Month: December 2020

Matthew 7:15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 
16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 
17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 
18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 
19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 
20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

The Anti-Christ has brought forward many false prophets, who are this very day disseminating false doctrine throughout what many of us think is the church. But we are deceived also in even thinking that the traditional church belongs to the Messiah.

Here is why Yahshua warned us against false prophets saying, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.” I know what a false teacher or false prophet is, because I used to be one of them. 

I have stood in a pulpit and told my congregation that they were saved by grace alone. I lied! I didn’t know it at that time, because I was just mouthing what I had been taught by other false teachers.

I taught Roman Catholic Doctrine, teaching on things that were not in the Bible, like Christmas, and Easter.

I wondered why no one ever came forward and knelt at the altar, and why it seemed as though they weren’t listening, and this scripture tells me exactly why?

“You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?”     (Vs 16)

The truth was just not in my words. I had no idea what the truth was, yet I knew something was wrong. I did not understand the scriptures that I was teaching on, and preaching from. Yet I had had heard the voice of my Savior calling me to serve. Little did I know that there was going to be more of His voice in my ear.

“Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 
Therefore, by their fruits you will know them.” (Vs 17-20)

My ministry simply was not bearing fruit. So, I began to look for the truth. We taught in those days that the Bible was true, but I was finding too many conflicts in what doctrine said, as opposed to what Yahshua / Jesus said.

For we told people that the Law was no longer in effect, but Jesus called that Lawlessness. We preach that anyone who accepted Christ as their Savior would go to heaven, but Christ taught, “narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:14)

How is that reflective of a narrow way?

We taught that once we are saved, we are forever saved, but the Apostle Paul taught, “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;” (Philippians 2:12)

Many things did not ring true. So, what is the fruit of this kind of teaching?

We will have entire congregations who know nothing of the way of Christ, and know nothing of the Commandments of God, not even do they know or obey the basic Ten Commandments, but they will come to Christ wreaking of Pagan traditions.

Why? Because that is what we taught them.

Did Yahshua / Jesus not say, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 
Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 
And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” (Matthew 7:21-23)

Here is the fruit of our false teaching! Those whom we have deceived will show up at the judgment thinking they are saved when they are not. They are Lawless, and do not have the love of God. because we taught them lies, and false doctrine. “A bad tree cannot bear good fruit!”

Those who have taught them this false doctrine will be first in line to be judged, and their judgment will be harsher than those whom they lied to.

James 3:1 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.

Those of us who have taught from the doctrine of the Anti-Christ need to take a long look at what we have done to others, thinking that we have saved them.

 2^nd Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith.

Here is why I am constantly preaching on the Commandments of God, and the truth verses doctrine. It is my prayer that I might be able to undo some of the harm I did as a false teacher by bringing the truth now.

I know that for many of my preacher friends, this teaching will be difficult to grasp, but if you’ll see it in the Spirit, you’ll know that I am telling you these things because of the Love my Savior has for us!

2^nd Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 

Shalom my friends,

Chuck Greever

Deuteronomy 11:13 ‘And it shall be that if you earnestly obey My commandments which I command you today, to love the Lord your God and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul, 
14 then I will give you the rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the latter rain, that you may gather in your grain, your new wine, and your oil. 
15 And I will send grass in your fields for your livestock, that you may eat and be filled.’ 
16 Take heed to yourselves, lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them, 
17 lest the Lord’s anger be aroused against you, and He shut up the heavens so that there be no rain, and the land yield no produce, and you perish quickly from the good land which the Lord is giving you.

Here we find YHWH making a promise to the Children of Israel saying, “And it shall be that if you earnestly obey My commandments which I command you today, to love the Lord your God and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul, then I will give you the rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the latter rain, that you may gather in your grain, your new wine, and your oil. And I will send grass in your fields for your livestock, that you may eat and be filled.’” (Vs 13-15)

There are those among us that will say that this promise is not for us, but for Israel. But that Is not possible, because our Elohim is Lord of all, not just Israel. And if we keep the same Commandments as they were given, why would He not love us and bless us also?

Did He not also lead us out of bondage? Look how many of us are descended from those who fled persecution in Europe, Asia, and how many who were freed from slavery, even after they were enslaved both here, and elsewhere. This nation became a refuge for persecuted believers from all over the world. Here is why we are referred to as a melting pot.

“Take heed to yourselves, lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them, lest the Lord’s anger be aroused against you, and He shut up the heavens so that there be no rain, and the land yield no produce, and you perish quickly from the good land which the Lord is giving you.”  (Vs 16, 17)

We came here to serve the same Lord YHWH as Israel. And this is what we did for many years, but because we have not done the work of discipleship, now there are many among us who do not believe, and many false teachers who are teaching falsely, taking from the Word of God and twisting it to suit themselves, and taking us away from true worship.

We were told, ^“You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.” (Deuteronomy 4:2)

Yet we who have followed false teachers, have added to God’s word, when we should have known better. They taught us all of those Pagan traditions that came out of Rome, like the changing of God’s Holy Sabbath, the introduction of Christmas, Lent, and Easter.

We have done exactly what we were warned against doing, when YHWH said, “Do not add to, or take from my Commandments.” Here is where we departed from Him!

So perhaps some of what Yahshua Christ said, will begin to ring true now. For instance, “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.” (Matthew 15:13, 14)

Speaking of the Pharisees, but we have our own version of blind teachers, don’t we? We have our own Pharisees!

What we are experiencing in this country is attributable to exactly that, the work of false teacher’s, who have brought forth Roman Catholic doctrine from the reformation, and even added to it. But this could not have happened, except that we were too lazy to check their teachings against the Word of God.

We would have done well to have responded to their teaching, just as the Bereans tested Paul’s words.

Acts 17:10 Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. 
11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.

So, can we blame the Anti-Christ for doing what His Master Satan ordains, No! But we must accept responsibility for our allowing it to go on for so long untested.

It is not too late for a course correction, even now If we return to His Commandments, the curses that we are under can be reversed. We have an Elohim that will forgive us when we humble ourselves, and obey.

2^nd Chronicles 7:14 “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 

That’s the word of God!  Not A promise to some other people, but to all who will bow to Him and seek His blessings.

Therefore, “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.”  “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”  (2^nd Corinthians 6:17, 18)

It is God’s intention to bring all of us back to Him, do not resist!

Shalom my friends,

Chuck Greever

Matthew 12:46 While He was still talking to the multitudes, behold, His mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with Him. 
47 Then one said to Him, “Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You.”
48 But He answered and said to the one who told Him, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” 
49 And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! 
50 For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”

Here we see Yahshua speaking to a house full of People, and His Mother and His brothers have come to speak to Him.

Then one said to Him, “Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You.” (Vs 47)

He’s not saying here that he will ignore them, or snub them, but they are going to have to wait.

So He poses a question and asks, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” 

We need to remember that He said to His mother years before, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49)

He was age 12 years then, and now He’s 33 years old. In all that time He never faltered in His purpose, to set aside all other concerns in order to serve His Father and His purposes. Here we see His determination to continue to focus on the work of His ministry, in carrying out His Father’s will.

And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.” (Vs 49, 50)

So, let’s look at this in terms of How does this affects us who also serve as His disciples. We need to know that we are also His Family!

With one big “If”, remember He said we must carry out the will of God. This is what he’s all about! Yahshua taught God’s Law, His Will, to His disciples, which contained His Gospel, and there is no Gospel without it.

Hence, this is why He said, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 
18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. 
19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:17-19)

Unless we are teaching the Commandments of God, we do not yet belong to Yahshua as family. His disciples definitely were in it to become great in the Kingdom of Elohim. They had 3 years of intensive learning under the King of Kings. They were His Family in Spirit and in Truth.

And If we want that close family relationship with Yahshua, then we must do likewise. Here is why He says, we must Love Him, and the evidence that we do possess such love, is in our obedience to His teaching.

Did He not say, “If you love Me, keep My commandments. 
16And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—
17the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.

The pouring out of the Holy Spirit, His Spirit, comes when we love Him enough to Keep the same Commandments He taught, and that Messiah exemplified. If we truly belong to Him this is what we must do, Walk in the Way of Christ the Messiah.

Be Yahshua’s disciples, and be the Family of God!

Shalom my friends,

Chuck Greever

Luke 9:57 Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, “Lord, I will follow You wherever You go.”
58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”
59 Then He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”
60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.”
61 And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.”
62 But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

The commitment to follow Christ Yahshua must not be taken lightly, “Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, “Lord, I will follow You wherever You go.” (Vs 57)

Really? Yahshua knows the depth of our commitment and according to what He knows He speaks.

 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” (Vs 58)

He is saying that Following Him may require more of us than we are willing to give. There will be rejection, and even having to set ourselves so far apart from the rest of the world, that there will be no place for us to rest in this world, therefore we are left to wander from place to place, without shelter.

A true servant of God has nothing in him but the Word of God. It is rare indeed to find a place where that is accepted. Truth rather than fables does not make for a soft bed.

Then He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”
Yahshua / Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.” (Vs 59, 60)

Here he draws a distinct line between the living and the dead. This may seem callus on His part, but Here is what is being said, once someone is dead, there’s really not much that can be done for them. If they are not saved, no amount of ceremony, or ritual, will help them. But those who are living can still repent, and change their ways.

This is what a true disciple lives for! We do not honor the dead so that it takes precedence over the living who remain unsaved, and have no chance at eternal life.

There are only two kinds of people in this world as far as Yahshua is concerned, the living and the dead, those who are saved, and those who are not!

Yahshua is speaking of our priorities, when He says, “Let the dead bury their own dead.” He is here for the living not the dead, to call those who are among the dead to life eternal.

  And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.” But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Vs 61, 52)

He is the culmination of our purpose as disciples, one must be so completely sold out to Yahshua that He has tunnel vision, and can think of nothing else but His purpose in Him. Remember that those closest to Him set everything aside and went when He said, “follow me.” His voice rang in their ears as the Holy Spirit spoke to them, and they dropped everything to follow the Messiah.

Yahshua told me that he had been calling me repeatedly, but I would not come because I had to make my fortune first. When I hear myself saying this, it just sounds so incredible, that I would be so self-involved that I would reject His calling to satisfy my need for worldly fortune.

But when He said this to me, I felt so ashamed that I had done this to my Savior, He had laid His life down for me, and I had walked away from my calling. I told Him then that I would not say. “no” to Him anymore.

Here is what Yahshua wants to hear from those of us who are called. Let it be a resounding, “Yes”.

Here am I! Send me.

Isaiah 6:8 ⁸Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”

Shalom my friends,

Chuck Greever

“Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:19)

We have people telling us that Yahshua did away with the Law at the cross, yet He taught the Law of YHWH at every opportunity. For the Law is the Word of God. So, because we are plagued with false teachers, who insist that the Law has been replaced with total grace. Perhaps we should turn to the ultimate teacher Himself and ask, if the Law has been abolished, why did He say this?

“Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven;” (Vs 19a)  

I wouldn’t want my savior to think of me as least accomplished in anything. But rather, let it be said of me, that I brought my friends and followers back to the truth of God’s Word. I so desire to hear those precious words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:21)

Here are His instructions. Yahshua tells us, “but whoever does and teaches them, (The Commandments) he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Vs 19b)

So now that we know that those who violate the Law / Commandments and do not teach them, have fallen short of the mark. He says that it is keeping and teaching the commandments of God that pleases the entire host of heaven.

Proverbs 4: 1Hear, my children, the instruction of a father, and give attention to know understanding;
2 For I give you good doctrine: Do not forsake my law.

Do not forsake My Law / instructions. How clear is that? But isn’t that exactly what many of us have done? We were taught by false teacher’s that we didn’t have to obey God’s Word.

Isn’t that the same message that Adam and Eve got from the serpent in the Garden that brought forth the fall of mankind?

Do we not realize that God wants to bring us back to that state of grace that we once had in the garden of Eden, so He gives us a path back to His Kingdom by giving us His instructions for living in accordance with His Word, hence the commandments or the Law, both are the same!

Over and over throughout the scriptures the same mantra is heard incessantly, Keep the commandments of God!

“Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth.” (Deuteronomy 28:1)

Is God speaking or is this just hot air, from Moses? Let’s leap forward to the last chapter of the Bible!

Revelation 22:14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. 
15 But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.

So, we can see that He is Consistent from Cover to Cover, we must keep the Commandments of God. Clearly those who don’t keep God’s Commandments have missed the mark, but those who do keep them have access to the Holy City, and the Tree of Life.

The only thing separating the sheep from the goats is this one thing, keeping God’s Law makes all the difference. Wouldn’t it be a shame if this one thing kept you from finishing the race?

“If you love Me, keep My commandments.” (John 14:15)

Shalom my friends,

Chuck Greever

Matthew 21:23 Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?”

24 But Yahshua / Jesus answered and said to them, “I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell Me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things: 
25 The baptism of John—where was it from? From heaven or from men?” And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 
26 But if we say, ‘From men,’ we fear the multitude, for all count John as a prophet.” 
27 So they answered Jesus and said, “We do not know.” And He said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things. “But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard.’ 
29 He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went. 
30 Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go. 
31 Which of the two did the will of his father?”

They said to Him, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you. 
32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but tax collectors and harlots believed him; and when you saw it, you did not afterward relent and believe him.

The Pharisees were questioning Yahshua again, wanting to know by what authority He teaches the way He does?

But Yahshua / Jesus answered and said to them, “I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell Me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things: The baptism of John—where was it from? From heaven or from men?” And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ (Vs 24, 25

They are thinking out loud amongst themselves, but if we say, ‘From men,’ we fear the multitude, for all count John as a prophet. (Vs 26)

Clearly, Yahshua knew their predicament and presented it to them in such a way that they had to admit their sin or deny it. Their refusal to accept John the Baptist as a Prophet, and a messenger from God Has backed them into a corner, and they are unable to admit their wrong.

And this is the story of all of Israel, especially Jerusalem and the Temple Priests.

For these are the ones whom Yahshua spoke of when He said, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, 
30 and say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.’
31 “Therefore you are witnesses against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. 
32 Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers’ guilt. 
33 Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell?” (Matthew 23:29-33)

Virtually every Prophet that was sent to Israel, was killed, maimed, and sometimes they laid in ambush to kill them before they arrived at their destination to deliver their message.

And Here again is the indictment against those who come to question even The Son of YHWH.

So, they answered Yahshua / Jesus and said, “We do not know.” And He said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things. “But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard.’ (Vs 27)

This Parable is in direct relationship to their predicament with Heaven and the Judgment.

So Yahshua continues with His parable, “He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went. 
Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go. 
Which of the two did the will of his father?” (Vs 29-31)

The Father of course is our Heavenly Father, and though many of us have rejected our calling, we repented and returned to do as we were called to do. But there are two sons here, one repents and returns but the other must be a Pharisee, because He answered yes to the Father, but then went His own way, not following his calling.

That’s is the predicament that is outlined here to us, as well as to them who dare to question Christ, and His Authority. If they truly were in service to God, they would never have questioned His Authority to begin with. And even now there is time to repent, but no repentance is seen or heard.

They said to Him, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you.” (Vs 31)

Here is the Judgment that even Harlots, and Tax Collectors will enter Heaven before these Pharisees do. Because they have denied their calling and persecuted God’s own messenger.

Yahshua uses John as an example of what they have failed to do as priests, saying, “For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but tax collectors and harlots believed him; and when you saw it, you did not afterward relent and believe him.” (Vs 32)

And what was John’s message, “Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.” 
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.’”  (Mark 1:2, 3)

Born into this World a prophet, who was to prepare the Earth For the coming of Messiah. And who was beheaded by King Harrod, while no one lifted a finger to protect Him or defend Him as being Holy and sent by God.

They will now do likewise to the Son of God.

Is it any wonder that Yahshua is now the Chief Priest? And is it any wonder that there has been a change in the priesthood?

Hebrews 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Yahshua / Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 

Shalom my friends,

Chuck Greever

Luke 8:49 While He was still speaking, someone came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, “Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher.”
50 But when Yahshua / Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well.” 
51 When He came into the house, He permitted no one to go in except Peter, James, and John, and the father and mother of the girl. 
52 Now all wept and mourned for her; but He said, “Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping.” 
53 And they ridiculed Him, knowing that she was dead.
54 But He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called, saying, “Little girl, arise.” 
55 Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat. 
56 And her parents were astonished, but He charged them to tell no one what had happened.

People would come to Yahshua in droves to be healed, and the Father had filled Him with the power to do what was needed to bring life and healing even into the darkest places. Here was someone coming from the ruler of the local Synagogue’s house and their daughter is very ill.

Then someone comes and says, “Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher.” (vs 49)

But when Yahshua / Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well.” (Vs 50)

So, now the line is drawn in the sand. There is the way that those who are caught up in the world see things, and the way things are seen from a place of faith.

John 14:10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. 
11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.

Yahshua is here doing the works that bring glory and honor to the Father. He is the Son of God, and that’s what a good Son does, Honors His Father. Isn’t that what God has commanded us to do? “Honor your father and your mother.” (Exodus 20:12)

When He came into the house, He permitted no one to go in except Peter, James, and John, and the father and mother of the girl. (Vs 51)

He removed the opposition. So that only those who would or will to believe would be present. Not those who believed she was dead!

Now all wept and mourned for her; but He said, “Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping.” (Vs 52) These were the ones that would not play a part in the child’s being raised up.

  And they ridiculed Him, knowing that she was dead. (Vs 53)

These folks and their way of thinking might have interfered with what he will do. Thoughts both Negative and positive, have power. But in this case, there is no power greater than what Yahshua brings.

But He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called, saying, “Little girl, arise.” Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat. 
And her parents were astonished, but He charged them to tell no one what had happened. (Vs 54-56)

I don’t know how we could expect to keep such a thing quiet. Their daughter was thought to be dead and now by the power of HaShem she is alive.

So, what can we learn from such a thing? Well certainly, if we are going to pray for something, no matter what it is, get rid of the naysayers, those who do not believe!

Did Christ Yahshua not say “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done. And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” (Matthew 21:21, 22)

Shalom my Friends,

Chuck Greever

47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, 
48 which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. 
49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, 
50 and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 13:47-50)

So, picture this, fishermen hauling in a big net and in it are all kinds of fish, but they are only interested in those who are good for food. They throw those who are of no worth away. When the time of judgment comes this is what will take place, a separation of what is good, from what is worthless.

We are promised that there will be this separation. And this is promised over and over throughout the scriptures.

31 “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 
32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. 
33 And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 
34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: (Matthew 25:31-34)

In the Parable of the Sower the same thing. “He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. 
38The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. 
39The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels. 
40Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. 
41The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, 
42and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 
43Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear! (Matthew 13:37-43)

“So, it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” (Vs 49, 50)

So, the question remains what exactly can be done about this end times scenario. How can we repair our relationship with Yahshua, so that we don’t wind up as disposable goods?

We must Change! It’s just that simple. The word repentance actually means to change, or to turn from our sinful ways and turn back to follow Yahshua Christ.

It stands to reason that if we are going to change that we need to consider what He says, and what He did as an example to us. His way clearly is to follow the same commandments that He follows, this is the strongest indication there is, that we have truly changed.

Now why do I say this? I say it because He said it. He said, “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” (John 14:21)

We go to Him in prayer, knowing that he is listening, and hoping that one sinner might repent, and we beg His forgiveness, and turn from our sin. Then we begin to live according to the Commandments of God. Commandments that were given so that we could identify and avoid sin, thus we will live in a way that pleases God, and is not offensive to Him.

Here is all the reason we need to become lawful, and place our trust in Yahshua Christ.

22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 
23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ (Matthew 7:22, 23)

It is Lawlessness that causes Him to reject those who are unfit for the Kingdom of Elohim. So, there it is, the only choice we have is to become obedient to God, and keep His commandments. This is our only and best defense against Satan, to have in our hearts and minds the Commandments of Him who will be our judge. Yahshua the Messiah and savior of the whole world.

Many have denied that the Law is valid because of grace, but what they don’t understand is that God gave us His commandment for a reason, so that we can choose to be His, rather than the father of lies, Satan, for all we need to know in order to be good is His commandments. Every sin is covered, and we can’t say, “oops,” I didn’t know!

Our salvation is a constant and deliberate choice on our part because of the Love of God.

The Apostle John explains, “Whoever believes that Yahshua – Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. 
2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. 
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.” (1^st John 5:1-3)

Do you love Him?

Shalom my friends,

Chuck Greever 

1 Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, 
2 “Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.”
3 He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? 
4 For God commanded, saying, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ 
5 But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God”—
6 then he need not honor his father or mother.’ Thus, you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition. 
7 Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying:
8 ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.
 9 And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’” 
10 When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear and understand: 
11 Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.”
12 Then His disciples came and said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?”
13 But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. 
14 Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.” (Matthew 15:1-14)

It is so unfair to the Pharisees to try to argue with Yahshua Christ, they come against the Son of God with doctrine that was invented by Rabbi’s and so-called Theologians. That alone, is a stumbling block for them and because they are not willing to listen carefully, they fail at every juncture.

They asked, “Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.” (Vs 2)

They had invented a ceremony for everything, even a way of washing before eating. But there is nothing said in the scriptures about hand washing ceremonies. So here is the problem with the enemies of Christ Yahshua. they have doctrine that has nothing to do with our Elohim, and they try to force it on others.

So, here comes the reply, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? (Vs 3)

And then comes the indictment, He offers testimony from heaven that they are the ones who have transgressed against God, our Elohim.

He says to them, “For God commanded, saying, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ 
But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God”— then he need not honor his father or mother.’ Thus, you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition.” (Vs 4-6)

Ouch! These Characters have actually done harm to the Kingdom of heaven, and now they have heard their sin outlined to them by the Messiah Himself. But do they repent on their knees? No! They are coming at Him as the enemy of God, and will continue the attack. But for now, they have been put in their place!

They who have accused Him are in sin, having transgressed the commandments of God.

Yahshua goes on to say in a very public way, “Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’” (Vs 7-9)

Here is the judgment, they are Hypocrites, according to Christ who is our Judge. We might ask, but what about Grace? Are they not forgiven?

How can they be forgiven, when they have not been broken before Him, confessing their sin? Where there’s no repentance there can be no remission of sins. And from what I see there has been no repentance to this day. The same sin continues and is compounded day after day.

 Returning to the crowd who was gathered there, Yahshua said, “When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear and understand: Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.” (Vs 10, 11)

When we open our mouth to speak anything other than the truth as it appears in God’s Word, we have defiled ourselves. Now this is very important to know, especially for those who are in a place of preaching God’s word. We must not bring forth the doctrine of men, but adhere strictly to the Word of God, lest we bring forth something that is like what these Pharisees were doing.

So here is our lesson for today, because those who are standing in pulpits today in Churches all over the world are about to be judged for the same thing as these temple priests.

The preaching of Christmas is a prime example. Nowhere has it been ordained of God, and Christmas is not found in the Bible / God’s Word at all!

God speaking through Moses said, “You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.” (Deuteronomy 4:2)

Do not go beyond these limits! If we take from the traditions of idol worshipers and apply the Lord’s name to it, have we not sinned? Isn’t that Blasphemy? Applying what is Holy to what is idolatry?

Let’s go back to what Yahshua said to those who did likewise 2000+ years ago. Christ Yahshua said, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? (Vs 3) 

The 3^rd Of the Ten Commandments speaks to using the name of God in such a way, “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.” (Exodus 20:7)

Violating the Commandment of God is sin, and those who continue to do so will never see heaven from within its gates. Do you not know that those who teach and preach God’s Word will be held to a higher standard?

30 take heed to yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed from before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise.’ 
31 You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way; for every abomination to the Lord which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods. (Deuteronomy 12:30, 31)

Christmas was adopted by the Roman Catholic Church, and was taken from the Pagan practice of Saturnalia, a celebration of the winter solstice, and the birth of Tammuz or Ba’al. This was happening over a thousand years before Christ the Messiah was born. They brought a tree into the house, sang songs, and exchanged gifts. Just as many of us do now. The only difference is that it didn’t involve the holy name of Christ, until the Paganized Roman Catholic Church got involved in 321 AD.

Do not be practitioners of Idolatry, for if you continue to do this you will be held responsible for those in your congregation that you have convinced to enter into this terrible sin, which can only end in death.

“Thus, you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition.” (Vs 6)

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1^st John 1:9)

Shalom my friends,

Chuck Greever

Matthew 15:21 Then Yahshua / Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 
22 And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.”
23 But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us.”
24 But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
25 Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!”
26 But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.”
27 And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.”
28 Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

Here we find Yahshua and His disciples wandering into what we now know today as Lebanon. Tyre and Sidon were surrounded by Israel at the time these cities were given to the tribe of Asher when Israel came into the promised land, but they passed them by and did not take them because they were so heavily fortified. Asher failed to obey God, and the result was that they had to live as neighbors with these idol worshipers. Who, as it turned out, influenced Israel, and as a result did harm to their relationship with YHWH!

Then Yahshua / Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 
And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.” (Vs 21, 22)

Asking for mercy from whom is the only one able to administer the kind of grace she needs. She knows that she is pleading with God the Father, when she comes to Yahshua Christ the Messiah. She is not the run of the mill Idolator at this point. For she has faith in the Elohim of Israel. and her response reflects that faith.

At first there was the silent treatment, at the urging of His disciples, He just withdrew from her, not even speaking to her.

Here is why Yahshua turned from this woman at first, she came out of these places, Tyre or Sidon, and if there’s one thing Yahshua cannot abide, it’s idolatry.

But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us.” (Vs 23)

  then He speaks to her saying, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” (Vs 24)

Apparently, He is beginning to recognize something in her that perhaps was not immediately recognizable to Him, or His disciples.

Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!”  

But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” (Vs 25, 26)

She is bowed, and humbled in her pleading, a broken woman who needs His Help. She realizes that she is an outsider to Him, but wants to be given a small chance to submit to him.

She has faith, and the next thing that comes out of her mouth is the profession of that Faith that he needed to hear from her.

She says, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” (Vs 27)

She has humbly accepted Him as her master and accepts her place in the scheme of things, but asks for mercy. So, Grace is forthcoming, He gives her access to those things which have been reserved for the lost sheep of Israel.

Clearly, we are all saved by Faith, when we come humbly to the table of Yahshua. Bowing before Him admitting our need for Him. She at that moment became a part of the House of Israel, by faith.

He said, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour. (Vs 28)

The Apostle Paul offers a discourse on being grafted in by faith saying, “And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree,” (Romans 11:17)

So that even a foreigner, a total stranger to Christ, may be grafted into the House of Israel by faith. And many of us though we may not be aware of it, are the very lost sheep of Israel that Yahshua came for.

“Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:9, 10)

Genesis 22:17 blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies.

All of us are Sons and daughters of Abraham, even the Gentiles, are we not?

If you follow Christ Yahshua and do not know that you’re a part of Israel, and a share in that inheritance.  Then you need to know that’s who and what you are. Our Savior Is a Hebrew and a Jew. Who says to us all, “I am the way, the truth, and the life! No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)

Shalom my friends,

Chuck Greever