=20 the ordinance of tithing He is talking about. Looking up the word = "ordinances"=20 in the Strong=92s, I found that it could mean "customs." When that word = is used=20 today it is usually talking about another country. I like to consider = the=20 Kingdom of Elohim as another country... "A city whose builder and maker = is=20 Elohim." Elohim=92s Kingdom has different customs than the kingdoms of = this world.=20 Let=92s take a look at some of them as they compare to each other. = Elohim=92s=20 customs seem to be quite different than ours.

1. Elohim says, "Give and it shall be given" We say, "Give to me = first and=20 then I=92ll give."

2. "While we were yet sinners Christ died for us." We say, "Clean up = your act=20 and then I=92ll reward you."

3. "The last shall be first and the first shall be last." We say, = "First come=20 first serve."

4. "Loose your life and you shall gain it." We say, "Live for today, = for=20 tomorrow you may die."

There are many other examples but I think I=92ve made my point.

Adonai (The Master) is waiting for His Bride Israel to reflect His = value=20 system and walk in His customs rather than the worlds. When she begins = to look=20 on His glorious face then "the things of this world will grow strangely = dim".=20 When our faces are toward the world rather than the creator of the world = we then=20 reflect the ways of the world. When our faces are toward Adonai (The = Master),=20 looking into those eyes of fire, we then begin to reflect His very = character.=20 Looking into the eyes of her Beloved she would see some extravagant = spending=20 going on. His value system becomes our own. Then the world sees = something of=20 heaven here on earth.

Unfortunately the bride spends more time facing the seen worlds = system rather=20 than the unseen Kingdom of Elohim, and so reflects its value system; and = we all=20 know how the world deals with the "green stuff". The bride is now a=20 penny-pinching, looking-out-for-herself, saving-up-for-retirement kind = of woman.=20 Is that the kind of bride that Adonai (The Master) will come back for? I = think=20 not! He wants to share eternity with someone who has more things in = common with=20 Him.

Elohim is longing to show us how things are done in His Kingdom. We = always=20 pray "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." = Do we=20 really know what we are asking for? His Kingdom has come but we don=92t = know the=20 customs. Do we really want things to be done like they are in the = heavenly realm=20 right here where we live? Have we read the book of Revelation and seen = what goes=20 on there?

Now, let=92s look at the custom of giving in His Kingdom. Our Elohim = loves to=20 give!

[Luke 6:38] "Give and it shall be given to you: A good measure, = pressed down=20 and shaken together and running over will be put into your bosom. For = with the=20 same measure with which you measure, it shall be measured back to=20 you."

He wants us to have the joy of giving like He does, so we will read = next in=20 Malachi a lesson in giving. We have robbed Elohim by not bringing our = tithes and=20 offerings into the storehouse. We have robbed Him of the freedom to give = to us=20 because in His Kingdom it is customary to give first and then receive. =

We must first give, in order to receive! That is the law of the = Tithe. If we=20 don=92t understand or abide by the spiritual laws of His kingdom then we = miss out=20 on some basic experiences that Elohim knows we will enjoy.

In the area of giving, money is a great place to start, but is by no = means=20 the only thing we can give. Money is a big deal in our culture. Our = lives are=20 centered about money in so many ways. We deal with it every day, = handling it and=20 worrying about it. Money is a great place to start because: "Where your treasure is, there your heart shall be = also."=20 (Mattithyahu/ Matthew 6:21).

Elohim is after our hearts. Elohim is not after our money. He does = not need=20 it, because He gives it to us. He is Yahovah Yireh. We need to learn to = give.=20 Tithing is like an object lesson in giving. If we do well we will have a = greater=20 understanding of how the economy works in the Kingdom of Elohim.

OK, now we can enter the message in Malachi.

[Malachi 3:10] "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse and prove = Me now=20 in this," says YHWH of hosts, "if I will not open for you the = windows of=20 heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room = enough to=20 receive it."

There are a few key words to deal with in this passage. I=92ll start = with the=20 word storehouse. In the Strong=92s the meaning is "depository." It could = be=20 likened to a bank account. I hear that the interest rate in the Kingdom = of=20 Elohim is very high so our return might be "pressed down shaken together = and=20 running over" with little risk, since Elohim never changes.

The word "prove" means to investigate. Hey! Check this out! A simple = act of=20 obedience stirred by curiosity could uncover a great mystery. All we = need is a=20 little generosity and then Elohim will be able to respond. He wants to = show His=20 people how His economy works; but we must invest in it first before we = can reap=20 the interest. We have to show Him that we trust Him. It=92s simple!

Now let=92s take a look at Elohim=92s response. See if I will not = open the=20 floodgates of heaven=85. "The floodgates" refers to a gate used to = regulate the=20 flow of water or smoke, according to the Strong=92s. Elohim has the = controls. But=20 He will not open those gates until we invest in His Kingdom.

I would like to take a little detour at this point to consider the = attitude=20 one should have toward giving. I was struck by some passages in Shemoth = (Exodus)=20 Chapter 35. In this chapter we find the people bringing their riches = together so=20 that they may be used in the building of the Temple of Elohim. Several = key words=20 stand out in this story.

[Shemoth / Exodus 35:5] Whoever is of a willing heart let him=20 bring...

[35:21:] Everyone came, whose heart was stirred, and everyone = whose=20 spirit was willing.

[35:22:] They came, both men and women, as many as had a willing = heart=20 and brought.

[35:26:] and all the women whose hearts stirred with = wisdom...

[35:29:] The children of Yisra=92el brought a freewill = offering to YHWH,=20 all the men and women whose hearts were willing.

The word willing takes on greater meaning in the Strong=92s = concordance. It=20 means, spontaneous, voluntary, abundant gift, plentiful, liberal, and=20 magnanimous. A sense of freedom and joy was in their hearts as they gave = to the=20 work of Adonai (The Master). I love that their hearts were stirred. I = don=92t=20 believe that this was a "grit your teeth and just do it" situation. I = believe=20 the Spirit of Elohim gave them joy, as they were being obedient to His=20 stirrings. Only the ones who experienced the stirring of the Spirit gave = that=20 day. Oh, that we would yield to that stirring today!

I would have loved to be there on that day. They were going against=20 everything they were taught by the world and entered into something Holy = that=20 day. This story should be an inspiration to the Church today.

Now, back to Malachi VS.10...

"=85And shall pour out for you such blessing that there will not be = room enough=20 to receive it." (Malachi 3:10)

Blessing means prosperity. Now I have my own opinions concerning what = kind of=20 blessings He might be talking about here. I believe that when we begin = to enter=20 into the Kingdoms value system and turn to look in Elohim=92s face our = value=20 system begins to transform.

Romans 12:2 says, "Do not be conformed to this = world but=20 be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is = the good=20 and acceptable and perfect will of Elohim." As we allow this=20 transformation to take place then we become more interested in the = Kingdom of=20 Elohim rather than the Kingdom of man. Supernatural rather than natural, = eternal=20 rather than temporal becomes our focus.

2 Corinthians, Chapters 4 and 5 are excellent reading on this = subject.=20 Chapter 4 verse 18 says, "We do not look at the = things which=20 are seen, but the things which are not seen. For the things which are = seen are=20 temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal."

Now let=92s look at some Scriptures that reveal the value system that = Elohim=20 uses:

[1st Corinthians 2:9-10] "But as it has been written: "Eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, nor have = entered into=20 the heart of man what Elohim has prepared for those who love Him." = (Yeshayahu/=20 Isaiah 64:4) [10] But Elohim has revealed = them to us=20 through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all matters, even the depths = of=20 Elohim."

[1st Timothy 6:17-19] "Charge those who are rich in this present age = not to=20 be high-minded, nor to trust in the uncertainty of riches, but in the = living=20 Elohim, who gives us richly all for enjoyment, to do good, and to be = rich in=20 good works, to be generous, ready to share, storing up for themselves a = good=20 foundation for the time to come, so that they lay hold on everlasting=20 life."

[Ephesians 1:17-19:] "That the Elohim of our Master Yahoshua Messiah, = the=20 Father of glory, would give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in = the=20 knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened, so = that you=20 know what is the expectation of His calling, and what are the riches of = the=20 esteem of His inheritance in the qodesh (set-apart) ones, and what is = the=20 exceeding greatness of His power toward us who are believing, according = to the=20 working of His mighty strength."

[Ephesians 3:8-9:] "To me, the very least of all the qodesh = (set-apart) ones,=20 this favor was given, to bring the Good News (Aramaic: "Gilyon") of the=20 unsearchable riches of Messiah among the gentiles (Ephraim), and to make = all see=20 how this secret is administered, which for ages past has been hidden in = Elohim=20 who created all through Yahoshua Messiah."

[Colossians1: 27-28:] "To whom Elohim desired to make known what are = the=20 riches of the esteem (or glory) of this secret among the gentiles = (Ephraim):=20 which is Messiah in you, the expectancy of esteem (or glory), whom we = announce,=20 warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, in order to = present=20 every man perfect in Yahoshua haMashiach."

[Colossians 2:2-3:] "In order that their hearts might be encouraged, = being=20 knit together in love, and to all riches of the entire confirmation of=20 understanding, to a true knowledge of the secret of Elohim, and of the = Father,=20 and of the Messiah, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and=20 knowledge."

[Romans 11:33] "Oh, the depths of riches, and wisdom and knowledge of = Elohim!=20 How unsearchable His judgments and untraceable His ways!"

We must be careful not to limit Elohim=92s blessings to that of the = natural=20 realm. He is much greater! We must guard ourselves from lowering His = standards=20 and allow Him to raise ours to His. He already came to our world and = experienced=20 it. Now let us enter into His world and experience it.

Over and over I can see worldly riches being spoken of negatively in = the=20 Scriptures. They can be an intrusion in our relationship with the = spiritual=20 realm. Mattithyahu (Matthew) 6:21 says, "Where = your treasure=20 is there will be your heart." As stated before, "Elohim is after = our=20 hearts", and if we have given them to the things of this world there = won=92t be=20 much left for Elohim. I believe that when our hearts are given over to = Him then=20 He can be free to prosper us in the natural realm. Seeking first the = Kingdom=20 allows these things to be added to us. When our priorities are set in = order then=20 the things of the world don=92t own us any more. We can be free to enjoy = them but=20 not at the expense of our relationship with Elohim. We are delivered of = our=20 idols.

Malachi 3:11 "=91And I shall rebuke the devourer for you, so that it = does not=20 destroy the fruit of your ground, nor does the vine fail to bear fruit = for you=20 in the field,=92 says YHWH of hosts."

He will rebuke the devourer for our sakes. No longer will we have to=20 constantly be aware of our needs. They will not be being devoured. The = natural=20 things will fall into place as we set our affections on the things that = are=20 above it all.

As things begin to fall into place in the Church the world will begin = to take=20 notice.

Malachi 3:12 "And all the nations will call you blessed, for you will = be a=20 delightful land," says YHWH of hosts."

We will be desirable to the heathen. Will it be because Elohim has = blessed us=20 with material wealth? I don=92t believe so. What the world needs is = answers: not=20 more of the world. The Preserved Ones (Hebrew: Natsarim or "Nazarenes") = will be=20 blessed with the knowledge of Elohim.

I love the words to a song written by Kevin Prosh: "We ask not for = riches,=20 but look to the cross; and for our inheritance give us the lost." Now = there=92s a=20 man with his priorities straight!

Now for a little pep talk...

I=92d like to see us so focused on our beloved, generous Elohim that = we are=20 free to run to the offering basket with our offering and expectation of = what His=20 response will be. We can gamble on Elohim like this, considering that He = gave up=20 His most prized possession: His ONLY begotten Son. Not even our father = Avraham=20 did that.

We must shed America off of us like a snake sheds his skin. We have = been=20 saturated in our great country and have been caught robbing Elohim again = and=20 again. Consider the joy in which the poor Chinese and Russian Believers = serve=20 their Elohim. We serve the same Elohim.

This is not about a simple act of obedience. This is about the = transformation=20 of the Bride of Christ. This is about her rising up to the quality of a = bride=20 fit to marry the very King of the universe and eternity. When she = reflects His=20 standards then (and only then) He will come for her. He will come when = she is=20 desirable.

This is about passion and true abandonment of the bride to her = Beloved. This=20 is about the bride becoming worthy of the Groom. This is about working = together=20 with Him for the same purposes. This is about becoming = "Christ-like."

[Galatians 2:20] "I have been crucified with Messiah, it is no longer = I who=20 live but Messiah lives in me, so that the life which I now live in the = flesh I=20 live by faith in the Son of Elohim Who loved me and gave Himself = for=20 me."

Let us be a reflection of His ways and His very life as we gaze on = His lovely=20 face.

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