When Moses killed the Egyptian and hid the body in the sand, he lookedaround to make sure no one was watching. ''Glancing this way and that and seeing no one...'' Ex 2:12. Ever done something wrong when nobody was watching? We all have! One pastor says he counsels people whose business travel makes them vulnerable. 'An executive finds that away from home she's inappropriately flirtatious, even though she loves her husband and wants to remain faithful. A high-powered professional struggles with [sexually explicit images] in hotel rooms, even though he's not tempted by them at home. The Internet sets innumerable ethical traps...By frequenting on-line chat rooms a wife becomes entangled in an emotional relationship with another man ...A husband struggles with the availability of Internet pornography...The sense that noone was watching allowed them to sin in ways they would never sin in ordinary, observed life.' Here's what you need to realize: (1) God sees you when nobody else does. When you couple that with a desire to please Him and not grieve Him, it makes a difference in how you act. (2) 'The godly offer good counsel...' (Ps37:30). If you know you're vulnerable in a certain area, share it with someone who will pray for you and hold you accountable. Nowadays there are even computer programs that will monitor your Internet activity and send areport to others. We use a few of these programs on out phones and home computers. (3) Avoid situations that afford you too much privacy. One woman closed her personal bank account and opened a joint account with her husband because her spending was out of control. God created you to live in relationship with others, and the more open and honest you are, the less likely you'll be to stray. Integrity is doing the right thing when no one is watching.We all wrestle with our integrity on a daily basis and we usually fall when we lose our connection with God and those who help keep us connected to Him by forming that "circle of friends." What can we do? We can stay prayed upand read and meditate on God's Word. We can also ensure that we are listening to that tiny voice (Holy Spirit) that tells us the right thing to do.

Here we are early in the morning, and people have gathered at the temple! (John 8) Yes, this is the time when a woman was dragged to the temple (can we say entrapment)? As you read this chapter, several things will be revealed to you as you establish it all with prayer and these facts: It was early, and it was DARK. Not only was an adulteress brought to the Lord, to trap Him, but some other things were going on. The time had come to celebrate the "Dedication of the Temple and Festival of Lights." Here is the passage: Jesus went unto the mount of Olives (you KNOW He went to pray, and to overlook the city). And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman (where is the man?) taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act (they were planning and scheming—and watching). Now Moses in the Law (Teachings) commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting Him that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he stood up, and said unto them, he that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus stood up, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, woman, where are those who are your accusers? Hath no man condemned thee? She said, no man. Jesus said unto her, neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true. Jesus answered and said unto them, “though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go. You judge after the flesh; I judge no man.” It is interesting that the statement was made that Yeshua was the Light of the world. This is the time of year when the community (and then some), would go to the temple with their lights (lamp stands). Can you imagine the entire temple burning brightly, where the only lights in the place were flickering flames fueled by olive oil? There are a whole lot of similarities and symbolic meanings behind these facts. ...Especially since Yeshua has just arrived at the temple for the Annual dedication celebration--from the Mount of Olives. (Rev 22:5, Isa 60:19 & Zech 14:7) gives more thought to these passages in John 8, and the quote the Lord Himself made, "there will be no light in that city (New Jerusalem), for I will be that Light." This is not only a reference to the Messiah's arrival, but to Himself. The Pharisees took great offence to these words of our Messiah, but they still rang true in their ears. How does all this tie together? When Adonai declared that "He is the Light of the world," it still let you know that the teachers and Law guiders of that day did not believe that Joseph and Mary's Son was the Messiah--even though the Torah, Writings, Prophets, B'rit Hadasha (John 1:1-5) and signs told of Him. We have not even discussed the other celebratory things that are taking place during this time of year. Some honors the Lord, and some dishonors Him. Here is a thought... When times get tough, and things are rough all around, what happens in your mind and heart? Do you fret? Do you pray? Do you celebrate? Do you go to the Mt. of Olives to get some fresh olives to make some "freshly squeezed" olive oil for your lamps, so you can see your way through the darkness? I have not always picked a fresh bushel basket, and certainly the Nation of Israel has not. They will though! The time draws near. Even in our darkest hour, Israel (Judah), Lost Tribes, and us must remember that we can still CHOOSE to see. We have to light the candle (wick of the One who never burns out). His Oil never ends. Even in Israel's darkest times: Holocaust, 6 day war, 400 years in Egypt, 2 captivities (2 nations and the 10 wayward nations lost), being robbed of their YHVH given land, Arab nations constantly attacking you (this should not be) and Muslim hatred of the people of Promise (the heir war). We haven't mentioned those of the Messianic and Christian faith who have been and are still being martyred for Yeshua HaMashiac's Kingdom’s Cause and Name. Israel has been given a Promise by their God, and He simply CAN'T and WON'T break it. With the Lord being the Light in that city, this proud Nation can still see hope. Why? Because their Light has all ready come!

How is it that we could choose do do what we want, when we want, and how we want, and STILL EXPECT to have a place to live, a place to work or to stay out of prison? WE CAN'T!! There are laws and expectations that have been levied upon us by those in POWER. YHVH, in His foreknowledge of the world, knows what is going on and how. His Sovereignty is still in place and can't be understood. It JUST IS! Every since the beginning, Hashem, has has a plan to reform and restore Jerusalem. His plan was to not only redeem them, but He first had to gather them back home AFTER they were to be scattered all over the globe--due to their SIN and REBELLION. There is sooo much I don't understant about His plan or Sovereignty. I won't attempt to explain either, but I want to throw some pebbles into the lake to see how many ripples of understanding we can get over time. You see, YHVH is churning the butter, and only the cream will be able to rise to the top. Here is something found in the Prophets portion of the TANAKH (Torah, Prophets and Writings)--Malachi 1:3 "Jacob I love, but Esau I have hated, and I have turned his mountains into a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals." If you would recall, G-d has never liked sin. He has not ever wanted us to play with any form of it either. Here is another Scripture that will slowly tie this all together for you. Prayerfully... When you embark upon something GOOD or BAD, you will ALWAYS MAKE a CHOICE to accept one of them as your PERSONAL desire, and the other you will tinker with---until you get tire of "messing" with it. God loves His creation! ALL OF IT! He does NOT however, enjoy the nature that is within us, that lures us away from Him. Free will is rough, but this is the thing (choice) within each of us humans that will show Hashem and others what we love the most. Jacob or Esau? Read on. Genesis 25:23 lists, The LORD said to her (the boys' mother), "Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger." This is different, because the elder is ALWAYS the one with the birthright, power, authority, throne (so-to-speak), name, honor, prestige, the ring, etc.). This esteem is USUALLY handed down through blessing by the father (via the right hand). Are you still with me? This did not happen. The Lord G-d had "other" Sovereign plans in the works. Esau was NOT to be the one of promise. His younger brother was. His name is Jacob, later to be renamed--Israel. Esau's name was later to be changed to Edom. Sin and disobedience EFFECTIVELY separates us from Hashem's ultimate and Eternal plans. When we care more about what we can gain from other sources that did not arise from G-d, we will find ourselves choosing the BAD and playing with the GOOD. Esau turned over the BIRTHRIGHT to his younger brother. Get this. For food! What?! Hold on!!! You and I do the same STUPID stuff, and choose the lie instead of the Truth. We have chosen the works of the flesh, over the works of the Spirit of God. We have chosen darkness of this world, over the Light of the world. It WAS NOT that G-d chose the younger over the elder--becasue He UNDSTANDS birthrights. He chose Righteousness over evil. Was that unusual? Look at this though, if He had stuck with Esau, the nation of the promised people would not exist today. The lineage of the Promised Messiah would have been tarnished forever; and our Sovereign G-d would not allow His name, nor His Son's name to be tarnished. "Jacob I love, but Esau I have hated..." The creation he adores, the sin nature (heart issues) He despises. Follow on... Edom over the years became attackers of Israel (even now). Let me put it this way--Esau's decendants became enemies and attackes of the decendants of Jacob. Was it because of jealousy? Some. Was it becasue of sin hating Righteousness? Warmer. Was it because Hashem foreknew from the beginning what was to be? Bingo! Tie all that together, and you have something to start with. It is never about G-d hating people. It is ALWAYS about Him despising sin. Jeremiah 49:10 lists "But I will strip Esau bare; I will uncover his hiding places, so that he cannot conceal himself. His children, relatives, and neighbors will perish, and he will be no more." This sounds a whole lot like the promise of the Lord to UNCOVER (expose) SIN and EVIL. There is no place for sin to hide. Why not? The Lord G-d tells us here, that He will uncover the deeds of unrighteousness (and where they lurk and hide). G-d wants His people, Israel, strangers (grafted in Christian sojourners) to know where their enemies are, so they can fight sin face-to-face. Furthermore, He promises to WIPE THEM OUT for our sakes. How is He going to do that? Better yet, how has He done that? Exodus 17, Joshua was to choose men to assist him with fighting the Amalekites. Hashem told Moses (in the hearing of Joshua), that Joshua was going to fight (and defeat) the Amalekites for generation to generation." After studying this, I was granted the understanding that the Amalekites are (the sinful ways), Joshua (is Yeshua)! Our Messiah will fight on our behalf for all time. He will help us be and remain victorious. These Amalekites were giants (sin). This AMALEK was not the same AMALEK as the decendants of Edom (Esau). However, Esau's decendants eventually mated and tied into history with the bloodline of the Arab nations we have come to know today. Even though Israel's Patriarch was Abram, who was a Chaldean and was mated up with what I understand as to be Syrians, etc., (a form of bedowan arabs), these nations and people are not to be confused as the same in nature or plan. Related? Yes. We all are. Not only by blood via Adam and Eve, but by sinful nature! Thanks be to Hashem (G-d) and Yeshua (Jesus) Messiah Hamashiach (Christ, the Messiah). We are free in Them! Does G-d love the nature in you? Nope. Do you love His nature is the better question. That is one for YOU TO ANSWER! Where do you stand?! With Edom or Israel?

Leadership in God’s Kingdom Now when Athaliah the mother Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the royal heirs of the house of Judah. 2 Chronicles 22:10 Some leaders step into positions of power out of love and a sense of mission. Others seek leadership merely to gain power over others to revel in a smug feeling of superiority. Normally it doesn’t take long to determine which sort of leader you’ve got. It took no time in the case of Athaliah. She would do anything to attain and hold her illegitimate title including murdering her own kin. Leaders are not given authority to better themselves, to enlarge their income or social status, or to improve their standard of living. They are first and always servants of others. This idea appears throughout Scripture. Consider what our Lord teaches us about servant leadership: Human Economy God’s Economy 1: Pursuit of power and prestige. 1: Pursuit of love and service to others. 2: Improve wealth and status of leader. 2: Improve the welfare of the people. 3: See others as enemies and competitors. 3: See others as brothers who compliment. 4: Motive is to kill or remove opposition. 4: Motive is to meet needs and grow the cause 5: The result: the leader is glorified. 5: The result: God is glorified.

In my efforts, and desires to grow, I have tried several means of implementing new ways of growth in my prayer life, reading, witnessing, meditating, etc. Most if these things I have tried and have not been very successful in have come from what I have gleaned from others (read or listened to). I will tell you this… Those things (abilities) are for those people, and have not typically worked for me very long, if at all. Ask God what will work for YOU And YOUR growth! He alone KNOWS what is beneficial for YOU to grow and mature. Don’t forget, He is Sovereign over your life. Ask Him. Stop imitating (or coveting) what OTHERS have and are doing. That is for them. Be your own servant for God. Your personal time with God, and your personal growth will come from time with Him alone. This IS NOT THE SAME thing as man-to-man fellowship. Fellowshipping with man is a REQUIREMENT of Hashem (God, the Creator). Taking from another man something that is his, and not from God is dangerous, because it won’t fit; and WILL NOT fit. God’s Spiritual outfit and goodness will and has always been tailored just for you, and me. Let us stop imitating other men, and be a man that follows God’s plan and leadership. He will teach us how to speak, and act as we should. His Holy Spirit will lead us and teach us in the Way we should go. Once more, This IS NOT THE SAME thing as man-to-man fellowship. God uses, and we need that time to encourage us to grow and for support and oneness. Yeshua (Jesus) sent them out in 2’s and it is plain in Eccl 4 the importance of 2’s. Oh yeah, marriage is also a number equated with 2’s. Use that other person(s) for their intended purposes, but bond with God, for His specific plan.

The song "Give me the Words to speak" has inspired this post....So often we say things that we should not say--even in the privacy of our prayer closets. Even IF God understands (and He does) our ineptitude, we should never utter crazy, unholy things that we do so often, and so effortlessly. We preachers, pastors say so many horrific things, and they don't even come close to being accurate. I have heard us say things like "I don't think" or "I don't believe" or "it does not fit today" or "it is has been superseded by something else." Why do we say such silly, ignorant things? God's Son, Yeshua (Jesus), would NEVER UNDO what His Dad (or Himself) has said or done. Yeshua has told us, "I only do what I see my Father do." We lead the "sheep into the ditch" because we use our denominations as platforms, rather than using God's secure foundation (Word of Truth) as the foundation of man's denominations. Hashem's Doctrine--you know, the One Yeshua said "was NOT His, but the Father's, is the ONLY one that is flawless and foolproof! The ONLY problem with His Word is not in and of Itself, is with THOSE of us who attempt to use it. ...Especially who use it to fit what WE THINK or BELIEVE. It has always been a source of contention between "notable leaders" and "high profile" pastors to dog out what other pastors believe. Wow! That shows the "world and unbelievers" we are unified, when we don't even think our Holy God is right all by Himself. Father, You have given us the Words to speak, thru your Son, the Word Himself. Why do we work so hard at FINDING the RIGHT words to say, when you have all ready given us what to say? ...Talk about blasphemy and arrogance. We don't get it. How about this men of God...? Why don't we just study His Word the easy ways it was intended, in the context it was written in, about the people He was speaking to, for the purpose He intended it for? Hmm? If and as we do this, wonderful things will begin to be performed by the Lord's Spirit, as He said would happen, because the Truth is not being compromised by His "shepherd servants"-- us. I know I have asked the Father to "give us the words," but He has all ready done so--the Bible. What we need to do now is to actually use it to His liking, and not to our choosing! People are waiting and trusting us to know what we are talking about; and to not come off as spiritual buffoons--not showing ourselves as able "to accurately handle God's Word of Truth." We have been sanctioned to: (1) lead the sheep. (2) Feed the sheep and to (3) love the sheep. We can't accurately do it the way we are doing it today. It has been said, "if we keep doing the same thing, expecting different results, we are insane." I don't want to be looked at as if I am wearing a straight jacket, recently released from the padded room. Our studying has to be better than this. College and Theology alone WILL NOT get us there. God's Truth will though. I would prefer to be smiled at by the Maker of noses, because I have been faithful and true to Him--whose name is the Word of Truth, not the "author of confusion." Come on Pastors, Preachers, Teachers, Apostles and Prophets of the Most High God, you are accountable--you have always been since the beginning (yeah they still exist). This is one of those things people say have been done away with, because (they don't believe or agree with it). You are treading on thin ice partner, and the ice has a crack in it. Lets repent and do this the Way God intended. Correctly. Blessings. Micah 6:8 Oh, enjoy the song, by Aaron Shust.. Calloused and bruised dazed and confused My Spirit is left wanting something more Than my selfish hopes and my selfish dreams I'm lying with my face down to the floor I'm crying out for more (crying out for more) Give me Words to speak Don't let my Spirit sleep Cause I can't think of anything worth saying But I know that I owe You my life So give me Words to speak Don't let my Spirit sleep Every night, every day I find that I have nothing left to say So I stand here in silence awaiting Your guidance I'm wanting only Your voice to be heard Let them be Your Words Let them be Your words I just don't understand this life that I've been living I just don't understand I just don't understand these lies I've been believing I just don't understand I know that I owe you my life My life. My life

Don’t Let Go of Your Dream But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who spied out the land, tore their clothes: and they spoke to the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, “The land we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. If the lord delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us”… And all the congregation said to stone them with stones. Numbers 14:6-8, 10 During its early stages, a dream is an incredibly fragile thing. As a corporate leadership expert Bob Biehl says, “Dreams are like soap bubbles floating close to jagged rocks on a windy day.” New dreams are fragile because we haven’t had time yet to let them grow or develop. When a seedling oak is only a year old, a child can tear it out by the roots, but once it’s had some time to become firmly established, even a hurricane can’t knock it down. Young dreams are also more easily shot down because if they are attacked, it is usually by close confidants, because they’re the only people who know about them. Our hopes and desires may be able to weather the criticism of a stranger, but they have a more difficult time surviving when undermined by a friend.

Accepting The Responsibility Of A Leaders Trust And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. So Judah gathered together to ask help from the Lord; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the lord. 2 Chronicles 20:3-4 A leader can delegate anything except responsibility. Leaders simply cannot give it away. They can model it; they can teach it; they can share it. But in the words of Harry Truman, buck stops with the leader. When Jehoshaphat become king of Judah, he assumed a trust. He was to lead the people and manage the nation’s resources. One of his greatest challenges came when an army from three countries laid plans to attack Judah. Jehoshaphat faced the same options we all face in a crisis: give up, back up, or stand up. At such time we find out the quality of our leadership: 1. Dropout: leaders who give up and fail to take responsibility. 2. Cop-outs: leaders who make excuses for why they aren’t responsible. 3. Hold-outs: leaders who waiver to long to take responsibility. 4. All-outs: leaders who own the responsibility and take action- like Jehoshaphat.

Jesus' disciples said to Him, “See, now, You are speaking plainly, and using no figure of speech! Now we are sure that You know all things…. By this we believe that you came forth from God.” John 16:29-30 The success of your marriage, job, and personal relationships all depend greatly on communication. People will not follow you if they don’t know what you want or where you are going. You can be a more effective communicator if you follow four truths. 1. Simplify your message: The key to effective communication is simplicity. Forget about impressing people with big words or complex sentences. If you want to connect with people, keep it simple. 2. See the person: As you communicate with people--- whether individuals or groups ask yourself these questions: Who is my audience? What are their questions? What needs to be accomplished? 3. Show the truth: Credibility precedes great communication. Believe in what you say. Then live what you say. There is no greater credibility than conviction in action. 4. Seek a response: As you communicate, never forget that the goal of all communication is action. Every time you speak to people, give them something to feel, something to remember, and something to do.

All leaders have vision. But all people who possess a vision are not leaders. A compelling vision alone will not make someone a leader. Nor will a great vision automatically be fulfilled simply because it is compelling or valuable. Followers need to buy into the leader. Once Gideon possessed the vision to deliver Israel from its enemies, he still needed to get the people to buy into his leadership. Even though the vision was ordained by G-d, it still required time and action from Gideon. Ultimately, so many people bought into Gideon’s leadership so completely that G-d had to send a bunch of them home to make sure He got the glory for their victory. Just because a person has a vision and occupies a leadership position doesn’t necessarily mean that the people will follow. Before they get on board, they have to buy-in. And that doesn’t happen in an instant. Buy-in is an ongoing process.