ALIENS?

What would the earth look like with the advent of extraterrestrial life? I think before I sum it up with two words (which I can), I need to back up and explain a few things first. (Forgive the lengthiness of this blog, but it’s necessary.)

The most important thing that needs to be discussed before they arrive (and they will arrive) is who they are, and how does all it fit into the plan of God, creation, the Bible, and mankind itself. This will take a moment to unpack, so if you don’t mind, I will give you what I believe are the correct answers to all these questions, and more.

To begin, let’s look at the idea of extraterrestrials and UFO’s from the standpoint of God and the Bible. To do that we have to delve deeply into the concept of creation and order, Lucifer, the fall of man, and truth itself. All of this begs the question, are there other life forms besides us in this seemingly gigantic universe? Most would say, of course there are… how could there not be? Certainly we can’t think that we’re the only ones out there… right? How ridiculous! Or is it ridiculous?

To answer this, let’s look first into the nature and character of God Himself. There is a powerful verse in Scripture that illustrates where I’m going with this. Numbers 23:19a says, “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change His mind.” The key to this verse is that God does not lie! He does not deceive in any way, but instead is upfront and brutally honest about ALL things. So what does that mean in relation to the idea of aliens? Simply this… if God had created other life forms, He would have told us. If there were, and He had kept it a secret, and they showed up telling us that they were our creators, leading us astray from Him, then we would be deceived and a great falling away from God and His Word would take place. To allow such a thing would be deceptive and cruel on the part of God, but as the verse above states God is neither liar, nor deceiver! To top it all off, think about this… if there were other life forms in the universe, then the sacrifice of His Son would not only apply to us, but to them as well! Somehow, they would have to go through the exact same process we do in order to be redeemed. The Bible says Y’shua/Jesus died ONCE for ALL! His sacrifice was for the entirety of creation. Understanding this and knowing that He did not tell us about other life forms effectively proves that there are no such things as extraterrestrials. But… there is something out there!

Then who are they? Well if humans are created, according to God, in His likeness and image, and some other form of non-humans exist, which the planet is about to discover, then surely they have to come from somewhere. Of course God would have created them… right? The answer is simply, yes. But they are not extraterrestrials from some solar system. They’re not from some secretly orbiting planet that is only seen every 3,600 years. And most importantly, they are not who they have disguised themselves to be. For almost 60 years man has been combing space with massive antennas and space probs... though there have been many supposed sightings, no solid confirmation of them have been established! And the reason for this? Because the are multi-dimensional beings that enter in and out of time at will. When they enter, they are here, when they depart, the door of time closes and they are gone. 

What the world is about to experience are those beings who were once a vibrant part of the greatest of God's creations, the Angelic world. Sadly, they no longer hold such esteem. They are the "Fallen Ones". They are those whom Jude spoke of as, “angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their own abode—these He has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains FOR JUDGEMENT until the great Day.” (Jude 1:6) They are the angels the Bible declares that rebelled against the God of all creation when they came down and had sexual relations with the daughters of Eve (Genesis 6) creating some of the greatest abominations ever known. What they did was so bad that God had to destroy everything that lived upon the earth with a flood! Paul talks about them in Ephesians 6:12 when he says, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in heavenly places.” Who is their leader? He was the greatest archangel of them all. He covered the very throne of God with his wings and was in charge of all the worship of Heaven. He was the greatest musical instrument ever created. His name… Lucifer. In his fallen state he is known in Hebrew as haSatan, which means The Adversary or Destroyer!

It has been the Adversary’s intention from the very beginning, after he lead a rebellion against God long before creation as we know it, to destroy what he knew could possibly bring his demise. So he undertook the task of defiling God’s greatest creation, which God Himself fashioned His own likeness, Adam and Eve. Lucifer set out to stop the Royal decree against him. He knew the only way to do it was to deceive Adam and Eve so that God would destroy them, thereby stopping the curse. It was his only hope. But God had another plan, one that would keep the decree and bring redemption as well in spite of the fall. God prepared a sacrifice that would pay for the sin of Adam and Eve’s rebellion keeping His promise to destroy Lucifer and his followers once and for all. That sacrifice was His only Son, Y’shua!

To grasp this, we have to examine and understand the story. It’s long, but I will try and snapshot it for you.

Lucifer knew that God’s plan was a story of deliverers. It was Lucifer’s goal to stop them from entering the earth through the door of the womb. The Bible is replete with this story, as is history itself. He had to stop them from accomplishing their task as each deliverers actions were a stepping-stone to the next and the ultimate end and destruction of Lucifer altogether.

Noah was the first deliverer. The Fallen Ones came down and tainted all of creation during the days of Noah. They genetically reengineered everything, creating an abomination of desolation. (Is it any wonder we’re obsessed now with cloning and genetic engineering?) They created monsters and creatures only science fiction and horror movies attempt to create, including the dinosaurs (Just in case you were wondering). The entirety of the human gene pool, as well as plants, animals, reptiles, fish and birds were tainted; except for Noah and his sons. So God destroyed it all preserving only the untainted Noah and his family. Then came Moses. When the prophesy was made known to Pharaoh, under haSatan’s spiritual influence, he ordered the killing of all the Hebrew male babies 3 years and under by throwing them into the Nile. Then came Y’shua /Jesus. When it was known that He had been born, Herod did the same thing as Pharaoh when he sent soldiers to kill all the baby boys in Bethlehem under the age of 3! Finally, when the end of all things was about to begin, the Fallen Ones under command of the haSatan himself, went on one of the greatest terror rampages in history. It was called the Holocaust. Why, because it was the Jews of Europe and Russia who would bring about the final deliverance and total destruction of darkness with the rebirth of Abraham and the nation of Israel in the earth which happened on May 14, 1948 after 2,500 years. It was that very event that became the final dagger in the heart of the great dragon himself. It meant his ultimate end. And in the only way Lucifer knows how, to this very day, he continues to try to destroy Israel and those who are the household of God, in an attempt to prolong his end.

 So… knowing all this, what are they coming here for, and why the “alien” shtick? The answer to the first part is, it’s a vain effort to prevent their destruction from ultimately taking place. (Can’t blame ‘em for trying) They will attempt to accomplish this in several ways. They will seek to bring all mankind under their control through deception in order to destroy it completely. They will promote this deception by doing miraculous signs and wonders that only a “god” could do. They will also proclaim they are the ones who created the human race, and that man’s primitive ideas of religion are merely feeble ways of trying to describe its creators. When they do that, the Bible will go out the window for most with a great renunciation of faith in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to follow. The story of the cross and the resurrection will become a fairytale. After all, who wouldn’t believe those who come from the sky in great ships moving in seemingly supernatural ways and unprecedented power? Ultimately they will call for the utter destruction of Israel and all the physical seed of Abraham; which plays perfectly into the hands of those who already are under their influence; plotting that very thing as I type.

Secondly, they are disguised as aliens so that they won’t be recognized for who they really are. It’s a game of deception and illusion; and they are masters at it. If you knew who they really were, the jig would be up. They have been peppering man’s mind for the last 60 years preparing it for their arrival. They have also been doing abominable acts (which I won’t go into here) that most have no idea of.

They will come… and with great purpose! They will work with those who are already here in complete agreement and alignment with them. They have tried it several times before but were restrained, but now… Israel exists and the end is at hand. Her mere existence changes the playing field, announcing to them the return of the Son of God who will destroy them once and for all. You can take it to the bank that they know, and that in knowing they will attempt to take as many with them as they can.

So to answer my original question: What would the earth look like with the advent of extraterrestrial life? I will sum it up with two words… Terrifyingly frightening!

If you aren’t sure where you stand with God, then now would be a great time to change it. I will echo ancient words to you: “I am an ambassador of Messiah, as though God Himself were making an appeal through me to you. Therefore I implore you on behalf of Messiah: Be reconciled to God!” Things will be very difficult once they arrive. The level of deception and evil will be unprecedented; unlike any that has ever been before. No one will be able to escape! Only those whose lives have been bought with the blood of the Lamb and who hope in the sacrifice of God alone!

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb

 and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives unto the death.”

Revelation12:11

© 2010 Steven Bliss 
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THE AARONIC BLESSING: ANCIENT LETTERS, PICTURES AND WORDS!

You may or may not know this, but Modern Hebrew, including some older versions of it, are very different from the original language given to the Hebrews at Mt. Sinai in the wilderness of Sin. Most have no clue that the differences are that drastic, but they are. 

Ancient Hebrew, the language God Himself gave to the Hebrews in Egypt, and more than likely a derivative of or related to the language of Heaven itself [My own personal opinion and obviously unprovable], is a combination of a letter-like symbol and a picture. The combined creates what is known as a pictograph. The symbol depicts an image, which reinforces the meaning of the symbol and clarity to the meaning of the words. Unlike English where the letters have no meaning and have to be put together to make a meaning, Ancient Hebrew letters put together actually create a word emphasized by the meaning of each letter creating a picture, thus driving home the deeper meaning and intent. Though similar to hieroglyphics, Ancient Hebrew is far more dramatic and powerful given its Author and His design in creating such uniqueness. 

To illustrate all this I thought I would use the Aaronic blessing, which God Himself gave to Aaron and Moses. He commanded that it be spoken over His people, and that when it was, He would bless and fulfill the very words spoken over them. I think you will find the difference between what we know it as in English and it's original meaning rather dramatic. 

In English it reads like this: "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26

We've all heard it that way and know it as such, right? Yet the pictograph letters of Ancient Hebrew adds far more dimension and power in revealing its original intent. 

This is how it translates from the ancient pictographs:

“Yahweh will kneel before you presenting gifts and will guard you with a hedge of protection, Yahweh will illuminate the wholeness of His being toward you bringing order, and He will beautify you, Yahweh will lift up His wholeness of being and look upon you and He will set in place all you need to be whole and complete.”

A little more unique, don't you think?

Just a little manna for thought!

Watch the Priestly Blessing in Jerusalem 5771

© 2010 Steven Bliss
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IN HIS HANDS

In this life nothing is certain. There are no guarantees. Life comes at you fast, and sometimes very hard. There are times when it seems as though everything is perfect; then there are those dark days when it appears as though everything has turned against you.

            Today, no matter what you may be facing, no matter what fears you may have, remember this: He who flung the stars holds you safely in His hands. There is great peace and comfort in knowing this simple truth. Let yourself rest in His strong, loving hands!

Isaiah 26:3

You will keep in perfect peace,

the one whose mind is stayed on You,

because he trusts in You!

© 2010 Steven Bliss
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ADAM TO ABRAHAM: WHAT IT MEANS TO US! (revised 3/31/20)

Of all the genealogies in Scripture, there is only one list of names where God meticulously and in detail for all generations makes sure those reading know the exact age of every father from Adam to Terah at the birth of their sons in Genesis chapters 5 and 11. No other genealogy is like it in the entire Bible. Why? Because it's PROPHETIC! Far into the future it would become a sign to a specific generation that would see it and understand its meaning. They would discover the time in which they live was both predetermined and prophetic. That in the entirety of history they would be the ones to not only unravel its mystery and meaning, but realize that God had spoken 3,500 years in advance to Moses about the time when the finality of His story would be fulfilled. Not until one specific event would or could it be understood, but that events manifestation would set the stage for the conclusion of all things.

Before we look at the numbers below, lets establish one very important piece of information; the Book of Genesis is unlike any other in all of Scripture. Genesis was not just a man writing his own ideas, interpretations or imagination of what he thought he heard God say, but it was Yahweh Himself telling Moses word for word, story for story in precise detail the history of creation, Moses' family heritage and his own personal miraculous deliverance from certain death by Pharaoh. Most importantly why it was no coincidence it was he that was sitting on a mountain talking to a burning bush. Moses wrote every word God told him to say, verbatim. No embellishments, no interjections and no interpolations. Nothing human. After all, Moses had no idea these stories existed. He was raised as an Egyptian in the house of Pharaoh. Detail by detail, fact by fact, exactly as it had gone down; God wrote Genesis using Moses' writing skills as a testimony for all who would be a part of His story and beyond. Both for the descendants of Abraham who would become the father of not only a family and a nation, but the lineage of Messiah Jesus! So as you read this, try to grasp the accuracy and the implications both then, and now.

The numbers below are historical facts straight from the mouth of God. They are the specific ages of all the fathers starting with Adam at the birth of his son Seth, to Terah at the birth of his son Abraham. Abraham would be the first to believe God and be declared "evrit/Hebrew (meaning one who has crossed over, or in post resurrection terms, reborn/born again) by God as a picture of what was to come. These numbers would not be understood until May 14, 1948. Their true meaning would begin to unfold after that.

Genesis Chapter 5
Adam was 130 when he had Seth
Seth was 105 when he had Enosh
Enosh was 90 when he had Kenan
Kenan was 70 when he had Mahalalel
Mahalalel was 65 when he had Jared
Jared was 162 when he had Enoch
Enoch was 65 when he had Methuselah
Methuselah was 187 when he had Lemach
Lemach was 182 when he had Noah
Noah was 502 when he had Shem

Genesis Chapter 11
Shem was 100 when he had Arphaxad
Arphaxad was 35 when he had Selah
Selah was 30 when he had Eber
Eber was 34 when he had Peleg
Peleg was 30 when he had Reu
Reu was 32 when he had Serug
Serug was 30 when he had Nahor
Nahor was 29 when he had Terah
Terah was 70 when he had Abraham
Total: 1,948 years

Explanation
Throughout time God has repeated Himself over and over again. No one will be able to stand before Him and say I didn’t see, I didn’t understand, or I never heard. God is the Master of redundancy. There is a reason why He wanted Israel to NEVER stop rehearsing the Passover - and that includes not just the Jewish people, but the body of Messiah who are grafted into that tree as well. It's not just about looking back and remembering the faithfulness of God based on His past deliverances, but an even greater reality, one so profound that somewhere far out in time they will understand when the exact same event is repeated right before their eyes. By rehearsing it year after year, they will recognize and be able to say "this is that which was spoken by Him long ago!" Only then, the last "Exodus" will be on a global scale. With God there is always the original which a type and shadow of the actual event it represents somewhere out in the future. When that event happens it is then the fulfillment of what the original event pointed towards. In Jeremiah 16 God spoke through Jeremiah that far down the corridors of time a similar exodus will take place, but that it will supersede the original to the point that the original will no longer be spoken of because of the magnitude of it being a global event so profound that it will wipe the memory of the original from our minds. That event is the RETURN of Jesus of whom Moses was a type of. I don't know about you but I think to myself, how can it get more dramatic than that?

Abraham was born 1,948 years after the creation of Adam in the garden. Though it had no real significance then, as the original 1948 it was a foreshadow of a future repeated event! The birth of Abraham is significant. Why? The nation of Israel that Abraham is the father of would be scattered throughout the earth and not exist as a nation for almost 2,500 years. It was not a nation when Jesus came the first time. It was Palestine under Roman occupation and rule. Because of Israel's rebellion against God, they, like us all, suffered the consequences of their actions and the discipline of God as a result. Likened to a beautiful fig tree that blossoms and bears amazing fruit, Israel had becomes a withered up and barren tree as a result of her repeated rebellion and disobedience. In the great passage of Matthew 24:32-35 where Jesus tells His disciples about His return and the signs that will take place just prior to His return He says, “Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away." The fig tree is a metaphor for Israel as a nation, a tree that was supposed to produce fruit but, at time in His illustration, had stopped being what it was created to be. But He said when you see that tree, Israel come back to life from the dead bearing fruit, it will be the telltale sign that He is at the door and about to return.

An interesting aside with regards to all this, for many years no one really knew exactly when Jesus was born. Historically theologians assumed 4 BC based upon the idea that most believed He was crucified in the year 30 AD. But not long ago something exciting was unraveled! Through the discovery of ancient calendars and the use of astronomy, they have historically pinpointed the year of the Passover in which Jesus was crucified as 33 AD! With that revelation the precision of 1,948 years into the future adds pinpoint accuracy to the original story. It is the rebirth of Abraham and his family, Israel in the land God gave to Abraham thousands of years prior. May 14, 1948 was exactly 1,948 years after the birth of the Last Adam, Jesus' birth! It is spot-on and impossible to make up.

So now that Israel is a nation and Abraham has been born again in the earth, lets go back to Genesis and carry this story out further. 75 years after Abraham's birth after God had called him out of Ur he entered into the Promised Land. (Gen. 12:1-3) The year it took place was 2023! What's interesting about that is Abraham was 75 years old at that time and according to the Bible a generation is between 70 and 80 years (Psalm 90:10). So according to the Bible a generation had taken place making it even more significant. Why is that important? It highlights something Jesus said about the end of days in Matthew 24:32-35 which was, “The generation that sees the fig tree blossom (again, the fig tree being a Biblical metaphor for the of nation of Israel suddenly after being dead for almost 2,400 years would in an instant blossom again), would not perish (or die off), but see the fulfillment of all things.” That means the generation that is alive and sees Israel come to life  like a fig tree that was dead will be the generation that sees all the prophesies concerning Jesus and His return happen! And for us who await His return, entering the Promised Land. Impeccable precision does away with mere coincidence. None of this would have made any sense until Israel became a nation in 1948. You could have added up those numbers a million times prior to May 14th 1948 and it would have only equaled 1,948 years.

The accuracy is startling and dead on. There are no margins of error. The generation of the end began in 1945 was called the Baby Boomer generation. To make it even more dramatic, move forward to June of 1967 when Jerusalem was taken back from Gentile rule after 2,300 years of occupation (another prophesy spoken by Jesus in Matthew 24). This United Israel with her capital and the ancient place of Abrahams sacrifice on Mount Moriah of his son Isaac where God spares Isaac with a sacrificial lamb as a substitute. Abraham called that place, "Adonai Yirah", the mountain upon which God will see and provide!" Genesis 22:14

As my tax person says numbers never lie! That being the case and in light of all we just learned, in my opinion, time is much shorter than anyone wants to believe. Looking around it's hard not seeing the many bizarre things taking place throughout the entire world. Anti-Semitism globally is rising exponentially, far more dramatically than it was in the 1930's and '40's when Hitler was making his diabolical push. Far more disturbing is its rise inside the Church. Only weeks ago Benjamin Netanyahu made a clarion call to all the Jews of Europe and around the world to "COME HOME NOW!" I was talking with a friend recently about all of this and they said, “But Jesus said no one would know the day or the hour, right?” I answered, “It's not about a day or hour? We're supposed to be like the sons of Issachar who knowing the signs could discern what time it is." Do you know what time it is?

Don’t take my word for it. Study. Search it out for yourself. The answers are there. Ask God! He'll show you, I promise. 

March 31, 2020
We are now in the midst of a worldwide pandemic. COVID-19 has hit every country on the planet. There is a massive global panic and in many places thousands have died with thousands more to come. What this seems to shout to me is that we are in something no one has an ability to stop. What it has done is show a tremendous divide between peoples. There is tremendous division. Economically the world has come to a standstill. 
I believe this is both an opportunity for the house of believers to repent and let go of the old wineskin and embrace the clear mandate to be ready to be a light in the midst of the darkness and the power of God to move through you in ways you personally can't imagine. It's time for the Greater Works. This shows us all just how fast things can and will change. Though I don't believe this is "the end", I do believe it's a preview of coming attractions. It's the trailer for the movie. The movie has a release date but it's not yet. 
God is shaking the earth. No, I don't believe He did this, but I do believe He will use it for His purposes. When the end comes and the insanity that will befall the whole planet there will be no stopping it. The panic we see now will become deep fear and pandemonium. 
We are being thrust forward against our will. That in and of itself should speak volumes to you about the time we are living in. I believe Jesus is coming back sooner than anyone wants to believe. That even believers who claim to want Him to return are not really ready for that to happen or what it means. But God isn't moving according to our timetable. There is so much more going on than just the virus. As I said, the earth is shaking. It's moaning and groaning for the day of the Lord and the revealing of the sons of God. 
If you haven't read my most recent articles, I encourage you to give them a once over. This is a time of repentance. A time to turn from our wicked ways and to seek God with all our hearts. It's not going away. It's going to get worse in a myriad of ways all at once. 
God wants hearts who will surrender and submit to Him and His agenda. So while we are in this standstill moment, I encourage you to get on your knees and cry out to God. He is waiting for you. Repent and give yourself to Him afresh. He's looking for those whose hearts are fully His.


© 2010 Steven Bliss
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BIRTHRIGHT AND DECISION

(As I stood alone on the southern most steps of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem in November of 2006, I was inspired to write this article.)

            As I smelled the hyssop growing wild at the base of the Temple Mount steps, I was thrust into a place only sight and smell can trigger.  I could hear the streets outside the walls of the city, strangely though, it wasn’t the sound of the hustling and bustling of modern Jerusalem, it was an ancient sound… mystical and hypnotic.  The voices spoke with prophetic resonance.  There were no minarets, no prayers being offered up to some false god. It was the sound of peace, the peace of God’s presence upon a people and a city He loved and called by His name.  I could hear the whispers of a king’s voice singing… Avi Melkenu!

            Though it was only a moment, that moment transcended space and time to deliver a message to me on the very place from which it had originated. 

            At the base of Moriah, where 4,000 years of history forged a people and a land, David’s words reverberate off the walls and hills of the City of God.  As David stood before the threshing floor of Araunah, he was offered a free gift of what would become the hottest piece of real estate the world would ever know. But instead of receiving this gift freely given, David said these words;  “I will not offer up sacrifices to the Lord my God which cost me nothing.”  Over 3,000 years ago, David paid for a piece of ground that now lies in the hands of the usurper. 

            The actual definition of the word birthright means: the basic right someone has, or is entitled to, concerning properties or monies belonging to ones family line.  Interestingly enough, the word for justice in Hebrew means to recover that which rightfully belongs to its owner.  In the psalms when David says, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; may those who love her prosper”, it evokes a sense of immediacy and the provocation to urgency with which my heart was penetrated as I looked upon the former devastations where I stood, the city David loved so deeply.  Why you ask?  Because the same Spirit that inspired those words in him, reignites them in me 3,000 years later.

            "How long, oh Lord, how long?"  That was David’s cry as he pondered his enemy’s success in trampling underfoot the things that belonged to God.  Once again, in our day, the enemies of David and the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob manipulate world opinion concerning the things of God and His possessions.

Not long ago, a 64-year-old woman, with explosives wrapped around her body, blew herself up in Gaza for Allah’s sake. The twisted perspective that paradise would be realized by such an act of insanity drives home for me the picture of a people whose agenda it is to continue Jihad until its ultimate purpose is accomplished: dispossess Jacob’s descendants and control all that God willed to them through birthright!

            I know many will argue that to believe that God is the owner as well as giver, is conjecture. Yet He is Avi Melkenu – our Father, our King! Others will say there is no real evidence that David actually purchased the piece of land now known as the Temple Mount. Yet I would suggest that history, in conjunction with the continual undeniable archeological discoveries that paint an accurate view of what the Bible chronicles, validates it as so. He promised that Israel would become a nation in a day and that He would gather His people from around the world and bring them back to the land to which He had given to their forefathers. He promised to restore their native tongue.  These are things we can see with our own eyes, not coincidence. So did Avi Melkenu change His mind? Never! It is called justice due to birthright! Yet these are the very reasons the usurper rages against the truth and against Abraham’s descendants.

            The notion that the usurper has the right to possess those things that were never his is ludicrous and has no grounds upon which to stand. It is because of this that they seek to conquer, not just the People of the Book, but anyone else who would stand in their way. Decisions are made every day concerning these matters, both in the earth, and above. As the lines become clearer, and the choices become more dangerous, the question must rise up within us… “from which Stone are we cut?"  

Choosing to side with those whose birthright goes back to the man who chose to follow God from the land of Ur into the Land of Promise is a choice that is rooted in the word “sacrifice”.  The ancients knew it; David understood it, will we engage it with the same tenacity they did? 

             David could have had that piece of land for nothing, yet David understood the value of sacrifice, not just to God, but also to man. It was in his blood, and the blood of his fathers. He also understood that by purchasing that piece of land it would establish birthright for all of his descendants long into the future. Is it any different for us?

Today, may our yes be yes in our decision to stand with the birthright of David, establishing justice, being willing to do whatever it takes, without compromise and regardless of the cost for the purpose of TRUE shalom and the victory which belongs to Avi Melkenu.

           

© 2006 Steven Bliss
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STARTING OVER...

(I wrote this two years ago, after much failure, disappointment and sorrow in my life. Since that time my oldest son died of an accidental overdose in April of 2009. I have personally struggled with the feelings that my life has been a perpetual trail of sadness and disappointment. I have not only failed in life, but with God. But as I read this today, I realized that starting over is something that believers are given the opportunity to do again and again. Forgiveness is never withheld, and though we may fall over and over, through His love and mercy we can get up and begin again. So I thought I would post this for you to read and hopefully be inspired and find hope. If God can do it for me who has failed, sinned, and hurt the Lover of my soul; He will do it for you.)

When I think about starting over, I think it begins by having a right perspective as to why we are doing what we are doing, and for Whom we are doing it. This helps keep us in check. There are many ways, many concepts, and many possibilities that appear to be ‘right’ or ‘successful’, but God has His way… an Ancient Path that was left long ago for a way that “seemed right”.  

I am convinced that so much is done out of a deep subconscious need for the approval of men.  So then… bigger is better! The more you can show off, the more successful you appear to be.  And the more successful you appear to be; it is a sure sign that you have the approval of God Himself.  Right? Wrong! If we are to truly be people that reflect the nature and character of Y’shua Himself, then it should not be about the need for approval or self-exaltation, which can come in the most insidiously deceptive ways that look humble… but it must be selfless… and without guile.  It should reflect only the desire to collectively be a people with one heart and one mind, in one accord… continually seeking; aggressively listening, all the while, patiently waiting. 

All things should be birthed in prayer… fasting if need be. But with the idea that God is more than able to speak to us, comes the idea that He has made us more than capable of hearing Him… if we will listen!  So then it is imperative that we, as a group, press into Him on all matters; asking, seeking, and knocking… and NOT MOVING until the answer comes… confident the answer WILL come when it’s time, and that answer, no matter what it is, is right! 

What then shall we look like? What shall we reflect? Hasn’t it all been done before? The question gets asked, “But what about the way we have done it in the past?  What about the things that have seemed to work so well?  After all, everyone else is doing it!” I can hear the voice of my father saying, “And if everybody jumps off the bridge, are you going to jump too?”

I believe that we are to reflect, without sounding too religious or pat, His image, which is His character, His love and His truth!  But this can only happen through a deep awareness that we are ALREADY transformed in the here and now, and that the Kingdom of God is not just something we are waiting to enter into at death; but that it’s HERE, and NOW… and WHEREVER WE GO, THERE IT IS! It requires a change in our perspective. This means putting to death the things we thought to be right and entering into the WORDS OF LIFE themselves! To ENGAGE! What do I mean? It takes intimacy most of all to inspire and continually re-inspire our relationship with God, as well as our mental transformation to occur in order to grow. This is a daily willingness, moment by moment, to ENGAGE God every step of the way! I took the word ENGAGE and made it into an acronym and wrote this sentence with it:  “My continual EFFORT to stay NEAR promotes intimacy with Him, helping me to GROW, which keeps my heart and mind ALIGNED with GOD, which ENERGIZES every fiber of my being... every single moment, of every single day.”

I am reminded of God’s word to Isaiah over and over lately where He says, “Your ears will hear a word behind you saying, "This is the way, walk in it," whenever you turn to the right or to the left.” Is. 30:21. If we are to be a people that walk on the edge with the Lord; who are radical for His kingdom and aggressive for His will to be done, hungering to see Him do what He has promised and see His power and His presence… then we need to press in and in and in!  We need to not settle! God is capable of showing us His agenda and will for any given moment, in any situation, and for every single need. Nothing is impossible for Him! Nothing!

I am also reminded of God’s word in Isaiah when He says in chapter 42, “Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.” And again in chapter 43, “Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” There is the implication here that as it manifests itself right before your eyes, we could possibly miss it!  Is it because we could be so caught up in what has been that we can’t even see that God has a new and better way, and that His creative mind and energy are spontaneously combustive and limitless? Yet somehow, mysteriously, it can appear wrong to our way of thinking! Like God’s word to Israel through Jeremiah, “This is what the LORD says: 'Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, 'We will not walk in it.'” Jeremiah 6:16



If I may paraphrase, “If you stay close to Me and sharpen your hearing so that you HEAR/SHEMA when I speak, then you will HEAR/SHEMA Me tell you what I want you to do, what would be best moment by moment; so that when I AM about to do something, you will know it. The way will be clear, your eyes will see and your heart will know that you are in the center of My will.”  Make sense? So maybe it’s time we ask for the Ancient Paths and the Good Way… and with expectant hearts, settle for nothing less.

What would this look like? It would be individuals; families; congregations; ministries and outreaches (verses in-reaches) moment-by-moment doing the will of God! Where the Kingdom of God manifests itself continually, and the Presence of God is not something just spoken about, but experienced? Where Living Water flows! Where healing takes place! Where souls are saved and transformed. Where the poor, the widows and orphans are truly cared for… and not just because the Bible says we’re supposed to, but because the heart of God is beating so strongly in us that we act out of our love for Him because we see ourselves as Beulah – MARRIED to Him! In this place there will never be lack or want. Hanging onto Him, looking into His eyes as our ears press against His chest listening to His heart beat for us!  This is what I feel. This is what has been stirring in my heart and mind ever since I tried and failed so miserably at building a “church”. 

It is never about us, or a man. It’s not even about a great plan for that matter. It’s about God, and His agenda. It’s not for any of us to hold on to… but keeping our hearts and hands continually open, we give away what He gives to us… knowing that all we will ever need is ours in abundance!  If He builds His house… our labor won’t be in vain!

Today, let’s light the torch in the dark and find our way back to the Ancient Path.

© 2008 Steven Bliss
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WHAT IF?

What if today you were brought face to face with something that would be, for you, considered life or death? But what if the decision as to whether it was life, or death, was based solely upon a choice or response that you made? And what if you were presented with the idea that your “good” was not good enough, and that your own personal justification had no bearing upon the outcome of the judgment whatsoever because the actual passing of that judgment would come from a Source outside of your control? And what if you were told that unless you allow yourself, and the Judge, to look into the depth of who you really are, to discover your wretchedness and brokenness, as well as all your hidden things being opened up and laid to bear, things you want no one to ever see, as the requirement for your deliverance from the absolute consequences that would come should you not let it happen?

What if your surrender meant total absolution, wholeness and eternal joy as a result? Would you do it? Would you risk it all? What if there was no other way to be set free? And what if you were being presented with that choice every single moment, of every single day? What would think, and what would your decision be?

The Spirit of God says this: 

“Today, 

if you hear His voice, 

do not harden your heart…” 

Hebrews 3:7-8

© Steven Bliss

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