Yahweh's Assembly in Yahshua
               
    Sisters for Yah          
               
Volume 2, Issue 2              
February 2008  
Why do We Judge Others?
 
   
Sunflower  

  Have you ever been unfairly judged by other believers in the faith?  Many of us know the pain of people passing judgment upon us, thinking they know the reasons behind our circumstances or trials.  Oftentimes they think we are being cursed due to some hidden sin in our lives.  Yet, the interesting thing is, when they are going through difficult situations, they make excuses, and would never attribute their own trials to curses due to sin.  Please don’t misunderstand—Yahweh does punish us for sins, but not every trial we go through is a punishment from Yahweh.

      There are many reasons people go through trials.  Many times a trial serves to strengthen us.  Some trials can even help us build righteous character.  Bad things can happen to anyone, believer or non-believer.  It rains on the just and on the unjust.  Instead of being negative and judgmental, we need to help and support each other.  Why not pray for someone who is struggling instead of berating them?  

   

 

     
Inside this issue:  
Why do we Judge Others?
Santa Claus and Lies
Truths about Marriage
Redeeming the Time
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
         
           For some people, judging others has become a bad habit.  It is an automatic thing for them.   They may actually enjoy putting others down.  When they see others going through painful trials, they feel self-righteous and think, I must be so great that I am not having trials like that person.  Be careful!  Only Yahweh knows the real reasons behind a person’s individual trials.  We cannot judge these matters within ourselves.  Consider also Matthew 7:3, which reminds us, “ And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?”  It appears to be a common trait among judgmental people—they are blind to their own faults.  Let us all pray that Yahweh will remove our blinders so that we may love each other, which is evidence of Yahshua’s true disciples.    
           
   
               
               
               
               
Santa Claus and Lies
   
 

 

   

 

   

While the Christmas holiday season is long past, a Sisters for Yah reader recently submitted  a very interesting article from a popular women’s magazine about the virtues of celebrating the false, pagan holiday Christmas.  Admittedly, the article was written from a worldly, secular standpoint, so there is no point going too deep into this,  but some of the ideas the article brings up should be addressed, especially for new believers who may be confronted with such faulty reasoning.

      One of the main issues highlighted by the article is that “for children, the line between fantasy and reality is shimmery for a reason.”  Yes, as children, we all played “make-believe.”  However, the problem is that parents teach children that Santa is real.  A lie is a lie.  Children believe what parents tell them.  Does Yahweh want parents to teach their children  lies?  We all know the answer to that. 

      Another argument posed by the article is that children will not learn to distrust their parents when they discover that Santa is not real.  This is debatable.  Many believers have expressed disgust when they discovered  the pagan roots of worldly holidays and wished their parents had never introduced such practices to them as children.  This goes not only for Santa Claus, but also the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny, and so forth.  Many new believers find it difficult to give up these holidays since so many pleasant childhood memories are attached to them.  Many feel they would have been much better off not having experienced them. 

      Ironically, the article admits that December 25 was a “big solstice feast for pagans….” and was blended into Christianity by the Catholic church to “woo them [the pagans] into the fold.”  This is absolutely factual and an astonishing admission of truth!  But still the article goes on to look at the so-called bright side of “wintry generosity, faith and merrymaking….”  Yahweh tells us not to blend paganism into true worship.  We are not to worship Him the way the pagans worshipped their deities.  Enough said on that.

      During the Christmas season, it is interesting to watch the nightly news where well-meaning newscasters “track Santa” on radar as if he is really flying up in the sky and delivering presents.  Newscasters are often seen as an authority and are taken seriously.  Children know their parents watch the news to learn the latest truth about the happenings in the world.  Parents need to explain that not everything seen on the news is truthful or accurate.    

 
             

     Let us raise our children in the truth.  Indeed, Yahweh wants us to worship Him in spirit and truth.  Don’t allow your well-meaning yet unbelieving friends and relatives to snare you with their excuses!  Be respectful and tactful, but don’t compromise your own beliefs!  May we all do so.

             
             
             
     
             
             
 
 
   
Truths about
Marriage
 
 
 
 
   
Don’t marry the person you think you can live with.  Marry the one you can’t live without.”  This is good advice.  Marriage is difficult enough with two people who are madly in love with each other, but terrible when they don’t even have that foundation to build upon. 
           
   

Don’t marry a person with traits you feel are intolerable.”  You’ll never be able to change anyone, so don’t fool yourself.  Sometimes behavior traits run deep in a person, and may plague you for the rest of your life.

 

Never marry impulsively!”  There is no better way someone can mess up his or her life then leaping into a marriage without careful thought, prayer, and counsel.  Take some time to get to know each other before making a commitment.  Ask for advice from those who have been married a long time. 

 

Never be unequally yoked.”  Many believers make the mistake of marrying outside the faith, oftentimes due to loneliness and desperation.  What it comes down to is how committed you are to your faith.  Ask yourself, “How critical is it that my spouse share my beliefs?”  If it is essential and non-negotiable, as it should be for believers, then the highest priority should be given when making decisions to marry.  Yes, it is possible a non-believing spouse will eventually convert, but it is extremely risky to count on it. 

     
       
“Don’t compromise by moving in with someone before marriage.”  Many people believe they need to “test the waters” before making an important decision.  This is a bad idea for many reasons.  First, it is immoral and violates Yahweh’s law.  Second, it undermines a relationship and often leads to divorce in the future.  Studies show that couples who live together before marriage have a higher divorce rate.  Also, their marriages tend to be less satisfying and more unstable.

 

“Don't get married too young!”  Studies show that older couples (in their 20’s as opposed to in their teens) tend to have longer lasting marriages.  Some traits come with maturity, such as stability and self-control.

 

“Have a determination to make it work.”  Enter into the marriage covenant with a resolve to remain committed to each other for life.  Don’t allow yourself to even consider the possibility of divorce.  Stick to your goal!     

     
                 
       
                 
   
               
               
 
YAIY
 
 

 
Redeeming the Time
Yahweh's Assembly in Yahshua              
2963 County Road 233

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Eph. 5:15-16.

      It’s true what they say—life is short.  Ask any elderly individual and he or she will surely confirm this!  We must prioritize our time and do the things we are responsible for.  A person who is concerned about knowing and doing Yahweh’s will, will not have to say, “I didn’t have time to do it.”  A person who claims to not have time to do something important is either arranging his or her time in a wrong way, working too slowly, or does not want to do it.  It is amazing how people can always find the time to do something they enjoy, like watching a favorite television show. 

 
Kingdom City, Missouri 65262
 
Main Line: 1-573-642-4100
Toll Free: 1-877-642-4101
Fax Line: 1-573-642-4104  
E-Mail: Newsletter@YAIY.org  
 
 
 
 
      Don’t waste time either!  Always be busy with something you know will help you become like Yahshua.  In 1 Corinthians 10:31, we find, “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of Yahweh.”  All that you think and do should bring glory to Yahweh.  We are stewards of the time that Yahweh gives us.  In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy.”  1 Corinthians 4:2.     
      Many elderly people admit they have regrets.  Among the common regrets are not spending enough time with their families and working too much!  Work is important—obviously, we all need
money to survive in the world today, but don’t work so much that you end up neglecting your family.  Be satisfied with less material things.  Satisfy yourself with the spiritual rather than the physical.  In recent studies, wealthy countries actually proved to be less happy than poor countries where family values were the top priority.  And please don’t forget your relationship with Yahweh.  Seek first the Kingdom always.  If you need to, write up a priority list and schedule in important things like prayer and Bible study.  Don’t let anything stop you from what Yahweh wants you to do! 
 

 

 
   
   
   
   
   
   
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