Diligence

Like when I was quitting smoking, one of my biggest challenges in dieting is self-control and discipline.  I'm counting calories (myfitnesspal) and upping my water intake and doing the "squat challenge."  I want to get fit for health purposes and for the sake of stamina and energy because my job will become more physically tolling for a brief while after Sukkot.  

As with everything, when looking for motivation and purpose, I always try to find validation and support in The Word:

1 Corinthians 10:31 KJV

[31] Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the honor of Yahveh.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 KJV

[19] What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ruach in you, which ye have of Yahveh, and ye are not your own? [20] For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify Elohim in your body, and in your spirit, which are Yahveh's.

Galatians 5:16 KJV

[16] I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Romans 14:17 KJV

[17] For the kingdom of Elohim is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ruach.

Romans 12:1-2 KJV

[1] I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of Elohim, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto Elohim, your reasonable service. [2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of Elohim.

Romans 8:5 KJV

[5] For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

Proverbs 25:27-28 KJV

[27] Not good to eat much honey: so  to search their own glory, glory. [28] He that no rule over his own spirit a city broken down, without walls.

1 Corinthians 9:27 KJV

[27] But I keep under my body, and bring into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Matthew 4:4 KJV

[4] But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of Yahveh.

Holes

I believe that we were all made with this giant hole in our soul. And sometimes abuse or loss or failures or heartbreaks make it bigger. And no amount of sex, drugs, rock 'n roll, or free love will ever fill it. I think that hole was made with a purpose - so that Yah can fill it. And it's not a sadistic thing like some may make it out to be, but a beautiful thing; like two star-crossed lovers, like a puzzle piece falling into the right place, like a shoe that just fits - a perfect instinctual yearning so we can cleave unto Him and be loved and return His love. And it all works together for our good.

1 John 4:19 KJV

[19] We love him, because he first loved us.

Matthew 4:4 KJV

[4] But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of Yahveh.

John 1:1,14 KJV

[1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with Yah, and the Word was Yah. [14] And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

John 6:32-33,35 KJV

[32] Then Yahshua said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. [33] For the bread of Yah is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. [35] And Yahshua said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

Romans 8:28 KJV

[28] And we know that all things work together for good to them that love Yah, to them who are the called according to purpose.

Shabbat Shalom!

I am truly blessed this Shabbat with the best husband/partner/friend that I could ever ask for. 

I had a very, very busy week with longer than normal hours, many, many miles, and many different challenges. But it was a very blessed week with HUGE breakthroughs and ending with a no-less-than-perfect outing with the girls from work followed by quality time with the blessing of Yah that makes everyday perfect (James).

I am eternally grateful to my merciful Abba Father for always being in my life through the highest of highs and the lowest of lows.  

Exodus 15:11-13 KJV

[11] Who is like unto thee, O Yahveh, among the gods? who like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful praises, doing wonders? [12] Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them. [13] Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.

Deuteronomy 10:20-21 KJV

[20] Thou shalt fear Yahveh thy Elohim; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name. [21] He thy praise, and he thy Elohim, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen.

Judges 5:3 KJV

[3] Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes; I, I, will sing unto Yahveh; I will sing to Yahveh Elohim of Israel.

1 Chronicles 16:36 KJV

[36] Blessed be Yahveh Elohim of Israel for ever and ever. And all the people said, Amein, and praised Yahveh.

1 Chronicles 23:30 KJV

[30] And to stand every morning to thank and praise Yahveh , and likewise at even;

1 Chronicles 29:11-13 KJV

[11] Thine, O YAH, the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all in the heaven and in the earth - thine the kingdom, O Yahveh, and thou art exalted as head above all. [12] Both riches and honour of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand power and might; and in thine hand to make great, and to give strength unto all. [13] Now therefore, our Elohim, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.

Psalm 7:17 KJV

[17] I will praise Yahveh according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the YAH most high.

Psalm 9:1-2 KJV

[1] I will praise thee , O Yahveh, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. [2] I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.

Psalm 28:7 KJV

[7] Yahveh is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

Psalm 71:8 KJV

[8] Let my mouth be filled; thy praise, thy honour all the day.

Psalm 104:31-34 KJV

[31] The glory of YAH shall endure for ever: YAH shall rejoice in his works. [32] He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: he toucheth the hills, and they smoke. [33] I will sing unto YAH as long as I live: I will sing praise to my Elohim while I have my being. [34] My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in YAH.

Psalm 118:21-24 KJV

[21] I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation. [22] The stone the builders refused is become the head of the corner. [23] This is Yahveh's doing; it marvellous in our eyes. [24] This the day YAH hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 147:7-12 KJV

[7] Sing unto YAH with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our Elohim: [8] Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains. [9] He giveth to the beast his food, to the young ravens which cry. [10] He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. [11] Yahveh taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy. [12] Praise YAH, O Jerusalem; praise thy Elohim, O Zion.

Psalm 148:1-14 KJV

[1] Praise ye Yahveh. Praise ye YAH from the heavens: praise him in the heights. [2] Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts. [3] Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light. [4] Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens. [5] Let them praise the name of the YAH : for he commanded, and they were created. [6] He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass. [7] Praise YAH from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps: [8] Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word: [9] Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars: [10] Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl: [11] Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth: [12] Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children: [13] Let them praise the name of YAH : for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven. [14] He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye Yahweh Elohim.

O, How I Love Thy Law!

...it my meditation all the day! 

-Psalm 119:97

2 Thessalonians 2:10-11 KJV

[10] And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. [11] And for this cause Elohim shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie.  

"The Old Testament is the New Testament concealed.  The New Testament is the Old Testament revealed." -Unknown

Deuteronomy 6:5 KJV

[5] And thou shalt love Yahveh thy Elohim with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

Leviticus 19:18 KJV

[18] Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I Yahveh.

Matthew 22:37-40 KJV

[37] Yahshua said unto him, Thou shalt love Yahveh thy Elohim with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. [38] This is the first and great commandment. [39] And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. [40] On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Numbers 15:15-16 KJV

[15] One ordinance shall be both for you of the congregation, and also for the stranger that sojourneth, an ordinance for ever in your generations: as ye are, so shall the stranger be before Yahveh. [16] One law and one manner shall be for you, and for the stranger that sojourneth with you.

Deuteronomy 5:32-33 KJV

[32] Ye shall observe to do therefore as Yahweh your Elohim hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. [33] Ye shall walk in all the ways which Yahveh your Elohim hath commanded you, that ye may live, and well with you, and ye may prolong days in the land which ye shall possess.

Galatians 3:17 KJV

[17] And this I say, the covenant, that was confirmed before of Elohim in the Messiah, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.

Galatians 4:21 KJV

[21] Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?

Galatians 5:3 KJV

[3] For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.

Galatians 5:16,18 KJV

[16] This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. [18] But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

Galatians 5:22-23 KJV

[22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, [23] Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Galatians 6:2 KJV

[2] Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Messiah.