Let Today Be Your Day

The Lord is a rewarder of the righteous.

Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor. (Proverbs 21:21 ESV)

He does not turn His back on those who truly seek His face. He gives wisdom to those who ask. 

Unconditional love He gives to those who follow in His footsteps.

Those who hear His voice and obey will have a long life.

Can you find these things in the world? I think not!

It only comes one way---through calling on the name of---Jesus Christ.

Let today be that day for you.

Tribute to a Great Man

He was a caring individual and one of integrity.

A chef, soldier, salesman, husband, father, grandfather and a friend.

He cared for others and was always ready with a joke.

At the grand old age of 95 he went home to be with the Lord. He may not have made it to 100 as he always said he would, but it was still a home run.

This man had to quit high school to go and help out at his father's deli.

As a Marine in WWII, he took part in the battle of Iwo Jima. He watched on as his fellow soldiers and friends succumbed to the enemy and he ended up the only one left in his platoon. He was released on a medical and honorable discharge.

Once home from serving this country, he took his GED and passed with flying colors.

As a salesman he always put his customer first and was not all about making a sale. Due to this attitude he obtained many loyal customers and his name was passed along to others who also became customers.

This man was no way perfect, but one whom I admired and looked up to.

Who was he? My dad!

May 26, 2015, was the day he started his new adventure. This came two months and a day after my husband started his adventure.

Party on guys! 

I will see you in the near future!

Healed

My husband passed away on March 25, 2015. This was the day we got married in 1989. We were married 26 blessed years. No, not everything was perfect. What marriage is? 

John was living on a ventilator for twelve days and that is no way to live. So on the 25th of March I had Hospice come on board and had him removed from the equipment. I did not want him on all the tubes and machinery on our anniversary. The machine was keeping him alive. Within thirty-one minutes he passed on to our Heavenly Father. It was a very peaceful passing. Now John has a new anniversary with Our Lord and Savior.

He died of a lung disease called Pulmonary Fibrosis which there is no cure for. Lung transplant, which is just another set of problems, or a miracle from God, are the only ways around it. 

Now I know my husband still lives as he lives on in heaven and one day I will see him again. Yes, I miss him in the here and now, but I am so thankful that he is no longer gasping for breath. He is out of pain. He has had the ultimate healing. He is now in the presence of Jesus. So cool!

There is a foundation called the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation that I asked people to donate to in lieu of flowers. Much research is needed for this disease. My brother-in-law and my friend's husband also died of the same thing. My brother-in-law was a week after my daughter's wedding and my friend about ten months ago. So you see I have first hand knowledge of how much research is truly needed.

Please pray that a treatment will come forth that will stop the progression of this disease and ultimately bring a cure. 

Thank you and blessings,

Shifra 

Pray, Pray and Pray

Live, learn, and pray is a popular saying these days, but I believe it is backwards.

Some people say eat, live and pray. 

Anyway, the way I see it, is that it should be pray, learn, and live. 

When you pray, then you learn, and when you learn,  then you live.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV)

Loved

What do you want to be noticed for or better yet why do you want to be noticed?

Young people dress with their pants hanging down. Others color their hair green. Another may join an organization that makes them feel important. Others seek power. The question is why?

 Self-esteem may be the reason, but ultimately it comes down to not knowing who they are in Christ and how He loves them.

Even as believers in Messiah many of us, me included, fall into this trap.

Do we truly know God's love for us? 

Let us see what the word of God says.

John 3:16. "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."

Romans 8:37  "But in all things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us."

Ephesians 2:4, 5  "But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), "

Romans 5:8. "But God demonstrates His love towards us, and that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

Zephaniah 3:17  "The Lord your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy."

1 Peter 5:6-7  "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety upon Him because He cares for you."

Psalm 86:15   "But Thou, O Lord, art a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth."

2 Corinthians 5:17  "Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come."

One John 4:19  "We love, because He first loved us."

Galatians 2:20. "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I will live by faith in the Son of God who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me."

God loves us unconditionally and nothing will ever change that. Nothing we do will make him change his mind. 

(See Hebrews 13:5 )

We are loved even when we feel we don't deserve it or are not worthy. In truth, we are not worthy. We have all sinned and therefore Christ became our Passover lamb. He died so we can live. 

John 10:10 says, "the thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly. "

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever. " (See Hebrews 13:8)

So my friends, always remember that you are deeply loved by God. You will forever be in his loving arms if you have accepted him into your life.

If you have not accepted Christ it is it as simple as saying: Lord, I have sinned. I repent and ask that you come into my life. I know you are the Son of God and died for me. I need you and want you in my life. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

All of heaven rejoices with you and welcomes you into the family.

In Yeshua,

Shifra

All scripture is from the NASB.

My Heart's Cry

Father God, all blessings and worship belong to you.

Holy is Your name. 

Let me honor You in word and deed. 

Teach me to hold my tongue and not to speak or even think unworthy thoughts.

Forgive me for those things that have come out of my mouth that are not holy. Forgive me of any and all actions that have been truly out of self and ungodly. 

Continue to teach me Your ways so that when the time comes I will hear, "well done, my faithful servant."

I love You, my Lord and King.

I know I don't say it enough. 

I am sorry for being so lazy. Just because I don't feel good is not a good excuse to let everything else go. I need to be more of a warrior. 

Even in all of this, I know, I cannot do it on my own. I need Your help. I am incapable of doing it on my own. I do not have the strength in myself to do it. It is only by Your strength that I can fight the fight.

My hope and strength come from You and You alone. 

Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and all that is within me.

I will trust You!

Yes, I will trust You!

Amen!

In Jesus name!

Stand Strong

America stand strong!

Truth and justice must abound!

Blood, sweat and tears is not enough.

On your knees is a must!

Freedom comes with a cost.

The One above knows that well.

Upon the cross He gave His all.

The journey is one of trust, that comes through His righteous blood.

No other way will we obtain and live to fight another day. 

America stand strong!

Refuge

What do you take your refuge in?

Is it intellect?

Money?

People?

A job?

Perhaps it is a fantasy world like the old television show "Fantasy Island".

Okay, so I am dating myself.

If you are truly seeking refuge you will never find it in any of those things.

My refuge is in a tree. 

You say, "What?" "Are you kidding me?"

Now I got your attention; because now you want to figure out where I am coming from.

Well, you see this tree is very special. It is not an ordinary tree. Yes, it looks like any other tree, but a very special man was hung on that tree over 2000 years ago. His name is Jesus the Messiah. He is the salvation for all mankind.

"How?," you say.

Well let me tell you.

God knew we would never be able to keep all the commandments so He sent His only Son to become our atonement.

Jesus Christ became the 'sacrifical lamb' and bore all our sins.

"We all like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:6 NIV)

This is how much God loves each and every one of us. He gave His Son that we may have life everlasting. 

You see God had a rescue plan for us, but creating our own plans ultimately leads to deception and spiritual death. Not so with Jesus as part of your life.

All anyone has to do is humble themselves and believe in the name of Jesus the Messiah and accept what He and He alone could do and did do for them. 

Since only God knows everything it is only He who can guide our lives. To those who believe upon Him your lives will be guided in a fruitful way.

Accept and proclaim the name of the Messiah!

"It cannot be that simple?"

Oh, but it is. 

"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (redeemed from destruction)." ( Romans 10:13 NIV )

Remember that Jesus willingly suffered for you to pay a debt He did not owe so you could satisfy a debt you would not be able to pay.

"So what next?"

Simply admit that you cannot do it on your own. Ask for forgiveness and believe in your heart that Jesus died and rose from the dead. 

Then you will have opened a door to the greatest transformation in your life.

Hallelujah!

All of heaven will be rejoicing!

In Christ,

Shifra and Yochanan 

Discerning of Thoughts

Everyday we are bombarded by things and reports that are not always positive. They may seem insurmountable in our eyes, but God says that He has overcome the world. 

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." ( John 16: 33 NIV )

We need to weigh which words are authentic and who is speaking. Who are we hearing self, satan, or God? We must test the spirits. 

"Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world."  (1 John 4: 1 NIV )

We also know when negative thoughts try to pursue us that we must take them captive.

"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." ( 2 Corinthians 10: 5 NIV )

So whatever may be weighing you down seek out the Lord for peace.

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." ( Philippians 4: 7 NIV )

Our mind/soul is where the devil likes to play. We must not fight evil with evil or even in the natural. Our battle must be done in the spirit. 

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (Ephesians 6:12 NIV and also see verses 14 - 18a )

We are soldiers and the Commander in Chief has our backs. We have all our armor on and we stand firm in our faith. 

"Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." ( Ephesians 6 : 11 NIV )

We fight the good fight of faith.

"Fight the good fight of faith." ( 1 Timothy 6 : 12a NIV and also see 2 Timothy 4 : 7 )

Be encouraged my friends,

Shifra

The Father

My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine. My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights. (Proverbs 3:1-12 ESV)

These verses show us that as we do what God says then He will do for us. 

He is our Father and we must be obedient. What good and earthly father does not expect the same from his children? Should we expect anything less from Our Heavenly Father?

Keep the commandments and our days are lengthened. Sounds good to me.

We will have great success as we remain faithful and loving. Anything wrong with that?

Trust Him and acknowledge Him and our paths will be straight (secure). No brainer to me.

I think you got the idea of where our focus must be. 

Do we look at the adversities or the Solver? 

To me it is obvious and I hope it is to you too.

Shalom my friends,

Shifra