Yahweh's Assembly in Yahshua
               
    Sisters for Yah          
               
Volume 3, Issue 4              
April 2009  

What did you learn?

 
Sunflower  
 

By the time you read this, Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread will probably be past.  Did you learn any profound lessons during this time or the time leading up to it?  It has been a time of deep reflection for many of us.  As we renew our commitment to Yahshua each year, many questions come to mind:

      Am I doing all I can to live my life for Yahweh?

      Have I become a better spouse, parent, servant to the Body, etc.?

      Have I allowed some sin, either small or big, to come between me

          and my Heavenly Father?

      Do I need to take better care of my health so I may serve Yahweh in

           a more dynamic, energetic capacity?

      Do I still have habits I need to break (not necessarily sins, just things

           that are not helpful to yourself or others)?

      Are prayer, fasting and regular Bible study a large part of my walk

           with Yahshua?

      Am I actively guarding against being swept away by false doctrine? 

 

       You can do this if you keep your nose in the Word of Yahweh, instead of getting caught up with every little new so-called “truth” that comes along.

      The above questions are common sense things that we take for granted, but should be reminded of.  Yahweh knows how “forgetful” humans are, which is one reason we repeat the Holy Days every year.  We need constant reminders to keep us on the straight and narrow path.

      Make this the year that you strive to become the person Yahweh wants you to be.  Make a list of things you want to change in your life.  Don’t let anyone, including yourself, stop you from achieving your goals.  Be specific and detailed in your goals.  For instance, don’t just write, “I want to read the Bible more.”  Instead write, “I will read the Bible for one hour every day before I go to work.”  If you have to, set your alarm clock for an hour earlier each day, but remember to go to bed an hour earlier too.  You CAN achieve your goals! 

 
 
 
Inside this issue:  
What did you learn?  
“But, it’s not my fault!”  
Just for fun!  
Poem  
   
                 
                 
   
               
               
But, it’s not my fault!”
 
   

It is sad to watch the news these days and see the serious problems the world is facing.  No one wants to take responsibility, but would rather blame other people and situations for the problems.  Politicians blame other politicians, governments blame other governments, and countries blame other countries. 

      In the Bible, we see a collective repentance which allowed Yahweh to save Israel from their enemies.  Yes, we certainly need collective repentance in the world today, but since this is probably not going to happen anytime soon, one of the most important things we can do right now is look at ourselves and repent of any sins we personally might have.  This way we can be a part of the ultimate solution, not the problem.  Learn to say, from your heart, “Yahweh, have mercy on me, a sinner.” (Luke 18:13)

  

Ask your self the following questions:

   

    Am I blaming anyone for my problems?

   

    How can I change my attitude?

   

    Why is repentance the first step toward forgiveness?

     

    Am I still blaming other people for what they did to  

       me years ago and making excuses as to why I do cer- 

       tain things today (bad childhood, bad teachers, society,

       etc.)?

 

      It is time to stop blaming other people and take responsibility for your actions now.  Accepting responsibility is a strength, not a weakness.  Blaming others can lead to self-righteousness.  We are all guilty of something.  Not one of us in completely innocent in the area of sin.  It’s been said “Sin is easy to point out—except when it’s our own.”
     
Take an honest look at yourself.  Never try to make proud declarations of how good you are compared to others.  We read in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” The only One who can declare us justified is Yahweh, not ourselves. 

      It is a shame to see people blaming others for the consequences of sin they bring on themselves.  For instance, many people sue cigarette companies when they develop lung cancer, yet they willingly smoked for years.  Or what about women who sue liquor companies when their babies have birth defects, even though the women willingly drank excessively during pregnancy?  Something is wrong with this line of reasoning.  How much better to avoid the sin in the first place rather than blame other people when the sin causes undesirable consequences! 

      Let’s all learn to accept the responsibility of our actions before Yahweh.  Yes, sometimes we do suffer because of other people’s mistakes, but with every trial and temptation Yahweh can make an escape.  Instead of blaming others, let’s learn from our mistakes and strive to do better.  

 
     
                 
   
   

JUST FOR FUN!

 

Have you ever wondered where certain terms and sayings came from?  Here’s a quick and fun history lesson about life in the 1500’s:

 

“Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water!”

      In the 1500’s, huge tubs were filled with hot water and the whole family would take turns bathing in the same water according to their position in the family—the husband first, then the sons, then the females of the family.  Babies were bathed last.  By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it, hence people were warned not to throw out the baby with the bath water!  Aren’t you thankful for our modern showers?

 

“It’s raining cats and dogs!”

      Houses were made with thatched roofs made of thick straw piled high with no wood underneath.  It was the only place for animals to get warm so they often slept in the roof.  However, when it rained, things could get quite slippery, and the animals would slip right off!  And speaking of roofs, this posed a real problem—there was nothing to stop things from falling into the house.  That’s how canopy beds came into existence—a large sheet was tied to 4 posts to catch anything like bugs and other droppings before they fell on the bed (and you).

 

“Saved by the bell”  and “Dead ringer.”

      In the 1500’s, so many people died of disease that local folks actually ran out of space to bury dead bodies, so they began to re-use graves by digging up the already-existing bones and storing them in a bone house.  Then they would simply place the “new” dead body in the grave.  But horrifyingly, they discovered 1 out of every 25 coffins that were dug up had scratch marks in them, indicating that some people had been buried alive.  To combat this problem, they tied a string to the wrist of the corpse, lead it through the coffin and up through the ground and tied it to a bell, so if a person woke up in the coffin he or she could simply ring the bell and be saved from certain death.

 

Chew the Fat.”

      In the old days, food was cooked in a huge kettle that always hung over the fire.  The kettle was rarely washed.  New items were simply thrown in daily.  Their diets consisted mostly of vegetables and rarely meat.  But occasionally bacon could be obtained, which made people feel quite special.  The bacon was hung up to show off to any visitors, as it was a sign of wealth.  The host would cut off a piece to share with guests and they’d sit around all day “chewing the fat.” 

 
       

 

   
       
     
             
YAIY
   
Yahweh's Assembly in Yahshua                
   

For Every Hill I Had To Climb

 

For every hill I had to climb,

For every stone that bruised my feet,

For all the blood and

sweat and grime,

For blinding storms and

burning heat,

My heart sings but a grateful song—

Those were the things that made me strong.

 

For all the heartaches and the tears,

For all the anguish and the pain,

For gloomy days and fruitless years

And for the hopes that lived in vain;

I do give thanks, for now I know,

These were the things

that helped me grow.

 

‘Tis not the softer things of life

Which stimulate our will to strive,

But bleak adversity and strife

Do most to keep our will alive.

Over rose-strewn paths

the weaklings creep,

But brave hearts dare

to climb the steep.

 

                    (Author Unknown)

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