The Planting of Adonai

The Planting of Adonai

by | Jun 28, 2016 | Uncategorized

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Are you feeling down and out? Do you feel scattered, smothered, and covered in the trials of this life? Are you mourning because you have suffered a great loss? Are you captive and ensnared by the affairs of this world?

Sometimes it can seem that all we do is go deeper and deeper into a pit, as though life’s storms rain down on us, and there is no escape. We may feel that we are so broken that it seems too hard to carry on. Maybe all your dreams have come crashing down, and they have died in an ash heap of despair.

While all these situations are extremely painful and devastating, only those who have been in our place and walked a mile in our shoes, can really taste of the affliction. While it seems we are in a dark place, there is still hope. Perhaps we are just seeds, planted in the rich soil of God’s Kingdom, for His future purposes. Perhaps we are just little acorns going through the death of our tough exterior kernels. Perhaps the brokenness is just the sprouting of something much bigger than we could have ever imagined. Perhaps God has a plan, one that we do not understand.

“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified.” (Isaiah 61:1-3) 

May the Lioness of Judah Arise!

May the Lioness of Judah Arise!

by | Mar 2, 2016 | #Biblical role of women, Uncategorized

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The Lion of Judah will soon return to rule and reign on the earth, with His Lioness Bride by His side. There is a battle raging – the war between truth and lies, between light and darkness, between the children of God and those opposed to His dominion. The war is real, it is intense, and we need to fight with every weapon of His warfare available to us.

We are to wage war by standing strong in the LORD and in the Power of His Might by wearing His armor, that He, Himself, wears. “And He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore His arm brought salvation unto Him; and His righteousness, it sustained Him.   For He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak. (Is. 59:16-21).

We must always be equipped with the knowledge that we do not wrestle with flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, rulers of the dark world, and against spiritual wickedness in high places. “Wherefore, take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore…” (Eph. 6:13-14). STAND your ground where faith can be found, STAND your ground where hope can be found. STANDING is a military term for not giving ground to the enemy. Fight with all you got, then STAND. A warrior is more than a soldier. A warrior fights with passion for a cause one believes in. A soldier is drafted, perhaps against his will, and is paid for his efforts. A warrior will fight for family, friends, and country, no matter what the cost. A warrior fights to the death, without any compensation. The passion of the cause, forces the necessity of war. As Kingdom warriors, we also fight by “praying always with…supplication in the Spirit, and watching…with all perseverance…” (Eph. 6:18).

There is no weapon formed against the Believer that shall prosper. The weapons may form, but they do not accomplish the destruction the enemy designs. Instead, that which was designed for our harm, is turned around for our good. There is no undeserved curse that can be placed on an obedient servant of the Most High. The Lioness, who has joined forces with the Lion of Judah, will demonstrate the power of God. The world will watch and wonder: “What hath God wrought!  Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion, and lift up himself as a young lion: he shall not lie down until he eat of the prey, and drink the blood of the slain” (Num. 23:23-24).

“When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him. And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD.  As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed’s seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever” (Is. 59:19-21). His Word in our mouth is a powerful weapon of warfare. Speak the truth about the situation, the trial before you, and watch Adonai fight for you.

Fighting is an action. We must all advance when commanded, and stand still when the Mighty Warrior gives the instruction. Each day we should “Arise as a lion each morning to do the will of our Creator” (Shulchan Aruch – the Jewish code of law). This includes the heartfelt conviction that there are things worth fighting for. Whatever we place value on or cherish will be under the attack of the Enemy. Arising to defend our marriages, families, grandchildren, and ministries will cause scars, lots of scars, in our lives. Trusting in Adonai’s Right Hand victory as we fight, gives us the confidence in knowing that we have fought His battles with Him. Every victory is His.

“Through God we shall do valiantly: for He it is that shall tread down our enemies” (Ps. 60:12 & Ps. 108:13).

“The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the Right Hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.  The Right Hand of the LORD is exalted: the Right Hand of the LORD doeth valiantly. I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD” (Ps. 118:15-17).

Because of His victory in our lives, we have a great and awesome God to praise.

Through our God we shall do valiantly.
It is He who will tread down our enemies
We'll sing and shout His victory.
Christ is King,

For God has won the victory
And set His people free.
His word has slain the enemy.
The earth shall stand and see that...

Through our God we shall do valiantly.
It is He who will tread down our enemies
We'll sing and shout His victory.

Christ is King! Christ is King!

The X Factor – The Voice of Ruchamah

The X Factor – The Voice of Ruchamah

by | Feb 23, 2016 | #Biblical role of women, Uncategorized

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 Why, oh Y, do we still persist in thinking that all godliness resides primarily in the Y chromosome? Why do we still read Pauline letters, regarding women in ministry, through the eyes of Greco-Roman thinking, instead of the Hebraic understanding of the faith? Why do we continue to think that God made only the male in His image and likeness? Do we think the crown of creation, the woman, was an afterthought? Why do we continue to teach female suppression and male dominance to the detriment of our sisters in Messiah? Why are we following the teachings of Islam, instead of the instructions of Torah, when it comes to gender equality in the Body of Messiah? When will the Two become One/Echad?

For in union with the Messiah, you are all children of God through this trusting faithfulness;  because as many of you as were immersed into the Messiah have clothed yourselves with the Messiah, in whom there is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor freeman, neither male nor female; for in union with the Messiah Yeshua, you are all one.  Also, if you belong to the Messiah, you are seed of Avraham and heirs according to the promise. (Gal. 3:26-29)

In Jewish understanding, mankind – both the male and female – were created at the same time, out of the dust of the earth. They were joined together as one unit, as the image of Adonai. Only when Adam could not find a helpmeet suitable, an ezer kenegdo – helper opposite him, did Adonai cause him to sleep and create a bride from his side.

Yahweh split the side of the man open, to reveal the womb man, or woman, from within.  Genesis 2:22-24 state, “And the man said: ‘This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.’   Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife, and they shall be one flesh.

We mistranslate the word as “rib” in English when we denote the place where woman came out of the man. In actuality, the Hebrew word tsela is more accurately translated as a “side chamber”, as related to the temple chambers, rather than a piece of cartilage. More than just a “rib” bone came from the side of the man, flesh also. Because Adonai produced the woman, out of the man, from a revered place, as a chamber in the temple, should we not give honor to the more precious vessel, rather than degrade her to a place of subservience to the patriarchal manipulation order of things?

The Bride of Messiah was also created from the splitting of Yeshuah’s side. She is the Queen of Proverbs 31, whom the King shall seek. She is the one who will rule and reign alongside her Bridegroom in the Kingdom to Come. One day the Y chromosome beings in the Kingdom of God will know their identity as the X factor.

Can we not see the significance of the female image of God? It is the X Factor in the days to come. The days of Ruchamah are at hand. The days of the tender mercy of God, coming forth from the seat of compassion, the God imaged womb of His being.  This Good News message will be proclaimed and it will transform this earth, and bring about the return of Messiah. One day soon, He will return to Zion in compassion (racham). Let us taste of this sweetness by letting the Voice of Ruchamah be heard in the midst of the congregation.

Let the Lion of Judah arise, with His Bride by His side to rule and reign over the Kingdoms of the earth. 

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Psalm 102:13   Thou shalt arise, and have mercy [racham] upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.

Psalm 119:77   Let thy tender mercies [racham] come unto me, that I may live: for thy Torah is my delight.

Zechariah 1:16   Therefore thus saith the LORD; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies [rachimim]: my house shall be built in it, saith the LORD of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem. 

Miriam [Mary], Did You Know?

Miriam [Mary], Did You Know?

by | Dec 13, 2014 | Uncategorized

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The Hanukkah [and Christmas] season is upon us, and it is a good time to reflect about the significance of the season in the life of Messiah Yeshua [Jesus]. Based on the evidence of Scripture, we can calculate that the timing of the Messiah’s birth was probably during the fall feast of Sukkot (pronounced Sue-coat), also known as the Feast of Tabernacles. The determination of this date is the subject of another article, but the evidence is based on the priestly course of Abijah, the birth of John the Baptist, and the fact that Yeshua began His earthly ministry in His thirtieth year (Luke 3:23). Since theologians have long known that Messiah’s earthly ministry was for three and a half years, and concluded  with His death at Passover, it is easy to determine that He was born in the fall, most likely the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles. Indications alluding to this are found in Torah, where “Jacob journeyed to Succoth and built booths/sukkot” for his animals (Gen. 33:17). Since Yeshua was born in a stable or sukkah, we can concur there is a connection to the fall feasts of the LORD and the birth of Messiah. Also, traveling pilgrims, going to Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles, would have filled up the inns along the way, which explains why Mary [Miriam] and Joseph [Yosef] took shelter in a stable/sukkah.

Considering the timing of the birth of Messiah, we can also count back nine months to His conception during the Hanukkah season. There are many parallels in Scripture that connect Yeshua to the themes of light and the temple menorah (candlestick, lampstand). These are the symbols of the Feast of Dedication, also known as Hanukkah.  Here are just a few examples:

“In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. And the light shines in the darkness…There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came…to bear witness of the Light…That was the true Light, which lights every man…” (John 1:4-9).

“Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light unto all that are in the house.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 5:15-16).

“…I am Alpha [in Hebrew: Alef] and Omega [Tav], the first and the last…And I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; and in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man…” (Rev.1:11-13).

In the Bible, the candlestick or lampstand is a symbol for a congregation of the righteous, who belong to Yeshua.  Messiah standing in the midst of the seven lamps or candlesticks is a picture of Yeshua being the center of the menorah.  Just as Yeshua is the focus of the menorah, He can also be found in the center of the all the Biblical holidays, Hanukkah included. The Feast of Dedication is connected to the fall Feast of Tabernacles, because it was a delayed eight day celebration of Sukkot, a time of rededication of the Temple, after it was purified in the time of the Maccabees.

During the Hanukkah season, Miriam, the mother of Yeshua, received the news that would save the world. She was to bear the child, foretold by the prophet Isaiah, “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Is. 7:14). Immanuel means God is with us. For Miriam, God would actually be with her in a very intimate way, in her womb. Astounding to imagine! Miriam not only carried Yeshua, she nursed and caressed Him as any loving mother would. Miriam, did you know that when you kissed your little baby, you kissed the face of God?*

Miriam’s child was also the fulfillment of Isaiah 9:6-7: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.  Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David and upon His kingdom….” Did Miriam know, at the inception of receiving her Hanukkah gift, planted in her womb, just what a treasure she carried under her heart? Miriam, did you know that your baby boy was Lord of all creation?*

This infant, that was to be born, was far and above any other child.  He was spoken of before His conception by the prophet Micah. “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” How did one young woman from Galilee become entrusted to carry the everlasting ruler of Israel?  Miriam, did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nations?*

This child was from ancient times, from eternity. When He grew into a man, Yeshua said this about his origin, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58). He not only existed before Abraham, He was also the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Rev. 13:8). This is all way beyond human comprehension. Miriam must have been overcome with wonder, during the Hanukkah that she conceived the Light of the world within her.  No wonder she treasured things in her heart!  Miriam, did you know that your baby boy is heaven’s perfect Lamb, the sleeping child your holding is the great I AM?*

Luke chapter one is a great passage to read for Hanukkah. Miriam is an example of a woman dedicated to the purposes of God, no matter what the personal cost was to her own life, her own body, her own reputation.  She would submit, and fulfill the will of God.  She would learn of a great miracle in Galilee. That with God, all things are possible.

“And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.  And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.  And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God.  And, behold, thou shall conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shall call his name JESUS [YESHUA].  He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:  And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end” (Luke 1:26-33).

What a miraculous promise for a handmaid of the Lord! Miriam lived in the land of Israel, surrounded by the same type of barbaric, pagan culture of foreign conquerors that the Maccabees endured.  Hanukkah is the celebration of the victory of the faithful Jewish remnant over the kingdom of this world. The Maccabees fought for their convictions, to live according to the Torah, and worship the one true God. Hellenism and assimilation were the tools of seduction in their time.  Many Jews succumbed to the Syrian Greek way of life, and forsook the commandments of God, and chose to worship idols.  If the Maccabees had not revolted against Antiochus IV, a type of anti-Christ, all of the Jews would have been wiped off the earth, and the birth of Messiah could never have taken place. If there had never been a Jewish victory in 164 B.C., there would never have been a Nativity to celebrate. If the Jewish people hadn’t been determined to keep the Covenant of their God, in the days of Antiochus IV, today’s Christians would never have had a “Reason for the Season”.

Only eternity will disclose the full value of one act of submission by one humble woman. Miriam’s faith and trust in the Word, delivered unto her, was pure. Miriam believed God, and she was entrusted to carry the Word within her. For those who think God can not use a woman to bring forth the Word of God, think again.

“Then said Mary [Miriam] unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?  And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.  And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.  For with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.” (Luke 1:34-38)

Miriam, did you know your one humble act of obedience, would change the world? Did you know that out of your womb the LIGHT of the World would overthrow the kingdom of darkness? Did you know that your baby boy, born the King of the Jews, would one day rule the nations?

“Miriam, did you know that your baby boy will some day walk on water?

Miriam, did you know that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?

Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?

This child that you’ve delivered, will soon deliver you.”*

*Lyrics from the song, “Mary Did You Know? By Mark Lowry,

The Hebrew “Miriam” is inserted for the English “Mary.”

Thanksgiving and Sukkot – The Harvest Celebration

Thanksgiving and Sukkot – The Harvest Celebration

by | Nov 27, 2014 | Uncategorized

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By Jane Diffenderfer

The Pilgrims who came to America for religious freedom identified themselves with ancient Israel. They felt they had left the bondage of Egypt, escaped across the Sea, and found refuge in the Promised Land of Liberty. They were a people very focused on the Hebrew Scriptures and the fulfillment of the blessings of being obedient by being in covenant with God. In many ways the first Pilgrims were more Hebraic in their worship than most history books record. An interesting conclusion can be drawn, based on the timing of the first Thanksgiving. According to the Plimoth Plantation website, the Pilgrim’s first Thanksgiving was held in “Late September/early October 1621″ (http://www.plimoth.org/media/pdf/historical_timeline.pdf). Calculating the dates for Sukkot (The Feast of Tabernacles) from Rosettacalendar.com, one can determine that the beginning of Sukkot that year was September 30th. Therefore, the Pilgrim’s first Thanksgiving in America was a three day harvest celebration, during the eight day Biblical celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles!

Another example of the Hebraic understanding being applied in the lives of the Pilgrims can be witnessed in the food that was eaten during their first Thanksgiving celebration. According to William Bradford, “They began now to gather in the small harvest they had… For as some were thus employed in affairs abroad, others were exercised in fishing, about cod and bass and other fish, of which they took good store…and now began to come in store of fowl…besides waterfowl there was great store of wild turkeys, of which they took many, besides venison, etc. Besides, they had about a peck of meal…Indian corn to that proportion.” Notice that all the foods the Pilgrims ate were clean foods, according to the dietary laws laid out in the Hebrew Scriptures. Today, most people from New England eat lobster and clams. There is no mention of these on the menu of the Pilgrims’ first Thanksgiving feast.

One more amazing Hebraic thread, in the Thanksgiving theme, is the turkey as the official food of the feast. It stands out as so predominant that we call the holiday “Turkey Day”. Considering all the other meats mentioned in the original Thanksgiving: cod, bass, fowl, waterfowl, and venison, only turkey is the standout in today’s celebration.

The Hebrew word for turkey is hodu. An interesting connection, in Hebrew the word hodu is also the imperative form of  the verb “yadah”, which means to give thanks. It is the word used in Psalms 118:1, “O give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good: because His mercy endures forever.”

Therefore, every fall we remember the faith of the Pilgrims who came to seek religious liberty in America, and we give thanks – hodu to Adonai and enjoy eating a turkey – hodu, as a memorial to a past event of God’s providence for our country.

There is a strong Jewish/Hebraic connection to the giving of thanks to God for His goodness ‘and the Pilgrims’ first Thanksgiving. We can honor the day by remembering that His mercy endures forever. Hodu La’Adonai Ki Tov!

Happy Hodu Day!