| Paleo Times June 2000 Newsletter Greetings Brethren in Messiah, This is the third Biblical month which is usually a busy period in the year. Everyone is working in the yard and doing things out doors. There is one thing that we should not neglect and that is our Biblical studies. Take your Bible with you outside or read in your spare time. There is no time like the present to read and learn. The funny thing is that you can get the Bible in all kinds of formats these days. The Bible has become so portable. We pray that you enjoy the summer and if you are in the southern hemisphere we pray that you enjoy the winter but don't forget there is no time like the present to read the scriptures. Yahweh works through His people to achieve major accomplishments. As mentioned in a previous newsletter we are almost ready to begin printing literature for those brethren that don't have computers. If you would like printed literature for distribution please send your name and address, and a list of items you would like to have. Please remember to keep the brethren and sisters in your prayers. Yahweh-raphah has provided healing for so many in need. The perfecting of Yahweh's saints hasn't slowed and many brethren are asking for Yahweh's healing through Yahshua the Messiah. If you would like to contribute to future newsletters you can email your article or comments to newsletter@paleotimes.org. Agape in Messiah, James Meyer Feature ArticleCreate in me a clean heart, O Elohim, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. (Psalms 51:10-11 NKJV) We are in a world that hates just about everything except evil. The saying that I hate everyone equally is common. This is not the spirit of Yahweh it is the spirit of sin. The wicked are considered clean and the clean are put down. If you stand up for morality hatred is what you receive. Our goal is to be much different than the world's goal. Our goals should be set on the loving of Yahweh first and then the loving of brethren. The two greatest commandments are the same. If we love Yahweh we love our brethren and if we love our brethren we love Yahweh. They are symbiotic so you cannot have one with out the other. It is important to realize that with out Yahweh we would not exist and our brethren would not exist. (Ps. 53:1) So by showing our brethren love we are showing Yahweh and Yahshua love. Yahshua said if you love me keep my commandments. (John 14:15) We find that the commandments are fundamental to love. That if you are truly loving to your brethren then you are keeping half the commandments. If you love you Yahweh then you are keeping the rest of the commandments. As you read through the commandments you find the scriptures protect our brethren and Yahweh protects us. (Joel 2:32) SabbathThere are many examples of this in the scriptures. The Sabbath is the day of rest. Science has proven that the human body is aged by use. (Ex. 20:8-11, Duet. 5:12-15) When we use our muscles we destroy the muscles but when we sleep the muscle is regenerated. That is one of the reasons that body builders usually take a day of rest. The interesting thing is that on average if we die a natural death we all have the same number of heartbeats. This is interesting because Yahweh promises that if we follow him closely he will give us a life of 70 years. This is important because most people are working all week and all weekend. We need the Sabbath. Biblically Clean FoodYahweh has given us a manual for one of His most awesome creations in the human body. The human body needs fuel just like a car. The quality of the fuel determines how well a car will work. Scripturally clean food is deemed by Yahweh to be acceptable to our bodies. (Deut. 14) As with anything though you are to use moderation. Science has proven the moderate diet is better than any one-item diet. That is why we shouldn't always eat beef or potatoes or carrots as a child with a favorite food. We should eat a variety of the scripturally clean foods. Clean food and a day of rest though are only two ways that Yahweh shows His love. Other commandments teach us how to treat one another. The number of commandments that teach us how to treat each other are not only beneficial to our brethren but they are beneficial to us. It has been proven that hate and distress can age the human body quicker than relaxation and love. This should be humbling because the things that science is proving Yahweh has known and taught. Yahshua said to hate your brother is equivalent to murdering him. (Mat. 5:21-24) The brain uses more energy than any other part of the body and yet is only a small percent of the total mass. Yahshua was also telling us that we should not let these things exist in our minds because such thoughts are only the beginning and may lead to the action of murder. FruitfulWe have been given an opportunity to follow the Holy Spirit and do what is right or follow our own will. The Holy Spirit must not be quenched; it must not be blasphemed. Isn't it blasphemy to deny what the Holy Spirit leads us to do? We are to listen to the Advocate (Comforter) that Yahweh has sent. (John 14:26) We should be producing fruit that is sweet. (Gal. 5:22-23) Fruit that is bitter will be hewn off and thrown into the fire. (John 15:1-17) So we must examine our selves and decide whether we are fruitful to Yahweh. We must be like David in that he was driven by Yahweh's spirit. David cried to Yahweh please do not take the Holy Spirit away. (Ps. 51:11) The Holy Spirit is fruitful. One part of that fruit is loving-kindness. So lets return to the greatest commandments. Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Yahshua said unto him, Thou shalt love Yahweh thy Elohim with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:36-40 AV)
Our love of Yahweh is shown through our actions. (James 1:19-24) This is also the way that we show our brethren love. In John Yahshua clarifies this by saying that if any man loves me he will keep my words and it follows that by this Yahweh will also love him. Yahshua answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. (John 14:23 AV)
Action of LoveThe only way someone knows that you love them is through your actions. (1 Sam. 2:3) When a man loves a woman he attempts to prove his love to her. With brethren we engage them in conversation and assist them when they need help. The warm feelings that follow among brethren grows the relationship. It is a growth that will hopefully bring us closer to the kingdom. The kingdom that we are striving to be a part of will be shared with those you love and those who you just can't stand if Yahweh so chooses. We are all striving together for the same purpose. We should not even wish the lake of fire on our worst enemies. We are mortal and we often for earthly reasons have strife in our assemblies. (Rom. 8:7) This strife is sometimes good because it leads to our perfecting but if there is no healing then the maturing has not taken place. This is the maturing in the scriptures and in the Holy Spirit. Strife is unfortunate because it often leads to divisions. Division is not of Yahweh when it is over personal issues. (Pro. 10:12) Yahweh is one with his entire family. (Deut. 6:4) The show of loving-kindness is hard at times because it is not the nature of a carnal mind. What we should be doing is making ready a Yahweh centric mind. A Yahweh centric mind sees love and encourages kindness. Even the most knowledgably mind is nothing without love. (Ps. 145:20) Many claim to know the scriptures but have a mind set on violence and hatred. This is what the apostles ran into all the time when teaching congregations of both Jew and Gentile. Just the fact that they were still calling those new to the faith gentiles showed hostility. Handling StrifeAnd if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. (2 Thessalonians 3:14-15 AV)
Even those that are to be put out are to be considered brethren. Following through with this takes a lot of compassion and spiritual mindedness. After you have explained the faults and wickedness that you have seen you must turn from it. Matthew 18:15-17 explains the process if wickedness is found in an assembly. The process is meant to give a brother a fair chance at explaining and changing but the process unfortunately might reach a point where that brother is to be put out if there is no repentance. Too often we go wrong by not following the process and not doing the follow up. The follow up is to keep those put out in contact. They are not the enemy they are possibly just misled. When you see that your place of worship is not following the scripture you must confront the eldership about the problem. This can lead toward two different situations. A good situation would be a change of the brother or further understanding on your part. If the change is not made then you must follow 2 Thessalonians and turn away from unrighteousness. We cannot always be right but when we know that some thing is wrong not doing anything is support of the unrighteousness. Goal of BrethrenThe goal of the scripture is not strife among brethren. Loving one another is hard at times but it is the only way that the scriptures will ever truly be understood. We in the end will be judged by Yahweh's loving kindness so we too must show Yahweh that we are patient. With out love we are the children of greed wanting only love for ourselves and not being able to show love. Have mercy upon me, O Elohim, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. (Psalms 51:1 AV)
There is so much in the scriptures about love. Yahshua said that you shall know his disciples by their love for one another. (John 13:35) Love is a pivotal part of a true worshiper. If fear is the beginning of knowledge then love is beginning of fear. (Pro. 1:7) We cannot pretend to love one another. Yahweh knows what we truly think. This is one of the hardest things to workout and understands but it is necessary. For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. (Luke 6:32-36 AV)
ConclusionSo love brethren and don't expect anything from it. They cannot reward you even close to the way that Yahweh can reward you. Your heart should be to do as Yahweh asks and to follow in Yahshua's footsteps. It is by Yahshua's example that we receive understanding because Yahshua lived the life that we are to live. Yahshua is the example of perfection. (Mat 19:21, Heb. 13:21) His love for the brethren is unmistakable. He taught us how to live and I pray that we always strive to understand this. Love one another and forgive brethren their trespasses against you. (Mat 6:14-15) Only Yahweh can forgive our trespasses against him. Pray that Yahshua sees our works and that he hears our cries for forgiveness so that as he goes before the Father he can justly ask forgiveness for each of us. Loving Kindness
Edification for the AssemblyIf you would like to submit a literary composition that edifies the assembly please submit it to James Meyer. Please make sure that you label any submission and that you note that it is a submission for the newsletter. The Little Girl Inside MeThis morning I woke up a lot earlier than usual, and was wide awake. I laid there talking to our Father about all sorts of things. I heard the house wren start her morning song. Later I read some in the scriptures sitting there propped up in bed. Had prayer time. I remember telling our Father that it had been a while since I had felt that joy that is just unspeakable, and how I wanted to be like a little girl and run jump in His lap, let Him rock me, talk to me, and I even wanted to reach up and touch HIS face. Snuggle up under HIS beard. I don't know if HE has one, but the little girl in me sees HIM like that. I told HIM I wanted to just be a little girl to Him, and HIS Son. I wanted to be in HIS SONS lap too. I talked to HIM about being HIS child. When I was in the bathroom I kept saying over and over, "It is going to be a great, grand day with my Father and His Son." As the day went, I found my self bubbly, and laughing easily at things. Oh it had been so long since I was like that. Later I went out for some things, and I found myself giggling about things like a little girl. The least thing made me chuckle, giggle, or be excited. I kept seeing things, and saying child like things about them. Oh I like that, I really like that, etc. and just felt so child like. Coming home I saw our water tower about 4 miles away when I topped a hill. Before I thought I pointed and said home! And it was with such joy. I felt like ET saying home. That night when I was sitting there in the tub with the candle light shimmering in the bath water I took a hair pin, twisted it to make something to blow bubbles with, an made some bubble soap. It was spontaneous, delightful and I was giddy with delight of the bubbles. I had taken a hair roller top, the kind that snaps on a roller, dipped it in some soap mixture I made, and blew on it. It made many bubbles, and many of them had for or five bubbles stuck together, and they were falling in the water and on me without bursting. The candle light was on them, and it was fun. It was as if our Father gave me a day of just being and feeling like a little girl, delighting in all she saw and touched. It was unusual to say the least. A wish, a hearts desire was fulfilled. It was a day filled with praise, and thanksgiving for the most simple things, of telling Him I loved HIM, and in my heart reaching out and touching HIS face. Inside I am still a little girl. Today she came to life. A gift from above. She was free and laughed, giggled, and chuckled at things, and most of all reach up to heaven and touch her Fathers face. Mary Lois Bierman DID YOU KNOW?LOVING KINDNESSThe Hebrew word hesedh in the Old Testament is hard to translate--just like the agape of the Greek New Testament, which has a similar meaning. The bible authors used hesedh to refer to Yahweh's love, commitment, and care. One contemporary translation translates it as "unfailing love," which is adequate, while another uses "kindness"--fair, but not quite deep enough. Coverdale coined his own word: "loving kindness". It passed into the King James Version and so generations of Bible readers were exposed to the word loving-kindness. OVER USE OF THE WORD AWESOMEThe word awesome used to pack more of a punch than it now does. Only really amazing things were awesome, and Yahweh definitely was. The Old Testament depicts Yahweh as loving, merciful, and kind--but also a Being who strikes awe and even fear in man. As the Holy One, Yahweh strikes fear in men, since they are sinners. Moses told the people that fear of Yahweh should keep them from sinning [Ex.20-2-]. And [Psalm 111.10] repeats a common phrase in the Bible: "The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom". The New Testament presents us with Yahweh -in-the-flesh, Yahshua, who is loving and compassionate. But the fear of Yahweh is still a reality. Paul told believers to "work out you own salvation with fear and trembling" [Phil. 2:12], and Hebrews reminds believers always to be conscious of sin, because "it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living Elohim" [Heb: 10:31]. Loving a God was a radical idea in the ancient world. No one loved the pagan gods Zeus or Baal or Molech--they were feared, but not loved. The Creator of Heaven and Earth is to be feared and deeply Loved, HE IS THE AWESOME ONE. EXCOMMUNICATIONTorturing and executing heretics is not what Yahshua taught, but, according to the Bible, shutting them out of the fellowship is. Yahshua told His disciples that if one believer sins against another, he should be shown his fault, and if that doesn't reform him, take the case to the Assembly, and if he refuses to listen to them, then treat him "like a heathen and a collector" [Matt. 18:15-17]. In other words , follow the path of mercy until the person proves stubborn, then shun him or her. As well as wronging a fellow believer, other reasons for being removed from the assembly included sexual immorality and false teaching [Gal. 6:1-2, 1Cor. 5:1-12; 1- 1 Tim. 6:3]. Paul had much to say about the subject, concerned as he was for high moral standards among the believers. "Rejects a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning" [Titus 3:10-11]. Excommunication strikes modern readers as judgmental and cold-hearted. But the early Assembly placed a high value on following Yahweh and Yahshua, and they believed that faith and morals mattered more than "tolerance". THE WICKED BIBLEIn 1632 a printer in London published a Bible that omitted the word NOT from "Thou shall not commit adultery". Purchasers had a Bible telling them "Thou shall commit adultery". The printers were fined three hundred pounds for their blunder. THE VINEGAR BIBLEBible misprints can be delightful. In 1716 an edition of the Bible was printed in England with the headline. "The Parable of the Vinegar" It should have read "The Parable of the Vineyard". [Luke 20] Rare book collectors have paid amazing sums for copies of the "The Vinegar Bible". ODD IDEAS, AND STRANGE BELIEFS, DO WE HAVE THEM?SNAKE HANDLINGThis provokes a lot of snickers from the general populace, and even from many true believers. Mark 16:18- records the risen Yahshua' words to His followers, telling them what they will be capable of: "They will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them." Did Yahshua mean the words about snakes literally? Hard to say. Yahshua did say, on another occasion, "You shall not tempt Yahweh your Elohim" [ Matt . 4:7]. Acts 28 relates that Paul, shipwrecked on Malta, was bitten by a viper. He shook the poisonous snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. The people expected him to swell up or fall dead, but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they believed he was a god. Note that in this situation Paul did not deliberately choose to handle the venomous snake. Incidentally, George Went Hensley, the Tennessean who started the snake handling ritual in 1909, died of snakebite. BIBLIOMANCYThis is the name given to the practice of opening the Bible and reading a passage at random. Some people do this when they are looking for guidance in life. It is a foolish way to use the Bible. [After all, a person considering suicide might open to the passage that says, "Judas went away and hanged himself."] Mona Perry Third New Moon - June 3rdWe have had confirmation that the new moon was sighted around the world on June 3rd. The next new moon should be visible July 2nd. Please take the time to look for the 4th new moon of the Biblical year. When you see it let us know at New Moon. Sterling, ILThe new moon was spotted tonight by Marcus Castillo and Michael Castillo 5 and 7 yrs old respectively at about 8:30pm. In Sterling, IL. Afterward it was verified by 4 adults. Halleluyah! HC Andrews, TXNew moon seen at 9:17 PM. Horizon cloudy to approx. 2000 ft. Spotted N W of Andrews County, Andrews, Texas, Shalom Richard Cooper Jamestown, KYLoretta & I saw the new crescent Moon @ 7:59 PM CDST. Yahweh bless! Brother Frank Western MO3-1-5760 I have seen the New Moon today. Today is the 1st day of the 3rd month on YHWH's calendar. I hope you all are having a nice New Moon day. In 1 week is the Feast of Firstfruits. I hope you have a nice Feast also. Take care, Lee Larned Phoenix, AZThe new moon was sighted here in Phoenix, Thursday night 5/4/00 by five people. Photos will be on the web site in a couple of days. Sorry that I didn't get my reminder message out the day before, but a virus that came in my Email prevented a timely mailing. Shalom, Rich Lobert Offer of a BrotherBrother Greg would like to contact and help any believers in Yahweh who are deaf. Greg would like to help these brethren and sisters, so if you know anyone with this handicap please let them know that Greg is here to help. Greg can be contacted at Greg. Prayer ListPlease keep the following brethren and sisters in your prayers: Judith Dass, Charles and Deborah Kirks, Normandia Reiki, Brett Waterhead, Conor Ralson, Dan E Brookshear, Amber Brookshear, Vernell Brown, Bobby Coody, Gary Boyd, Dan Moen, J Wilmot, Assembly of Yahweh, Eaton Rapids, Michigan, The Saforek Family, David Amador Jr., Mitch and Freda Petersen, Luis Barahona, Lynn Davis, Celestino Villalta, Maryanne and Jay Golub, Diane Nieuwendyk, Jean Phillips, Everett Lee Larned, Solomon Newton, Joe and Linda Jafar, Rudy Ziegler, Carole Mericle, Gerald Cochrane, Randy Tolman, William and Marion Hamm, Carla Ford, Lorna P. Frias, Guadalupe Alvarez, Steve Bush, Glenn and Jody Glover, Megan Taé Stanton, Darren Holliday, Maureen McKinsey, Luin Francke, Ana Ybanez, Daniel Harrom, Berry R. Rose, Sr., Barbara Boss, Tyler Austin Hoover, Elder Pete and Mary Jean Vacca, and the many others striving to be better servants of Yahweh through Yahshua the Messiah. http://www.paleotimes.org/prayerlist.htm Tyler Austin HooverHey Jim, I just wanted you to know that Tyler came home yesterday. He still has two major surgeries to go but he has already survived 3 major and 1 serious surgery. Not to mention, that he bettered the infection and pneumonia he had. The doctor told Fonda (his mother) that now that he is a whooping 5.2 pounds and going home that he should not have been able to survive all that he had. In other words, the doctor was saying it was nothing short of a miracle, as I understood it. The honor of Yahweh cannot be denied. HalleluYah! I wanted to thank you and all for the prayers already on Tyler's behalf and ask you to continue to keep Tyler in your prayers. Once again, HALLELUYAH!! Yah bless, In Yahshua Louie FellowshipThe fellowship list is quickly growing. There are so many brethren and sisters who would love to have like believers to meet with and to discuss biblical topics. http://www.paleotimes.org/fellowship.htm ArticlesArticles are written by brethren from all points of the globe. This will give you a variety of backgrounds yet one understanding given by the Holy Spirit of Yahweh. http://www.paleotimes.org/articles.asp Sacred MediaThe Sacred Media section includes music and sermons by brethren provided as sources of instruction and inspiration. Listen to the beautiful music and the encouraging messages. http://www.paleotimes.org/SacredMedia.htm
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