the power of hymn: His oath, His covenant, and blood

"My Hope is Built on Nothing Less"
by Edward Mote, 1797-1874
1. My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
2. When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
3. His oath, His covenant, and blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When every earthly prop gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
4. When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found,
Clothed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne!
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
Hymn #370
The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: 1 Timothy 1:1
Author: Edward Mote, c. 1834, cento
Composer: John Stainer, 1873, arr.
Tune: "Magdalen"

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Zecharyah 3:1-5 Orthodox Jewish Bible (OJB)

3 And he [the malach] showed me Yehoshua the Kohen HaGadol standing before the Malach Hashem, and HaSatan standing at his right hand to accuse him.

² And Hashem said unto HaSatan, Hashem rebuke thee, O HaSatan; even Hashem that hath chosen Yerushalayim rebuke thee. Is not this a brand, a burning stick, snatched out of the eish?

³ Now Yehoshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the malach.

⁴ And he [the malach] answered and spoke unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, See, I have taken away thine avon (iniquity, guilt) from thee, and I will clothe thee with machalatzot (extra fine, white clothing).

⁵ And I said, Let them set a tzanif tahor (clean turban, mitznefet, Shemot 28:4) upon his head. So they set a tzanif tahor upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the Malach Hashem stood by.

the man of the Ruach Hakodesh discerns all things

We read wisdom today.
Kehillah in Corinth I 2Orthodox Jewish Bible (OJB)

When I came to you, Achim b’Moshiach, I did not come preaching and announcing to you the sod Hashem (mystery of G-d) as a ba’al melitzot (rhetorician, fine talker) or in the excellence of chochmah.

² For I made the decision not to have da’as of anything among you except Moshiach and nivlato al haEtz (his body –gufa, kerper—on the Tree Boim (Yiddish for tree), DEVARIM 21:23).

³ And I came to you (Ac 18:1) in weakness (1:25,27) and in yir’at Shomayim and in fear and in much trembling I was with you,

⁴ And my speech and my hachrazah (proclamation, kyrygma, preaching) to you of the Besuras HaGeulah of Hashem was not in persuasive words but in the demonstration of the Ruach Hakodesh and the gevurat Hashem (power of G-d—1:17),

⁵ That the [orthodox Jewish] emunah (faith) of you may not be in the [Olam Hazeh] “chochmah” of Bnei Adam, but in the gevurat Hashem [1:17].

⁶ But we do speak chochmah (wisdom) to the man who is mevugar (mature, grown up), to those with mature ruchaniyut (spirituality in Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach), yet, it is a chochmah (wisdom) not of the Olam Hazeh, neither of the rulers of the Olam Hazeh (Ro 13:3), the ones being brought to naught (1:28). [TEHILLIM 146:4]

⁷ But we speak the chochmah of Hashem in a hidden sod (mystery 2:1), which was nigzar merosh (determined from the beginning, preordained, predestined, decided beforehand) by Hashem lifnei yemei haOlam (before the days of eternity) for our kavod (glory, Ro 8:29-30);

⁸ A chochmah which not one of the rulers of the Olam Hazeh has known, for, if they had had da’as, they would not have made talui al HaEtz HaKelalat Hashem (being hanged on the Tree of the Curse of G-d- Dt 21:23) the [Moshiach] Adon HaKavod. [Ps 24:7]

⁹ But even as it has been written, “Things which no eye has seen and LO SHAMU (“they had not heard”) nor did it come up into the heart of Bnei Adam, the things G-d prepared for the ones who have ahavah for him.” Isa 64:3[4] TARGUM HASHIVIM; Isa 52:15

¹⁰ But Hashem has made the hitgalut haSod (the revelation of the mystery) to us of these things through the Ruach Hakodesh; for the Ruach Hakodesh searches all things, even the deep things of G-d.

¹¹ For who of Bnei Adam has da’as of the things of Bnei Adam except the ruach of a man in him? So also the things of G-d no one has known except the Ruach Hashem. [Jer 17:9; Prov 20:27]

¹² Now we have not received the ruach of the Olam Hazeh but the Ruach Hakodesh from Hashem, that we may have da’as of the things having been freely given to us by Hashem,

¹³ Which things also we speak, not in dvarim (words) taught by chochmah haBnei Adam, but in dvarim taught by the Ruach Hakodesh, making midrash [exposition, interpretation] of the things of the Ruach Hakodesh [2:12] by means of the words of the Ruach Hakodesh.

¹⁴ But a natural person does not receive the things of the Ruach Hakodesh of Hashem, for they are narrishkait (foolishness 1:21-24) to him, and he is not able to have personal saving da’as of them, because they are discerned in the Ruach Hakodesh.

¹⁵ Now the man of the Ruach Hakodesh discerns all things, but, by no one is he discerned.

¹⁶ For, “Who has known the mind of Hashem so as to instruct Him” [Isa 40:13 TARGUM HASHIVIM]? But we have the mind of Moshiach. [YESHAYAH 40:13]

happy Sukkot 2015

Today we read a bit of Sukkot history. Excerpts quoted: “Sukkot, a Hebrew word meaning “booths” or “huts,” refers to the annual Jewish festival of giving thanks for a bountiful fall harvest and commemorates the 40 years of Jewish wandering in the desert after the giving of the Torah atop Mt. Sinai. Sukkot begins five days after Yom Kippur. It is observed for seven days by Israelis and many Reform Jews, and for eight days by other Jews living outside Israel. The eighth day of Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, is traditionally a separate festival in its own right. In Reform congregations, which generally observe one day of holidays, rather than two, Shemini Atzeret is observed concurrently with Simchat Torah, the festival of “rejoicing in the Torah.” – (See more at: http://www.reformjudaism.org/sukkot-history#sthash.dwUj5rrj.dpuf)
Bible verses:
Nehemiah 8 New International Version (NIV) ¹⁴ They found written in the Law, which the Lord had commanded through Moses, that the Israelites were to live in temporary shelters during the festival of the seventh month ¹⁵ and that they should proclaim this word and spread it throughout their towns and in Jerusalem: “Go out into the hill country and bring back branches from olive and wild olive trees, and from myrtles, palms and shade trees, to make temporary shelters”—as it is written.^{[b] 16} So the people went out and brought back branches and built themselves temporary shelters on their own roofs, in their courtyards, in the courts of the house of God and in the square by the Water Gate and the one by the Gate of Ephraim. ¹⁷ The whole company that had returned from exile built temporary shelters and lived in them. From the days of Joshua son of Nun until that day, the Israelites had not celebrated it like this. And their joy was very great.

Exodus 23:16

“Celebrate the Festival of Harvest with the firstfruits of the crops you sow in your field. “Celebrate the Festival of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather in your crops from the field.

In Context | Full Chapter

Leviticus 23:39

“‘So beginning with the fifteenth day of the seventh month, after you have gathered the crops of the land, celebrate the festival to the Lord for seven days; the first day is a day of sabbath rest, and the eighth day also is a day of sabbath rest.

In Context

Bible verses from Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)

Ezekiel 11:17

Therefore, say that Adonai Elohim says this: ‘“I will gather you from the peoples and collect you from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give the land of Isra’el to you.”

Ezekiel 20:34

I will bring you out from the peoples and gather you out of the countries where you were scattered, with a mighty hand, with a stretched-out arm and with poured-out fury;

Ezekiel 20:41

I will accept you with your sweet aroma when I bring you out from the peoples and gather you out of the countries where you were scattered; and through you I will manifest my holiness in the sight of the nations.

Ezekiel 28:25

“Adonai Elohim says, ‘Once I have gathered the house of Isra’el from the peoples among whom they are scattered, once I have shown my holiness in them as the Goyim watch, then they will live in their own land, which I gave to my servant Ya‘akov.

Ezekiel 34:13

I will bring them back from those peoples, gather them from those countries and return them to their own land. Then I will let them feed on the mountains of Isra’el, by the streams and in all the livable places of the land.

Ezekiel 36:24

For I will take you from among the nations, gather you from all the countries, and return you to your own soil.

Ezekiel 37:21

Then say to them that Adonai Elohim says: ‘I will take the people of Isra’el from among the nations where they have gone and gather them from every side and bring them back to their own land.

Ezekiel 39:27

This will be after I have brought them back from the peoples and gathered them out of their enemies’ lands, thereby being consecrated through them in the sight of many nations.

New International Version (NIV)

Ezekiel 11:17

“Therefore say: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will gather you from the nations and bring you back from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you back the land of Israel again.’

In Context

Ezekiel 20:34

I will bring you from the nations and gather you from the countries where you have been scattered—with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm and with out poured wrath.

Ezekiel 20:41

I will accept you as fragrant incense when I bring you out from the nations and gather you from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will be proved holy through you in the sight of the nations.

In Context

Ezekiel 22:19

Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘Because you have all become dross, I will gather you into Jerusalem.

In Context

Ezekiel 22:20

As silver, copper, iron, lead and tin are gathered into a furnace to be melted with a fiery blast, so will I gather you in my anger and my wrath and put you inside the city and melt you.

In Context

Ezekiel 22:21

I will gather you and I will blow on you with my fiery wrath, and you will be melted inside her.

In Context

Ezekiel 28:25

“‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: When I gather the people of Israel from the nations where they have been scattered, I will be proved holy through them in the sight of the nations. Then they will live in their own land, which I gave to my servant Jacob.

In Context

Ezekiel 34:13

I will bring them out from the nations and gather them from the countries, and I will bring them into their own land. I will pasture them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines and in all the settlements in the land.

In Context

Ezekiel 36:24

“‘For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land.

In Context

Ezekiel 37:21

and say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will take the Israelites out of the nations where they have gone. I will gather them from all around and bring them back into their own land.

In Context

Ezekiel 38:12

I will plunder and loot and turn my hand against the resettled ruins and the people gathered from the nations, rich in livestock and goods, living at the center of the land.”

In Context

Ezekiel 39:27

When I have brought them back from the nations and have gathered them from the countries of their enemies, I will be proved holy through them in the sight of many nations.

In Context

Ezekiel 39:28

Then they will know that I am the Lord their God, for though I sent them into exile among the nations, I will gather them to their own land, not leaving any behind.

In Context

a list of links to Yom Kippur

Here is a list of links to some of this blogger's Yom Kippur's blog posts.

This year’s Yom Kippur: life, health and happiness
http://wp.me/pzRwB-2SP
Yom Kippur 2014
http://wp.me/pzRwB-2B7 
A day before 2013 Yom Kippur fast
 http://wp.me/pzRwB-2ag
How the watchman spent this year’s Yom Kippur
http://wp.me/pzRwB-2af
Great Yom Kippur menus on what to eat before and after fasting!
http://wp.me/pzRwB-29X
Yom Kippur 2013: by whom we have now received the atonement
 http://wp.me/pzRwB-29R
2013 Yom Kippur – hear the prophet
 http://wp.me/pzRwB-29q
 Watchman’s Adventure: preparing for Yom Kippur Fast
 http://wp.me/pzRwB-1hp
 watchman’s adventure: 2011 Yom Kippur (1)
http://wp.me/pzRwB-1hB
watchman’s adventure: 2011 Yom Kippur (2)
 http://wp.me/pzRwB-1hP

watchman’s adventure: A day before Yom Kippur

This blog post in 2011 is still relevant this year. Nothing much has changed in the physical except that this watchman has had more experiences in fasting and praying, not just on Yom Kippur day. The goal remains the same – to align with God’s purpose for His people, the called and the chosen. Jesus has said: “Enter through the narrow gate. Many are called but few are chosen.” The truth is, you can be a chosen too when you follow Him by faith.
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
Original post 10/07/2011:
The watchman has decided to keep Yom Kippur – day of atonement (full fast of food and water for 25 hours from Sundown to Sundown following Jerusalem’s time)  this year. He has prepared his heart and spirit for the past two weeks and now the day will arrive soon. On this eve he carries out the following:
1. Set goal for the day of fast and repentance, as a watchman standing in the gap. His Goal: to seek God and intercede for Israel before God.
2. Ask and listen to the Holy Spirit on how to spend the next day. Activities: Fast, repent, read and proclaim God’s words.
3. Prepare himself in his body: He has two main meals to stock up on protein, carb., fibre and plenty of water. (During the previous year’s Yom Kippur, he had a hard time when he fasted water as well as food. Fasting water was very tough for him!)
4. Prepare himself in his soul and spirit: He rests before the Lord, reads the word of God, prays, and receives guidance from the Holy Spirit. Aligning himself with the Lord prepares him to enter the spiritual realm the following day.
Some of the Bible books and chapters he will read and proclaim on the following day are as follows:
whole book of Hebrews ; whole book of Matthews;  psalm 141-150 ; Isaiah 42-66 ; Ezekiel 33-48
Why does he want to do the Yom Kippur observation? He asks. The answer is he believes the calling and choosing of Christians is linked to that of the returning of the elect (the Israelite people) to God as prophesied in the Bible. He has firm conviction in his spirit that the time is near and all Christians watchmen should arise and stand now for the fulfilment of the word of God.
O watchman, “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:36)
___________________

Zechariah 4:14 (NKJV)

¹⁴ So he said, “These are the two anointed ones, who stand beside the Lord of the whole earth.” (Both the Jews and the Gentiles Christians)

Eve of Yom Kippur: And I know that His command is everlasting life

This is a heavy day as we are preparing with our Jewish brethren for September 23. The watchman has decided to go through the same fast and pray and reading of God’s words on September 23. In preparation the watchman was led in the spirit to start listening to the audio Bible since September 21. This will continue for these three days’ season of intercession for the descendants of Israel. The Spirit of the Lord says: “Whoever has ears, let him hear.”
Today’s reading of the Gospel: (excerpts from John 12)
Yochanan 12 Orthodox Jewish Bible (OJB)

³⁵ Therefore, he said to them, Yet a little time is the Ohr among you. Walk while you have the Ohr lest choshech overtake you; the one walking in the choshech does not have da’as of where he is going.

³⁶ While you have the Ohr, walk in the Ohr that you may become Bnei HaOhr. These things spoke Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach. And, having gone away, he was hidden from them.

³⁷ Though so many otot he had done before them, they lacked emunah in him,

³⁸ That the dvar of Yeshayah HaNavi may be fulfilled, which said, Adonoi, MI HE’EMIN LISHMU’ATEINU UZERO’A HASHEM AL-MI NIGLATAH? (Who has believed our report and to whom is the arm of Hashem revealed?‖Isa 53:1)

³⁹ Therefore, they were not able to have emunah, because, again Yeshayah said,

⁴⁰ HE HAS BLINDED THEIR EYES, HASHMIN LEV HAAM HAZEH (Harden the heart of this people), THAT THEY MIGHT NOT SEE WITH THEIR EYES AND HAVE BINAH WITH THEIR LEV AND MIGHT TURN AND I WILL HEAL THEM. [YESHAYAH 6:10]

⁴¹ These things Yeshayah spoke because he saw the kavod (glory) of Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach and he spoke about him. [Isa 6:1]

⁴² Nevertheless, however, even among the manhigim (leaders) many had emunah (faith) in Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach. But because of the Perushim, they were not making hoda’ah (confession) of Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach, lest under the cherem ban they should be put away from the shul.

⁴³ For their ahavah was for the kavod Bnei Adam rather than the kavod Hashem. [SHMUEL ALEF 15:30]

⁴⁴ But Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach cried out, The ma’amin in me does not have emunah in me, but in the One having sent me.

⁴⁵ And the one seeing me sees the One having sent me.

⁴⁶ I have come as an Ohr (Light) into the Olam Hazeh that everyone believing in me may not remain in the choshech (darkness).

⁴⁷ And if anyone hears my dvarim and of my dvarim is not shomer, I do not judge him, for I did not come to bring the Olam Hazeh into mishpat, but that I may save the Olam Hazeh.

⁴⁸ The one setting me aside and not receiving the dvarim has his Shofet: the dvar which I spoke will judge him on the Yom HaAcharon [i.e., the Yom HaDin].

⁴⁹ Because I do not speak on my own, but the one having sent me [Elohim] HaAv He has given me a mitzvah of what I may say and what I may speak.

⁵⁰ And I have da’as that the mitzvah of Him is Chayyei Olam. Whatsoever things I speak, I speak, therefore, just as HaAv has told me.

Who Has Believed Our Report?

³⁴ The people answered Him, “We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever; and how can You say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this Son of Man?”
³⁵ Then Jesus said to them, “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. ³⁶ While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them.
³⁷ But although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him, ³⁸ that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke:

“Lord, who has believed our report?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”^[f]

³⁹ Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again:

⁴⁰ “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts,
Lest they should see with their eyes,
Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,
So that I should heal them.”^[g]

⁴¹ These things Isaiah said when^[h] he saw His glory and spoke of Him.

Walk in the Light

⁴² Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; ⁴³ for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
⁴⁴ Then Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me. ⁴⁵ And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. ⁴⁶ I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. ⁴⁷ And if anyone hears My words and does not believe,^[i] I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. ⁴⁸ He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. ⁴⁹ For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. ⁵⁰ And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.”

Further testimony of the healed: this blogger

This blog is all about healing. Today this blogger ponders on the difference between believing in the unseen by faith and believing only when seeing the physical. I have already posted many helpful links to articles, audio and video teachings on healing. I have also posted testimonies of the healed. I have also seen repeatedly cases of failures in receiving healing and asked the question “why”. I asked the Lord and sought answers from the Bible. I do not have a fit all answer. I can only admit that God is big and great. Without the Holy Spirit’s guidance no one can understand the way of God.
Here are some of my personal observations from today’s reading of 2 Samuel 5:17-25

1. David asked God every time even when he was confronting the same enemy. He did not presume he knew it all. Past success in a similar battle did not deter him from seeking afresh God’s opinion and direction for the current battle. When the Philistines heard that he was anointed king they came in full force to destroy him. He asked God two questions: “Shall I go and attack them?” “Will You deliver them into my hands?” He first made sure it was the right time, right place, right strategy and that he had the right resources. On a second occasion he asked again and obeyed God’s instruction to fight the battle differently. On both battles he won of course. “So David did as the Lord commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.”
2. What has this got to do with healing? This blogger has learned that God’s way of healing is all about hearing God and believing, just as Davie did in this historical example. Like David, ask the Lord. Let the Holy Spirit speak to you and guide you.
3. Like David, never try to rationalize and give credit to anyone else for your healing. David always remembered and declared and made sure others too believe it was God who helped him. He wrote about it. He sang about it. He named places about it. He said, “As waters break out, the Lord has broken out against my enemies before me. So that place was called Baal Perazim.” (2 Samuel 5:20)

I have seen and heard Christians rationalizing their own or their loved ones’ healing by saying it’s something they eat or do or someone else does or whatever… I am shocked and sad that such spiritual unbelief continues in the hearts of Christians, followers of Jesus Christ. Everything that Jesus did was supernatural. He lived a supernatural life! Yet some Christians no longer think much of the supernatural (spiritual). Because I have personally received my own healing many times over a variety of health matters, I know what unbelief can do to a health condition. Unbelief is a sickness itself. Unless you up-root it you will continue to live with the number one hindrance to healing. How to up-root unbelief especially when it is deeply rooted in the intellect? Jesus has given one solution: by dying to self. ‘Self” lies in the domain of the intellect. Die to self. Live to God. How can one truly die to self?  This blogger’s experience is that one has to encounter and know God as real in the spiritual. Spiritual reality of God is a must. I have been fully convinced and converted by this reality of the spiritual God.
Testimony: The intellect was the number one enemy to receiving healing of my own diseases. When I trusted God without any more reason and excuse I received my personal healing.
Relevant Bible verses:

Zechariah 4:6

So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.

Isaiah 11:2

The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—

Isaiah 31:3

But the Egyptians are mere mortals and not God; their horses are flesh and not spirit. When the Lord stretches out his hand, those who help will stumble, those who are helped will fall; all will perish together.

John 16:13 [Full Chapter]

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

John 3:5

Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.

John 4:24

God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

John 6:63

The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.

John 14:17

the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

1 Corinthians 2:4

My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power,

1 Corinthians 2:10

these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.

1 Corinthians 2:12

What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.

1 Corinthians 2:13-15 New International Version (NIV)¹³ This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.^{[a] 14} The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. ¹⁵ The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments,

Footnotes:

1. 1 Corinthians 2:13 Or Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual