NEWSLETTERS
ORIGINALY PUBLISHED IN APRIL 1998

Have you ever been outside in the dark and heard a noise or saw a shadow that made you think someone or something was out there, about to get you? Our minds can play tricks on us like that. When you're watching a movie and the sound track has eerie music, do you find yourself becoming tense in anticipation of what's going to happen next? The power of suggestion can be very persuasive. Suppose everyone around you is constantly trying to tell you who you are, or worse yet, making negative, hurtful comments aboutyou. Could you become so convinced by what they are saying that you begin believing all of it is true?  What is said about us has a powerful influence on how we think about ourselves and how we act. This influence can be so powerful that it can actually cause us to make decisions that change our lives as individuals - or as a nation.

As individuals who believe  in one God, Yahweh, the Creator of all that is, we are constantly being assailed with information that causes us to question our beliefs. Scientists tell us that we have evolved from lesser creatures into the creatures we are today. They tell us that our universe came into existence through an explosion that randomly joined together the necessary elements to create the world in which we live. Philosophers tell us that god is whatever each individual envisions him to be - that there is no One True God. Movie and television script writers, as well as music lyricists, tell us that sex outside of marriage is normal and acceptable; that moral values are relative, at best, if not totally non-existent; that violence is an acceptable way to deal with those who don’t see things our way. Our lawmakers have legislated their definition of human life. And, if you listen closely, you will hear our world political leaders telling us that this will be a better world once we have one governing body telling all of us what to do. With all of this information being fed into our minds it would be easy for us to find ourselves conforming to the influence of others. However, we have the Word of God, which nourishes us with Truth, to withstand the suggestions, influences and persuasions of those around us. In His Word we find what is true: "The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether." (Ps. 19:9) "But the Lord is the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King." (Jer. 10:10) We also learn how to find truth: "Make me know Thy ways, O Lord; Teach me Thy paths.  Lead me in Thy truth and teach me, For Thou art the God of my salvation; For Thee I wait all the day."  (Ps. 25:4, 5) As we desire to know our Father Yahweh and spend time with Him, we learn from Him what we need to know in order to be able to withstand the pressure of the ungodly influences and walk out the life that He has planned for us.  "Teach me Thy way, O Lord; I will walk in Thy truth." (Ps. 86:11)

Just as Yahweh has a plan for us as individuals, He has a plan for His People Israel and for the land of Israel which He gave to them as a promise through their ancestors, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  "Now lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward; for all the land which you see, I will give it to you and to your descendants forever." (Gen. 13:14, 15) The Giver's plan is eternal. Yet, today the nation of Israel is a target of critical and judgmental comments because of their desire to live in the land that Yahweh promised to them. Israel is constantly being told that they are hindering the peace process in the Middle East and that they must give away their land in order for peace to be attained. Zionism (the movement to set up, develop and maintain a Jewish national state in their ancient homeland) is considered an extremist view/cause that has no place in present-day Israel. Israel has heard these comments long enough and often enough that now some Israelis appear to believe that they really are the "bad guys", and, as a result, are willing to do whatever is necessary to look better in the eyes of the rest of the world. This concern about what others think about them has caused them to forget who they really are, "...a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, ..."  (1 Peter 2:9), in an effort to become what they think others want them to be. Therefore, they are willing to give away the land which He gave them, in order to attain that much-desired approval by the rest of the world. This distorted image of who they are - as defined by the words of others - has caused Israel to negotiate away their inheritance from their Father Yahweh. Yet, this does not change the truth of Who they are - Yahweh's Chosen People - a People set apart by God to be His People in the Land He gave to them.

Whether we are an individual or a nation we have the Word of God to teach us His ways and His desires for our lives.  We must make the choice to know Him and to learn from Him so that His will and plan can be accomplished in us.  We are to reject the plans of man and accept the plans of our Father.  "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."  (Rom. 12:2) The following song*, given from the heart of God to a friend, illustrates the choice we need to make.

Deeper ever deeper Lord
Into the chambers of Your Heart
I come, I come.
Drawing ever near to You
I humbly bow my knees
And worship You
O, Lord I do.
Teach me Lord
To know Your truth
And ever pledge
My love to You
Alone, alone.
Lord, no other one will do.
You are the Only One
Who is real Truth,
O, Perfect Truth.
My heart desires
Your Holy Fire
To come and purge me
To come and free me.
My heart cries out, Lord
O help me die, Lord
To all that is not You,
Not You alone.
Sitting at your feet, my King
I hear Your Voice instructing me to die and live.
Calling me to come inside
The deepest part
Your Holy Place
O Lord, You know the way.
Bring me Lord into Your Heart
So all I'll want
Is what You want
For me, for me.
In Your deepest part I'll find
The strength and courage
Faith Divine
O Lord, it's true. *

(February, 2000)

When all the world around us is shouting their "truths" we can choose to listen to the whisper of our Father Who teaches us real Truth.  He has given us all Truth in His Word and through His Word, His Son, Messiah Yeshua.  

"I am the way, and the truth, and the life." (John 14:6)

*Used by permission
All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior permission in writing from the publisher.
Knowing The Times, ©TM
Published in the United States of America, All Rights Reserved. 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2006-2008 ISSN 1094-9038
Knowing The Times
United States Of America
​​

thetimesofthesigns.netTM