It Is Your Mother’s Torah

Learning to love the ancient paths

I remember the TV ads for the Oldsmobile. The executives decided to appeal to a new generation, so they penned the phrase, “It’s not your father’s Oldsmobile.”

What if you like dad’s car?

The assumption is that young people don’t like their parents, so they wouldn’t like to follow in their footsteps. It’s the plot of just about every so-called coming of age movie. “I don’t want dad’s job. I don’t want dad’s clothes (I want less clothes), his haircut, or even his religion.”

A fortress built on rebellion

There is strength within the walls of the castle. We have a story from Yeshua that debunks every “Footloose and Flashdance” of each generation. We call it “the prodigal son.” He wanted the cash, but nothing else. He didn’t want the fence, the roof, or the bed. What he found was mud and pig poop. He finally was able to see the comparison.

He opted for a taste of his dad’s life. He would rather have his dad’s leftovers than those of Miss Piggy.

Yet the smear campaign continues

The agents of the enemy know that it stinks out there in the wilderness, but they spin a tale of oasis. The wonderful truth is that our Father God will take us back and feast in our name. The angels even celebrate.

How do we stay in the blessing zone?

We follow our instructions that our loving parents give us. I speak of our Heavenly Father as well as our earthly parents (if they are, in fact feeding us scriptural guidance).

hear the instruction of your father, and forsake not the Torah of your mother.”

Proverbs 1:8 KJVERV

Why should I listen to Mom’s Torah?

They are a gift, an award. Think “gold medal” in the Olympics. Holy bling for your head and neck. Close to the heart.

Moms rule.

I read a book about the history of the English language. I was fascinated to learn about a four hundred year reign of France over Britain. How did that happen and we still have a language called “English?”

In “The Adventure of English,” the author claims that mommy did it. That essentially, the moms taught the children generation after generation of occupation and the English language survived. While it now includes many French words, it eventually was capable of an amazing revival. I happen to speak English, even in my head.

Let’s keep the Torah close to our hearts. Not only that, it’s time we brag about it, knowing we didn’t make it. But we were given it by a Father who loves us. And we can gift it to our children.

As dads and moms, we have the power to hand the key to powerful understanding and blessings.

I may be tickled if my daughter has my nose or my particular taste in old movies, but…

The real reward is when we hand our children the grace and beauty found in God’s Holy instructions.

Long live the world’s most important warrior, who has proven stronger than kings and conquerors – The Torah wielding Mom.


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Torah Is Practicable

Why should we not care?

If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.

I John 2:29 ESV

We will know them by their fruit.

If we know a person who claims to be a follower of Jesus, you expect them to act differently – different from the world, the pagan.

Ask any atheist if we should follow God’s laws, he will say, “H#@* no!”

Then why spend our energy defending the idea that God’s laws were abolished or that they should be ignored? We can do His will. We can serve Him in this way. Here it is called practicing righteousness.

I used to think if I followed the laws (His Torah) that I was being like a pharisee. Since the Pharisees (many of them) were evil, I don’t want anything to do with that.

Listen, God is Not the author of evil. He is not the author of lies. He asks us to follow Jesus’ example, to follow His word. His Torah can transform out thoughts. But we have to relax our hard line against it as a body of Messiah.

We must know and make known that Messiah is our sacrifice. However, we must acknowledge His gift of Torah and Holy Ruach (breath) to guide our actions. This is our reasonable service. Our righteous deeds are evidence of our righteous new birth.

The one who does what is right (righteousness) is born of Him. The ones who seem to do otherwise, we can’t be so sure. We cannot bet our PBJ sandwich on the man who shuns God’s laws.

Clean your Temple.

Yes, as sinners, we can repent and be saved. But we must cleanse our Temple. Our bodies are that special place of God’s presence. Use the water of His word to wash and purify. Yes, it takes effort. It takes some work. We can’t save ourselves with works, but we can use real endeavors to do His will.

Speak it and live it at the same time.

The concept of literally making our disobedience an actual method of serving God sounds ludicrous. However, we often obey with our actions, yet speak against God’s holy Torah. I simply say, let’s be consistent and read further than our misrepresented scripture support for lawlessness.

In every role, we are expected to do the work.

As many of us are employed, we submit to our boss’s authority. Think of our Christian (Christ-like) life as our job, I’d you will. Think of our role as followers as one that has built in responsibilities. At work, as I am offered a duty such as the production of a short video, I wouldn’t look at my boss and say “nope.” I wouldn’t explain that it would be legalism to comply and it is best to reject the request. From cover to cover, God asks for us to do our duties and make the world a better place.

Prayer:

Father, your awesome will be done. May my life align with your will and your Kingdom. May I not bring shame to your throne. I thank you for your special grace to learn as I live. Thank you for your patience with me. Help me to understand the hard sayings of your scripture. If there are personal constructs that are getting in my way, please sanctify my mind to the mind of Messiah. May I live your Torah for my life. May I work to cleanse my way more each day. Amen.

And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

I John 3:3

Torah Is a Testimony

According to the apostle John, obeying the commandments of God is proof that we know Him.

Do you know God?

And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.

I John 2:3 ESV

Today, I start our journey down the road with our tour guide, John, The Beloved Disciple. He has been considered by theologians as a close friend of Jesus as well as a disciple. He was given watch over Miriam, Jesus’ mother, by the Savior as He was on the cross.

The NASB states it in this way, “This is how we are sure that we have come to know Him…” So, seeking to follow Torah is actually a confirmation or an outward sign that we know the Messiah.

Think About It

whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

I John 2:6 ESV

This is how He walked. He followed Torah perfectly. It only makes sense that a disciple at least tries to be like his teacher, his rabbi. Put your earthly relationship in an illustration of how to behave with God. I know dads are not perfect (see a picture of me in the dictionary next to the word “flawed.”) but ideally we seek obedience from our children. We don’t preach to them that they are going to mess up so I want them to stop listening to our instructions. Can you imagine, “Don’t worry about walking across the street. Looking both ways is legalism?”

Who benefits from the testimony of our Torah Testimony?

  • Others
  • Ourselves

John (through the breath of God) says that we are liars if we say that we know God without keeping His commandments. Wow. “Them’s strong words.”

Very simply, we will know them by their fruit.

that they may see your good works, and may glorify your Father who is in Heaven.

Matt. 5:16 ABIPE

The love of God is perfected in us if…

We KEEP His Word.

Prayer:

Father in Heaven. Your name is Holy. Your Word is holy and true. I want to know you more. Let me not fall away into lawlessness. Let me not lean on grace without leaning into your commands. I want to testify to the world and I want my prayers to be heard. Bless my brothers and sisters with the knowledge of your Word and the knowledge of You. May your Ruach bear fruit in us and may we not bring your name low.

In the mighty Name of Yeshua, Amen.

Thank you for reading. Come back tomorrow for another word from God.

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Torah Is Shalom

A person who lives in harmony with God and His creation, doesn’t just feel peace, but experiences it completely.

The person who kicks against His Heavenly Father’s will, experiences a wide variety of peace stealing forces.

Broken Record

I’m like a broken record here. But I guess repeating certain things is important, because the Bible does it. Over and over we see the results of obedience and of disobedience.

When I was convicted and convinced that honoring Torah is for me, I went from turmoil to peace. Turmoil is, in fact, what dropped me to my knees.

Of course I haven’t been perfect. Pharisees and Roman priests have tried to codify perfection by building up zillions (according to my last count) of man made rules and regulations in an attempt to perfect the pious ones. Still hasn’t worked.

Give me 613

The average person does not know that the pharisees were loading up the people with their cement mixer of minutiae… Even though the Bible tells me so.

You leave the commandment of 

God and hold to the

tradition of men.

Mark 7:8

Then He emphasizes,

But you say, ‘If a man tells his father or his mother, “Whatever you would have gained from me is Corban” ’ (that is, given to God) then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother, thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do.

Mark 7:11-13

We generally don’t think of Pharisees as being particularly peaceful.

We mistakenly attribute this grumpy nature to the fact that they were too busy following Moses’ law.

News alert: To anyone who believes the Law was done away with at the Cross; Jesus was still alive.

The Pharisees clearly were following an accumulation of laws that were not so called “laws of Moses.” They were making stuff up and calling it “oral Torah.” How convenient is that? I’m writing this on the day after Reformation Day. If you remember, Martin Luther (not King) hung up his points which addressed 95 new laws made up by man. He realized that tyrants could just make it up. The church that was called Catholic, was under roman authority. The Pharisees were in authority under roman rule as well. Why do we miss this stuff? That’s why I’m here, I guess.

It is so important to know that our Joy comes from God. He says that His Torah brings Shalom. Peter said to seek Shalom, referencing Psalm 34.

I don’t think it’s an accident that the Psalm relates obedience to peace.

Depart from evil, and do good. seek peace, and pursue it.

Psalm 34:14

Shalom in adversity

When we are walking in God’s will, we walk in peace, even in the presence of enemies.

Now, who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,

I Peter 3:13-14 ESV

Shalom means more than peace, my friend.

The shalom of YHWH is complete. It means wholeness. It includes what we call “wellness.”

This is the kind of peace that passes all understanding. This is the type that is hard to measure, but you’ll know it when you’re there. This shalom is only truly found in Messiah. He is the prince of Shalom.

May He keep you in His perfect peace.

Prayer:

Father in Heaven, I lift up your Name. I lift up my prayer in the name of Yeshua. Please keep my brothers and sisters in your perfect peace. Please shield us from evil and let us rest in your shalom. Help us walk in your Way and shelter under your tabernacle. You are the wise and loving Father, but you always were. You have always shown us more grace than we deserve. Help us to show grace on our neighbors. Amen.

Torah Is Favorable

Do you like it when people do good things? Do you like to do good things for people? In some ways, Torah is that simple.

We can be favored by God. This is the opposite of many ill-advised instructions to “stop trying to please God.” It’s not futile. You CAN please God, and you should please God.

Inclining our ears

I have really thought about the Biblical concept of inclining the ears. We are told to incline our ears toward God.

Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, and your soul shall live: and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.

Isaiah 55:3

I see this as a way to tune our ears into the voice of the Master. His sheep know His voice but people are not always like sheep and we can purposely tune out our Master’s words.

So it takes an act of will. A tilt in the right direction of sorts.

He intends for us to obey.

When we do so, His purpose can be fulfilled. His purpose of blessings follows willful obedience. It’s as natural as rain and sunshine.

so shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return to me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing I sent it to do.

Isaiah 55:11

He doesn’t always hear our prayer.

Why do we say that God always answers prayer? To be honest, we have to hear the Word of God about that.

And when you spread forth your hands, I will hide my eyes from you: yes, when you make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.

Isaiah 1:15 – Cepher

Walking in lawless disobedience brings crickets… Literally in the case of a plague, and figuratively when we try to pray and hear from God.

The Word goes further in that same chapter to give the basic outline for favor with God.

From bookend to bookend, from open to close, disobedience brings consequences. And when we disobey, yes, we should feel some remorse. We should even weep, if we have hurt people with our strong-neck lawlessness.

The good news is always Good.

We can be forgiven and atoned for. We can be blessed. We can please our Heavenly Father. If for no other reason, an argument for keeping biblical Torah is out of sheer thankfulness for what He did for us in providing the sacrifice of His son in our place. But He gives more. He gives riches and honor to His beloved.

If, as many songs claim, we cannot “win” His favor, then we can’t “win” His disfavor by disobedience. While it sounds re-assuring in a song… Maybe reassurance is not what we need. Maybe we need Holy Spirit conviction when we sin. Maybe we need our own conscience to be tuned to the Torah (instructions) of our King.

Trouble awaits

Like David, we have trouble. Sometimes it is from outside, like an earthly king throwing a spear at his face. Sometimes it is from within, like the agony from knowing he committed hurtful sins, and people died.

When we incline our ear to God’s will, to His Torah for our lives, He inclines His ear to us. He hears us in our time of trial. He overturns even earthly decrees against us.

Draw near to your King. Yes, He loves you more than you know. He wants the very best for you. Do not forget that. But seek to walk in obedience. The blessings are worth more than any earthly coin by more than a bit.

Prayer

Father, I love you and I know you love me. Help me to hear your voice through the noise. Help me to hunger for the bread of life and the living water that lasts forever. Forgive me, I ask, for straying from your path. Thank you for welcoming me back when I have come home. Let my obedience with you be about me and you and not a part of a public display of piety. Keep me. Do not let the evil overtake me. Halleluyah. Bless your name. Amen.

Torah Is Nearby

Do you ever feel like evil is closing in like the bad guys in a 70’s Karate movie?

When Trouble Surrounds…

We must remember two things from today’s scripture in Psalm 119:150-151.

  • God is near.
  • The evil ones are far from God and His law.

God Is Near.

“The word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it”

Deuteronomy 30:14

“The word is near you, even in your mouth and in your heart (that is, the word of faith which we preach)”

Romans 10:8

When the evil people of your community come against you… When your trusted institutions (media, government, medicine) seek your harm… When mythical levels of secret forces mock your way of life and attempt to round you up and push you away…

Your Father is near. He is with you and He is in you. Hear His words, feel His breath (spirit) in your very lungs. Read His Word (living and powerful) out loud to draw near and to provide a barrier, an offence to the lawless ones. Remember His angels are here to. He commissions them to stand for our cause. Halleluyah.

Though they threaten, they are lost

The evil ones are the walking dead, slowly encroaching upon your space. Do not give them your mind, your soul, your strength. Those belong to your King (Deut. 6). They are focused but they are lost.

Jerks will be jerks. Without God’s ways in their hearts, the sinners will do sinner’s stuff. They will be trusted, in a way, to be untrustworthy. Don’t take your eyes off your God. Don’t let your heart cheer for their demise.

Pray for those who persecute you.

Do it now. It is super important to take every available moment to use your weapon. The time is short. You may see that Cruella DeVille turn into a meek child of God. Pray salvation, pray Deliverance. Pray the revival will come. You and I were outside God’s will and Kingdom, outside His rescuing grace. Now we need to serve as a lifeguard.

Using wisdom, of course. Let’s love our neighbors.

Prayer

Father in Heaven, sometimes I feel that I’ve known you forever. Sometimes I forget that I lived in a state of being unsaved from my sin. Let me have compassion on the very people who come after me. Bring them to mind in my prayer closet. Hear me when I pray. I pray for my protection and favor in all interactions. Keep us from their evil and their games. If they can be saved, let them turn to you. Amen.

Torah Is Eternal Truth

So do you ever look truth in the eye, and turn away because it is uncomfortable? Have you ever seen people all around turn to a lie in the presence of loads of evidence? This happens every day. This was foretold.

But know this, that in the last days, grievous times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good, traitors, headstrong, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; holding a form of godliness, but having denied its power. Turn away from these, also. For some of these are people who creep into houses, and take captive gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

II Timothy 3:1-7

Still Truth

Check back with this website in one thousand years and… Truth will still be Truth.

We have already seen scriptures within Psalm 119 which state Torah is truth, but this time, we look at the truth that lasts forever. This is the truth that never changes. This is etched in stone, as they say. (Think about where that catch phrase likely started.)

If Torah was done away with, was truth done away with?

Torah is eternal truth.

According to the Word of Jesus/Yeshua, Torah did not die. It is still true. Covenants can be broken and they need to be renewed or re-entered. Torah can be broken. I’ve done it. You’ve done it. But there is hope.

God does not lie. He holds fast to His word, to His Promise.

Think not that I am come to destroy the Torah, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

Matthew 5:17 – Cepher

God doesn’t give up on you.

He is faithful to His covenant and He is faithful to you. The Savior gave himself to bring us back into righteousness through His blood.

Reading through Psalm 119 connects to the words of the Messiah in that it praises Torah over and over. There must be a reason for that, right? There must be a reason why Yeshua said that we should not even think that He did away with one tiny bit of Torah.

Torah did not die.

  • Our relationship did not die.
  • Our dependence did not die.
  • Our obedience did not die.
  • Our inheritance did not die.
  • Our blessing did not die.
  • Our promise did not die.
  • Our Savior DID.

Torah – Broken By Me. Messiah – Broken For Me.

Click image to order >

The concept is simple, but the walk is detailed enough to take a lifetime of pursuit.

Do not turn from Torah!

It is profitable. It is given to us for our well-being. Let Torah serve as our teacher – as an unsaved one, to lead us to the need of a Savior. As a redeemed believer, it can continue to teach us about the will of God.

Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness,

II Timothy 3:16

Keep in mind, when Paul wrote this to Timothy, the only scripture was the Tanakh, commonly known as the Old Testament. If it was truth before Messiah died, and true after He died (when II Timothy was written), it makes sense that it is true today.

…And Forever.

Have you been told that we should turn away from Torah? After you have been saved from sin, have you been taught to repent from God’s law? Do you think that’s a turn in the wrong “way?”

Jesus/Yeshua is the way, the truth, and the life.

Prayer:

Father in Heaven, we worship you and lift up our praise to you. Hear our prayer as a sweet scent before your throne. Blessed be your Name. Help us to understand your Torah. Help us to understand your sacrifice. Help us to understand your Holy Breath (spirit) inside our lungs and to hear your guidance. Let me not add, let me not take away from your forever Word. Thank you for the living Word in our lives. Let us glorify You as we seek to do your good deeds before you and the nations who are watching us so closely. AMEN.