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Tzephanyahu

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Everything posted by Tzephanyahu

  1. Shalom @Walter and Deborah You probably know this fact already, many do, but this genealogy is the first prophecy of the Messiah, hidden in code. if you or anyone else is unfamiliar with it you can read more here: https://khouse.org/articles/2000/284/ How amazing that His plan was decoded into the very first genealogy. What mere scribe could achieve such a thing. Love & Shalom
  2. Shalom brother and sister, How interesting that on the second day it seems as if Yahweh doesn't see that "it was good", in the Masoretic Text. However, it does read that He saw it was good in the Septuagint. This verse is also the first of many referring to the Raqia (the firmament or dome covering over the earth). It reads that Elohim called the firmament itself "heaven". This is vastly different to the typical western view of heaven. In Hebrew here the term Moed is used regarding the "seasons" that the Moon, Sun and Stars are meant to instruct us. Moed or Moedim is the very same term Yahweh uses for His Feasts. Therefore, one could say they are important preplanned appointments. It's also interesting how each "light" gives us a different measure for His Feasts and appointed times... Sun: Days - to count the Sabbath Moon: Months - to count the Feasts Stars: Years - to count Sabbatical years and Jubilees What an incredible system He has made! Psalm 19. Love & Shalom
  3. Shalom brother and sister, It's remarkable to think we all came through one of these three sons and therefore Noah. I think that is an amazing fact people often overlook, instead focusing on Adam and Eve as our sharedgenetic forebears. Modern science is starting to catch up with the idea of "all nations from three main races" now, which is very interesting. The idea that all of Noah's sons would have been a different colour is incredible and of course necessary, considering the diversity in the world today. This also ties in very well with the prophecies in the Book of Enoch which depicts his sons as different from each other in colour as well. Love & Shalom
  4. Shalom brother and sister in Messiah, Legend has it that Eber is the origin of the of the Hebrew tongue, at the dividing from Babel, hence the etymological similarity. Of course Hebrew existed before then, but Eber's lineage is apparently the one that kept the tongue after Babel. Fascinating if true huh. Love & Shalom
  5. Amen. May Almighty Yahweh bless you in your ministry and bring you across the path of all you can serve, whatever the current and future state of the forum may be. Love & Shalom
  6. Are you certain that his minions aren't able to get on here already? What if his people were managing to derail us with over lightheartedness and fear of the world topics? What if his people shut down anyone who was speaking the truth calling them "a deciever" or "leading the flock astray"? Witches can plant themselves in churches quite easily and so how much more a forum. Surely they would wear a persona to go undetected. So surely you can see that as a small possibility at least. So maybe an open attack is better than a subtle insidious one... I don't know. I don't have the answer. It's just my opinion and the reason I'm not inspired to login anymore. But I'm sure there are other reasons for others. Love & Shalom
  7. Hah, if it was only that easy my friend. Don't get me wrong, I've tried and I've seen others try many times. But when trying to delve into deep topics of the Bible, there seems to be two reactions... Firstly, you get slept on entirely. Take @Walter and Deborah, a great example of a member who posts edifying portions of Scripture regularly (I think daily) without fail, but they basically get no response. What a great opportunity they provide the forum regularly to start a deep discussion? But it just never takes off. Sadly, they barely get one response for most of the time. However, a post called "my mouse is running for president" is likely to get up to 40 pages of replies. Secondly, diverse opinions are not accepted well here at all. That's just the way it seems to be. Many have been banned temporarily or permanently or even just left because of it. People in this forum can't seem to just say "That's a different point of view, interesting". Rather it soon finds way to rudeness or name calling - sometimes even outright slander - simply for having a different opinion. Newbies have come and gone witnessing this behaviour and it's a reason I don't recommend any new believer to sign up here. So how to fix it and how to liven it up? Personally I would say open the doors and let anyone join. All that want to, from other faiths or with no faith. Let them ask questions on Scripture, God and our faith, to challenge us intellectually and spiritually and, most importantly, to give us the chance to serve Him. Now, I realise the reason why this is a Christian-only forum. So it may serve as a "haven" for believers. But I remember reading a post called "What's your favourite burger topping" which ran for about 10 pages... Is that what we need our special haven for? To become stagnant and talk nonsense, or to be rude to each other? Is that really how we want to say we served the Lord in the last days? Is that really Worthy? You could easily have one room in the forum still for believers only to be that "haven". But I say open the floodgates and let's do some actual work for the Lord, rather than post moanings about the state of the world. Besides, if we keep our doors closed to the lost knocking from outside, how can we expect the Lord to open to us when we knock? Anyway, that's just my two cents worth. It's a good question that you asked. Love & Shalom
  8. I have always accessed Worthy by my smartphone and that has no reason why I no longer frequent the forum. I just found that over the past 10 months or so, Worthy has just become really...boring. It used to feel vibrant and lively but now it's just the same ol' posts, a lot of nonsense ones, the same tired arguments and it just doesn't feel like the Spirit is moving on here (to me). I now only log on occasionally to see if any newbies have joined with questions about the Word. But as for generally contributing? Meh, it's not for me anymore. Unless I want to write about Trump, the virus or "Buddy the mouse". Someone said it's because people don't want the truth. Heh. It seems the other way around to me which is why many people that I know from here have left. Shame. Didn't always used to be that way.
  9. Not gifts of the Holy Spirit, but baptism and indwelling of the Holy Spirit. I base that upon personal experience and the testimonies of others I have heard/read. Love & Shalom
  10. Shalom @Samuel91 Yes, I believe depression can be cured. I say this from experience of dealing with depression for over 7 years myself. I know a little bit about psychology and so I was fully aware of the treatments available (both their benefits and flaws) and was on medication to help me maintain a relatively normal life. However, CBT, medication and other such treatments are ultimately just a temporary bandage which has to come off at some point. When I hit rock bottom, I turned to God with everything. I resolved to spend all my time reading and learning the Word, one book at a time, and seeking Him in prayer. As I done this and forced myself to pray and read the Word each day, the depression finally lifted off my shoulders and I no longer needed the medication – unto this day. This state was secured by the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which I advise you to seek above all things. I speak these things without knowing you but I do so confidently as I am convinced that as we draw closer to the Father through His Word and prayer, and truly submit, then depression cannot cling on. Whereas if we go to man to seek man-made solutions devoid of the Creator’s wisdom, it will be a limited and flawed solution. The Creator knows and understands our hearts when they are full and broken: Consider the book of Ecclesiastes in which the richest man in world had a deep depression – and he got there by straying too far from the Creator. More on that matter here Therefore, again, I would say do these things: Read/Hear the Word daily. Pray at least once a day (however short and simple it may be). Seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit, above all things Be brave my friend. Turn to Him with all your strength and He won’t let you down. He didn’t let me down and I’m sure I am much more of a failure than how you feel now – yet He mercifully blessed me with peace and joy deep inside. Yes I still feel sad now and again (who doesn’t?) but deep inside that joy and hope never goes away. It’s like a solid anchor. Praise Yahweh! Love & Shalom
  11. Shalom @Greenie, Tricky one. Isn't this world so much fun to live it at times?! I think you have 3 options. Option 1: The next time you see him you could open with a joke to break the ice. A joke directly about the situation. That can help diffuse the tension immediately. Option 2: You speak to him the next time you see him completely normal and friendly, so that it helps the tension to dissipate sooner. Option 2: You could approach him when the both of you are alone and say "sorry for being a jerk the other day, that was really uncool of me". You might find he will apologise in like manner straight away after. But all in all, take this on the chin and accept it as your fault fully, from start to finish. Not because that is a necessarily true judgement but because to be at odds with a fellow man over trivial causes is already putting you in the wrong (in essence). The Lord probably cares little about how poorly you were trained, what you did and didn't write down and what this or that training manual says. But I think He would care about your conduct with others - How you handle yourself when you are in the right and when you are in the wrong. Therefore, by taking all the blame (even if you feel you shouldn't) I think this would be seen as right in the eyes of the Lord - as you are doing so for the sake of peace and harmony, with this chap and all of your other colleagues in the same environment. As for your inner thoughts, I understand that it can be hard to forgive people in certain scenarios especially where they are being unreasonable. And it's good you know just how important it is to do so. Use this experience as a strong coffee wake up call on the areas you need to address in your own heart. Zoom our of the situation and view it objectively. This chap probably has many tough issues in his life and I'm guessing he is not a believer? You might have caught him on a really bad day in a bad week when he has lots on his mind and so maybe his tolerance was bottomed out. What I'm saying is if you find it hard to forgive him, first try to understand him and give him the benefit of the doubt and empathise with him. Then, forgiveness will come easier. But it would be a mistake to assume him as a happy content person who just decided to be cold to you, then rant at you because he hates you - that would be a poor assessment rising from your own subjectivity. So again, try to zoom out and appreciate the complexity of his potential burdens and hangups and with the same compassion you would hope for yourself. May Yahweh bless you on your course for peace, resolution and forgiveness, in the name of our King. Love & Shalom
  12. Shalom @Thewhitedove I hope you are doing well sister. Tattoos are permissible? I'm not sure what they meant by this but, on the surface of things, I have to say I disagree with them. It sounds like a compromise they have made for the many saints out there with tattoos, inked before and after becoming believers. Even if we ignore what it says in Leviticus, the very practice of permanently marking your flesh, willingly, should not be seen as permissible but rather avoided with a passion. To think that an image a mere man designs and draws in ink could "beautify" God's creation anymore is foolishness. Yes, some Christians are eager to get crosses and scripture tattooed to themselves (even depictions of the Messiah's face sometimes) but would they do such a thing if Messiah was stood next to them? Not likely. But if they would, then they have failed to understand the beauty of His creation but rather they have their desires placed in the world and in fleshly things, rather than spiritual. Even if we could decorate our flesh in a manner that the Creator would find worthy - should we? Aren't we all counted as dead in this flesh? But as to your dilemma... I understand your position here. It's awkward and I can see why it would cause you upset. Please accept the following response in the love and consideration I have for you and your well-being. I have no interest in "winning you to my theology" or any of that nonsense. I say here what I would say to a dear friend: Don't get another tattoo to cover it up. Yes, doing so would cover the writing but then you'll be left with a poor imitation of one of God's creations on your skin. Yes, it may look like a beautiful flower to your eyes, but how do you think it would look in the eyes of the Creator? Would it not be like you tattoo a child's sketch on your back rather than hanging it on the fridge? What's past is past. The tattoo you got before you became a believer has no bearing on you - being a scar from your former years. However, if you got a tattoo NOW, as a believer, it could be an issue that you may have to give account for (for the reasons aforementioned). What then? Should you get it removed? If the tattoo is not offensive to God, His Son or His Word, then I don't think you need to. You'd still be left with a scar for life (I think) and each time you see it you'd probably still feel nearly as sad as when you see the tattoo today. So what then? Leave it as is?? I think so. Please hear me out.. This tattoo or this "scar of the past" is part of YOUR story. It was part of your life journey -yes, a part you regret, but still part of your story. So try to re-frame the way you look at it. See the tattoo as a confirmation marker of your old flesh. Soon it will be gone when you're raised with a new body. But for now, see it as the very symbol that, whilst you are new inside, you are still in this old flesh suit. So it's okay to be upset by it and see it as just as vestigial as the rest of your body. Soon it will be gone. (As I get older, and things degrade, I remind myself of this fact too!) So when you see that tattoo and it upsets you or looks ugly to you - re-frame it and perceive it as a positive reminder that the old you is soon to fade away, along with all its issues. But don't get another tattoo, as a believer, in an attempt to cover it with something "beautiful". That would profit you little (and even then only in the eyes of humans) and it could even work against you. Again, Whitedove, you are new inside. But outside you are still the old Whitedove. Let that tattoo be a constant reminder to you of that. Just as the tattoo is ugly to you, so is our sinful flesh to Him. So once again, re-frame it! I've rambled enough, but I hope it makes sense. Love & Shalom
  13. Hi @Greenie It is a hazy subject, but only because some make it seem harder than it needs to be. Firstly, there's not 613 laws. If you go through them, one at a time, you'll see that some are repetitions, some are for priests only, women only, men only, judges only, details of Feast organisation, explanations of previous laws, concerning sacrifices, and some are for only when certain conditions arise! So forget this "613" nonsense, that's a grevious miscalculation by the Jews as they attempted to codify Torah. Hopefully that we be a relief to read! Start with the 10 commandments. Which hopefully you see as beneficial and natural for a son of God to follow. For everything else, this is where "walking by the Spirit" comes in. The more and more you read and re-read Scripture, the more thr Spirit will convict you upon matters. But this will be one step at a time. The Spirit may convict me on a matter but not you and vice versa. Then as time goes on you may be convicted on the same. I certainly haven't "arrived" yet or can say "I'm fully Torah observant". But my obedience in such things is increasing month by month - and it is a pleasure, not a burden. We have to be open to be led by the Spirit and adapt as we are led rather than resist for the sake of what mere men have taught us. If that makes sense. We are under grace because of the Messiah, praise Yahweh, so now we a free! So I use that freedom to serve Him. To learn and understand His instructions and walk therein - though I'm free not to. Not to gain salvation or secure it, but with fascination and in appreciation. Love & Shalom
  14. Shalom @Mantis I'm a fellow introvert! So I know how you feel. I don't believe Yahweh judges us on our personality inclination. Neither extrovert or introvert is better than the other. Bith have positives and negatives. I also don't believe He judges us as lukewarm if we have no one to talk to about Him. Your love and passion for Him IS important though. See it like this... Let's say you're married to a shy person. They love you dearly and express that to you often. However, they speak very little to others and whenever they do, it's not about you - would you judge them as lukewarm? The fact you say... .. feels me with reassurance that you aren't lukewarm but have a burning passion for Him - as does the very motivation for your post. If you ever want to talk about God and share your ideas, feel free to contact me directly by DM. I'd be more than happy to chat about God with you a be your Christian friend. Love & Shalom
  15. Shalom @Completed Israelite I haven't read all your posts in here because there are many and this old debate gets very repetitive. But you seem on point and so I just wanted to give you my support brother. This is an important conversation to have but it must be done with great love and patience. We also need to know who to respond to and who NOT to. Holding your tongue, in some instances, is much wiser than answering every provocation and challenge. Some people only speak with no intention of listening or learning. However, ultimately the conviction on this matter needs to come through the Holy Spirit and not men - as Scriptures and a sound argument is not enough for most, which is understandable. But if both sides of the debate could admit that they MIGHT be wrong in their long-held beliefs or need to correct them - that would be a big step. Alas, that doesn't just seem to happen. Anyway, may Yahweh contine to bless you with insight, wisdom and joy. New Jerusalem is nearing every day! Love & Shalom
  16. Shalom @Sugarbaker Well, that sounds like a bit of a shame. I think you have a legitimate complaint here. Well, complaint is perhaps the wrong word. Perhaps "concern" would be better. From how you've described it, the group doesn't sound very edifying for you any more and is a cause of distraction for you rather than a unified conduit of worship. Whilst loyalty is important, we must remember to be moved by the wind of the Spirit. Sometimes changes are needed and come swiftly like a rushing wind. So perhaps you are being prompted to leave? It may be that the group was for you only for a season. Listen carefully within you heart. And, if in continuing to attend you are in danger of sinning in thought, word or deed, then it would be wise to remove yourself. Even if it's just for a few months to breathe. Anyway, from what you have written you have a legitimate concern sister. I certainly wouldn't bother attending myself if it was always like that! Love & Shalom
  17. Shalom @Open7 I believe is was credited to him as righteousness because, against all odds, he STILL believed in the promise. Bith Abraham and Sarah were beyond child-bearing years so with earthly wisdom one would say it was impossible, yet Abraham trusted in Yahweh. Such is the faith we must have when facing our own deaths. In fact, Abraham so believed in Yahweh's promise that he thought that He would resurrect Isaac after Abraham was to offer him up. Love & Shalom
  18. Hosea is such a precious book. One of my favourites. Although it's sad to read it let's us hear the heart of Yahweh. Love & Shalom
  19. Shalom @Walter and Deborah The two sets of time periods is a mysterious one for me - 1290 days and also 1335 days. Also it says when the "daily sacrifice shall be taken away". If this indicates a Third Temple, how is it that Yahweh would honour this with the title of "daily sacrifice" rather than seeing it as an abomination. Very strange. Love & Shalom
  20. Shalom @azgal15 Well, that is quite the story. I can imagine the heaviness and confusion you must feel. I think the problem is that you were raised in the church and that was your norm, instead of your chosen path because of revelation. The challenges you faced and do face are not uncommon but plague many and can be very hard to loose yourself from. But rather than focus on helpful practices and self-discipline, which is only dealing with the "fruit", I want to rather address the "root" of the matter. It seems you have a fear of being overwhelmed with sin and not accepted by Yahweh, our Father. The fear you have surrounding the end of the world happening this year is something I faced a while ago and so I'm well aware of that sinking feeling of despair. I believe such fear is given to us by Yahweh, in hopes of it shaking us from the path we are on. Almost like a spiritual alarm, screaming "No, not this way". So it's very likely the fear you feel is based on a genuine reason and it should indeed be listened to. Back to me for a moment... One night I had a great fear about the end of days. The realness, swiftness and inevitability of it scared me greatly. Now, I had been a Christian for many years but had fallen away from the faith. I still believed in Him but just lived my life mainly my way and according to my wishes. From that night, I decided to get myself ready. To do whatever necessary to feel safe once again. I decided to read the Bible (or rather hear it on mp3) from start to finish, resetting everything in my mind back to zero. I purposely purged my mind of preconceived ideas I took from the church and man-made teachings and took nothing for granted. Basically accepting the Bible like a new book I had found whilst living on a desert island! Along with this, I forced myself to pray every day at the beginning of everyday. Only simply saying "My Father, Yahweh, I love you. Please guide me, in the name of Jesus Christ". It was short but daily. Once I finished the Bible, I started it again. Determined to digest it independently and investigate it thoroughly. After all, this is the book from the Creator. By doing this, I went on a long walk with Yahweh. He was guiding me by the hand and was gently and slowly teaching me His ways and will. I was naturally making changes in my life the more the Word got inside of me. Just like how eating healthier food has a positive effect on your body, by digesting the Word it was having a naturally positive effect on my behaviour and mind. I wasn't "trying hard" like I was before, but felt naturally convicted to change. After this I committed myself to be baptised in the Holy Spirit. Something I was told had already happened, but I never really felt anything. So I was determined to have it happen in a way I would know and, praise Yahweh, it eventually happened. Thereafter, the fear left completely. The heaviness and concern that once plagued me had gone. Now, I no longer fear the end of days but in some ways look forward to it. My summary for you is this: Rather than running and hiding from the fear, confront it boldly. Accept that you might be in trouble and make the first positive step in resolving it. In doing so, you will be under more grace than if you hide from it. Reset all you know about the Bible to zero and start again afresh. You'll be surprised how your faith will be refined and your knowledge will improve! Dedicate yourself to understand the Word with the same diligence you would apply to a beloved hobby or a Master's Degree. Pray everyday (it doesn't need to be long, but it needs to be true) even if you don't feel like it! Open that regular channel of communication. Most importantly - believe in His goodwill towards you. If He has given you this fear (which I believe He has) it's because He wants you to change bBecause He loves you. He wants you to change your path as it currently probably leads to a dark conclusion. But rather than feel bad and fall under the fear, accept the warning soberly and humbly and readjust your trajectory. Rejoice you are getting warning signs as it's a good sign that He loves you. But you must respond or the alarms will get "louder" over time - they won't go away. However, once your trajectory is correct, and you have been baptised with the Spirit, you feel absolutely different. No longer in fear, heavy, confused and unclean. But at peace, with great joy and excited for each day and the future. It's like going from black and white into colour and the relationship you will have with the Creator will feel more real and genuine than any other. I hope something in there helps. But if you have any questions, please do ask. Love & Shalom
  21. Shalom @Walter and Deborah May I ask what your understanding is of the above passage? Love & Shalom
  22. Shalom @Wesley L How did this guy take the gospel when you shared it with him? You could find a way to share your testimony or the testimony of another. Find a way to share the story and focus on the bitterness and anger that was in your life before, disproportionately so, even if it wasn't a big problem for you. Not to the degree that it's obvious but so he can relate with it privately within himself. Explain how forgiveness changed you. Lead the story somewhere so it doesn't seem obvious you are preaching to him but rather making another point. So that you might reach him indirectly. If you can make him realise that there is another side to life, that there's some rest, healing and peace, he will be more inclined to ask questions. You could buy him and Bible or an Audio Bible as a gift whilst he is in care or a birthday gift, explaining it's the best gift you have to give him because it changed your life. I think many people are flattered or endeared by this rather than threatened. Then he has one to hand to check in quiet contemplative moments. Just ensure to get large-print and an easy reader like the ESV. Also pray, pray, pray. Pray for the window of opportunity to arise to speak to him about the gospel. Pray that his ears, eyes and heart might be opened to accept the truth. Yahweh may grant him and miraculous event or fertile heart for repentance. He may turn against you one day. He might class you as a "bad man" one day. Regardless, take all his abuse and insults (if they come) and respond with love and kindness. As these will be the times when you faith will speak loudest to him and so it may be something your relationship will need to go through as he starts to subconsciously test your resolve. I hope something in that helps. Love & Shalom
  23. Ah, this is topic that has plagued many over the years and still persists to do so today even in this forum. I'm afraid I cannot help you with this as it really needs to be be a self-realisation from studying the Scriptures and lead by the Spirit. If I were to share my thoughts it would only start another endless debate with others. People get very emotional on this topic very quickly. What I will say though is to ignore the interpretations and teachings of others - whatever standing they may seem to have, and consider the matter yourself. Apply logic, reason and wisdom to the topic methodically - without fear of what the answer will be either way. Consider the words of the Messiah carefully, His parables, His warnings and His promises. Consider what seems most the reasonable and understandable to you - based on everything that the Bible teaches and all it's lessons. But don't be swayed by clever sounding arguments from men, even if they quote scripture after scripture. One can easily do quote many Scriptures out of context to prove a distorted point. So try to understand the message of the Bible, as a whole, and directly with the words of the Messiah, in their entirety. Love & Shalom
  24. Shalom @Walter and Deborah Yes I have. That's probably the best one out there at the moment. However, I would have loved to have seen a bigger budget for it as the throneroom in Babylon and the king's attire, for example, look very "college production". Perhaps that's a bit rude of me. I mean they did the best they could and its a good film but imagine if it had the scale of a mainstream hollywood production or even a primetime HBO series. I think that would help convey the power of Babylon in a clearer way. Love & Shalom
  25. Shalom, I mean you no ill-will friend when I write this: Watch the things you say so casually. It's one thing to pose a question to an online forum, but it will be quite another when you have to give account for these words before the Creator - which we all will need to do one day. So if you wouldn't say "I blame you" to the Creator of all things, on his glorious throne of light surrounded by thousands upon thousands of His angels, then don't say it here either. Yahweh, the Creator, gave this world into the hands of man. Man gave the authority to the devil. The world has been falling apart ever since then. It is remarkable that man and the world has lasted as long as it has, and it's surely down to the grace of Yahweh and His perfect intervention when it's necessary. So, the fact you are alive today, in 2020, and well enough and wealthy enough to be able to ask questions in an open Christian forum is a blessing that you should be grateful for, rather than an opportunity to look who to blame. Yes, sometimes Yahweh uses methods which we don't comprehend with our limited understanding, wisdom and short portion of time. But then, if we see an incident occur we don't understand, can we ever be on such a moral and logical high-ground that we can look down on God and say "I blame you"? What if He replied to you "Very well, then I won't bother you with any more years." Again, I mean you no ill-will friend, honestly. But rather I'm raising the alarm bells, for your sake, as it's a dangerous attitude to have. I'm sure the question was just phrased poorly though and you didn't mean it that way. It wouldn't be unlike me to phrase something poorly as well sometimes! Love & Shalom
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