The Light of the World & the Persian Widow

You are light for the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Likewise, when people light a lamp, they don't cover it with a bowl but put it on a lampstand, so that it shines for everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they may see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven. Don't think that i have come to abolish the Torah or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete. Yes indeed! I tell you that until heaven and earth pass away, not so much as a yud or a stroke will pass from the Torah - not until everything that must happen has happened. - Matthew 5:14-18

On the 7th day of Hanukkah I want to bring you this word. In the last devotional I challenged us to be Menorah's and Living temple's for God. Today, I want to challenge you to Let your light shine through your intimate and loving relationship you have with the Father through the Holy Spirit in your life.

Yeshua in these verses challenges us to be lights to the world. Yeshua challenges us to take ownership of our Faith, raising up becoming the men and women of God for His Kingdom.

God loves us so much that He desires more than anything to be in relationship with all mankind. Our responsibility is to show the world through the Holy Spirit's power in our life, by letting our Light SHINE.

Yeshua also tells us that He did NOT come to abolish the Torah, but to complete it. In John we read that He was the incarnate Word that became flesh.

The other evening Rose and I lit the 5th Hanukkah light in our home. A Persian widow was with visiting us who has never practiced the muslim faith, but grew up muslim and fled Iran over 30 years ago to come to America. At 16 in Iran she visited the Synagogue and went to Jewish school, in the midst of the oppressive Muslim religion. She said, "I felt so warm and good when they opened the Torah"

Our great God is still working today through the TORAH until everything that must happen must happen. There is much that still needs to happen.

Shine your light today for you never know when the Persian widow will visit your home. I am glad that we lit that 5th Hanukkah light. Our family was able to shine our Light bright that night and share Yeshua with this widow.

Blessings from Los Angeles,

Todd

The Oil...

Then the angel that had been speaking with me returned and roused me, as if he were waking someone up from being asleep, and asked me, "What do you see?" I answered, "I've been looking at a menorah; it's all of gold, with a bowl at its top, seven lamps on it, and seven tubes leading to the lamps at its top. Next to it are two olive trees, one on the right side of the bowl and the other on its left." I then asked the angel speaking with me, "What are these, my Lord?" The angel speaking with me said, "Don't you know what these are?" I said, "No my Lord." Then he answered me, "This is the word of Adonai to Z'rubavel: 'Not by force, and not by power, but by my Spirit,' says Adonai-Tzva'ot. What are you, you big mountain? Before Z'rubavel you will become a plain; and he will put the capstone in place, as everyone shouts, "It's beautiful! It's BEAUTIFUL!"'

This message from Adonai came to me: 'The hands of Z'rubavel have laid the foundation of this house, and his hands will also finish it.' Then you will know that Adonai-Tzva'0t sent me to you. For even someone who doesn't think much of a day when such minor events take place will rejoice at seeing the plubmline in the hand of Z'rubabvel. So these seven are the eyes of Adonai that range about over all the earth."

I replied by asking him, "What are those two olive tress on the right and left sides of the menorah?" Then I asked the question again: "What are those two olive branches discharging gold(-colored oil) through the two gold spouts?" He replied, "Don't you know what they are?" I answered, "No, my Lord." He said, "Those are the two who have been anointed with oil; they are standing with the Lord of all the land." - Zechariah 4:1-14

During this time of year when the Hanukkiah's are fully lit, we remember that the oil of the menorah represents the Holy Spirit in Zechariah 4. The Holy Spirit is the oil in our lives that produces the fruit of the Spirit. With certainty it is not by power, nor by might, but by HIS SPIRIT in us that we are compelled to be changed in the image of the SON of God who gave himself for us.

I challenge you to ask yourself how is your oil level...

How much have you surrendered to the HOLY Spirit?

Would you have enough oil to last 8 days?

Do we struggle in our sanctification process (surrender) to the Holy Spirit to just make it through one day, with nothing left for those around you to see your light.

Today, surrender another portion of your life so the Oil of Gladness and Joy comes forth and your light begins to shine brighter for Him. Truly, it is beautiful that we are now the Temple of God that He chooses to reside in.

Yes Hanukkah is over historically, but we are all living temples and menorahs for our great KING of KINGS and Lord of Lords.

Blessings from Thompson Station,

Todd

Yeshua during Hanukkah...

Then came Hanukkah in Jerusalem, It was winter, and when Yeshua was walking around inside the Temple area, in Shlomos Colonnade. So the Judeans Surrounded him and said to him, "How much Longer are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us publicly!" Yeshua answered them, "I have already told you and you don't trust me. The works I do in my Father's name testify on my behalf, but the reason you don't trust is that you are not included among my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice, I recognize them, they follow me, and I give them eternal life." - John 10:22-28a.

Today, as you read these verses we see Yeshua in the temple during Hanukkah. Yes you read correctly Hanukkah. Even though our evangelical circles have not acknowledged this fact the Word is clear that Yeshua was in the temple during the feast of dedication (Festival of Lights) Hanukkah.

What is compelling to me in addition to this fact, is that Yeshua shared with the Judeans that they did not trust Him. Yeshua went on further to say, my sheep listen to my voice and then Yeshua recognized them. Next the sheep follow Him. Finally, eternal life is granted.

Are you listening to voice of the Lord calling you today?

Are you willing to follow Him?

Eternal life is waiting for you.

The world needs to know the voice of the Lord, confess He is lord and believe.

Why not allow God to use you to direct people to the voice of the Lord.

This can only happen if your testimony rings true with the Shepherds ear.

Has He recognized you?

Have you heard your name?

Blessings from Indianapolis,

Todd

You will seek me...

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. - Jeremiah 29:13

He meets us in our hour of need. He meets us in the quiet of the night. He is not restricted to the confines that our Western Culture suggests He operate His Kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven. I thank God for a personal relationship that knows no time or religious ideology. Take time today to meditate and reflect on those things you earnestly seek after? It is time that we wake up and seek the one true God. I challenge you to leave all forms of Godliness that deny the power and just Seek Him... "The Great I AM"

How close does your life reflect His Kingdom?

How evident is the word Surrender manifested in the natural in your life?

Do you seek a position or His authority at work in your life?

Blessings,

Todd