Believe It Or Not - Steve Martin

 

Believe It Or Not

"Then this word of Adonai came to him: “Get up; go to Tzarfat, a village in Tzidon; and live there. I have ordered a widow there to provide for you.” 1 Kings 17:8-10, Complete Jewish Bible

We all know the verse, “Give and it shall be given to you.” Not enough most likely believe it though. I purposely didn’t share that verse at the top of this message for it may have become one of those, “Yeah, I have heard that plenty of times. Usually right before the offering. What else have you got?”

The verse I did share from 1 Kings tells of Elijah the Prophet going out as the Lord had instructed, then speaking to the widow as he asked for food. As you also know the story, she gave what she had, knowing that her son and herself were running out of provision themselves. It is a good, factual, story to learn from in our walk with the same God.

If one believes something, he, or she (not “it”, or any other pronoun) they do it. And the more often they do, the more it becomes a way of life.

We are given many examples in the Lord’s Word of giving something in faith and then seeing the Lord give it back, over and abundantly beyond what the giver thought possible.

We have many examples of His faithfulness and honesty. The widow and her bread and oil. Yeshua (Jesus) and the fish and loaves from the young boy, before feeding the multitude who had followed Him. And then of course His first miracle, taking the jars of water at the Cana wedding and turning them into the best wine. Each one had to first give something for His to use. He then multiplied it in return, benefiting many, including themselves.

Stories only? Or are these all factual moments for us to read, hear, and believe that the Lord is “the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

Most Americans don’t really believe that verse from Hebrews because we can always go around the corner to the grocery or big-box store, or order on Amazon and get whatever we want the next day, or even within hours now. For many there is no need to trust the Lord for provision.

And with our checking account usually having some money in it, why trust the Lord for anything such as these stories tell us?

I tend to think we are about to learn many lessons in these days requiring us to trust more, in faith.

How can we walk in the ways of the Lord if we don’t practice walking in the ways of the Lord?

I recently told a young man this very thing. If we say we know the Lord, and do things our way, do we really know the Lord? If we don’t do things His way, then how can we say we are believers? How can we say we know Him? How can we say we do what He says to do in His Word, when we don’t even know what His Word says or take the needed time to ask Him daily what He wants to say to us, to hear and obey?

Are we living His life or our own? For Him or for ourselves?

I personally would doubt what you tell me if your life shows me you actually believe something else. True?

Givers give. And the Lord says, once again, “Give away your life; you'll find life given back, but not merely given back — given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity." Luke 6:38, THE MESSAGE

I encourage you to practice, yes practice, what you preach. Does your walk keep up with your mouth? I hope so!

And no, this is not a request for contributions! It is a desire to see more believers believe what the Lord asks us to believe.

Believe it or not.

Ahava and shalom,

Steve Martin

Believe It Or Not by Steve Martin

 

Believe It Or Not by Steve Martin

"Then this word of Adonai came to him: “Get up; go to Tzarfat, a village in Tzidon; and live there. I have ordered a widow there to provide for you.” 1 Kings 17:8-10, Complete Jewish Bible

We all know the verse, “Give and it shall be given to you.” Not enough most likely believe it though. I purposely didn’t share that verse at the top of this message for it may have become one of those, “Yeah, I have heard that plenty of times. Usually right before the offering. What else have you got?”

The verse I did share from 1 Kings tells of Elijah the Prophet going out as the Lord had instructed, then speaking to the widow as he asked for food. As you also know the story, she gave what she had, knowing that her son and herself were running out of provision themselves. It is a good, factual, story to learn from in our walk with the same God.

If one believes something, he, or she (not “it”, or any other pronoun) they do it. And the more often they do, the more it becomes a way of life.

We are given many examples in the Lord’s Word of giving something in faith and then seeing the Lord give it back, over and abundantly beyond what the giver thought possible.

We have many examples of His faithfulness and honesty. The widow and her bread and oil. Yeshua (Jesus) and the fish and loaves from the young boy, before feeding the multitude who had followed Him. And then of course His first miracle, taking the jars of water at the Cana wedding and turning them into the best wine. Each one had to first give something for His to use. He then multiplied it in return, benefiting many, including themselves.

Stories only? Or are these all factual moments for us to read, hear, and believe that the Lord is “the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

Most Americans don’t really believe that verse from Hebrews because we can always go around the corner to the grocery or big-box store, or order on Amazon and get whatever we want the next day, or even within hours now. For many there is no need to trust the Lord for provision.

And with our checking account usually having some money in it, why trust the Lord for anything such as these stories tell us?

I tend to think we are about to learn many lessons in these days requiring us to trust more, in faith.

How can we walk in the ways of the Lord if we don’t practice walking in the ways of the Lord?

I recently told a young man this very thing. If we say we know the Lord, and do things our way, do we really know the Lord? If we don’t do things His way, then how can we say we are believers? How can we say we know Him? How can we say we do what He says to do in His Word, when we don’t even know what His Word says or take the needed time to ask Him daily what He wants to say to us, to hear and obey?

Are we living His life or our own? For Him or for ourselves?

I personally would doubt what you tell me if your life shows me you actually believe something else. True?

Givers give. And the Lord says, once again, “Give away your life; you'll find life given back, but not merely given back — given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity." Luke 6:38, THE MESSAGE

I encourage you to practice, yes practice, what you preach. Does your walk keep up with your mouth? I hope so!

And no, this is not a request for contributions! It is a desire to see more believers believe what the Lord asks us to believe.

Believe it or not.

Walk With Me - Israel, Mt. Carmel Monastery, Elijah overlooking Jezreel Valley

Walk With Me - Israel, Mt. Carmel Monastery, Elijah overlooking Jezreel Valley

Steve Martin

Published on May 3, 2019

Walk With Me - Israel, Mt. Carmel Monastery, Elijah overlooking Jezreel Valley - May 3, 2019, (2) Love For His People videos Videos filmed and shared by Steve Martin - to give appreciation to and love for those we support, through Love For His People, Inc.

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Travel & Events

Walk With Me in Israel - Mt. Carmel Monastery, Elijah overlooking Jezreel Valley - Love For His People - Steve Martin video

Walk With Me in Israel - Mt. Carmel Monastery, Elijah overlooking Jezreel Valley

Love For His People - Steve Martin video

May 3, 2019, Friday

 Prophet Elijah stature

Jezreel Valley in NW Israel

Steve Martin

Published on May 3, 2019

Walk With Me in Israel - Mt. Carmel Monastery, Elijah overlooking Jezreel Valley - Love For His People - Steve Martin video - May 3, 2019, Friday (2) Videos filmed and shared by Steve Martin - to give appreciation to and love for those we support, through Love For His People, Inc.

Category

Travel & Events

Mount Carmel | Dr. Lance Wallnau - video

Lance Wallnau

Published on Jun 8, 2018

I sensed my friend Kim Clement as I stood at the Mount. Was thinking that the prophetic gift he had is now being released. The ear to hear what the Spirit is saying. Nations are in the valley of decision. It’s Israel’s 70th year and the Nations are already voting on its right to exist.

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People & Blogs

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This Might Be the Single Greatest Threat to the Devil—And It's Often Overlooked - DAVID HOFFMAN CHARISMA NEWS

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This Might Be the Single Greatest Threat to the Devil—And It's Often Overlooked

11/30/2017 DAVID HOFFMAN  Charisma news

A customer registers his handprint before proceeding on the world's first-ever permanent bitcoin ATM. (REUTERS/Andy Clark )

Note: This is a guest column by my friend David Hoffman.

If you had bought $100 in bitcoin in 2010 and didn't sell, it would now be worth almost $73 million. That is an incredible return.

Last year on November 29, 2016, the price of one Bitcoin closed out at $732.62. That means in the past year, it really grew.

We are living in a time where there is great opportunity to invest in a lot of different things. With great opportunity, there is great risk involved as well.

Bitcoin was arguably one of the best financial investments of the past 5 years, just as Apple was a great financial investment over the past decade.

Though these were good financial investments for many, there is a much better investment that a person can make. That is investment in the kingdom of God. God wants us to invest our time and energy in serving Him and promoting His kingdom. It has infinitely more benefit and returns than the best investments on this earth.

One of the biggest blessings when investing into the kingdom of God is that there is no risk of loss. Even if you invest the slightest amount of your life in God, it is never for a loss. If you invest in a person by sharing the Gospel with them and taking the time to disciple them, you will never be at a loss.

In the world we live in, there are many things vying for our resources, time and energy. The believer faces a unique financial temptation. There are many things promising that if we invest in them. we will have what we need to be free to better serve the Lord. It doesn't work that way. It is a big temptation.

The Bible is clear. It says in Matt. 6:33 "but seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be given to you." The devil and the world system want it to be the other way around for the believer. "Seek first your financial stability and future security and the kingdom of God and His righteousness will be added to you."

In light of all of the buzz around bitcoin, and even the recent soaring stock prices, many Christians have become very interested and pulled towards a mentality that posits "I have to have financial security to serve the Lord." Increasingly, I have seen Christians putting greater emphasis on investing in some of these new investment opportunities as a good way to make money, and with money, financial freedom to better serve the Lord. The idea is "You need money if you are going to do anything great for God."

I recently saw a video with one of the wealthiest ministers in the world sharing about this. He said:

"In Satan's eyes, there is nothing more dangerous than a preacher who has got enough money in his bank account to do what God has called him to do."

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That is not true. It is just plain false. Elijah did not have money in the bank, and yet he called down fire on the Baal prophets and led Israel to repent. Jeremiah, had no money in the bank, and yet he served the Lord faithfully as the only true prophetic voice in Judah during a season of great wickedness and deception. John the Baptist really had no money, and yet he prepared the way for the Lord and is considered the greatest prophet of all time before Christ. The disciples were not rich, and yet they were able to heal the sick, cast out demons, and advance the Kingdom of God. The Bible is full of countless examples.

We must not forget what the Apostle Paul said in 1 Cor. 1:26-29

 For observe your calling, brothers. Among you, not many wise men according to the flesh, not many mighty men, and not many noble men were called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise. God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty. And God has chosen the base things of the world and things which are despised. Yes, and He chose things which did not exist to bring to nothing things that do, so that no flesh should boast in His presence.

The greatest threat to the devil is not a Christian with money, it's a Christian with the fullness of the Holy Spirit. That is what will change the world. That is what will open the door for greater ministry. The reason the apostles could be "the men who have turned the world upside down" (Acts 17:6) was because they had an encounter with the living God on the Day of Pentecost that so transformed them, and so filled them, that regardless of their lack of finances, they were able to operate in the power of God. God doesn't rely on physical resources to accomplish His purposes.

This observation is not coming from someone who is detached from dealing with finances and ministry. I do full-time ministry, and I often feel like I wish a had a lot more money to do what I feel God is calling me to do. So, I understand the temptation of feeling like more finances are necessary to better serve the Lord; nevertheless, it is a temptation. I understand the feeling that comes from seeing a lot of money used inappropriately on ministry initiatives, agendas and items that don't help to transform communities and the culture with the gospel.

There have been times where I wished my ministry had the amount of money that I saw being used inappropriately elsewhere. I have thoughts things like "If only I had that much then...." However, I am growing to see that what Paul said in Philippians 4:11-13 about contentment in all things is a necessary attitude that God wants me to embrace in my life. It is wrong to think "If only I had that much money then....." Jesus' ministry was nothing like that. I am learning that the key to success is to be "full of the Holy Spirit." The Holy Spirit changes things. Many ministries have millions of dollars, and yet they are not changing the world for Christ.

Phil 4:13 says "I can do all things because of Christ who strengthens me." Christ, not finances, is the believer's strength. It is the power of God that brings the change, not money. We need the power of God. We don't need physical riches. We need spiritual riches. We need to be rich in faith, rich in truth, and rich in love.

Invest in God, invest in His kingdom.

Empires have risen, and empires have fallen. Stocks have soared and stocks have dived. People have gained wealth only to go on to lose it.

Bitcoin will one day bottom out and leave everyone who invested lacking and regretful. The dollar will one day bottom out. Everything in this world that seems to offer security, offers no true security. Invest in Jesus. Invest in His kingdom. Invest in love and truth. When this world fades away, when everything else fails, Jesus Christ and His Kingdom will not fail. His kingdom is an eternal kingdom that cannot be shaken. Investing in the kingdom of God is the only investment with a sure return, and it is the only investment with eternal benefits. 

David Hoffman is an evangelist and the director of Kingdom Enterprises, an outreach and evangelism ministry in Tucson, Arizona. His passions are to reach the lost with the gospel of Jesus Christ, ignite a passion for evangelism within the lives of believers and to help equip them to live Spirit-filled and Spirit-empowered lives. For more information or to contact him, please go to HisKingdomEnterprises.com or IgniteAmerica.org.

Bert M. Farias, revivalist and founder of Holy Fire Ministries, has authored several books with an emphasis on helping to restore the true spirit of Christianity in the Church today, including the newly released, Passing on The Move of God to The Next Generation and the highly sacred book, The Journal Of A Journey To His Holiness. An anointing of fire marks his ministry with frequent demonstrations of the Spirit and power of God. He ministers interdenominationally and cross-culturally in nations, churches, conferences, on the streets and in homes. He and his wife Carolyn also host The Holy Ghost Forum – a school of the Spirit. Follow him at Bert Farias and Holy Fire Ministries on Facebook and @Bertfarias1 on Twitter.

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What Would Pope Francis' Second Visit to Jerusalem Mean for Revelation's Impending End-Times Showdown? - KELLY MCDONALD JR. CHARISMA NEWS

Pope Francis (Wikimedia Commons)

What Would Pope Francis' Second Visit to Jerusalem Mean for Revelation's Impending End-Times Showdown?

 7/25/2017 KELLY MCDONALD JR.  CHARISMA NEWS

Recently it was reported that Pope Francis is considering a second trip to Jerusalem. While we do not know the details of the visit, it is believed that his key focus will be peace in the Middle East. Could this be the beginning of the "covenant with many" from Daniel 9:27? Only time will tell. Of the many implications from this visit, it reminds us of a coming showdown in Jerusalem that is depicted in the book of Revelation.

The book of Revelation is a book of opposing entities. In Revelation 6, we see a white horse that seeks to conquer. In Revelation 19, we see Jesus on a white horse, riding to conquer the enemies of God. In Revelation 12, we have a pure woman, but in Revelation 17, we see a harlot. In Revelation 11, we see two true prophets sent from God. In Revelation 13, we see two beasts. The second beast is a false prophet who causes people to worship an image. These beasts will wage war against God's people and all who refuse to submit to idolatry.

The second beast of Revelation 13 has uncanny similarities to the pope. In Revelation 13:11-18, a beast comes up out of the earth. Just as Adam came from the dust of the earth, this beast represents a person (Gen. 2:7). This beast has horns like a lamb, but it speaks like a dragon. Jesus said that "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matt. 12:34). This human appears to be Christ-like, but it has the intent and heart of the dragon (Satan, the devil). This second beast breathes life into an image or idol and causes people to bow down to it.

The pope outwardly looks pious, wearing white and performing acts of kindness. The danger, historically and today, is the words spoken by the pope. In 1095, Pope Urban II told the Crusaders that Christ commanded them to invade the Middle East. He then goes on to say that, "All who die by the way, whether by land or by sea, or in battle against the pagans, shall have immediate remission of sins. This I grant them through the power of God with which I am invested." But only God can grant forgiveness of sins (I John 1:5-10).

In Sept. 2015, the current pope said that Christ's life "humanly speaking, ended in failure, the failure of the cross". Paul said the cross was proof of Christ's triumph (Col. 2:15). In 2016, the pope said that our family life must be guided by conscience, not dogma. Yet Paul informed us that we should be led by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:1-14).

In addition to these statements, the Catholic Church advocates the use of idols and images as instruments of worship. This mirrors Revelation 13. Not even Islam advocates idols and images. The pope also wears a garment called a pallium, which is made from lamb's wool.

Let's consider these details. The pope always dresses in white, wears a garment made from a lamb, advocates images and idols and speaks against God's will. The pope is the second beast of Revelation 13. He will call down a false fire from heaven that imitates the real fire from God (Rev. 13:13).

During the great tribulation, the pope is going to face a major showdown in Jerusalem. The two witnesses of Revelation chapter 11 will be God's true prophets during this time. They will tell the world to turn to God Almighty.

There is some debate as to the identity of the two witnesses. We know they are prophets, and they are presently in heaven waiting to be sent to earth (Rev. 11:3-4). Most ministers would agree that Elijah has to be one of the two witnesses. First of all, he is specifically mentioned in Malachi as returning to earth before the return of Jesus. "See, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreaded day of the Lord (Mal. 4:5).

Revelation 13:5-6 describes the two witnesses as being able to send fire from their mouths and cause drought. Elijah manifested these signs as well. He called down fire from heaven (2 Kings 1) and caused a drought to occur (I Kings 17). Some believe that Enoch is the other witnesses since (among other details) he has never died. These two witnesses prophesy for three and a half years. Once that time is finished, they will be killed in Jerusalem. The pope and the beast government will put an end to them. However, they will be resurrected and called to heaven.

As we see this pope or any other pope preparing to visit Jerusalem, we are reminded of these two powerful prophetic chapters—Revelation 11 and 13. We learn of true prophets that have the true fire of God that battle the false fire and words of the pope. I encourage you all to seek the true fire that comes from God alone, even more so as we see the day approaching. 

Kelly McDonald Jr. is an ordained evangelist at Hungry Hearts Ministries in Jackson, Tennessee. He has written over 40 books and booklets on pursing Christ, Hebrew roots and end-times prophecy. He is currently president of the Bible Sabbath Association (BSA). You can follow him at kellymcdonaldjr.com.

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Calling Down Fire by Elaine Tavolacci - Identity Network

Calling Down Fire by Elaine Tavolacci 

Identity Network

 

There is a story in the bible about the prophet Elijah confronting the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel against their false gods. Elijah invited 450 prophets of Baal to a challenge. He asked them "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, then follow Him. If Baal is God, then follow him." Elijah then told them to make a sacrifice without a natural fire and the God who answers by fire will prove to be God. They built an altar, slaughtered and cut oxen, then laid them on the wood of the altar. Elijah told them to pray for their god to send fire to light their sacrifice. The prophets of Baal prayed all day and night, and even cut themselves to offer blood to their god without success as Elijah mocked their god.

 

The next day Elijah told them to pour water on the altar three times. When he called on the Lord (Jehovah) God sent a fire and consumed all the water, the sacrifice and the stones. When all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and declared, "The Lord (Elohiym), He is God! The Lord, He is God!"

 

Let There Be Light

 

Just as the days of Elijah, there are powers, principalities and rulers of darkness trying to take authority over our nation. Jesus is raising up men and woman who will speak into the darkness and say "Let there be light" as we take the reins of intercession to steer our country in the right direction. He is raising up the Elijah's who will tear down the altars and confront the prophets of Baal. We will then witness the inevitable supernatural intervention and power of God in our country, personal lives and ministries.

 

The Lord says; I am about to demonstrate My power in a magnificent way in the days ahead, as I release supernatural encounters which will cause men to acknowledge My deity as well as My humanity. This is the day of unnatural occurrences when men will leave their religious traditions and follow after truth. Do not fear or be intimidated by the prophets of Baal, as their plans will not succeed. I am El Shaddai and I will show Myself strong on your behalf. When you speak, it will not be with persuasive words or mortal reasoning of mere men, but in demonstration and power with signs following. The time has come for My glory to be revealed.

 

I will raise up those who will know how to call down fire from heaven to destroy the works of the enemy. I will train them how to thwart the strategies of the kingdom of darkness and cancel their assignments. They will dismantle his works of destruction by their authority from Me, and the words or their mouths. I will teach them how to walk in divine wisdom, release revelation and have keen discernment. The sword of My word will be in their mouths because they are unwavering in their faith and their strength in Me. Supernatural encounters and signs will follow those who believe and many shall be used mightily in this season. Know your identity and be confident of who you serve and You will experience My glory released in an unprecedented way in the days ahead, says the Lord.

 

1 Kings 18:21 Elijah went before the people and said, "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him."

 

1 Kings 18:38-39 Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench. Now when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, "The Lord, He is God! The Lord, He is God!

 

1 Corinthians 2:45 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

 

Elaine Tavolacci

www.awordinseason.info

www.TheVoiceOfBreakthrough.com

www.TheVoiceOfProphecy.com

 

Go here to read more articles by Elaine Tavolacci.

 

 

 

 

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Is God 'God' By Any Other Name? - Brian Hennessy ISRAEL TODAY

Is God 'God' By Any Other Name?

Monday, August 29, 2016 |  

Brian Hennessy   ISRAEL TODAY

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In a recent interfaith video, Pope Francis argued that all religions worship God, whether we call Him God, Buddha, Jesus Christ or Allah. He then suggested we should lay aside our theological differences and all celebrate our Deity together. To quote him: “In this crowd, in this range of religions, there is only one certainty that we have for all: we are all children of God.”

I couldn’t help thinking of Zerubbabel’s response to a similar invite to come together, this one by the enemies of Judah who’d offered to help rebuild the second temple. After they told him that “we like you, seek your God,” Zerubbabel replied: “You have nothing in common with us in building a temple to our God; but we ourselves will together build to the Lord God of Israel” (Ezra 4:1-3). Apparently, he didn’t consider them to be children of the same God Israel served. 

But could the Pope be right? Does God not care much about what we call Him? Or how we worship? Is it enough just to acknowledge He exists and be sincere in our religious beliefs? Or is our God more particular about how He wants to be addressed and worshipped?  

We don’t have to look far in the Bible to get the answer. There’s an account of God’s prophet, Elijah, confronting Israel and the priests of Baal on Mount Carmel. Elijah is obviously one who also does not embrace the big religious hug fest as proposed by Pope Francis. For we find him here challenging Israel to choose: “How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If Yahweh is God follow Him; but if Baal, follow him” (1 Kings 18:21).  

If Baal was indeed Israel’s God by another name, it shouldn’t matter, right? But clearly our God didn’t see it that way. Because after Israel voted to follow Him, He had Elijah slay all the priests of Baal!

It seems Israel never learned its lesson at Mt. Sinai where God instructed them on how to  worship Him. For while Moses was off getting the instructions in writing, Israel decides to worship God Egyptian style. And they set up a golden calf. As a result, three thousand died that day. What were they thinking? Hadn’t God just told them: “You shall not make for yourselves an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them, for I, the LORD [Yahweh] your God, am a jealous God” (Ex. 20:4,5).

Still the people did not depart from their idolatry: “It was not Me that you offered victims and sacrifices forty years in the wilderness, was it O House of Israel? You also took along the tabernacle of Moloch and the star of Rompha, the images which you made to worship” (Acts 7:42,43).

So we see God will not identify with the names of other gods. Not then. Not now. To begin, God has only one proper name, which is Yahweh – or Jehovah. It is written as the Tetragrammaton YHWH, but translated as “LORD” (all caps) in our Bibles out of deference to Jewish belief the name is too holy to be written or spoken. When speaking of Him, Jews today usually call Him HaShem (The Name). Before His true name was revealed the Patriarchs called Him El Elyon orEl Shaddai.

We can also address our God by His title, which is “Lord” (Heb. Adonai).Or as “the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,” which is the only family on earth to whom He has forever linked His name (Ex. 3:15). But the most intimate way to speak to Him is to call Him “Father” (Heb. Abba). That’s how Yeshua talked to Him, and no one knew Him more intimately than he.

But Satan is a deceptive marketer who doesn’t quit. He knows if we approach God any differently than how God has prescribed we’ll be serving him. “I say the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I don’t want you to become sharers in demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy?” (1 Cor. 10:20- 22).

As a former Roman Catholic, for example, I was taught that, at the incantation of the priest, the bread and wine at Mass were transformed into the actual physical body and blood of Jesus. Jesus could then be offered over and over on their altars as a bloodless sacrifice. The Council of Trent declared this sacrifice to be “propitiatory,” that is able to “pardon even the gravest crimes and sins” (Twenty-Second Session, Chapter II). After I started to read the Bible I found Hebrews 10:10-14 totally refuted this false doctrine. How deceived I was to think that worshipping a piece of bread as God, as we were taught, was any less idolatrous than worshipping a golden calf. 

We live in the Age of Grace right now. But one day this grace period will end and the wrath of God will begin. We don’t want to be found at that time hesitating between two opinions.

Brian Hennessy is author of Valley of the Steeples

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