Articles - Be Encouraged..Be Strong

Torah Based Encouragement Articles

Be Encouraged..Be Strong

Shalom Hebrew Yisraelite Community,

This day, my heart is filled with Praise for The Mighty YHWH, who has never left me, deceived me, let me down, failed me, lied to me, been unfaithful to me, or fail to hear my prayers and supplications. YHWH is my Only Savior, Redeemer, Leader, Teacher, Counselor, Adviser, and Guide. He is The Husband to All Yisrael. He is King Of My Universe .

This day, I beseech each of you in the Western Diaspora and abroad, to be strong and courageous, that you may observe to do according to the Law, which Moses, YHWH's Servant commanded you: Turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth; but you shall meditate therein day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success

I am still taken in awe by the way YHWH speaks to His People in the Ever Present Now. Be Strong He says. Observe To Do He says. Turn Not From It He says. Meditate Therein Day and Night He says. His Law Is To Rule Our Lives Forever.

Source Of Strength

I was awaken at 3 AM and heard the voice of YHWH deep within my spirit saying,: "Encourage My Chosen People to be strong. Have them check the source of their strength to make sure it will hold in the days ahead" .

Strength is a force that is at work in our lives at all times. These strengths can be good as well as bad for us. Whatever our strengths may be, they shape our character and personality. As a child, I remember watching the cartoon "Popeye", who got his strength from eating spinach. Many times I cheered as he opened the can with his pipe and got his strength to beat up the bad guys. Now that I am older I see this in a different light. There is no real magical powers in spinach, although it has vitamins and minerals our bodies need to maintain our health. How sad it would be, if we had to get all of the courage and strength we needed for life from a can of spinach, yet in essence, this is what a lot of us Hebrew Yisraelites did and still do. We are in The Diaspora today because, we found and took our strength from other sources rather than from YHWH. We looked for our strength to come from other gods, and gave them glory and praise for our strengths instead of YHWH. This of course, angered The Most High and eventually got us thrown from our land. Again YHWH says,. "Encourage My Chosen People to be strong. Have them check the source of their strength to make sure it will hold in the days ahead" .

Samson

I think the life of Samson is one of the saddest ever, but such a parallel to the story of our nation, when read with your spiritual eyes open. Samson made the same detrimental mistakes over and over again, never learning from his last experience. His strength came from his hair. Samson never gave YHWH full credit for his strength. This man lived a life consumed by his fleshly desires. He went in unto harlots and spent his time joking and playing games with his enemies, and more importantly with the enemies of YHWH. He kept falling prey to their pranks until it cost him his sight and eventually his life. The eyes are the mirror to the soul. Like Samson, Hebrew Yisrael kept whoring after other gods, never learning from our many captivities until it cost us our sight. YHWH blinded us to His Name, His Laws, His Ways and His Truth by erasing them from our memories. We took on so many characteristics of our enemies, even now, vast numbers of us spend our entire lifetimes trying to be accepted by them. Samson just wanted to be accepted by the wrong people. He never truly knew His Strength Giver. He never understood that YHWH made him different. He never acknowledged or accepted YHWH as the Single Source Of his strength. Reviewing the life of Samson, I can see much spiritual weakness and a flawed character in him. One can see Samson's mistakes and avoid them. YHWH says: "Encourage My Chosen People to be strong. Have them check the source of their strength to make sure it will hold in the days ahead" .

Joseph

I am always filled with so much strength and courage when I meditate on the life of Joseph. This young man was a dreamer from his youth. YHWH also gave him the interpretation of dreams. It is good to dream, but so much better when you are able to understand what your dreams mean. I have discovered in my life, it is good to keep a journal of your visions and dreams. Fasting coupled with Prayer, is the force that brings my dreams and visions into focus, and gives clarity to what ever YHWH is trying to show me. Joseph was never confused or upset with what life brought his way. He was so Strong. He was not weaken by the lies that got him thrown into prison. He used his unfortunate experiences to gain spiritual growth. He had control over his fleshly desires. He loved YHWH beyond his own needs. Most of our Hebrew Yisraelite men today are dealing with the spirit of lust. The demonic forces of our captives have possessed many of them, and they can not sexually constrain themselves. They have no control over the lower extremities of their bodies. It is said that Our Prophets and Ancient men wore girdles that separated the lower part of the body from the top part of the body. It is also said that this was a Holy Garment used to remind the man of his duty and loyalty to YHWH. I know that a Spiritual Man can control himself. Joseph is a great example of what it takes to fight temptation. Pharaoh's wife temped him daily. It is written in Genesis 39:10: And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.

This woman was determined, begging Joseph every day to be with her. She had no respect for his values, his G-D or his keeping of the Law. Can you see and understand the pressure this young man must have been under? However, Joseph did not succumb to the temptation or to the call of his flesh. When pushed, Joseph said in Genesis 39 9: How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against YHWH? In reviewing the life of Joseph, and seeing how Strong he was, I hear YHWH saying,: "Encourage My Chosen People to be strong. Have them check the source of their strength to make sure it will hold in the days ahead" .

Naomi

I am always intrigued when I study and meditate on the life of Naomi, because of the strengths she possessed. She was Strong and composed no matter what life presented to her. I like to take a spiritual stroll down the path that she walked. Her story in many ways reflect the Hebrew Yisraelite People. Naomi's story starts in Ruth 1:1 which tells us that she lived in the days when the judges ruled. To understand those times, we look in the Book of Judges in Chapter One, where we see it was a time of war and confusion. The tribe of Judah was chosen by YAH to go to battle against the Canaanites. In Judges Chapter Two, we learn that this was also the era of Joshua's death, and the generation of them that remembered the "Glory" of YHWH. Judges 2:10-12 states: And also all the generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, Which Knew Not YHWH, nor yet the works which He had done for Yisrael. And the Children of Yisrael did EVIL in the sight of YHWH, and served Baalim: And they FORSOOK YHWH, G-D of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed gods, of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked YHWH to anger.

Naomi was raised up in this environment. She married and had two sons.Her husband brought his family into the land of Moab to live because of a famine in their home land of Bethlehemjudah. This woman's life could not have been the best. She went through many changes, including burying her husband and later both her sons.

In Ruth Chapter One, we read that Naomi arose with her daughters in law, and went on the way to return to the land of Judah. Along the way, she came to realize, she had nothing to offer her daughters in law. Her sons were dead and she realized that she had no desire for another marriage. She gave her daughters in law the option of going back to their families and back to their gods We know the story of how Oprah embraced her, but could not wait to go back to her people and her gods.

There are so many like Oprah, who embrace the Commandments of YHWH but never fully commit themselves to Him, His Name and His Ways. Ruth chose to stand by Naomi and accept YHWH and His Laws. Naomi had so much courage, for it was very dangerous in those days for women to travel alone. Folklore has suggested that she and Ruth disguised themselves as men when they made this journey. Other stories have it that Naomi disguised herself as a Moabite as they traveled. What ever the case might have been, in Ruth 1:19 we read: So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that the city was moved about them, and they said, is this Naomi?

Why is it that they had questions about her identity? Was it because of her disguise or because of the hard life she had lived had aged her beyond her years? I am always moved with the words that came from Naomi's mouth. These words give such insight into her Strong Honest Character. Ruth 1:20 says: And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi(which means in agreement with YHWH,pleasant, delightful), call me Mara( bitter, angry, sad): for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. .

Is this not a picture of Hebrew Yisrael? We went from Agreement with YHWH to bitter and angry. Has not YHWH dealt very bitterly with us? Naomi was Strong enough to admit her faults and shortcomings.

In verse 21, she makes another profound statement, saying: I went out full. Remember, there was a famine in the land when she left with her husband..She could not have been taking about being full from food. No! No!. She was talking about her spiritual condition when she left. When I read and meditate on the life of Naomi I can hear YAH saying, "Encourage My Chosen People to be strong. Have them check the source of their strength to make sure it will hold in the days ahead" . . .

Meditation Thoughts

Hebrew Yisrael walked away from YHWH full. Look at us today. Empty in the Diaspora. Abiding many days without a king, without a prince, without a sacrifice, without an ephod, and without teraphim. Check Hosea 3:4. Naomi went on to say that YHWH had testified against her and afflicted her. Is this not the same case as with Hebrew Yisrael?

It is written in 2 Kings:17 13, Yet YHWH testified against Yisrael, and against Judah, by all the Prophets and by all the Seers, saying, Turn you from your evil ways, and keep My Commandments and My Statutes, according to all The Law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by My Servants The Prophets.

The Word still speaks to our hearts and spirits today saying: Believe in YHWH Your G-D, so shall you be established; Believe His Prophets, so shall you prosper. YHWH is the G-D of a Second Chance. Naomi found His Outreached Arm of Second Chance, and what a chance it was. Ruth, Chapter 4 says, that her daughter in-law was redeemed and became a full Hebrew Yisraelite through redemption according to Our Law Of Redemption that Moses brought to us from YHWH. She became as Leah and Rachel, and was given linage in Judah. Naomi's daughter in law bare a son. The child was laid in Naomi's bosom Verse 17 informs us: And the women, Naomi's neighbors, gave the baby a name, saying, there is a son born to Naomi, and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David, King of Yisrael.

Naomi never knew her life would be blessed with such a Second Chance. All she wanted to do was "go back home" It is written in Isaiah 11:11 that YHWH shall set His Hand again the"Second Time" to recover the remnant of His People. HalleluYAH!! He is The G-D Of Second Chance! He speaks, "Encourage My Chosen People to be strong. Have them check the source of their strength to make sure it will hold in the days ahead" .

Job

The Hebrew Yisraelite People have always been fascinated, motivated, activated and encouraged through the story of Job His life of hardships, ups and downs cry out to us all to "hang in there a little while longer" We know a change is going to come. No matter what the circumstances and situations that face us, we know the wind of change for the better is going to blow. Some Hebrew Yisraelites need a real hard wind storm of change to blow their way, because they have been going through for so long.These Hebrew Yisraelites are in our prayers. We are all familiar with the famous words of Job 14 1: Man born of a woman, is of a few days, and full of trouble. The thing is all men are born of a woman, or did Job see another kind of birth in centuries to come? Was he prophesying about cloning and other methods of birth? At any rate, we know all to well that the statement he made here is true. My mother had a saying: " Nobody has to go looking for trouble, it will come knocking at your door soon enough" Believe you me, I have lived to see this saying of hers come to pass in my life.

Job's Strength came directly from YHWH. When I meditate on the life of Job, I often search myself to see if YHWH is pleased with me. Am I getting good reviews and grades from The Most High?. Job1:8 says, And YHWH said unto Satan, have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth YHWH and escheweth(shuns) evil?

This is quite a statement for the Most High to make about any man/woman. He was very sure of the strength of His Servant Job. Of course Satan thought it was the possessions of Job, and the quality of his physical life that made him Love and Serve YHWH. He quickly pointed out to YHWH that if Job's physical world was challenged, he would no longer desire to serve Him. In Job !:!2 we read: And YHWH said unto Satan, Behold, all that Job has is in your power, only upon him put not forth your hand.

There is no good in Satan. There are no blessings from his hand. The first thing he attacked was Job's children. Why? Most parents love their children and are proud of them. Most parents see them as an image of themselves, and through them their seed will continue in the earth for generations to come. Most people change when something happens to their children. Some blame YHWH when their families are afflicted. Some figure there is no need to continue on in YHWH when all that happens to me is bad stuff day after day. Some are quick to take a step back from YHWH when trouble strikes. This is why YHWH says, "Encourage My Chosen People to be strong. Have them check the source of their strength to make sure it will hold in the days ahead

List Of Job's Troubles

Number 1 Some of his children taken (seed cut off) 2. His oxen and asses plowing( way of getting ready to plant the crops) taken. 3. All of his servants taken(work force gone) 4. Herds of Sheep(sacrifices, clothing and food supply) and shepherds taken 5 Camels(transportation and drivers)taken 6 The rest of his children taken. Job's reaction? Then Job arose, rent his clothes, shaved his head, fell down and worshiped YHWH, and said:" naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return, YHWH gave, and YHWH has taken away; Blessed Be The Name of YHWH."

Result: In all of this Job sinned not, nor charged YHWH foolishly.

Satan was not to be out done by this reaction. He went back to YHWH who pointed out again that there was still no one in the earth like Job, who is perfect and upright. A man that fears YHWH and shuns evil. Job still holds fast to his integrity in all of his troubles.

Satan said, "if I put my hand to his skin, all that a man has he will give for his life."

Number 7 Trouble of Job was Sickness. His health was challenged. His appearance went down. The only thing that made the boils all over his body feel better were the ashes from the fireplace.He took a potsherd to scrape himself and sat down in the ashes. Some say the eighth trouble of Job that came next was the worse one of all. Trouble 8 a nagging wife, who challenged him to curse YHWH and die out of it all. Trouble number 9 The fault finding know it all friends.

The end of Job's trials did come. So YHWH blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning. He remained STRONG. He stayed Faithful to YHWH. He continued to Love YHWH. When reflecting upon the life of Job I hear YHWH speaking, "Encourage My Chosen People to be strong. Have them check the source of their strength to make sure it will hold in the days ahead" .

Rebekah

Here is a woman who is misunderstood by most Torah Scholars, who do not study her life with the aid of The Spirit Of YHWH. This powerful Strong woman has been accused of deception, playing dirty tricks on her husband and what ever else the sensual, secular mind can think up. Lets take a closer look at her life. I am always motivated when I meditate upon Rebekah's Strength. The servant of Abraham was sent on a Spiritual Mission to seek Isaac a wife. Most marriages today are not Spiritual, and most do not understand a YHWH-Chosen-Appointed-Anointed- Marriage. Most Western Diaspora marriages take place from a fleshly point of view. The way one looks and what one possesses are the structures for most marriages in the Diaspora. The most common question asked when one is told of a person that is thinking about marriage is "how does he/she look?" Ancient Hebrew Yisraelite marriages were arranged by the parents of by the elders, and the brides were vailed always until after the marriage. Check Genesis 24:65. As a leader of a Hebrew Yisraelite congregation, I am often contacted and asked if there are any women/men available for marriage in our Tennessee Congregation. Through the years there have been few marriages I have arranged or approved, and there has been no divorces or separations among the ones that I have. HalleluYAH!!

Rebekah was chosen by YHWH for a specific task. She was born and separated for this reason. We all know how the servant of Abraham happen to chose her for the wife of Issac. Genesis 24:12 says, the servant prayed: O YHWH, G-D of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and show kindness unto my master Abraham. He went on to entreat YHWH to send a young woman that we will exchange special words between us. Before his prayer was finished Rebekah came to the well, and the very words he had prayed for were exchanged between them

There was no way a mistake could have been made. Certain words that only the servant and YHWH knew had to be spoken between Rebekah and the servant. There was no room for error. This was the woman from the very family he had been sent to the city to find. When YHWH moves there are no mistakes made. I am always touched by the way her family handled it all. Rebekah never had to think twice about what she had to do. In Genesis 24:38 her family called her and asked her would she go with Abraham's servant. Rebekah simple said, "I will go". Her strength cries out, and I hear YHWH speak: "Encourage My Chosen People to be strong. Have them check the source of their strength to make sure it will hold in the days ahead" .

Rebekah's Blessing

In Genesis 24: 60 Rebekah's family blessed her saying: "you are our sister, may you be the mother of thousands of millions, and let your seed possess the gate of those which hate them" What a powerful blessing! They blessed her to be the mother of a lot of children and that her children would always reign and rule over their enemies. She left and went to be Isaac's wife. Almost twenty years later, no children. Not a one had been born unto her. Isaac married her when he was forty years old. When he was almost sixty he went to intreat YHWH for his wife because she was barren, YHWH heard his prayer and Rebekah became pregnant.

The pregnancy did not go well. She was in severe pain all of the time. The pain got to be unbearable and she went to intreat YHWH for herself. Genesis 25:22 And the children struggled together within her, and she said If it be so, why am I this?( If this is of YAH, why am I suffering like this?)

In Genesis 25: 23 YAH spoke a four part prophecy to Rebekah:: 1 Two nations are in your womb. 2 Two manner of people shall be separated from your bowels. 3 One people shall be stronger than the other people. 4 The Elder shall serve the Younger.

Rebekah never did tell Isaac what YHWH had told her. The twin boys were born when he was sixty years of age. This mother watched these boys from day one, keeping in her heart what YAH had told her about them. As they played around her apron skirt, she could see early who was who. Every mother can tell you all about their children very early in their lives. A yard full of children can be crying at once. Every mother can tell the cry of her own child from all of the others. This is a gift from YHWH. Rebekah knew her children. She saw that Jacob loved YHWH with all of his heart. He loved the stories about his grandfather Abraham and the Angel visits. He loved hearing the stories about Abraham and the conversations he had with The Most High. Jacob clung to the Spiritual and loved his heritage. Esau, on the other hand, was out among the heathen of the land. He loved to hunt and kill. He chose wives of the Hittites .Jacob did not care for these women. Rebekah knew there had to come time and place for the elder to serve the younger. Places had to be switched for the prophecy that YHWH told her to come true. Opportunity had to prevail for the Word Of YHWH, who cannot lie, to come to pass.

Do you see this woman Rebekah was chosen to separate two nations?. She was chosen to separate two manners of people. She was chosen to know the stronger of the two. YHWH never shared this information with Isaac, and he never knew this plan of the Almighty. Only Rebekah knew. This is so Powerful and so Spiritually Overwhelming. Rebekah was such a Strong woman. She had a spiritual job to do. Genesis 27 gives us details of how she did what she had to do, to make sure the words that YHWH had spoken to her, and her alone, came to pass. In Genesis 27:13 she says, upon me be your curse my son, only obey my voice ... There are so many spiritual revelations in the story of Rebekah to be gleamed.. Every time I teach or meditate on her story, I learn something different about her, Isaac, Esau, Jacob and YHWH. They are the main characters in the story after her marriage to Isaac. Amazing things are revealed here. Each time I visit these pages of the Torah I hear the voice of YHWH saying: "Encourage My Chosen People to be strong. Have them check the source of their strength to make sure it will hold in the days ahead" .

. Be Encouraged..Be Strong

Hebrew Yisraelites are a Strong People. We come from Strong Stock. We have the blood of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Rebekah, Naomi, Joseph, Job, And All Of The Strong Hebrew Yisraelite Prophets and People running warm in our veins! Activate your DNA!Be encouraged to Be Strong at all times and in all situations. YHWH is all of the Strength we need to get through what ever comes our way There is no problem greater than Our YHWH. There is no temptation greater than Our YHWH. There is no sickness greater than Our YHWH There is no financial obligation greater than Our YHWH. Affirmation: I have YHWH, and YHWH is all that I need to do all that I have to do . "Encourage My Chosen People to be strong. Have them check the source of their strength to make sure it will hold in the days ahead"

Elder Yahkyra Levy

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