From the Heart

I was reading the book of Malachi and it amazed me how it is actually referring
to the condition of our hearts.
Malachi actually means 'my messenger'. He was the messenger of God for that
time which was about 433BC. (This is just a side note).
Chapter one talks about the offerings the people were presenting to God and how
they were impure and unacceptable.  God was having nothing to do with such
offerings. "Oh that there were one among you who would shut the gates, that you
might not uselessly kindle fire on My altar! I am not pleased with you," says the
Lord of hosts, "nor will I accept an offering from you."  "For from the rising of the
sun, even to its setting, My name will be great among the nations, and in every
place incense is going to be offered to My name, and a grain offering that
is pure; for My name will be great among the nations, " says the Lord of
hosts." (1:10-11 NAS)
This made me think. When I bring my offerings of praise and worship, what
is my heart truly like? Am I really thinking about what I am saying? Am I going before
God with a clean heart? Am I worshipping Him with true, unadulterated heartfelt
worship?
If I am to be honest with myself I would have to say that there are days that I
just go through the motions. I allow circumstances and distractions to rule my
spirit and this is unacceptable. It is not a pure gift to My Lord.
Thankfully I can go before Him and repent knowing He will forgive me and once
again restore me to righteousness. Amen.
There is so much more in Malachi. This is just chapter one, but the other three
chapters have a lot of meat in them too. I suggest you chow down on this book
and see for yourself.  A small four chapters, but full of nourishment.
Blessings,
Shifra

Healing

I started the 3030 Challenge with Joyce Meyer. It's a challenge to study the bible thirty minutes a day for thirty days.

Here's what I got for myself on day one.

As I fear the awesomeness of God then it brings healing to my body. Proverbs 3:8

I'll speak with kindness and it will bring health to my bones. Proverbs 16:24

The Words of God should be digested like medicine. They bring health to my whole body. Proverbs 4:20-22

I will use wisdom and discretion as they bring life to my soul. Proverbs 3:21 & 22

I will speak with wisdom from God and not let evil come from my tongue. In this way healing will be obtained. Proverbs 12:28b

Confession➡️to another and prayer ➡️for another = healing. James 5:16

Though God was speaking to those in Zion, I will take the following scripture as a promise to myself.

"'For I will restore you to health and I will heal you of your wounds," declares the Lord,'" Jeremiah 30:17a

Well my friends I hope you will all be blessed and join me on the 3030 Challenge.

Yours in Yeshua,

Shifra

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is a day that we express our love to others. I thought it would be interesting to do a little history on the subject.

According to Wikipedia Valentine's Day was the Feast of St. Valentine. It is a celebration of love and affection.

During the Roman Empire Saint Valentine was imprisoned because he performed weddings for the soldiers, who were not allowed to marry, and he ministered to the Christians.

The legend continues to say that St. Valentine healed the daughter of the jailer.  Before he was executed he wrote a letter to the jailer's daughter and signed it 'Your Valentine'.

Now no matter how interesting the history is the ultimate Valentine is Jesus Christ, Our Lord. He is the lover of our souls.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16.

1 John 4:19 says, " We love, because He first loved us." We are told in 1 John 4:7 to love one another because love comes from God. Anyone who loves is then born of God and knows God. According to verse 8 if you do not love then you do not know God, for God is love.

One of the greatest love stories in the bible is "The Song of Solomon." It is not only a story of love between a man and woman, but the story of God's love towards his people/church. 

My husband, John, and myself have in the past read "The Song of Solomon," on our anniversary. I think Valentine's Day is another good day to read it. Why not start a new tradition?

I would like to end with the following words:

"Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails." 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8a

Be blessed my dear friends,

Shifra

Día de San Valentín es un día que expresamos nuestro amor a los demás. Pensé que sería interesante hacer un poco de historia sobre el tema.

Según día del Wikipedia Valentine fue la fiesta de San Valentín. Es una celebración de amor y afecto.

Durante the Roman Empire Saint Valentine fue encarcelado porque actuó bodas para los soldados, que no se les permitió casarse y él ministraban a los cristianos.

La leyenda sigue diciendo que San Valentín curado a la hija del carcelero. Antes de que fue ejecutado él escribió una carta a la hija del carcelero y había firmado 'Your Valentine'.

Ahora no importa cuán interesante la historia es el último San Valentín es Jesucristo, nuestro señor. Es la amante de nuestras almas.

"Porque tanto amó Dios al mundo, que dio a su hijo unigénito, que todo aquel que cree en él no se pierda, mas tenga vida eterna". John 3:16

1 John 4:19 dice,"amamos, porque él nos amó primero." 

Se nos dice en 1 Juan 4:7 a amaros unos a otros porque el amor viene de Dios. Cualquier persona que ama es nacido de Dios y conoce a Dios. Según el versículo 8 si no amas entonces no conoces a Dios, porque Dios es amor.

Una de las más grandes historias de amor en la Biblia es "el cantar de los Cantares". Es no sólo una historia de amor entre un hombre y una mujer, pero la historia del amor de Dios hacia su pueblo/iglesia.

Mi esposo, John y yo mismo, hemos antiguamente leído "el cantar de los Cantares," en nuestro aniversario. Día de San Valentín es otro buen día para leerlo. ¿Por qué no empezar una nueva tradición?

Me gustaría terminar con las siguientes palabras:

"El amor es paciente, es amor y no es celoso; el amor no presumir y no es arrogante, no actúa unbecomingly; No busca lo suyo, no se provoca, no toma en cuenta el mal sufrido, no se regocija en la injusticia, pero se regocija con la verdad; lleva todas las cosas, cree que todas las cosas, espera que todas las cosas, todo lo soporta. El amor nunca falla." 1 Corintios 13:4-8a

Ser bendecido mis queridos amigos,

Shifra

Whom do you serve?

Galatians 5:19 - 21 ESV

"Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of rage, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. 

I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."

I ask you, where do you place your trust?

Do you walk by the flesh or by the spirit?

Do you trust in yourself, man, or God?

From where and who does your help come from?

If you live by the flesh you are not a friend of God, but for those who walk by the spirit they are the friends of God.

If I am in trouble I can call on God and He will save me. Can you say the same? (Psalm 138:7)

Do you have the confidence to know that The Lord is on your side? Are you secure in a true relationship with Jesus Christ, Yeshua Ha Mashiach? (Romans 8: 16 - 27)

As for me I choose to abide in The Lord  Almighty and there obtain my refuge! (Psalm 91: 1, 2)

Yours in Messiah,

Shifra 

Gálatas 5:19 - 21 ESV "las obras de la carne son evidentes: fornicación, inmundicia, lascivia, idolatría, hechicerías, enemistades, pleitos, celos, arrebatos de ira, rivalidades, disensiones, divisiones, envidias, borracheras, orgías, y cosas semejantes a estas. Te lo advierto, como ya os previne, que quienes hacen tales cosas no heredarán el reino de Dios. " Yo les pregunto, ¿dónde pones tu confianza? ¿Camina por la carne o por el espíritu? ¿Confía en ti mismo, hombre o Dios? ¿De dónde y quién su ayuda viene? Si usted vive en la carne no es un amigo de Dios, pero para aquellos que caminan por el espíritu que son los amigos de Dios. Si estoy en problemas que pueda invocar a Dios y Él me salvará. ¿Se puede decir lo mismo? (Salmo 138:7) ¿Tiene la confianza de saber que el Señor está a tu lado? ¿Está usted seguro en una relación verdadera con Jesucristo, Yeshua Ha Mashiaj? (Romanos 8: 16 - 27) En cuanto a mí elijo permanecer en el Señor Todopoderoso y no obtengo mi refugio! (Salmo 91: 1, 2) Suyo en Cristo, Shifra

Come

I am He who has come into this world to bring you life. I bared  the cross on your behalf. I bled for you. You ask why would I do this? Because I love you. It's that simple. I love you! 

I took your sins and wounds and put them upon myself. It is through the blood that I shed that you can be set free, but first you must trust in Me and receive Me as your Lord and Savior. 

The things of this world will not get any easier, but behold I am with all who put their trust in Me and I am with them always. 

Why do you hold out? What are you afraid of? The things of this world will eventually fade away, but I will always be with you.

Come unto Me and I will give you the rest and peace you crave. There is nothing that you can give up that I will not return to you a hundred-fold. 

Let Me hold you in My arms with a love that has no bounds. A love that is unconditional. The world can not give this to you. Friends and family will fail, but I will never fail you. I will always be right by your side.

So come to Me and I will show you great and mighty things.

Come!

Remembrance

It is hard to believe it is another anniversary of 9/11. Life seems to keep flying by.

This day is emblazoned in my mind. The emotions and fear that I felt -- well -- there are no words to describe it. 

As a Christian I am not to fear, but in my humanness I did. I knew I would go to heaven, but fear was there and the only thing I could think of was my husband and daughter. 

I hopped into my car and drove to the school to pick up my toddler as so many other parents did. I only know that I wanted her at my side. 

I tried remaining calm in front of her so she would not become fearful. Did I succeed? Truthfully, I don't know.

I do know that my daughter is well rounded and in about two months will be getting married. I am so thankful for the young woman she has become. 

My heart still goes out to all the families and friends of those who were lost on that horrendous day.

This is a day that we should always remember and not to become complacent about. It happened once and can happen again.

We need to put God at the forefront and to remember our Judeo-Christian roots which this country was built on. We need to stop playing church and to live it! Wake up America!

Es difícil de creer que es otro aniversario del 9/11. La vida parece seguir volando.

Este día es blasonado en mi mente. Las emociones y el miedo que sentía... bueno... no hay palabras para describirlo. 

Como cristiano estoy no le da miedo, pero lo hice en mi humanidad. Sabía que iría al cielo, pero el miedo estaba allí y lo único que se me ocurrió fue mi marido y mi hija. 

Me subí al auto y lo condujo a la escuela a recoger a mi niño como tantos otros padres. Sólo sé que yo quería a mi lado. 

Intenté restante calma frente a ella para que no se había vuelto temerosa. ¿Conseguirá? Sinceramente, no sé.

Sé que mi hija está bien redondeada y en unos dos meses se casa. Estoy muy agradecido por la joven se ha convertido en. 

Mi corazón todavía sale a todas las familias y amigos de quienes murieron ese día horrendo.

Este es un día que siempre debemos recordar y no para ser complacientes sobre. Se pasó una vez y puede suceder de nuevo.

Necesitamos poner a Dios en la vanguardia y recordar nuestras raíces Judeo-cristianas que este país se construyeron. Tenemos que dejar de jugar a la iglesia y a vivirla! ¡ Despierta América!

Life or death?

Praise The Lord, oh, my soul! 

Praise Him in both the good and the bad times. 

Rejoice, my soul, and remember all that The Lord has done.

Be not concerned, for The Lord, fights our battles. I tell you to place your trust in The Lord. There is no greater God, no greater One then He! Be not fearful, oh my soul, for the enemies flee at the mention of His name. 

His beloved know Him by name and He comes to all that choose to call upon Him.

Bow down all you who choose to do iniquity! Bow your knee and repent before it is too late! 

The loving arms of The Lord are open and await all who will trust in Him. 

You, who say you know Him and turn your backs on Him, will suffer an unquenchable death!

Choose whom you will serve. Life or death? 

My soul chooses to serve the One and only True God who was and is and is to come!

Hallelujah!!

Alabado sea el señor, oh, mi alma! 

Alabadle en los buenos y los malos momentos. 

Regocíjate, mi alma y recuerda a que todos el Señor ha hecho.

No se preocupe por el señor pelea nuestras batallas. Te digo que pongas tu confianza en el señor. No hay ningún Dios mayor, nadie mayor entonces! No seas temeroso, oh mi alma, para los enemigos huir en la mención de su nombre. 

Su amada lo conocen por nombre y llegue a todos los que le invocan.

Inclinad la cabeza todo lo que decidan hacer iniquidad! Arco de la rodilla y se arrepienten antes de que sea demasiado tarde! 

Los brazos amorosos de Jehová están abiertos y esperan a todos los que se confía en él. 

¿Quién dice que lo conoce y den la espalda a él, sufrirá una muerte insaciable!

Elegir a quién servirás. ¿Vida o muerte? 

Mi alma decide servir el uno y único Dios verdadero quien fue, es y está por venir.

Aleluya!!

Blessed

Father, I thank You for Your word of truth. I thank You that when we put our trust in You that You hear us. You do not leave us like helpless lambs, but You shepherd us through the Holy Spirit. You are our sure defense in times of need. You are loving and nurturing. You are for us and not against us. How blessed we are to know that You alone are God and there is no other and that all we have to do is whisper Your name and You are there. Hallelujah!

Awesome is He

The Lord is so good to us and yet there are times that we just put Him on the back burner. We think we can get along without Him. We become independent rather then dependent upon Him. 

How can we so easily forget all that He has done for us. 

It was He alone that made the heavens and the earth. It was He alone that placed the sun, moon and stars in the sky. It was He alone that parted the Red Sea. It was He alone that died upon the tree at Cavalry! He alone is our salvation!

He alone is the one we must run to. We must acknowledge Him not only in the bad times, but each and every moment of our lives. 

Every breath we take comes from God Almighty.

He is awesome and worthy of our praise.

Let us never become complacent or forget what He sacrificed so that we could have life and have it more abundantly.

Yours in Christ,

Shifra

A Piece of Art

I enjoy jigsaw puzzles. First I put the frame together and then I work on the center. I love seeing the whole thing come together. (I hate it when there is a piece missing. LOL)
This is how we are in the hands of God. First He formed us and then He works on us from the inside out. It is not our outward appearance that is important, but the inward. What happens on the inside of us will reflect on the outside.
We are tapestries in God's hands. He puts each thread of our lives in the proper place. Every intricate piece of our life he fits together just like a jigsaw puzzle.
What a loving God we have. He will continue till He completes the work. (See Phil. 1:6)

Disfruto de los rompecabezas. Primero puse el marco juntos y luego yo trabajo en el centro. Me encanta ver que todo viene junto. (Odio cuando hay una pieza que falta. LOL)
Así es como estamos en las manos de Dios. Primero, Él nos formó y luego Trabaja con nosotros desde adentro hacia afuera. No es nuestra apariencia externa que es importante, pero el interior. ¿Qué sucede en el interior de nosotros va a reflejar en el exterior.
Vemos tapices en las manos de Dios. Se pone cada hilo de nuestras vidas en el lugar adecuado. Cada pieza compleja de nuestra vida que encaja como un rompecabezas.
¡Qué Dios vivo que tenemos. Continuará hasta que él complete el trabajo. (Ver Fil. 1:6)