FREEWILL vs FAITH

YOU HAVE TO BELIEVE

Said, Hear, my children, every word of your father, and listen in uprightness to the voice of my mouth; for I would gain your attention, while I address you. My beloved, be attached to integrity, and walk in it. Approach not integrity with a double heart; nor be associated with double minded men: but walk, my children, in righteousness, which will conduct you in good paths; and let Truth be your companion. For I know that oppression will exist and prevail on earth; that on earth great punishment shall in the end take place; and that there shall be a consummation of all iniquity, which shall be cut off from its root, and every fabric shall pass away. Iniquity, however, shall again be renewed, and consummated on earth. Every act of crime, and every act of oppression and impiety, shall be a second time embraced. When therefore iniquity, sin, blasphemy, tyranny, and every work shall increase, and transgression, impiety, and uncleanness also shall increase, upon them all shall great punishment be inflicted from heaven. The holy Yahuah shall go forth in wrath, and upon them all shall great punishment from heaven be inflicted. Chanoch (Enoch) 91:4-8. I wanted to open this discourse with the words of ENOCH and the righteousness of Methushelach as he addresses his brethren about integrity among a disobedient generation. This is a profound call to action chapter because the verses delivers a message of repentance and alertness. This discourse let’s me articulate first upon my life and my previous past and second, reflect on the responsibility of a Talmidiym of YAHUSHA HA’MASHIACH to deliver the Torah and all the precepts with urgency and di libe (love).The discussion this week on Freewill vs Faith is an opportunity to examine the instructions written in the Cepher, to unlock the principles and morality codes that individuals overlook daily. Before going into this weekly discourse from the GOSPEL OF YAHUAH ASSEMBLY at 2697 Parker Avenue Oakland, Ca 94605, I ask everyone to take a moment and ask the Ruach (Holy Spirit) in prayer, to endow you with sekhl (insight) to expand upon your ministry through faith and obedience. 

THE CARNAL MIND

The numerous tribulations I have experienced upon this journey from birth till now, is a reflection of my proclivities and unchecked diagnosis of self-absorption. This rebellious persona as a teenager has morphed into outright disobedience into my early adulthood. The full transparency of my journey is attributed to my faith, but it is a daily work in progress. Many times, I continue to follow my own reasoning and ask for forgiveness when the outcome is not what I expected. These are the personality traits that keeps me from fully aligning my heart and mind to the Ruach. We all possess these traits that continue to hamper our ministry, keeping us in psychological letters. The Cepher instructs us to rely upon YAHUAH and not our own understanding, but that is easier said than done when there is so much confusion and hypocrisy in religion that you don’t know what and who to trust. Having the ability to think about and research any issue, comment and perceived fact is the Freewill that Chuah presumed that would put her on the same playing field as YAHUAH Bere'shiyth (Genesis) 3:3-7 But of the fruit of the tree, which is in the midst of the garden, Elohiym has said: Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman: Ye shall not surely die: For Elohiym knows that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as elohiym, knowing good and evil. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her man with her; and he did eat. And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves aprons. Individuals and scholars continue to speculate what type of fruit was on the tree, but the question is what personality traits would the fruit bring forth or diminish once digested? After reading Bere’shiyth 3:3, one fact is undeniable, the tree was poisonous and deadly. The serpent was the corrupt archangel Lucifer, and he beguiled Chuah to eat of the fruit that created Rebellion 1. Opposition to one in authority or dominance. 2. Open, armed and usually unsuccessful defiance of or resistance to an established government). Lucifer had to partake of the fruit first, and once he was on a path of rebellion, he needed cohorts, so Lucifer watched closely and found the woman would be more acceptable to rebellion with the opportunity of having Freewill 1. Voluntary choice or decision. 2.Freedom of humanity to make choices that are determined by prior causes or divine intervention) The fruit from the tree opened the woman eyes and now she needed an accomplice because she was no longer blessed like a child with Innocence 1. Freedom from legal guilt from a particular crime or offense. 2.Freedom from guilt or sin through being unacquainted with evil. 3.Lack of knowledge. This is my observation from examining the verses and witnessing humanity especially individuals in lofty positions and social status attempt to edge YAHUAH out and replace with carnal reasoning and desires. Both the serpent and the woman introduced an everlasting incurable disease upon their children that they both were warned about, Death 1. The permanent stopping of all the vital bodily activities. 2.The act of ceasing to exist) but this warning did not prevent Chuah from sharing the fruit that carried these deadly diseases with her man, A’dam. In my opinion, he has to take a greater measurement of guilt since the woman was the weaker vessel, and he could have saved both their lives, but he accepted the fruit and introduced Disobedience (1. Refusal to obey. 2. Open fighting against authority) an after being questioned about the offense he attempted to play the blame game and didn’t accept Responsibility 1. The state of being held as the cause of something that needs to be set right 2. Something one must do because of prior agreement. 3.Worthiness as the recipient. These are the major character flaws of freewill. These personality attributes are contrary to the personality attributes of Faith 1. Belief and trust in and loyalty to YAHUAH 2.A body of beliefs and practices regarding the supernatural and the worship of one or more deities. 3.Adherence to something to which one is bound by pledge or duty. The duties of a Talmidiym and the personality attributes of our faith is contrary to the poisonous fruit of the tree.

STRENGTH OF THE RUACH

FROM FLESH TO RUACH

We may have displayed the character traits of A’dam and Chuah while living a carnal lifestyle outside of the assembly, but after being cleansed and tutored from the Torah and Cepher Yesha'yahu (Isaiah) 50:4-8 Adonai Yahuah has given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakens morning by morning, he wakens my ear to hear as the learned. Adonai Yahuah has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back. I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. For Adonai Yahuah will help me; therefore, shall I not be confounded: therefore, have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed. He is near that justifies me; who will contend with me? Let us stand together: who is my adversary? Let him come near to me. Faith is a mighty sword in the hands of a warrior slash minister, responsible for protecting the attributes containing the resurrection of the Ruach. We must continue to unlock spiritual gifts and inculcate these gifts within our ministry. Our daily agenda must go beyond the nine to five or struggles to maintain a lifestyle that infringe upon our Faith. We are born with the heart and mind that advocates for freewill similar to an infant that no longer is dependent upon parents for all their necessities. What age were you when you began attending religious ceremonies? Did your parents make demands on your regular attendance during adolescence years? Do you sometimes have to hide your moral and spiritual beliefs because of the fear of ridicule? All the questions above are designed to show you that we are either fully dependent on another person to make decisions for us or our freewill to speak freely and behave as we see fit has its measures. The innocence of a child disappear when reach puberty stage and their personality traits begin to blossom either positive or negative. The same can be said regarding individuals forced to adhere to their parents or grandparents theocracy but rebel and leave mainstream religion when reach adulthood. Your faith should never become a burden and you must never compromise your moral integrity and conversion as a Talmidiym for carnal reasoning and pleasures. When in doubt approach the creator of all creation in prayer being openly transparent and truthful. Our faith must surpass any notions of freewill because like all living creations that has an expiration date, we must seek an infinite power that can never be measured or harnessed. Baruk Sheniy (2 Baruk) 54:1-5 And I besought El Elohiym and said: You alone, O Yahuah, know of aforetime the deep things of the world and the things which befall in their times you bring about by your word and against the works of the inhabitants of the earth you hasten the beginnings of the times and the end of the seasons you alone know. You for whom nothing is too hard, but who does everything easily by a nod: You to whom the depths come as the heights and whose word the beginnings of the ages serve: You who reveal to those who fear you what is prepared for them that thenceforth they may be comforted. You show great acts to those who know not; you break up the enclosure of those who are ignorant and light up what is dark and reveal what is hidden to the pure who in faith have submitted themselves to you and your Torah.

MAKE A STAND FOR YOUR FAITH

Can you make a declaration to all those ready to question your calling as a Talmidiym, that your faith has made a difference in your life? Have you read the entire 87 books of the Cepher? This question is quite simple, does your faith increase Prowess than your presumed freewill?  (1. Strength of mind to carry on in spite of danger.) This prowess is evident when your able to maintain your humility and needed when we interact with co-workers, especially in careers that our moral beliefs is tested with issues over bigotry, sexism, anti-Semitism, sodomy. We must constantly defend our spiritual conversion against family members with conflicting spiritual opinions who religious beliefs differ from instructions of the Torah and Cepher. The strength and courage attached to spiritual prowess is a necessity when we must always be ready to defend the existence of YAHUAH and the reliability of the Torah. Just like in the generation of Noach, skeptics and atheists will attempt to discredit your beliefs and shake the foundation of your ministry. These are the individuals who put all their trust in what they can see, touch and hear but to the real power that is unseen, it is only the imagination of creation. Even the destitute man or woman will bypass the word of YAH and an invitation to YAHUAH ASSEMBLY and continue in moral and spiritual poverty. I always tell individuals do not wait till you hit rock bottom before you are forced to make vital changes in your life. Material possessions lose all their value when you expire upon the earth. Your freewill is decimated when you no longer have control over your vital functions and you start your journey to the hereafter. The instructions at our disposal is worth more than you can accumulate upon earth and more beneficial than bread to a person living in spiritual poverty. Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 40:25-30 Gold and silver make the foot stand sure: but counsel is esteemed above them both. Riches and strength lift up the heart: but the fear of Yahuah is above them both: there is no want in the fear of Yahuah, and it needs not to seek help. The fear of Yahuah is a fruitful garden and covers him above all glory. My son, lead not a beggar's life; for better it is to die than to beg. The life of him that depends on another man's table is not to be counted for a life; for he pollutes himself with other men's meat: but a wise man well nurtured will beware thereof. Begging is sweet in the mouth of the shameless: but in his belly there shall burn a fire.

During the last two weeks, I have been given news of two members of Local 10 and local 34 deaths. These two men were individuals I considered friends for 25 years on the waterfront, but one of the men I knew from my youth on the streets of East Oakland, CA. Anytime you lose a brother or sister, relative, friend or co-worker, you begin to reflect upon your own values and options. The inevitable cessation of the flesh reaches all humankind and beast, but it’s the recollections that the eyes have witnessed that will haunt you or bring you peace. Before we take our last breath and fade into the darkness or light, let us all sow seeds able to nurture and cultivate upon the ground we built a solid foundation upon. This is achievable for all individuals categorized by ethnicities, religious affiliation, social class, gender and generation. Besor'oth (Synoptic Gospels) of the Cepher has three books filled with numerous chronicles of the ministry of YAHUSHA HA’MASHIACH. One chronicle that the Ruach choose to lay the framework for this discourse on Freewill vs Faith is speaking in parables. The social atmosphere within this generation is based on political correctness, heightened sexual appetites, opulence, liberal or conservative mindset.

WHAT ROAD WILL YOU TAKE

CHOOSE WHAT ROAD YOU WILL TAKE

Many individuals seem to become offended quite easy when an overall observation of humanity morality, debauchery and gluttony is spoken or posted on social media platforms. YAHUSHA HA’MASHIACH had to deal with the same atmosphere in his generation so this parable is one of many that stands factual and reverent today as it was in 30 AD. Mattithyahu (Matthew) 13:3-23 And he spoke many things unto them in parables, saying: Behold, a sower went forth to sow; And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up and choked them: But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some a hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Who has ears to hear, let him hear. And the Talmidiym came, and said unto him: Why speak you unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them: Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever has, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever has not, from him shall be taken away even that he has. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing, see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Yesha'yahu, which says, By hearing ye shall hear and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should turn back, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. For amein I say unto you: That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see את those things which ye את see and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear and have not heard them. Hear ye את therefore the parable of the sower. When anyone hears the word of the Kingdom, and understands it not, then comes the wicked one, and catches away that which was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that hears the word, and immediately with joy receives it; Yet has he not root in himself but endures for a while: for when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, by and by he is offended. He also that received seed among the thorns is he that hears the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. But he that received seed into the good ground is he that hears the word, and understands it, which also bears fruit, and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. We invite everyone to fellowship with us every Shabbat (Saturday) 10am at GOSPEL OF YAHUAH ASSEMBLY 2697 PARKER AVENUE OAKLAND, CA 94605. Our weekly study from the Torah and Cepher is beneficial for the restoration of the Yashar’el nation.