The Feast of First Fruits
The first anything can be very exciting: the first time you drive, the first time you get a good grade in a bad subject, the first time you leave home. Moments like these shape your entire experience and the lesson that you will eventually get from said thing. In Yahweh’s Holy calendar (see God’s Time articles part 1 and part 2 for more clarification), there is a specific time to present your firsts to the Lord. It’s the Feast of First Fruits.
You shall bring the choice first fruits of your soil into the house of the LORD your God (Exodus 23:19)
The first anything can be very exciting: the first time you drive, the first time you get a good grade in a bad subject, the first time you leave home. Moments like these shape your entire experience and the lesson that you will eventually get from said thing. In Yahweh’s Holy calendar (see God’s Time articles part 1 and part 2 for more clarification), there is a specific time to present your firsts to the Lord. It’s the Feast of First Fruits.
The Feast of First Fruits is exactly what it sounds like: it’s a time to present the first fruits to the Lord (Exodus 23:19). This feast, lived after Passover and The Feast of Unleavened Bread, is a time to present the first fruits of your spiritual and physical labor to the Lord. A famous example of someone giving their first fruits is the story of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:2 - 5): both gave the fruits of their labor, but only one was liked. The reason behind that is because Abel gave what God truly wanted, which was a sacrifice from the heart and that meant a lot to him, while Cain did not.
The concept of the firsts is something that is reiterated a lot in the Bible and in life. It’s given to Yahweh because it is the beginning and sets the precedence for the entire experience. Hannah gave her first son, Samuel, to the Lord (1 Samuel 1:20 - 26) and it is said that she had many more children afterwards (1 Samuel 2:5).
The one question that crosses the mind of many when they hear about giving their first to Yahweh is: why? Simply put, the first of anything changes you. The best way to explain this is to use the example of parenthood. The first time a husband and wife have a child, they become parents. The second time they have a child doesn’t change them as they’ve already been parents. The first time that any of their children will have children, it’ll change them into grand-parents. Therefore, why not give this transformative process and element to Yahweh so that He may receive the glory for the good that He put in your life?
Giving to Yahweh what is due to Him (Matthew 22:21) is something that should be joyous, as it will be more time spent in His presence. He doesn’t ask you for much; in truth, what shall you render to Yahweh for all of His benefits towards you (Psalms 116:2)? Why not what He asked of you? He asks for your time and devotion on the seventh day (Exodus 20:8 - 11), for you to heed to His commandments (Deuteronomy 28:13) and to present yourself before Him at the appointed times and festivals (Leviticus 23) - this is but an extension of God’s grace.
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Passover
As children of GOD, we are asked to follow his commandments and to heed to His word, just like any child does with their parents. That means that we are supposed to listen and sometimes change the way that we see things or behave based on what He has told us. The Lord is here to show us His love. One of the many ways that He does this, as the master of time and circumstances, is giving us His feasts so that we may have time to spend with Him (see GOD’s Time, part 1 and 2). The first of these holy convocations is that of Passover.
And when your children ask you, ‘What does this ceremony mean to you?” then tell them, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the Lord, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared our homes when he struck down the Egyptians.’” Then the people bowed down and worshiped. (Exodus 12:26 - 27)
As children of GOD, we are asked to follow his commandments and to heed to His word, just like any child does with their parents. That means that we are supposed to listen and sometimes change the way that we see things or behave based on what He has told us. The Lord is here to show us His love. One of the many ways that He does this, as the master of time and circumstances, is giving us His feasts so that we may have time to spend with Him (see GOD’s Time, part 1 and 2). The first of these holy convocations is that of Passover.
To explain what Passover is in the modern context would be to remove the false concepts around it. Firstly, it isn’t an old worn-out practice only celebrated by the Jewish people - it’s one of the holy feasts of Yahweh that are meant to be celebrated in perpetuity (Leviticus 23:14). Secondly, it has nothing to do with Easter. While the word has replaced Passover, its origins are far from what Yahweh made it. Easter is Anglo-Saxon in origin, a modernisation of the name of the goddess of spring. Bunnies were used as symbols of fertility, while eggs were considered pagan symbols of death and life. To summarize, Easter is a pagan holiday while Passover is a holy one.
As to what Passover is, Exodus 12:26 - 27 explains it quite well: it is a sacrifice to the Lord, who passed over the houses of the Isrealites in Egypt and spared our homes when He struck down the Egyptians”. It holds symbolic, historic and actual weight in terms of a celebration. It is meant to signify you passing over from death to life, from slavery to freedom, from the enemy to Yahweh. This was done by choosing a male sheep or goat that was without defect (Exodus 12:5) that would be eaten entirely after they are roasted over a fire (Exodus 12:7 - 10). The dinner would be done in a house where the blood would be put on the doors (Exodus 12:7).
While many modern christians will associate it as being the death of Christ and resurrection, it isn’t fully correct: Christ neither died nor came back to life during Passover. However, Yeshua did celebrate the feast in what is commonly called the Last Supper (Matthew 26:17–30, Mark 14:12–26, Luke 22:7–39 and John 13:1–17:26). It’s during that meal that Yeshua says to eat the bread for it is His body and to drink wine as it was a sign of the covenant (Matthew 26:26 - 29): this was because He is the lamb of God, sent to die for our sins (1 Corinthians 5:7).
If we are to be like Christ as Paul said (1 Corinthians 11:1), we must be willing to celebrate the feasts of the Lord just as He did. It’s something that we can live in our lives as we put our faith into practice and execution. Passover is the first of the many feast of the Lord, times in which we are called upon to spend time with the Holy One, therefore , why shouldn’t we?
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God's Time (Part 1)
Time is one of those core concepts that we are taught as a kid: how to read a clock, having to wait until dinner time to eat, bed time, but to name a few. As one grows in life and in all aspects, understanding how to manage one’s time becomes an essential part of making it in today’s world. The life of someone who takes the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob seriously is one that must understand that there is time that is designed specifically for Him.
1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens, 2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot (Ecclesiastes 3:1 - 2)
Time is one of those core concepts that we are taught as a kid: how to read a clock, having to wait until dinner time to eat, bed time, but to name a few. As one grows in life and in all aspects, understanding how to manage one’s time becomes an essential part of making it in today’s world. The life of someone who takes the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob seriously is one that must understand that there is time that is designed specifically for Him: the one that He made and the one that you make.
Understanding that Yahweh has time that is designed for Him begins with understanding that He is the master of both time and circumstances (Daniel 2:21). As the creator of all things (Colossians 1:13), Elohim stands outside of time, seeing both the beginning and end as the Alpha and the Omega (Revelations 22:13). In that capacity, He controls time - what happens when, what we are to live and to celebrate, when things are meant to happen.
An important passage of the Bible, James 4:3, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions” is partly due to the fact that many people don’t ask what they’re supposed to ask at the appropriate time. Yahweh has times when specific things are given, such as forgiveness. This is proven by Yeshua, who said “They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you” (Luke 19:44). There are specific times in which Elohim asks to be praised and worshipped so that He may attend to those specific things.
Time that is set apart for Yahweh, to worship and praise Him, isn’t reserved for Sabbath - He is present for you at all times, therefore, why not be willing to celebrate Him at all times? Daniel put time away to spend with the Lord, notably the fact that he prayed three times a day (Daniel 6:10). 1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to “pray continually”. One must make time to communicate and have an intimate relationship with Yahweh, such as David in Psalms 67:1 - 11, but also know that Yahweh has created time for you to draw near to Him…
Part 2 will be on Bible 101 next week!
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Self-Image
Elementary school is the basics. Teachers strive everyday to show you how to count, write and read the alphabet. During that time period, it is also imperative for them to show you basic empathy and sympathy. Let you know that you are loved by people such as your grandparents, your parents and siblings. However, what they, and most every teacher will forget to teach you is the importance of love and your self-image.
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. (Romans 12:3)
Elementary school is the basics. Teachers strive everyday to show you how to count, write and read the alphabet. During that time period, it is also imperative for them to show you basic empathy and sympathy. Let you know that you are loved by people such as your grandparents, your parents and siblings. However, what they, and most every teacher will forget to teach you is the importance of love and your self-image.
To begin, defining what “self-image” is can be difficult in nature. The dictionary explains it as being “the idea one has of one's abilities, appearance, and personality”. What one sees in themselves can be completely different than what the world sees in them. You may see someone who is weak, while I see the strongest person I’ve ever known. That difference in perception is there because we are taught differently, and will live experiences that will shape our perception of the world and the people around us.
The way you see yourself, your abilities, appearance and personality is imperative in understanding yourself. It’ll give you the basis as to where to improve as a person, how and where to grow or change. However, in all things, there must be truth (2 Timothy 2:15) and balance (Proverbs 11:1).
Someone with a negative perception of themselves can have a lack of confidence, feeling badly about oneself. People with low self-esteem often feel unlovable, uncomfortable, awkward, incompetent and unimportant. However, that isn’t how Yahweh wants you to be; he says in the book of Joshua chapter 1, verse 9: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Why does he do that? He explains it in Isaiah 43:4 when he says “Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, people in exchange for your life.”
On the contrary, the Bible is explicit in its perception of those who are too positive on themselves, saying:
12 Don't be so naive and self-confident. You're not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it's useless. Cultivate God-confidence. 13 No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it. (1 Corinthians 10:12-13)
Therefore, be tempered in your language and your perception of yourself. Do not be too low on yourself but don’t be too high either. Be just in your judgement and self-assessment. Wisdom in this aspect of your life is wise and important for your well being.
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Bullying
A startling statistic gathered by university researchers reveals that seventy-five percent of people have been affected by bullying. It is a problem in our society that very few will never encounter in their lives. Whether that be at school, at home or in the workplace, it is present. We, as followers of Yahweh and as people can be a part of three groups, but before we dive there, let’s figure out: what’s bullying?
Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness (1 John 2:9)
According to the dictionary, a bully is someone “who seeks to harm, intimidate, or coerce (someone perceived as vulnerable)”. This can be done in multiple different ways, including physical (hitting, shoving, beating, spitting, etc.), verbal abuse (insults, taunts,etc.), socio-psychological (intimidation, scaring, exclusion, etc.) and virtual (using social media to do these types of actions). Instances of bullying are recurring and hold patterns. Anyone can be a victim and live through these things; we have to be informed to know the signs and symptoms that the victims may exhibit.
The first person you can be in this situation is a victim. You suffer from this and the first thing I’d like to let you know is that this is not your fault. You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14) in the image of Yahweh (Genesis 1:27). Bow your head and pray for those that hurt you and persecute you (Matthew 5:44), even though I know it seems hard. Make Yahweh your shield, your Lord and your protector - He will not fail you or forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:8).
The second person you can be in a bullying situation is the bully themselves. You may know what you are doing or you may not. This position requires intense reflection. If confronted with the idea that you are a bully, do not take it lightly: consider the possibility. Examine your actions and your words. Do you love your neighbor as yourself such as prescribed in Leviticus 19:18? Do you permit unwholesome talk come out of your mouth that destroys insteads of building others up such as in Ephesians 4:29? Figure that out and ask forgiveness if it is the case.
The final position one can hold in a bullying situation is that of the authority or the witness. You are outside of the immediate situation. As a witness, gf you or anyone you know is a victim of bullying, is a bully, do not stand by and do nothing. Have the strength and the presence to rise up and speak. The Bible says in Psalm 82:4, “rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hands of the wicked.” As for authorities, if anyone comes to you signaling a situation of bullying, do not discredit them. They came to you because they have confidence that you will help the situation and submit their worries/situation to your authority as prescribed in Hebrews 13:17. Do not be afraid to act or to show love to the parties involved.
Bullying is like a sickness; it presents itself in signs and symptoms. Be there for one another, but do ont forget that you have a God that is there and will listen to your pleas like He did for His people in Egypt (Exodus 3:7). Yahweh has not left you and will never leave you. Uplift the victims, pray for the bullies and act in righteousness so that the name of the Yahweh can be praised everyday.
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Finding a Partner
It is that time of the year again; couples are walking together holding hands and laughing clandestinely in the streets. Hearts are everywhere and love is in the air. It’s what the world colloquially calls Valentine’s Day. With the popularisation of love during this period, it is easy to get lost in the emotions and find yourself in a situation that you may not want to be in - hence, we are here to help.
“Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not conceited, does not act improperly, is not selfish, is not provoked, and does not keep a record of wrongs. Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” (1 Corinthians 13:4 - 7)
It is that time of the year again; couples are walking together holding hands and laughing clandestinely in the streets. Hearts are everywhere and love is in the air. It’s what the world colloquially calls Valentine’s Day. With the popularisation of love during this period, it is easy to get lost in the emotions and find yourself in a situation that you may not want to be in - hence, we are here to help.
Step 1: Establish your priorities
To begin, you need to understand why you want to be in a relationship. Are you in this to find a good time? To not be alone? To look good to your friends? If you answer yes to any of those questions, you should reconsider your goals, as they will never be fortuitous in your search for ‘The One’. The singular goal in dating is to eventually get to marriage and beyond that, sharing a bond.
Step 2: Find the desired qualities
We tend to create our own perceptions of the perfect person for us: tall, good looking, nice smile and all that other good stuff. However, many of those things will eventually disappear. Values and qualities don’t disappear, but evolve. The best place in the bible to find qualities for a mate would be Genesis 24, when Abraham sends his servant to find a wife for Isaac in their home country. It’s an interesting read to get a good base in this aspect.
Step 3: Pray & believe
This is the hardest part: praying and believing. Yahweh may have a completely different outlook on what you believe you need in a partner. Accept what He chooses for you, as you know that He knows you better than you know yourself. Maybe the Lord knows need someone who is more patient than you, to balance you out. Accept it. Do not stop praying (1 Thessaloniciens 5:17), as He has planned everything for you (Jeremiah 29:11)
Step 4: Make yourself available
This one is inherently simple: make yourself available (1 Thessalonians 5:11) . Go out more, listen a lot and talk less. Be presentable. Don’t be desperate and date everybody you see, but keep an open mind and your thoughts directed towards Yahweh, as He will surprise you in so many ways.
All in all, it seems simple to find someone, but many will say that is hard. Understood, but know that Yahweh does not want you to be alone (Genesis 2:18). You are wonderfully and beautifully made, therefore do not fear that you will be alone forever, but rejoice in this time as you live your life in His light.
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Temptation
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
“Come on, don’t worry about it. “It’s no big deal…”“Why would you do that”
From a young age, we've all been taught our rights and wrongs. We didn't really question why but rather just follow. From which it just grew on us. However as we get older, some of our rights and wrongs become questioned and blur lines starts to form. This feeling doesn’t happen to all of us at the same time. Nonetheless, the feeling is there and may be challenging for some who don’t know what to do. It could feel like playing tug of war with yourself which isn’t fun per se.
Why must that be? Shouldn't we have internalized our rights and wrongs till death? In this world we live in with all the evolution happening, nothing is concrete. One main reason these blurred lines can start to form is because of our surroundings. On a daily basis, each and every one of us meet people and may experiences situations that isn’t always black and white. We learn new things that may interfere with what we believe in. Or we meet people that simply share different viewpoint. It’s all a learning process for everyone. However, with that being said, it doesn’t mean that you must just accept everything coming your way but rather stand stronger to what you initially believed in instead of judging everything. For that’s not anyone’s place.
Everyone's daily day is different but what makes your day extra different from someone’s else in the eyes of the Lord is whether you helped someone. In the book of James 4:17, it is written "If you fail to do what you know is right, you are sinning." We all have some common ideas of what is right. However, there are times in which we feel like our “rights” are wrongs and we do nothing. We instead turn the eye and ignore the fact. Doing the right thing doesn’t have to be a gigantic gesture for even the simplest thoughts can go a long way.
Take time within your day and week to reflect on your rights and wrongs you've learned up to this point in your life. Do you often turn the eye or is your surroundings inhibiting you in following the rights you learn as a child? Reflect on it and learn that if you are playing tug of war with yourself, let the positive side win. It's a good feeling.
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Control of Tongue
If we rewind a few years back, information was spread by word of mouth and having witnessed around. But now, fast forward a few years, information is spread from every four corners. With social media being the most used outlet in terms of information distribution, misunderstanding happens too often.
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Ephesians 4:29)
If we rewind a few years back, information was spread by word of mouth and having witnessed around. But now, fast forward a few years, information is spread from every four corners. With social media being the most used outlet in terms of information distribution, misunderstanding happens too often. Let’s not blame social media and the web because these misunderstandings happen among friends and family as well. All of which can lead to gossip.
We've all been witnessed to gossip and misunderstanding of words in our life. Whether you were the one spreading the information or whether you were witnessing someone spreading it. In both cases, we know that every action we make in our daily lives have consequences and repercussions. Though actions results can be both good and bad, the consequences of gossiping lead to no other than destruction and trouble.
The Lord’s creation isn't no coincidence. Everything he does from beginning to end has a purpose. We may not know what it is at first, but it is there for us to figure it out. We were born with two ears and one mouth. In the book of Proverbs 10:19, it is written "A person who talks too much gets into trouble. A wise person learns to be quiet." Now this proverb isn't saying to not speak and just listen to what is given. But rather to listen when something is said to listen and not just to respond or flip the narrative. In addition, to speak the truth and only the truth in times where you may not have all the information at hand.
Take a moment this week to reflect on how you use your words and ears on a daily basis. Do you often find yourself listening to listen or listening to respond? Or do you find yourself sharing information without all the facts? Remember that in life everything can be destroyed from nature to homes to humans expect for your words. Your words will live forever.
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Trust and Dependency
We’ve all heard these questions and statements before. But the real question is whether we know deep down what the word “trust” really means. And how a simple word can change a lot.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5)
"Do you trust me?” “Don’t worry I got you.” “Whatever you need, trust me.”
We’ve all heard these questions and statements before. But the real question is whether we know deep down what the word “trust” really means. And how a simple word can change a lot.
Trust can be a heavy issue. This can be because of a few things or experiences that may have shape our mind to think a certain way. Someone may have either taken advantage or not hold their end of the bargain. Which can result in shattered trust. This can become a burden on oneself.
We as humans’ beings are very complex being. In the situational examples mentioned above, the role of emotions and feelings can what makes us hold back from one another. And we know that once emotions are involved in the equation, it can result in holding grudges against each other or just not trusting anyone ever. However, just as we've been thought at a young age through our adolescent to even adulthood, we must never be 100 percent dependent on someone else. Trust and dependency go hand in hand.
In the book of Isaiah 26:4, it is written “So trust the Lord always, because in the Lord YAH you have a place of safety forever”. When we put our 100 percent trust in human beings, we get complex results. Yet what this verse is trying to teach us is to put our trust and dependency in the Lord, because He isn’t complex. All He asked of us as his children is to be honest with our selves and know that through his words, he will hold the end of bargain.
Take time this week to reflect on where you put your 100 percent trust and dependency in? Is it in mankind? Is it yourself? Or is it the Lord? Reflect on it and find new ways in shifting your gear toward the Lord. Learn to trust in the Father by remembering that his words will always stand above anything.
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Friendships
During teenage life and young adulthood, the people we tend to spend the most time with other than our immediate family tends to be friends. Whether that be in a work environment or in a scholastic space of some sort, it’s important to know that these people will have an impact on you and your life. Friends will affect your mood, your emotions, your values and beliefs - but how do you tackle such a subject?
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24)
During teenage life and young adulthood, the people we tend to spend the most time with other than our immediate family tends to be friends. Whether that be in a work environment or in a scholastic space of some sort, it’s important to know that these people will have an impact on you and your life. Friends will affect your mood, your emotions, your values and beliefs - but how do you tackle such a subject?
The Bible has an extensive plethora of great friendships. From the likes of David and Jonathan, Naomi and Ruth all the way to brothers such as Aaron and Moses - friendship is seen as an important link in each of their lives. They serve as both confident and counselor in many situations; the book of Proverbs is clear on this “Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.” (Proverbs 27:9)
In many cases, friends are a great support and help in growth “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17) However, situations may appear when a friendship becomes toxic. That can be seen through someone who insults you, gives you negative counsel, is jealous or, even more importantly, doesn’t bring you closer to Yahweh. Ahithophel can be seen as a bad friend who gave bad advice, showed anger and disloyalty to King David in order to plot his demise (2 Samuel 15:12-17:23). Judas is one of the greatest examples of a bad friend as he looked after his own interests, disregarded the feelings and beliefs of a friend in order to gain personal wealth and/or fame (Matthew 26:15-17, 25; Luke 22:47-48).
Bad friends exist, but know that Yahweh puts things, moments and people in your path to teach you something that you need to know (Isaiah 28:26). Maybe you need to learn to depend on Him. Possibly, that friend is supposed to show you the way that you are acting towards someone else. Acknowledging these relationships and their impact on your life is a great first step from removing yourself from that bad situation. Afterwards, prayer is always important, in order to change yourself and help your friend. Finally, listen to what Yahweh will say; He will not abandon you or forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:8)
You will meet a lot of people who you may consider good friends and others that you may consider as great friends: have the discernment to know which is which. Pray continuously so that your friendships will do nothing but make your relationship with the Messiah grow exponentially everyday.
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Vocation
Growing up, there are a series of questions that we are asked repeatedly. What’s your favorite color? How old are you? Those are great. However, the worst question remains: what do you want to be when you grow up? From the age of four to up until the age of twenty-one - the prime stage of growth in your life - you will be asked that very same question countless times. Your answer could change a thousand times, but whatever it is is what’s expected to be your vocation.
To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power (2 Thessalonians 1:11)
Growing up, there are a series of questions that we are asked repeatedly. What’s your favorite color? How old are you? Those are great. However, the worst question remains: what do you want to be when you grow up? From the age of four to up until the age of twenty-one - the prime stage of growth in your life - you will be asked that very same question countless times. Your answer could change a thousand times, but whatever it is is what’s expected to be your vocation.
During this period of development, no one should honestly ask you what you want to be when you grow up. What you want to be should be far from your mind. Questions like that make it seem as if we are in control of our destiny and that everything we do is within our reach - not to say that it isn’t, but that it’s a lot more complicated than that. We have to factor socioeconomic, education, race and a lot of other standards when truly deciding vocation in this world.
So when asked, as a child of Yahweh, the answer to the question “what do you want to be when you grow up?” the answer is deceptively simple: whatever Yahweh wants you to be.
That answer gives you a wide margin for success instead of a wide margin for error, because any walk with Yeshua is a victory. He made you who you are and created plans for you well before you were born (Jeremiah 29:11), giving you gifts along the way for a reason (Ephesians 2:10). Therefore, wouldn’t listening to Him be inherently and logically simpler?
The story of Jonas is the proof of why no one should ever run away from Him or His vocation (Psalm 139: 7 - 10). A quick debrief is that Jonas was told by the Lord to go to Nineveh, but refused to go for multiple dubious reasons. He ran away, but Yahweh brought him back to where he was supposed to be (Jonas 1:1 - 3:10). The Father will always want you to come back to the road that He made for you even if you took the scenic route.
Look for what Yahweh has planned for you in your life. If he tells you to become a doctor, go into that and you will never see defeat as long as you stay in His principles. The same concept applies to if you enter His service, become a mechanic, work in the army or any other vocation / profession that you take on in your life. Yahweh never made you to be a fail, but a matter of fact, to be successful in your enterprises through His Word and His commandments. Everything is possible to whoever believes in the Lord and practices what He preaches.
Joy
The buzzword these days is anything related to mental health. “We need to preserve your mental health”. “Are you feeling well, mentally speaking?”.The way that we feel and that we emote has finally become a non-controversial subject of conversation for many. While many people will talk about depression, let’s talk about joy.
1 Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. 2 For the LORD Most High is awesome, the great King over all the earth. (Psalms 47:1-2)
The buzzword these days is anything related to mental health. “We need to preserve your mental health”. “Are you feeling well, mentally speaking?”.The way that we feel and that we emote has finally become a non-controversial subject of conversation for many. While many people will talk about depression, let’s talk about joy.
Describing joy is simple; it’s a good feeling that is generated by something. It can come from winning a game, getting a good grade or even from simple luxuries. Joy is a feeling that many of us get for short periods of time, which isn’t what people want. We want an eternal, powerful and true joy. Something that is consistent and real.
What happens when we don’t have joy? We become anxious, sad, fearful or angry. Any other emotion that isn’t positive isn’t from Yahweh. Depression doesn’t come from the Messiah. That is something that comes directly from the enemy. Moments that are difficult or that change your emotional state aren’t all bad or all come from Satan; Yahweh may send you trials to test if you love Him with all of your heart and all your soul (Deuteronomy 13:1 - 3). How you decide to feel is up to you whenever a trial comes up; the Bible tells us:
“2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”
James 1:2 - 3
As some trials may come from the Almighty GOD and others may come from the Devil, it’s the same with joy. We, as believers of Christ, need to know the difference of the source of your joy. If your joy is like that of David, where you feel joy every time you are told to go to the house of the Lord (Psalms 122:1), congratulations! If you feel good when you know you are following the path that GOD gave you, congratulations! However, any joy that comes from sin is short lived, ephemeral and will certainly lead you to hell. This is for any sexual sin, stealing, cheating, or anything else that can be seen as contrary to GOD’s word.
Joy is attainable, as you all need to do is ask Yahweh (John 16:24) and to truly believe that it is there for the taking. Forget the elements that caused you pain and torment and accept that Yahweh is constantly working toward your happiness and betterment. Your mental health is important: acknowledge that you will grow out of the darkness and find joy when you accept Yeshua as your Lord and savior; He’s waiting for your hand.
Thank you for reading Thinking Twice! May our Lord Yeshua bless you! Feel free to like the article, share it on social networks and send it to your friends and family so they can also receive this blessing.
Introductions
To follow Christ in today’s modern world is a double-edged sword. While it seems to be easier than ever to stay connected through mediums such as the internet and get information, it’s also noteworthy to add that temptation and sin are everywhere. There is nothing perfect about it. If you aren’t a teen or young adult, imagine that from their perspective; it’s a slightly harder life than you’d expect it to be.
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland” (Isaiah 43:18-19)
To follow Christ in today’s modern world is a double-edged sword. While it seems to be easier than ever to stay connected through mediums such as the internet and get information, it’s also noteworthy to add that temptation and sin are everywhere. There is nothing perfect about it. If you aren’t a teen or young adult, imagine that from their perspective; it’s a slightly harder life than you’d expect it to be.
Here at Thinking Twice, we will give you life as testimony and shed light upon topics that may scare, bother or worry. Some of you who will read this are young adults or teens; baptized or not even close to the idea. Others may find themselves in situations that they aren’t proud of or done things that go around those same lines. It’s okay. This is a safe space where we will share ideas and thoughts.
Welcome to Thinking Twice.
Some weeks, we will tackle ideas, concepts and stories that will hopefully help you all have a better understanding of yourself if you are as a teen / young adult who follows Yeshua, someone who is looking to convert or a parent attempting to understand their child on their journey. We’ll do our best to keep it as down-to-earth as possible so that everyone can find something that will resonate to them through stories and real-life examples.
All in all, this is meant to make you think twice about the lives that we are living today. Yes, we included everyone on the team, as we will have to do research on questions and topics that may be brought to us or that are inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Come join us every other Wednesday for brand new articles and to share in the love of Yahweh’s word, don’t be afraid to like, comment and share our articles!
With that, we leave you all for this week in hope that Yahweh shines his light on you and your loved ones. May He protect you and show you His love.
Sincerely yours,
The entire Thinking Twice Team
Thank you for reading Thinking Twice! May our Lord Yeshua bless you! Feel free to like the article, share it on social networks and send it to your friends and family so they can also receive this blessing.
New Beginnings
Most people have something that they didn’t want to try at all as a child because it didn’t look great to them. Stuff like broccoli, public speaking and swimming come to mind. You have to try it though to know what it feels like; some might be validated in saying that the experience was horrifying while others may find themselves in love with that thing. It’s the specific fear of trying something new.
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland” (Isaiah 43:18-19)
Most people have something that they didn’t want to try at all as a child because it didn’t look great to them. Stuff like broccoli, public speaking and swimming come to mind. You have to try it though to know what it feels like; some might be validated in saying that the experience was horrifying while others may find themselves in love with that thing. It’s the specific fear of trying something new.
Teenagers and young adults get the great opportunity to try new things all the time with the new freedom that is given to them. Some will start High School or College, while others are about to start careers, relationships and opportunities galore. All of those are wonderful blessings to always thank Yahweh for (Psalm 100:4).
New opportunities are scary because you don’t know the outcome. No one knows the outcome of your first swimming lesson or first day of school. The only way to combat fear is through faith in Yeshua. The Bible says in Luke 12:22 - 26 “do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn, yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than the birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?”
The book of Mark recounts the story of Yeshua calming the storm with just the power of His word and then proceed to ask the disciples if they still had no faith, in order to explain their fear (Mark 4:35 - 41, key verses 39 - 40). It doesn’t take a lot to shake many people from their beliefs, but do not be afraid of anything if you have an Almighty God who loves you and can do anything (Ephesians 3:20).
Some of us may see a situation and feel as if it is too much for us; Yahweh has you covered for that. A prime example would be the story of Moses, who tried to tell the Lord that he couldn’t speak in front of people, just to be given his brother Aaron to help him in that thing (Exodus 4:10 - 17; 7 - 1). Another famous example is Jonah, who ran away from Yahweh and his destiny by trying to not go to Nineveh. But Yahweh brought him on an amazing journey to prove that he would be there with Jonah, no matter what (Jonah 1:1 - 3:10).
Whatever your new beginning may be, whether it be a new relationship, project,or even a blog for young adults and teenagers, do not be afraid to confide yourself in the Messiah. He will alleviate your doubts and instill faith in you to replace the fear. He has never abandoned you and will not give you what you need to accomplish the plans that he has made for you long before you were born.