mizzdy

Chosen for what is a good way to start, what is His purpose? When God knew He was going to call out a nation for Himself to show the world His glory, His love and grace He did so by one man, one family, they were known to Him before hand. Abraham, Isaac, Moses, Pharoah even, all these men were chosen for His purposes. If we go back to Numbers and read how Moses was chosen, Aaron and his sons set aside for His purposes its not too hard to see the purpose as to why they were chosen. The priesthood was called out to serve Him and His called out one. We are no different are we? When He calls and we obey we are being chosen according to His purposes, sometimes we know and refuse, we find out later in life even or we don't maybe realize we are fulfilling it. We have a responsiblity just as Aaron and his sons had, to take care of the body, to take care to reach out to the lost and searching, to teach others His word. In the story of Korah we see how he complained that they were just as special as Aarons sons, that all of Israel were indeed special to God and he was right, yet he complained about his role in Gods scheme of things he was jealous of the roles of Aaron. God called Moses and Aaron to serve Him in positions that He appointed to them, thats how I see chosen for His purposes. We are all priests set to serve Him and teach others in what roles He sets forth. The whole story of Moses seems to show a bit of how God looks at this notion of 'predestination' although it was always Moses choice to do or not wouldn't you think? Not sure if that helped or not either Fez. shalom, Mizz

I thought this is an excellent article by Bill Muehlenberg and thought I would share. shalom, Mizz

Called, to be invited, who are called to partake in whatever one has been invited to do, that would be to go out and teach people about Him to teach His whole word to the nations. When I looked up purpose I find a reference to the showbread, exposed before God is one of the definitions. We are invited by Him to serve His will, when we do that we are set apart, follow His ways and work to further the teaching of His word and His kingdom. We fulfill what He calls us to do. Some I believe are called out for higher functions within the body, and if that is true then couldn't that calling in Matt. 22 be what is spoken of also? We all have our roles in His body, none is more important than the other yet some have higher functions. And lets face it many say they have answered His call but no fruit can be seen in them, we cannot pick and choose what it is He wants in the way of obedience and furthering the kingdom we need to allow Him to send us out to place us. I just couldn't get the idea of purpose out of my head and how it relates to the showbread so I looked into Thayers and saw below. Isn't it interesting, well to me, that His purpose or the meaning behind it, is to be placed upon the table in His presence or exposed to God. Well now that probably didn't help any at all! G4286 πρόθεσις prothesis Thayer Definition: 1) a setting forth of a thing, placing of it in view, the shewbread 1a) twelve loaves of wheaten bread, corresponding to the number of the tribes of Israel, which loaves were offered to God every Sabbath, and separated into two rows, lay for seven days upon a table placed in the sanctuary or front portion of the tabernacle, and afterwards of the temple 2) a purpose Part of Speech: noun feminine A Related Word by Thayer

Constantine married 'church and state' and ruled the two as one, brings too much power to the clergy. Very much what some want today, that in some ways is what I think so many of the 'christian' politicans seem to want to do. Mizz

The CJB has it 'gum resin'. Wonder if it resembled a really chewed up wad of gum?

Fez does make a point about laziness etc. God did say that when we become prosperous we tend to forget who made it all possible. When America went through such prosperity, factories created jobs, jobs allowed mom and dad to buy a bit more eventually leading to what we have today a spoiled generation of children and young adults who do think entitlement programs are their right. If a person cannot get a job he goes to the govt for a handout. Its truly a mental disorder, imo. So many are like the first generation that came out of Egypt whining about no meat, whining about the wonderous things Egypt offered who cared they were enslaved. Theres many reasons the world is in the state its in although truly there is only one reason, people have forgotten to listen to His voice/word first above all elses. shalom, Mizz

Yes I understand that, I was showing that Joshua could not be the 'Branch' as he did not come from the line of Judah since it was foretold that the Messiah or the Branch would come from that tribe. Joshua the son of Nun was long dead by the time of Zechariah. If you go back to Zech. 3 it shows how like Joshua we can become priest clothed in white, how this coming Branch will remove our sins from us when we obey His words. shaolm, Mizz

I completely agree that men and woman's roles have been pushed around and made to feel obsolete. Men and woman in general have forgotten what exactly they are to be to one another, at least in the eyes of God. The push to create a society that is not allowed to see 'roles' for one another then we eventually are all sen as equal and that puts us in a dangerous position especially those of us who see defined roles, defined set of ways to live, we will be on endangered list. I agree with Oldzim, woman have been taught to 'take the lead' and men have been taught to 'let the woman be all they can be'. How confusing is that if a boy grows up thinking he should not be the provider, the head, and the little girl that grows up thinking she has to 'fulfill' herself by going out into the world forgoing marriage until later in life when her dreams are secure. shalom, Mizz

Tigger, thats life for us here and its always been. My husband is an independant contractor and I am disabled with no income, one week we might have a good week the next two may be so slow the bills start backing up. So I know worry, I know worry about affording the next operation or even buying the meds I need to stay alive. I don't blame Him when things get tough, I don't think He is not answering my prayers because my finances are in dire straights, I rely on Him for strength and His promise that He will not put upon me more than He knows I can handle. I am sorry my post isn't more sympathetic but we all struggle, we all worry about money and food and whatever it is that doesn't mean He has forgotten us or left us on our own. I look at these things are part of the life and trials that He sets in my path, yes sometimes He tests our faith because He knows when we need that sometimes to get us back on the right path in our hearts and lifes. Sometimes He tests us so others can see our walk and His name is glorified in us. Don't dispair and do not give up and give into satans trap of blaming God for our problems, please. shalom, Mizz

It is Yeshua who is the Branch. Joshua the one who lead the people across the Jordan to the land was not from tribe of Judah or the line of David, although Caleb was his father joined with the Israelites and therefore was 'grafted' into Judah. If you read through the chpt its talking about who will build the temple, who would bear the glory of God only the Messiah can do that. The name Yeshua is Joshua in Aramaic or the shortened form of it. One reason sometimes we need to look into the original languages so we don't miss the meanings hidden in them. I do believe its a dual prophecy as I see many of them are, first Messiah comes to bring the start of the restoration He is the Messiah yet when He returns it will be with a crown and will rule over the whole world. shalom, Mizz

You may think you are done with Him but He is not done with you, if He was then perhaps you wouldn't be posting this message? I pray that you take a step back, calm your heart and mind and pray for His strength to hold you up and for Him to lead you where He wishes you to be. May God bring shalom into your heart. shalom, Mizz

From someone who grew up with earthquakes, including large ones that included riots and killings, this is horribly sad yet its exactly whats been happening for a long time. I know living in CA quakes came in clusters, small ones with no 'biggies' then the big ones would hit. Just like the tornados, things are cyclical, hmm men should learn God also works in cycles. I was speaking to my mom, even with her alzheimers she remembers every decade or so they would get hit with bad ones. I even remember the '74 tornado that took out downtown where she lives. I do think we are witnessing the birth pangs of the coming Kingdom.

No I don't think he is the beast, the beast is a system that has heads or leaders, not just an individual person. The beast will bring with it control, enslavement, and the mark, whatever it may be, will be something that we take. The mark will try and be forced on those who know Him by various way more than likely. The phrase about being able to buy or sell is linked directly to the mark, much like if we want to buy food we would need to take the mark of the beast to do so. shalom, Mizz

Sure there are things that attract us to our spouses but geesh if I had to go of what this says I would never have gotten married. I don't wear makeup, barely know how to use the blowdryer let alone the curling iron, my eyelashes on my lower outside lids are gone due to surgery and my upper lashes definately got stunted with surgery also. The list goes on! and you know what my husband said it was none of those things that attracted him to me well except maybe the belly its never had six pack abs! lol What would we do now if we still had marriages arranged for us by our fathers, I bet there would be a lot less drinking of that wine cup! shalom, Mizz

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Haven't read all the responses yet but Babel was a system of government ruled by Nimrod, he gathered power and eventually gained control over the people though money and religion. Sure we can see things like that in the cities but so can we see things like that in small rural areas, believe me some rural politics can be pretty gnarly. Nimrod created a religion that all bought into and he felt he as bigger than the God of Noah, his grandfather or greatgrandfather I can't remember off hand. Nimrod built that tower hyping it up all the way and all people spoke the same language so God confused them all so that they would not, at least for sometime, be able to control people, dictate their minds and who they would worship. Each economic and politcal system on earth has been modeled after Babylon, one reason God says to come out of her. Its not really where you live but who you allow to rule you, God or man, its how we relate to the economic, govts. and such things as to who we are letting have control over our lives. As Eccl. says theres nothing new under the sun, all such systems come from greed, from satans leading, we need to break free from these things that we allow to control parts of our lives. Glad you are really enjoying rural life! Can't say its that life is for me but hey getting out of Vegas would be nice though! Have a great time decorating and settling in. shalom, Mizz

You are so right all things are important! I am disabled and unable to get out much by myself and for some years it weighed heavily on my heart how I could be a good servant for Him from home. Its not until I realized that keeping a FB page for my congregation, speaking daily with so many people, in so many ways leaving my words behind on forums such as this, are all ways of serving Him. We should never think we are not serving if we are striving daily to walk in His ways, when we say good morning to someone who may have had a hard night. I believe He puts us exactly where He wants us to be and doing what He wishes us to do be doing, just as long as we are listening and heeding His call. shalom, Mizz

I completely dislike those silly 'I answered a question about you' things just drives me nuts! FB is not a good 'forum' at all too many people, those small boxes and the email link never always quite gets you where its supposed to get you! lol But despite all the nonsense I found it a good tool for getting like minded people together, for helping others just as long as it doesn't control ones life that is!

True silver is a much rarer commodity than gold. Its also going to sky rocket I think so if you can find it and afford silver I think its worth owning. Gold will sky rocket also and if the worlds currency does actually get backed by gold, and if it does it may become illegal to have it and they will try and take it away again or hey some of us who have some will be able to sell it at a good price. Mizz, i don't think there is enough gold in the world to back a global currency. It takes a certain amount of money per individual for an economic system to be functional and we in the US have ourgrown what would be available to back a currency without the cost of an ounce being in the six figures. If its the rich men of the world who is going to control the money wouldn't we be seeing those kinda of men buying up large amounts of gold? and some of those men who are doing such things have been those who have been trying to reshape the entire world into their idea of a global society. I'm not suggesting that we all have our money backed in gold or silver but that the 'rich men' who believe they will control everything are backing themselves, their interests, their goals with it. I understand the gold standard, and how that all takes place or should take place. I just don't see where leaders of America, Britan, etc. are going to be consulted when that 'global governance' is instituted unless each are part of the leadership of whatever system comes about. Its coming down to nothing but banks, and other entities that make policy for all nations, we all speak on the coming fall of America how theres a coming system that will try and enslave us all so why couldn't those men who are vying for leadership be the ones who will dictate economy? and why couldn't they, who are already stocking gold, be the ones who declare who owns the most gold be the money lenders of the world? Completely understand that and some of us figure before the collapse we would sell what we have and then stock all the necessary things which not only helps us but so many others also. Its not like theres no warning signs to look for to see when things may be heading in that direction whether biblically or through a careful watch on the economy. Theres no good that comes from storing up money, gold or otherwise if it cannot be put to good use. Also agree. There are myriads of things one can do to prepare for whats coming yet we also must not forget that our reliance is on Him first and foremost. Just as He protected and feed the Israelites in the desert He will also feed us and if we are called out to the frontlines to serve Him, where we do not have food or watered stored I have all faith that He will care and feed us according to His will. shalom, Mizz

This stuff goes on all the time and has been for so long its just down right looney! Theres campaign money gotten from many who want something in return, to lobbiest who give vast sums of money that also in turn want something and usually get. Money is what makes politics and politicians what they are today. But hey thats my opinion and may not be anyone elses.

No, I don't think you are wrong. Church was meant to be an organism, not an organization. Oh I soo agree! Its not about a 'church' a building its about relationships, not a religious experience but the body as an assembly moving in accord. The next question is usually what denomination are you. Its not supposed to be that or anything other thing than gathering together to hear His word, gathering together of believers to edify and uphold one another. Where we go its a small group of people never more than about 30 to 40 each Sabbath, we all give praises to Him for what He has done in our lives in the lives of others we know, we sing and worship, we listen to a talk or two on His word, have prayer then we eat. After we oneg we come together for midrashing, after that we all just kinda don't want to leave and we end up talking for sometimes another hour. At the end of all that we have been gathered together for 5 or 6 hours but seems like just a short time. To me thats fellowship, thats what the body should look like wanting to be together and sharing. Too many 'play' church on Sundays or whatever day one gathers and leave it at that some take it with them all week long those go out and serve Him daily. shalom, Mizz

Ok - I see where you are going. Repentance is a heart issue. I have been there at times in life in which i would repent and automatically go back to the same sin the next day. But everytime time i go back and ask for forgiveness - and mean it - He forgives me. I do believe that there are certain sins that we can lay down and never pick up again. For instance, some may have been saved from terrible sins such as stealing ect. , and now that they are saved - they have never stolen any more. But all in all we do not inherit salvation, as you have stated, based on our good works - but His work. We do not inherit Heaven by our goodness, but through His perfection. When Jesus died on the cross He covered our sins - past, present, and future. But in closing to my reply - Repentance comes natural from a heart that has been quickened by the regenerative power of the Holy Spirit. Repent, teshuvah at its core means to return, to turn around and head straight back to Him its not just a heart issue its an issue of our whole beings. To repent is to know we are doing wrong, the conviction of the Spirit, then we take that wrong and ask Him to forgive as well as asking for help in overcoming, and then return to His ways. I do agree that if we have the indwelling of His Spirit then confessing our sins and returning to His ways should come naturally. shalom, Mizz

True silver is a much rarer commodity than gold. Its also going to sky rocket I think so if you can find it and afford silver I think its worth owning. Gold will sky rocket also and if the worlds currency does actually get backed by gold, and if it does it may become illegal to have it and they will try and take it away again or hey some of us who have some will be able to sell it at a good price.

Comparing ancient Rome to America by these examples, conquer/liberate, demand tribute/sends aid and emergency relief, enslave nations/rebuild nations. The difference in all these examples is like comparing apples to oranges, there not the same. The only true comparison between ancient Rome an the USA is they are both superpowers of their time. Excellent post ~candice~. In many ways he is right, we have gone into countries for the wrong reasons only to try and set up our own type of govt. I thought it was pretty funny Hillary Clinton warning Africa about China and colonialism. Theres comparision between all world dominating power and America is no exception, at least in my thinking. Don't get me wrong I love this country and wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. War has gotten a bit more sophisticated it would not resemble Rome yet theres nothing new under the sun. And as grand as America has been and could be again whats happening to us is exactly whats happened with all govt. we get lazy, apathetic and allow our govt. to rule us. We give a bit here and there, allow this and that and pretty soon we all end up as did the ancient Hebrews/Israelites, dominated and enslaved by Egypt. Looking back at Nimrods reign things in the world don't look much different these days and isn't that what is supposed to come, govt. that put all peoples under a one global governance. If man would get out of mans way and allow God to rule our hearts and minds what a grand place this world would be. shalom, Mizz