02 010523 0901 (Monday 1st of May 2023 9:01 AM)
This is the first entry so I will leave it at the top. The entries to follow will be ordered like a blog post with the latest entry appearing first.
I've been looking through my journal and I noticed that many of the things I observe and write about are very edifying and encouraging to me. I decided to share some of what I write on this online journal.
Lamentations 3:22-23 (NASB)
22 The LORD’S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,
For His compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
Shabbat Shalom
We were woken up today at 06:30 by sirens wailing and loud explosions. Hamas carried out a massive surprise attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip.
As of now, 11:00, over 2500 rockets have been launched into Israel.
There have been many direct rocket hits in south and central Israel by missiles from Gaza and multiple casualties have been reported.
Hamas terrorists have infiltrated Israel from Gaza and are randomly shooting at civilians in the communities surrounding the Gaza Strip.
There are reports that Hamas terrorists have abducted Israeli citizens and soldiers and have transferred them to the Gaza Strip.
At the sound of the sirens we run to the stairwell or to the bomb-shelter on the ground floor of our apartment building.
Having lived here for over twenty years, this is not new to us. The girls, age 19, 15 and 12 have grown up with this reality. Our eldest is serving in the IDF - Israeli Defense Forces. We follow the Home Front regulations and do our best to keep safe.
On the news they are preparing us that this is not a military operation: We are at war!
Many news analysts are comparing this surprise attack to the War of Atonement in 1973.
Yesterday, October 6th, was fifty years since the Yom Kippur war. On October 6 1973 Egypt and Syria led Arab armies in a multi front surprise attack on Israel. Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the most holy day on the Jewish calendar and most people were fasting and praying at the synagogue.
*A massive unprovoked attack on Israel* - analysis https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-762048?utm_source=jpost.app.apple&utm_medium=share
Since I was six years old, I have been interested in the supernatural. Since I bought my first Bible at my elementary school I’ve been captured by the supernatural.
I’ve always felt like an outsider in this world.
I’ve always been unable to fit in.
I’ve always looked for and been curious about powers out of this world.
Hebrews 11:13-16 (KJV)
13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. 15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
Looking back I have understood that everything I did that was related to this world was temporary until the time that I would be able to work on my real passion.
Even over the last 12 years in Israel after I had decided to focus on Greek Music and Bouzouki and after I had fully given myself over to this task, I felt that it was only a means to an end and that the day would come when I would be able to occupy myself fully with the things I am most passionate about.
I now believe that the time has come or that it is very close at hand. All else feels like vanity of vanities. All is vanity.
I feel that I am setting off on a new path.
I feel that I am leaving old things behind.
I feel that I need to build from scratch.
it’s overwhelming.
it’s unknown.
I desire it more than anything.
I pray for guidance, wisdom, patience, obedience and that all be done by wise council, faith and fellowship.
Proverbs 24:6 (KJV)
6 For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.
Shabbat Shalom
2 Chronicles 20:3-4 (KJV)
3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4 And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the LORD: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.
We have a tendency of focusing on our shortcomings and on our weaknesses. The Lord encourages us by saying that in Him we are more than conquerors. We are victorious in Him.
Matthew 16:21-23 (ESV)
21 From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” 23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”
We should let go of this soulish false humility and stretch forward to His upward calling because He has bought us with a price and seated us in heavenly places with Him.
We have a tendency of focusing on the evil kings, prophets, priests and leaders of Israel while ignoring or paying little attention to those who did right in the eyes of the Lord—to those who sought the Lord and led the people to seek the Lord.
Philippians 4:8 (KJV)
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Let no one cheat us of our prize. We have been liberated. We have been saved. We are free.
Our Kingdom is not of this world which is going into perdition. Our Kingdom is in Heaven from where we await our Savior.
Colossians 2:18 (KJV)
18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
Colossians 3:1 (KJV)
1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Let us pray Thy Kingdom come Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven for the King will return with all His Holy ones.
Colossians 3:3-4 (KJV)
3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
His feet will touchdown on the Mount of Olives and He will set up His Kingdom from Jerusalem and we will reign together with Him.
Ephesians 2:8-10 (KJV)
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Philippians 1:9-11 (KJV)
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; 10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; 11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
Philippians 4:10-14 (KJV)
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.
Philippians 4:16-20 (KJV)
16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. 17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. 18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. 19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Ezekiel 44:28-30 (KJV)
28 And it shall be unto them for an inheritance: I am their inheritance: and ye shall give them no possession in Israel: I am their possession. 29 They shall eat the meat offering, and the sin offering, and the trespass offering; and every dedicated thing in Israel shall be theirs. 30 And the first of all the firstfruits of all things, and every oblation of all, of every sort of your oblations, shall be the priest's: ye shall also give unto the priest the first of your dough, that he may cause the blessing to rest in thine house.
Matthew 11:27-30 (KJV)
27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
1 Kings 12:4-7 (KJV)
4 Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee. 5 And he said unto them, Depart yet for three days, then come again to me. And the people departed.
6 And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this people? 7 And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever.
1 Kings 12:19 (KJV)
19 So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day.
"וַיִּפְשְׁעוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּבֵית דָּוִד עַד הַיֹּום הַזֶּה׃ ס" (מלכים א יב 19)
"ישראל מורדים במשפחת דוד עד היום." ((תרגום העדות) מלכים א יב 19)
Romans 11:25-27 (KJV)
25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. 26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: 27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
"הֲרֵי הַמָּשִׁיחַ הוּא תַּכְלִית הַתּוֹרָה, כְּדֵי שֶׁיֻּצְדַּק כָּל מִי שֶׁמַּאֲמִין." (אל הרומים י 4)
“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”
Romans 10:4 KJV
“Eπειδή, το τέλος τού νόμου είναι ο Xριστός προς δικαιοσύνη σε κάθε έναν που πιστεύει.”
ΠΡΟΣ ΡΩΜΑΙΟΥΣ 10:4 FPB
I’ve been invited to join the worship team for this Friday’s meeting and I am very happy-and a bit nervous. When I received the message on Monday I prepared a playlist with all the songs and I have been listening to them over and over in preparation. Today I will practice the songs on the bouzouki to get a feel of how to blend in.
What I wanted to document is that knowing that I am part of the worship team this Friday has really, really motivated me to be active around the songs, to closely pay attention to the lyrics and to sit with the bouzouki and listen and play along.
I always listen to worship songs on my headphones and praise the Lord while walking, exercising, doing household chores etc; however, having to perform with the songs demand a different level of attention and involvement—and I feel greatly blessed.
I want to be involved in worship and production of faith based songs and material. Being part of the worship on Friday has activated, encouraged and motivated me. Thank you Lord for your perfect timing.
2233
Colossians 3:2 (NASB)
2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.
Philippians 4:8-9 (NASB)
8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. 9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
The world will continue in its ungodliness until the Prince of Peace comes and the kingdoms of this world become the Kingdom of the Messiah and His holy ones.
We are not of this world. Our kingdom is not of this world; therefore the world hates us because it first hated Yeshua. The light came into this world but men preferred the darkness.
Let us keep our eyes on the heavens from which we expect and await our Saviour. Let us not be entangled and certainly not conformed to the spirit of this world, for it is passing away. The Word of God and His Kingdom abide forever.
Daniel 12:10 (NASB)
10 Many will be purged, purified and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand.
Revelation 22:11 (NASB)
11 Let the one who does wrong, still do wrong; and the one who is filthy, still be filthy; and let the one who is righteous, still practice righteousness; and the one who is holy, still keep himself holy.”
Revelation 22:20-21 (NASB)
20 He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.