Most of my adult life, there has been a deep desire in my heart to pursue the ideals of Father Yahweh. In spite of my human weakness and failure through the years, Adonai has daily transformed me, little by little, into a better vessel in His service. Yet, in the early spring of 2008, Father placed a major choice before me, one that would change my life dramatically.
Sooner or later, likely in multiples of times, Father places choices before each of us to see if we are really committed to Him. If we pass His test, we can move on to the next level of "perfecting". For me, that choice was to follow His leading concerning a move from Arizona to Texas, leaving behind a long dead marital relationship. In my choice to follow Adonai, I relied heavily upon Yeshua's promise through Luke.
"Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of Yahweh, who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life." Luke 18: 29
Many times thereafter, Father has tested, and will continue to test, my commitment to Him. Each time I pass His test, I am richly blessed according to this promise through Luke. The most precious of those blessings was a Godly, new wife that loves Father and His Torah more than anything else. Both of us esteem Father more than each other, and have attempted to walk humbly by His leading around the country for the last two years, ministering in His true name (Yeshua).
By His direction, SueJean and I recently found ourselves in the little town of Colquitt, Georgia. Prior to this time, our audiences have been very small in number. Yet, the numbers were far greater at this venue. Friends were made quickly, a few TV and radio appearances were made, and there was even talk of expanding my musical horizons in Georgia. There were even a couple of suggestions I should try out for "American Idol".
Although the thought of a degree of "fortune and fame" had been placed before me, and was rather tempting, I heard other words of Yeshua through Luke, and, it was time to move on.
"But Yeshua said to him, 'No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of Yahweh.'" Luke 9: 62
To this point, I had learned His lessons well and was blessed accordingly. Yet, in the coming days, I would face more tests of my resolve to do His bidding. For several years, I have sung the classic Johnny Horton song, "North To Alaska". It has always been a fun song to sing and a favorite of many in my audience. Yet, the song has taken on a whole new meaning in my walk with Him. For, that's exactly where He is sending us.
On the morning of April 18, 2011, we set out from Georgia in a similar manner as those of the first exodus. Our first day was filled with eager anticipation and lots of sunshine. However, after a two day stay in Birmingham, we hitched up our rig in between heavy rain and lightning storms. From Alabama to Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and even to North Dakota we endured many more such storms that included heavy hail and high head winds.
Each time we passed through a storm or the wind rocked our rig, the thought of turning in another direction crossed our minds. Even so, we refused to be deterred by the enemy. As we left Fargo, North Dakota, the winds grew more calm and the sun emerged from the clouds. Although a little chilly and the encounter of an isolated rain shower, our trip across Canada has so far been smooth sailing. Each day, our final destination of Alaska and the fulfillment of this leg of our journey with Messiah grows closer.
The telling of our story is not just to tell our story. For many, this story will be just that--a nice little story. It's telling has the purpose of encouraging those that truly have a heart to follow Messiah. Each of His disciples left behind all they had to follow Yeshua--even to the literal giving of their lives in His service. Those that couldn't stomach the opposition or break from the "tradition of men" fell in mass by the wayside.
This story is written to encourage those that wish to follow Messiah regardless of the opposition, regardless of the cost. It is written to give strength to that man and/or woman held by ties to unbelieving family members. It is written to give hope to those that choose to call Him by His true name, follow His Torah, keep His true feasts rather than the pagan, Christian rituals of Christmas and Easter.
It is a good thing for us to love our parents, wives, children, and other family members. Yet, it is foolish for us to remain in such fellowship if it detracts from following Messiah in purity. If family members insist on celebrating the pagan holidays and adhering to other false Christian ideals, and it causes strife for the Torah observant believers, it's time for the believer/s to "hit the road". The words of Yeshua through Matthew speaks loudly for this ideal.
"He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me." Matthew 10: 37-38
Scripture tells us to "come out of her, my people". Many in the Christian churches are doing just that. They are waking up and learning the true ways of our God--Yeshua, Ha' Mashiach. Even so, there are those caught in between those that choose to continue in Christian lies and those that completely separate themselves from false doctrine. For those I say, you can't have it both ways.
No one ever won over an unbelieving friend or family member by keeping one foot in Christianity with the other in Torah. They will just drag you back into the mire from which you are trying to escape. If these unbelievers will ever come out of the doctrines of Baal, they're ONLY chance is for you to "lead by example". Heed the Words of Yeshua through John the Revelator.
"And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write...I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth". Revelation 3: 14-16
Be encouraged my friends. Yeshua never said following Him would be easy, even though He said His "yoke is easy and His burden light". Even so, He did command us to live and preach His true Word (NOT CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE) to the nations and said, "I will be with you even to the end of the world". We are VERY close to that end, and the time to "gird up our loins" is NOW!
CLICK HERE FOR "NO TURNING BACK, PART 2"
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