Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
As we continue in the midst of "Yamim Noraim", or the Days of Awe between Yom Teruah (Feast of Trumpets) and Yom Kippur, we've entered into a period of repentance -- and hopefully, we're seeking to 'perfect holiness' [2 Cor. 7:1] and pursuing a deeper level of dedication and consecration during this season.
In ancient times, the high priest of Israel wore a crown of pure gold on his head called a Nezer, which comes from the word “nazar”. This word "nazar" means to dedicate, consecrate and sacredly separate. The word “nazarite” comes from this root and describes someone who has taken a vow to be separated from the world.
New Covenant believers are called "a royal priesthood" [1 Peter 2:9], and we also, are called to live a holy life, dedicated to God and separated from the world in our thoughts and intentions. It's not always an easy task. Our thought life is constantly challenged from within and without. In this battle, the crown of the high priest can be a powerful symbol for us; the beauty and purity of gold standing for the beauty and purity of thinking with the mind of Messiah. Since Yeshua (Jesus) was the perfect "Nazarite", set apart in absolute purity, His thoughts were always "golden". In communion with Him by His spirit, our thought life too, can move more and more toward His perfect mind.
Philippians 4:8 says this; " Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. " This, as believers, is our mandate to "positive thinking". In this world, negativity, cynicism, and impurity abound, and it becomes easier and easier to dwell on things that are depressing and sinful, impure and evil. But these thoughts must be cut off and destroyed from our minds. Thoughts of lust, jealousy, covetousness, and self-pity will take us away from our Lord, and need to be taken captive before they get a foothold. Replace them with those of Philippians 4:8.
You have the mind of Messiah [1 Cor. 2:16] Choose to know and think with it. Crown yourself with thoughts that are pure as gold by taking control of that ceaseless flow. You'll be amazed at how your life will change under the influence of Yeshua's mind!
Make the determination this season to transform your mind on those thoughts above. In doing so, you'll find yourself changing the world around you -- for His Glory and for His Kingdom!
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[worthy_plugins_devotion_single_body]When the apostle Paul wrote this letter to his young student Timothy, he taught him some profound truths that I often apply in my life. I suppose when Timothy received these instructions, he was about my age – a young man still developing his skills at evangelism, teaching and instructing.
Yeshua (Jesus) knew the heart of every man and woman. As a totally pure and righteous human being, His experience of every other sin-filled person is really impossible for us to imagine. He knew that every repulsive thought, attitude and action of every person in the world would soon fall on Him, and that He would carry them…away. And so Yeshua did not come with a spirit of condemnation — but with a spirit of grace and truth.
As we are entering some of the most turbulent times in history, we’ve been receiving an unbelievable amount of email expressing concern about the future. But I want to tell you a little something – the future is VICTORY!
One night a house caught fire and a young boy was forced to flee flames by jumping to the ground from the roof. His father stood on the ground below with outstretched arms, calling to his son, “Jump! I’ll catch you.” But the boy was afraid — he couldn’t see his father — all he could see was flame, smoke, and blackness. He was afraid. Still, his father kept yelling: “Jump son! I will catch you!” But the boy refused, crying, “Daddy, I can’t see you!” His father replied, “It’s ok son — I can see you — and that’s all that matters!”
After forty years of wandering in the wilderness, Israel finally crossed into the Promised Land—on the 10th day of Nissan, the very day they had been commanded to choose their Passover lamb [Exodus 12:3 , Joshua 4:19]. They couldn’t enter into their inheritance until a lamb was chosen—a powerful foreshadowing of the more excellent Lamb to come, in preparation for the Passover [Joshua 5:10], they were about to observe at Gilgal.
In the days of Yeshua (Jesus), the cross was an instrument of death, and crucifixion, a horrible method of torture. Over the next 200 years, in light of the Lord’s resurrection, the cross became identified with Christian faith and was transformed into a symbol of life and hope. Yeshua was able to turn it upside down, transforming an instrument of death into a symbol of life.
The New Testament records that when Yeshua (Jesus) died; there was a great earthquake and the veil of the Temple was torn in two. The size of this gigantic veil is not recorded in the NT…but we read from other sources that it was roughly 60 feet long and 30 feet wide with multiple woven layers the thickness of a man’s hand! It was hung on a crossbeam stone – a lintel – which was over 30 feet long and weighed more than 30 tons! It was not an easy cloth to tear…