Thy Will Be Done

Matthew 6: 9 You, therefore, pray like this: `Our Father in heaven! May your Name be kept holy. 10 May Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as in heaven. 11 Give us the food we need today. 12 Forgive us what we have done wrong, as we too have forgiven those who have wronged us. 13 And do not lead us into hard testing, but keep us safe from the Evil One. For kingship, power and glory are yours forever. Amen.'

How many times in my life have I said the Avinu Prayer and really felt like I understood all I knew about what I was saying? How many? I couldn’t tell you. It would be a guess. Just as my understanding of the words Yahshua told us to say as a prayer were just a guess. In the days when I learned the Our Father I was a very young child and to be honest, it had no impact on me that I can remember, except that I was talking to God (YHVH). Now, a little older and a little wiser, I take a deeper interest in what I say to my Creator. I want to be absolutely certain that I am not using a vocabulary that would not be listened to. Yeah, there are those who say “He knows your heart and that is what counts.” I too have said that. But if He knows my heart and He knows I want to do right by Him, then He knows I seek to present truth and understanding. I have no desire to present rote memory without the understanding of what I am saying. 

 

The portion of the Prayer that says, “Your will be done” is the critical part for me. I can understand praising Him by stating may His name be kept Holy and His Kingdom be on earth as it is above. I also can understand asking Him to keep me fed and forgive me for my wrongs with the stipulation that I forgive others too. Why should I be forgiven if I am not willing to reciprocate? As for Him not leading me into hard testing through temptations, I want the Adversary (Evil One) to stay away from me. I am easily misled and need a lot of help in this area. So I am not embarrassed to remind YHVH that He is the King and He has the power to do the things I ask, if He is willing. I do believe I understand that should anything be truly glorified, it must Him. He created everything and that is awesome. So who else deserves glory but Him?

It’s the willing part that is difficult. What is our Father’s will? What does He want from us? For someone Who has the ability to create an entire universe, what does He want from me? Why didn’t He make it perfect in the beginning and then there would be no need for anyone interfering. Trying to grasp just what His Will really is, I stumbled upon (Hold on…I realize what I said. I stumbled! Lets say “He stumbled me upon….) Anyhow, there appeared before me a brief discussion concerning human will and Divine Will. Simplifying, human will is limited as in "finite" where Divine Will is unlimited as in "infinite". So, YHVH created heaven perfect and earth less than perfect. He could have arranged things so there would be nothing for us to do but enjoy the garden. But However Comma (BHC), that would eliminate a need for us to even exist! Man apparently was created “to do” rather than “to be”. YHVH wants us to do things for Him in His Kingdom. It’s like if you don’t work you don’t eat. So what’s to do? Torah is to do. Torah does not present itself as a book to read about interesting things that “are” or “were”, Torah presents itself as a guideline of what to do in various situations. We live Torah. So, His Will must be for us to follow the guidelines in Torah in serving Him and He in turn will do as He says and take care of us.

Look at Ephesians 2:4-10 4 But YHVH is so rich in mercy and loves us with such intense love 5 that, even when we were dead because of our acts of disobedience, He brought us to life along with the Messiah - it is by grace that you have been delivered. 6 That is, Elohim raised us up with the Messiah Yahshua and seated us with Him in heaven, 7 in order to exhibit in the ages to come how infinitely rich is His grace, how great is His kindness toward us who are united with the Messiah Yahshua. 8 For you have been delivered by grace through trusting, and even this is not your accomplishment but Elohim's gift. 9 You were not delivered by your own actions; therefore no one should boast. 10 For we are of YHVH's making, created in union with the Messiah Yahshua for a life of good actions already prepared by Elohim for us to do.

Nothing we have done has gotten us where we are. In fact, reading between the lines it seems that we don’t deserve Him. BHC in order to show future generations how infinitely rich is His grace, He has taken us under His wings and united us with the Messiah Yahshua. What grace and kindness He bestows upon us. And all He wants to do is proclaim the greatness of His name throughout the world. He has made it so easy for us. He has gifted us with a life of good actions that He alone prepared. We do not have to wring our hands and cradle our heads trying to think of what does my Father want from me. It is written. Follow Torah…. Do acts of kindness to everyone…that will please Him. Written another way; love your neighbor as yourself. This is how the finite (us) and the infinite (YHVH) come together. 

 

Now when I pray to YHVH I don’t casually tell Him how good He is and then ask for a favor or two. I praise Him for Who He is and thank Him for all He does; not just for me, for everyone! 

 

I know just a little bit more of what His Will is for us while on this earth. With that knowledge, I know a little more of how His Will is being followed in the Heavens. One day, Yah willing, I pray, I’ll take my place at His side with Yahshua, and in that day, I will rest in His Glory. Scripture tells me that I am a citizen of Heaven.

(Philippians 3:20 20 But we are citizens of heaven, and it is from there that we expect a Deliverer, the Lord Yahshua the Messiah.)

 

It is time for me to act like it! I must stop waiting to “get ready”. I must “be ready” for Him. My bags are packed. Time to move on. Until then, I pray to always show acts of kindness and not as a negotiation. The acts of kindness are what YHVH wants so His name can be proclaimed throughout all the earth. This I must always remember; it is not for me, it is for Him. Random and purposeful acts of kindness are part of YHVH’s Will. Let’s imitate Him. Amein!

Much love and appreciation, Shalom shalom!

Pinchas, 

a/k/a Frankly Speaking all the time.

Sometimes it is difficult to be nice to nice people

Before I start, let me say Todah Rabah, Thank you, Shalom and Blessings to each and everyone  who has been with me on this journey to regain my ability to walk without pain and discomfort.  The end is very near.  Last Friday my great toe of the left foot was amputated. This procedure also took away the crushed, decayed and poisoned bone that remained after so much diligence of many dedicated medical professionals to rid my leg of poison. Through your prayers and positive uplifting thoughts, our Father guided the hands that held the instruments.  My delight always perked when after a procedure I could hear a word of thanks from the doctor present to the Father’s presence.  With the final removal of the distressed bone, more than fifty percent of the pain I was experiencing, but refused to acknowledge, was removed as well.  Again, I thank every one of you from around the world that joined in the cause.  Our Father hears our prayers when we go to Him with clean hands and a sincere heart.

So what is my upset?  Why is it difficult to be nice to nice people?  Heavenly Father please guard my lips and let them be only an instrument of praise to You as I express the burning that has erupted within me.  During discussion with others about the events of the previous seven months, I have witnessed a few who express doubt as to YHVH’s strength and truth.  I have no problem with people making their choice to follow or not follow Torah.  Of course I pray that all persons will come aboard and realize the freedom and happiness and peace when we take our selves out of the equation and let the Father do what He does better than any one of us.  The first step for me was to study Torah and see the truth, not just hear it.  Shema is more than just listen! Historically, I have been very guarded when someone would ask me to let them pray over me.  First off, I couldn’t stop them if they tried.  But, when I am asked for permission, then I want to make sure that the lips delivering the message are acceptable to the One to whom they are being expressed.  Sometimes we just have to mentally judge within our own camp if the hands are clean.  Yes, this is a tough subject.  But did He not say come to me with clean hands?  Did He not say there are some whose prayers He does not hear?  Who gives me more strength; my Father in Heaven or “friends” who say they care and then their behavior shows that of hypocrite?  When I am asked to my face my thoughts always answer quietly, “You don’t need my permission to speak to YHVH.”  But what I verbally say is, that is between you and your Creator.

I have no desire to alienate anyone, especially when they may be on that road that I was on many years ago; debating the path of growth against the feel good of the known. I wanted an opportunity to feel genuine in a genuine relationship.  I was glad to learn I was in the wrong crowd. Now, evidently the unbelievers in my circle are few and those striving for righteousness are the multitude.  The healing I have received and the love I have felt far outweigh any negative connotations I may have perceived.  No matter how few may be seen on the road.

I will continue to thank YHVH for the experience, knowledge and healing I have gained and continue to pray for those who are still searching for the Truth of the Word. My God is an awesome God – the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  

With love and blessings, Shalom, shalom

Pinchas, 

a/k/a Frankly speaking all the time

Trusting, Trusting, Trusting

Messianic Jews 11:1-2 Trusting is being confident of what we hope for, convinced about things we do not see. It was for this that Scripture attested the merit of the people of old.

Messianic Jews (Hebrews) 12:1-4

1 So then, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us, too, put aside every impediment - that is, the sin which easily hampers our forward movement - and keep running with endurance in the contest set before us, 2 looking away to the Initiator and Completer of that trusting, Yahshua - Who, in exchange for obtaining the joy set before Him, endured execution on a stake as a criminal, scorning the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of Elohim. 3 Yes, think about Him who endured such hostility against Himself from sinners, so that you won't grow tired or become despondent. 4 You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in the contest against sin.

 

Each Shabbat, we start our service with an interactive reading of Psalm 150. To announce that this is about to happen, someone calls out “Let me hear your Hebrew!” which is followed by reciting Psalm 150 in Hebrew and English. The ‘commands’ contained in the Psalm are followed with the congregation responding as the Psalm says; playing the instruments, dancing, etc. All the directions are followed with rejoicing and happiness. Then we hear a declaration: “Okay Silver Trumpets, knock down that wall of impediment to our freedom of worship”. And the trumpets and shofars and everything else that makes a joyful noise is sounded!

We read in Messianic Jews a very similar declaration. We are told to put aside every impediment –that is, the sin which easily hampers our forward movement. We do this to keep running and enduring all that may be in our path in order to achieve the great contest before us We focus on YHVH and Yahshua. “Yahshua, who in exchange for obtaining the joy set before him endured execution on a stake as a criminal, scorning the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of Elohim.” Have we not already learned that should we focus only on the Father and His Faithful Son, that we too may be included at the gathering by His right hand?

Then what stops us? What can be more powerful than our Heavenly Father? Who can be more honest and trustworthy than our Mashiach? For me the answer is nothing and no one. Yes, that is the answer to the question. Then why would I let myself get “down” and saddened just because events in my life are not necessarily the events that I would want to happen? 

A long time ago, last September, was when I had the accident with the trencher. No, I have no desire to go into that again, even if it is not over. I only want to clear my head of a recurring thought that has been spinning around. This is my way of speaking to YHVH, another person, and me….fastest way in the world to reduce any negative or mood depressing thought. Next week should be the end of this seven month ordeal except for a brief healing period after surgery. So now is the time that for some reason I have begun reflecting. No harm in doing some reflecting now is there? Except, reflection without the presence of Yahweh Elohim means I have taken my eyes off that which gives me the ability to trust. After I replayed this entire scenario of the accident that led to the loss of blood flow to my lower legs and feet, I got hung up on one thought. At one point in time during the third angioplasty, I was two minutes into a four minute bleed out. Prior to going into the cath lab, I said my very brief prayer asking YHVH to be with me, as I did each time before. Now, for the last four or five days, I have thought very heavily on how close I came to not being here. It never troubled me, that I know of, before now. In fact, I was asked if I would let the surgeons go into that leg one more time. Sure, go ahead. I trust you. Even asked them to go into my right leg so I could possibly walk with a little less discomfort. I think they were more hesitant than I. The right leg is yet to be opened. 

Anyway, what I am saying and a bit embarrassed to reveal, but I must so I can clear my head…..I now am aware of how easy it is to revert back to my distrusting self. I pray to YHVH to strengthen me and please stay with me. There will be a brief, 15 minute surgical procedure performed at the end of next week. Then within a few weeks, the final procedure to correct my blood flow in the right leg will take place. Then, with YHVH’s blessing, I will be back on my feet and able to run about as has been my habit since birth. Thank you Father for these opportunities. The blessings You have bestowed upon me are many and I pray that You please stay at my side…. I have no desire to turn from You… Thank you for all and especially Yahshua haMashiach. 

 

As it is written in Proverbs 3:11-12, My son, don’t despise YHVH’s discipline or resent His reproof; for YHVH corrects those He loves like a father who delights in his son.

Shalom, shalom

Love you and thanks for being there,

Pinchas a/k/a Frankly Speaking All The Time