Sabbath Streams Ministries

Shalom, my dearest brothers and sisters in Y’Shua. It has been a long time since my last entry and for that I apologize. Actually, there is much I must repent of and ask forgiveness for in this entry. I pray you will extend mercy, grace, and forgiveness as you read on.

 James 5:16: If you have sinned, you should tell each other what you have done. Then you can pray for one another and be healed. The prayer of an innocent person is powerful, and it can help a lot. (CEV)

First, I ask you, dear brothers and sisters in Y’Shua to forgive me the sin of pride. You see,  I have a wonderful ministry partner. We work and minister well together; however, like many partners, sometimes we take allowances with each other that may at times hurt the other person.

Bear with me for a moment, please, as I try to explain how it is I who wounded my ministry partner and not the other way around. When I started writing this blog, I took possession of it within my own heart and mind. Yes, I know that everything connected with this ministry is a joint effort and is shared between Elizabeth and me; but I held this blog as something personal. To be totally honest, I considered this blog to be mine alone. This is the first violation of the sin of pride on my part.

Now, I usually run everything by Elizabeth before posting my little missives. Mostly, I do this to have someone proofread what I have written and because I trust Elizabeth to tell me if what I am saying makes any sense. So, as usual, I asked Elizabeth to read through my last entry and post it to the blog if she thought it was acceptable.

Here comes the second violation of the sin of pride on my part. Elizabeth, believing she was making my posting easier to understand, made some formatting changes. Now, you and I know that the word says that when a brother or sister offends us, we are to go to the one who offended us (Matt 18:15). Well, I didn’t do that. I tried to convince myself that it didn’t matter. Obviously, by the lack of postings on my part, it did matter.

Now, this is how wonderful my ministry partner is. Sensing that I was upset about the blog, she had apologized to me quite some time ago — and – I told her I had forgiven her. And I have. It’s me that I haven’t been able to forgive.

Why? Because of pride. Because of a perceived sense of hurt. Because I’m out of alignment with HaShem. Because of my sense of ownership where none belongs. Because I have sinned. It’s that plain and simple. I have sinned and my own pride has kept me from fellowshipping with those I love and care about most. My pride and sin have kept me from a right relationship with HaShem and also from you, my dearest relatives in Y’Shua.

The commentary in Eaton’s Dictionary says this about pride:

Hence the heart must be changed, regenerated (Eze_36:26) before a man can willingly obey God.

The process of salvation begins in the heart by the believing reception of the testimony of God, while the rejection of that testimony hardens the heart (Psa_95:8). Hardness of heart evidences itself by light views of sin; partial acknowledgment and confession of it; pride and conceit; ingratitude; unconcern about the word and ordinances of God; inattention to divine providences; stifling convictions of conscience; shunning reproof; presumption, and general ignorance of divine things.

I believe HaShem will restore my desire to write and to communicate my thoughts via this blog now that I have confessed my sin openly. An additional lesson I have learned is that this blog is not mine. Hence, my fourth sin. Everything I do, everything I say, everything I write belongs to HaShem and therefore must bring glory to Him. I have taken this lesson to heart and will make every effort in the future to remember this lesson as I write in this blog.

So, I ask you again, will you please forgive me? 

Be blessed my loved ones,

Lisa

February 21, 2010

?

“A child has been born for us. We have been given a son who will be our ruler. His names will be Wonderful Advisor and Mighty God, Eternal Father and Prince of Peace. His power will never end; peace will last forever. He will rule David’s kingdom and make it grow strong. He will always rule with honesty and justice. The LORD All-Powerful will make certain that all of this is done.” (Isaiah 9:6&7)

Oh, I know today is not really the day of the birth of Jesus, Jeshua . And I understand that there are things about this day that are not of God, that have ‘pagan roots.’ But I also think, if ever there was a takeover that worked - this is it. This king, of Divine origin - who came to us as a human baby - came to be the ruler. He came to take over the world systems. And in many ways this day was taken over. So the takeover is not complete and there seems to be a back and forth in the battles, some years it is more honoring to HIM, some not so honoring. But is this not the daily struggle of our lives. In some things we honor Him well, in others, maybe not so much.

I can look at every holy day and see some worldly additions, some pagan rituals, (the egg at Passover for example) But today — today I want to remember that this king, is still on the mission to take over! I want to be reminded that He came to set up HIS kingdom here on earth. Today I want, no - today I NEED that kingdom in my heart and in my life. Today I want to remember the verses that come before -

“Those who walked in the dark have seen a bright light. And it shines upon everyone who lives in the land of darkest shadows. Our LORD, you have made your nation stronger. Because of you, its people are glad and celebrate like workers at harvest time or like soldiers dividing up what they have taken. You have broken the power of those who abused and enslaved your people. You have rescued them just as you saved your people from Midian.” Is 9: 2-4

Today I want to celebrate because You came to break the power of the enemy in our lives. You came to rescue us and to set us free. You came to conquer the world systems and the ungodly things that have caused your people so much pain. So I remember you today: The baby born in Bethlehem, the newborn who awed the shepherds, the toddler the wise men honored, the boy who stymied the elders in the temple, the teacher who spoke with authority, the man beaten and bloody who died on the cross, the glorious one who stepped out of the grave clothes and into the courts of heaven. This is the one I will remember today. This is the one I choose to honor and love. The one who went through all of that to bring FREEDOM to a world enslaved. So I don’t see it quite yet. But I know it is coming, I know it is being worked out. The Salvation of man is not complete,

“But we must each wait our turn. Christ was the first to be raised to life, and his people will be raised to life when he returns. Then after Christ has destroyed all powers and forces, the end will come, and he will give the kingdom to God the Father. Christ will rule until he puts all his enemies under his power, and the last enemy he destroys will be death.” I Cor 15:23-26

The Day is coming, how can I help but sing:

All praise to Him Who reigns above in majesty supreme,
Who gave His Son for man to die, that He might man redeem!

His Name above all names shall stand, exalted more and more,
At God the Father’s own right hand, where angel hosts adore.

Redeemer, Savior, Friend of man, once ruined by the fall,
Thou hast devised salvation’s plan, For Thou hast died for all.

His Name shall be the Counselor, The mighty Prince of Peace,
Of all earth’s kingdoms Conqueror, Whose reign shall never cease.

Blessed be the Name! Blessed be the Name!
Blessed be the Name of the Lord!
Blessed be the Name! Blessed be the Name!
Blessed be the Name of the Lord!
Words by William H. Clark; (refrain added by Ralph E. Hudson) Music by Ralph E. Hudson
–
elizabeth darby bass
Sabbath Streams Ministries

Today, July 9, 2009, is the Fast of Tammuz. In Israel, today marks the beginning of a three-week mourning period beginning the Mourning for the Days of Destruction. This time is also known as “The Season Between the Straights.” During this three-week period, we will be standing with Israel in prayer and invite you to join with us we take our place standing in the gap for the people of G-d.

Isa 55:6 Seek ye Jehovah while he may be found; call ye upon him while he is near:

Isa 55:7 let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto Jehovah, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Isa 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith Jehovah.

Isa 55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isa 55:10 For as the rain cometh down and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, and giveth seed to the sower and bread to the eater;

Isa 55:11 so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Isa 55:12 For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing; and all the trees of the fields shall clap their hands.

Isa 55:13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir-tree; and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle-tree: and it shall be to Jehovah for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

Isa 56:1 Thus saith Jehovah, Keep ye justice, and do righteousness; for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.

Isa 56:2 Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that holdeth it fast; that keepeth the sabbath from profaning it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil.

Isa 56:3 Neither let the foreigner, that hath joined himself to Jehovah, speak, saying, Jehovah will surely separate me from his people; neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree.

Isa 56:4 For thus saith Jehovah of the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and hold fast my covenant:

Isa 56:5 Unto them will I give in my house and within my walls a memorial and a name better than of sons and of daughters; I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.

Isa 56:6 Also the foreigners that join themselves to Jehovah, to minister unto him, and to love the name of Jehovah, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from profaning it, and holdeth fast my covenant;

Isa 56:7 even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt-offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.

Isa 56:8 The Lord Jehovah, who gathereth the outcasts of Israel, saith, Yet will I gather others to him, besides his own that are gathered.

Our reading comes from Isaiah 55:6 through Isaiah 56:8 and begins with the command to seek the L-rd and to call upon Him while He is near enough to you in your heart; and He will hear you.

55:7 Repent of that which caused you to walk away from Him, to stray from His purpose in your life, from your thoughts that are holding you captive to the sin in your life. Repent and return to the loving arms of your G-d who will have mercy upon you; and He will extend abundant compassion and pardon, or forgive, you your sins.

55:8 We are told that He does think as we think. Of course not! For He Is. We are also told that His ways are not our ways. Praise Adonai! Can you imagine what our world would be like if HaShem were to think and behave as we do? Drinking, cavorting, carousing, cursing our fellow neighbor! Our world would probably look like a dung heap and we would be as filthy little worms living in an enormous pile of manure!

55:9 Praise Adonai! for His ways are higher than ours and His thoughts are so much greater than ours.

55:10 For the L-rd, our G-d, feeds and waters us through His word that we may grow as a plant to be used to feed and water those who are hungry and thirsty.

55:11 This is G-d’s desire that we go out and feed His sheep and through our obedience, His word will spread to all of the corners of the earth. His word will not return void, for He will not allow it to die. His desire is for us to go where He sends us, and to reap and sow that which has prospered under His guidance.

55:12 But there is a word of caution here. As we go to spread the seed of HaShem’s word, we are not to go as an army of grumblers and complainers. NO! May it never be! We are to go out with JOY! There will be peace within us. As we go out, even the mountains and the hills shall break forth into song and trees shall clap their hands. If you don’t believe me, watch and listen! The next time the L-rd asks you to do something, observe the beauty of the world, the mountains and the hills around you, as you set off to do His work. Watch the trees as they sway in the breeze. They are clapping their hands!

55:13 And when we go out to do the work of the L-rd with this kind of attitude, He will bless us! For His word says that instead of the thorn, a Fir tree shall rise up; and instead of a thick hedge, a Myrtle tree. For that one soul, or that one deed done out of obedience in the name of our L-rd, Y’shua HaMashiach, it will be a sign forever of His everlasting mercies to us that He will not cut us off from Him or His everlasting kingdom.

56:1 Adonai goes on to tell us to be just and righteous. In other words, we are to treat everyone the same. The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) states: “Justice is not only giving to others their rights, but involves the active duty of establishing their rights.” Justice becomes mercy. “To ’seek justice’ means to ‘relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, and plead for the widow.” If we follow this command, HaShem promises us that His righteousness will be revealed, and not only His righteousness be revealed, but He will bless each one of us.

56:2 Furthermore, Adonai goes on to say that, He will bless those that keep His sabbath and do not violate this commandment.

56:3 Nor are foreigners that have joined themselves to the kingdom of G-d, (that is, all of us who are Believers in the G-d of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob), or eunuchs to say that Adonai will separate us from His chosen people (the Jews).

56:4 and 56:5 For the L-rd says that those eunuchs, who keep His sabbaths, choose the things that please Him, and hold fast His covenants;

56:5 He will give in His own house and within His walls a memorial and a name better than of sons and daughters; He will give us an everlasting name that shall not be cut off.

56:6 Also, the foreigners (that’s us) that join themselves to Adonai, to minister to Him, and to love His holy name, to be His servants, every one of us that keeps the sabbath, and holds fast to His covenant;

56:7 He will bring to His holy mountain, and make them joyful in His house of prayer; and our offerings and sacrifices shall be accepted upon His altar; for His house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.

56:8 The L-rd Adonai, who gathers the outcasts of Israel (again, that’s us), says, “I will gather others to him, besides his own that are gathered. Hallelujah!

You’re probably wondering about the title for this Meandering. Let me explain. As the Passover season was approaching, I started pondering the symbols of the season. I love the story of Passover and the prophetic representation of our Messiah in the story.

Anyway, I receive an e-newsletter from a local business called the Green Blade Bakery (they make wonderful Challah bread and other pastries!).  The message from Mike’s April newsletter is really appropriate to the eating of unleavened bread for Passover. I liked Mike’s story so much that I asked permission to share this with you.

The Bakery hosted twenty-five 4-8 year old children on a field trip to the bakery. Mike wrote, “We were trying to explain how we leaven bread by allowing yeast and bacteria to digest converted starches, thereby generating carbon dioxide. What we ended up saying instead was that there are a bunch of good little bugs in the dough, and they eat so much that they just start farting, except the farts smell really good, and they make the dough all light and lovely.”

Symbolically, leavening represents the sin in our lives. I like Mike’s story because it really drove home how bad sin really is in our lives. The leavening, or sin, is filled with “bug farts.” I don’t know about you, but the thought of bugs being in anything I’m about to eat makes me feel a little queasy. Imagine how HaShem must feel when He sees the “bug farts” (sin) in our lives. “Bug farts” are responsible for death being present in this world. It’s “bug farts” that keep us from having a right relationship with Adonai. Is it any wonder that we should eat unleavened bread at such a time as Passover?

During this Holy Day, we learn not only of the story of the Exodus, but we learn of the representation of the Messiah in the story as well. Our Messiah, born of a virgin, came to this earth and lived His entire life among us free from “bug farts” (sin). He went to the execution stake (the cross) to freely give His life for us as a way to save us from our “bug farts” so that we can continue to have a relationship with Adonai and He with us. The next time you give thought to the stripes you see on a piece of matzah bread, think about the “bug farts” and the sacrifice that was made so you could experience eternal life with the Holy One.

I know that this story Mike wrote about the “bug farts” was a way of making something complicated easy for a young child to learn about a difficult process, but isn’t that what the Father tries to do for us each day? For me, Mike’s story makes it easier for me to understand how sin can grow in my life if I just stand by and let it do just that. Just like bread dough rises because of the “bug farts” (sin) in the leavening. The good news is that if I ask forgiveness for my sin, He is quick to forgive and I am welcome to once again feast from the Bread of Life!

May you be blessed,

Lisa

Passover was a busy time of celebration for us at Sabbath Streams. Preparing the Hagadah and a meal for approximately seventy-five people took quite a bit of planning. I praise HaShem for the people who willingly stepped up and volunteered to help us with this event. Please know that we so appreciate each one of you and we could not have pulled this event off without you. To Pastors Carl and Jan of Abundant Life Christian Fellowship, we owe a great debt of gratitude. Thank you partnering with us to bring the Passover story to our community and for helping to insure that the meal we served was not only delicious, but was also prepared and served in the best way. I want to thank you, Jan, for selflessly offering to manage the kitchen detail and for the wonderful charoset you prepare each year. It is always delicious. To Cindy, Celynda, Tammy, Debbie, Lorraine, DiAnna, Judy, Linda, and our beloved “Papa” Craig, know that we thank all of you as well.

Last year we served thirty-five people at Passover and this year HaShem told us to prepare for double that amount. He has already told us He is planning to increase that amount to 125 people for next year. Please pray that we will be able find a location to hold our Passover celebration that holds that many people and that will be made available to us at no charge. Thank you for all of your prayers toward our ministry.

May the L-rd bless you,

Lisa

Welcome to A Shepherd’s Meandering, a new blog page for Sabbath Streams. It is my hope that this blog will become a place where we can meet and discuss our thoughts with one another in a respectful manner. I understand we might have differences, but I believe if we can extend grace one to another, we can carry on a conversation in a civil manner. In other words, there will be times when we will just have to agree to disagree with one another.

I must caution you though. At any time when your posting becomes abusive, either to me or to someone else who has submitted a posting, I will remove your post. I cannot, and will not, allow a lamb to be abused. I will also consider removing any postings that have the potential of leading a lamb astray from HaShem.

This being said, let me welcome you to A Shepherd’s Meandering. May we kibitz (discuss) in grace and learn from one another with open hearts.

Shalom,

Lisa