THE BOOK OF ROMANS ~Chapter 14

If there is someone who is weak in the Faith, receive him kindly and do no argue about his personal views. One man’s faith may permit him to eat anything, while a man of weaker faith feels himself limited to vegetables. Let not the one who eats anything despise the vegetarian, and let not the abstainer criticize him who eats freely, for Elohim has received him. Who are you to condemn someone else’s servant? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. Why should he not succeed? For Elohei is able to make him stand.

One man thinks that one day is greater than another, while another esteems every day alike. Let each decide the matter in his own mind. He who observes the day should observe it in Adonai’s honor. IT is just so with regard to eating. Either one eats in Adonai’s honor and thanks Elohim for the food; or one abstains from eating certain foods, also in Adonai’s honor, and he too gives thanks to Elohim.

None of us lives to himself, and none dies to himself. For when we live, we live to Adonai Yeshua – and when we die, we die to Adonai Yeshua. That is, both when we live and when we die, we are His: that is why Mashiach died and rose again on the 3^rd day, that He might be Lord over both the dead and the living.

Why, then, should you condemn your brother? Or why should you despise your brother? For we shall all have to stand some day before the judgment seat of Elohei. As to this, Scripture says, “As I live,” says Adonai, “Every knee shall bend before Me and every tongue shall make confession to Elohim” (Isaiah 45:23). It is to Elohei that each one of us must give an account of himself.

Let us, therefore, stop criticizing one another, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or a trap in the way of a brother. I know, and am convinced in Adonai Yeshua, that nothing is unclean in itself. Nevertheless, it is unclean to the man who thinks it is unclean. If you grieve your brother because of meat, you do not walk according to the ruleof love. Do not, by your use of food, bring ruin on one for whom Mashiach died. Don’t let that which seems good to you become a subject of reproach. Surely the Kingdom of Elohei is not a matter of what to eat and what to drink, for it is justification and peace and joy in The Ruach. He who serves Mashiach in these things finds favor with Elohim and is approved also by men.

We should, therefore, do the things that make for peace and for strengthening one another. Don’t destroy the work of Elohei for the sake of meat. Even though all things are clean, still it is wrong for a man to make others fall because of what he eats. The right thing to do is not to eat flesh nor to drink wine, nor to do anything that makes your brother stumble or that offends and weakens him. As to your faith, hold fast to it, as before Elohim. Happy is the man who need not find fault with himself for what he approves. But if he has misgivings, as in eating, he is condemned if he eats, because it was not an act of faith. For everything that does not rest on faith is sin.

**ROMANS 13: https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2019/04/the-book-of-romans-chapter-13.html

THE BOOK OF ROMANS ~Chapter 11

I love this chapter of Scripture because it speaks specifically to the salvation of Israel.

The salvation of Israel is no longer taught in churches in America today – vineyard heresy and Biblical ignorance has taken root and spread like wildfire through church leadership and splinter groups. Many, many people are being led astray and are willingly allowing themselves to be spiritually brainwashed by the religion of self-worship and rock concert style ‘fellowship’.

That is a sad commentary to the times in which Christians now live: Christians are not welcome in the world or the church, which mimics the world so much it is hard to tell where the world lets off … or if it has been shaken off.

A church that preaches vineyard heresy will always announce that ‘God is done with Israel and the church has taken Israel’s place’. Obviously that mindset is in direct contradiction to today’s Scripture study …

THE BOOK OF ROMANS ~Chapter 11

Again, I ask had Elohim rejected His People? Elohei forbid! I, too, am an Israelite. I am a descendant of Abraham and a member of the tribe of Benjamin. No, Elohim has not disowned His own People who He has chosen. Don’t you know what the Scripture says about Elijah, how he pleaded with Elohim against Israel? “Adonai,” he said, “they have killed Your prophets and broken down Your altars. I alone am left and they seek to take my life.” But what did Elohim say to him in reply? “I still have 7000 men,” He said. “They are reserved for Myself and not one of them has bent a knee to Baal” (Kings 19:10).

It is this way today, too. A remnant has been saved, chosen by grace. So if it is by grace, then it is not all by works. Otherwise, grace would not be grace, for, in that case, works would not be works.

Now what? What Israel was seeking, they did not get. Only the chosen remnant got it, while the rest were hardened. Scripture also says, Elohei gave them an attitude of stupor, eyes that are blind and ears that are deaf, even to this day” (Isaiah 29:10).And David said, “Let their feasting be to them a snare, a trap, a stumbling block, and a punishment. Let their eyes be dimmed, so that they may not see, and keep their backs bent forever” (Psalm 69:22).

I ask, then, have they stumbled and fallen away entirely? May that never be! On the contrary, by their offense salvation has come to the Gentiles, too, so as to provoke the Jews to jealousy. And again, if their transgression has made the world richer and their defeat has made the Gentiles richer, how much more good would their full consecration do!

Now, I am speaking to you who are Gentiles. As an apostle to the Gentiles, I attach great importance to my ministry. Also, if in any way I can thereby awaken my own people to interest, at least some of them may be saved. True, their rejection has meant the reconciliation of the world, so what will their final acceptance mean, unless it be life from the dead? If the first part of the dough is made holy, then the whole lump is holy; and if the root of a tree is dedicated to holiness, then the branches are also holy.

Suppose, now, that some of the branches have been broken off and that you, a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in as one of them; then you have a share in the root and the fatness of that olive tree. So do not start to boast over against the other branches. Remember, if you should boast against them, then you do not support the root but the root supports you.

But rather say, “Some branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in. Very well, they are broken off because of lack of faith. So you must not be proud; you ought rather to be fearful, for if Elohim did not spare the tree’s own natural branches, neither will He spare you. Carefully consider both Elohim’s kindness and severity. His severity is against those who fell away, and His kindness is towards you, but only so long as you continue in His grace; otherwise you, too, will be cut off. They also will be grafted back in again if they do not continue in their unbelief, for Elohim can graft them in again. You were taken from an olive tree, wild by nature; and contrary to nature, you were grafted upon a tame olive tree. How much easier it will be to graft the natural branches back into their parent olive tree.

Now, brethren, there is a mystery of which I do not want you to be ignorant, for otherwise you might think too highly of yourselves. It is this – a hardening has come upon Israel in part, and it will last until the full number of the Gentiles has been called in. So Israel will be saved, according to the Scripture prophecy, “The Saviour will come out of Zion. He will rid Jacob of his ungodliness. Yes, this will be My Covenant with them, when I take away their sins,” (Isaiah 59:20-21 & Jeremiah 31:33).

 As regards the Gospel, they are indeed considered the enemies of Elohim, on your account; but as regards election, they are still beloved on their fathers’ account. For the gifts and calling of Elohim are unchangeable.

You were once disobedient to Elohei, but now you have had mercy shown you because of their disobedience. Just as they, too, though now disobedient, may have mercy shown them because of the mercy shown you. For Elohim has reckoned that all men are disobedient, so that He may show mercy to all.

Oh, how inexhaustible are the riches of Elohei’s wisdom and knowledge! How unsearchable are His judgements, and how untraceable are His ways! For who has ever known the thoughts of Adonai, and who has ever been His counselor? Or who was ever the first to give to Him in order to have Him pay back? For everything comes from Him – everything exists through Him; and everything exists for Him!

To Him be the glory forever! Amen.

**ROMANS 10: https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2019/03/the-book-of-romans-chapter-10.html

THE BOOK OF ROMANS ~Chapter 5

THE BOOK OF ROMANS ~Chapter 5

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with Elohim through Adonai Yeshua Ha’Mashiach. Through him, by faith, we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of beholding the glory of Elohei.

And not only that, but we rejoice also in our present sufferings, knowing that suffering gives us more endurance. Endurance, in turn, leads to tested character, and character gives hope. This hope will not bring shame or disappointment to us, for Elohei has poured into our hearts His love through the Ruach Ha’Kodesh that He sends upon us. We were entirely helpless when Mashiach, in His appointed time, died for sinners.

It is rare to find anyone willing to die for another, even a good man, although there are perhaps causes where someone has ventured to do so. But Elohim proves His love for us in this – that while we were still sinners, Mashiach died for us.

All the more surely, since we have been reconciled by His blood, we shall be saved by Him from Elohim’s wrath. For if, when we were His enemies, we were reconciled to Elohim through the death of His Son, surely now that we are reconciled, we shall be saved by His life in us. And in addition to reconciliation, we also rejoice in Elohim through Adonai Yeshua Ha’Mashiach, to Whom we owe our reconciliation.

It was through one man that sin came into this world, and death through sin. And so death spread to all men; inasmuch as all men have sinned. That is, sin had come into the world before The Law was given, but sin is not put to account where there is no law, except that death reigned all the way from Adam to Moshe, even over those who had not sinned in the same way as Adam. And Adam foreshadowed One Who was to come. But is the free gift of grace in proportion to Adam’s transgression? No, for it is this way: by one man’s transgression many died, but much more richly has Elohei’s grace come to many through Elohim’s gift of grace, namely, the Man, Yeshua Ha’Mashiach. Nor is the free gift like the effect of that one man’s sin. It is true that the judgement following the sin was a death sentence, but the free gift, although following a great many transgressions, brings justification. For if through that one man’s offense death reigns over all, much more will Elohei’s abundant mercy and His gift of sanctification reign in the lives of those who receive it through that one other man, Yeshua Ha’Mashiach.

Well, then, just as one man’s sin had led to condemnation for all men, so also another Man’s righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.

For just as through the disobedience of one man many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of another Man many will be made righteous. When The Law was given, the result was that trespasses were on the increase, but even where sin abounded grace surpassed it. So that, just as when sin reigned, death was the result, so also when grace reigns, everlasting life is the result through justification by Yeshua Ha’Mashiach, our Lord.

**ROMANS 4: https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2019/01/the-book-of-romans-chapter-4.html

HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR ME

Sunday the Grief Support Group coordinator and his wife stopped in after church let out; they wanted to introduce themselves, find out where I lived so they could pick me up for Thursday’s Meet, and no doubt check me out to see if I am a ‘loose bullet’ concerning the grieving process. They were very friendly and informative people, they found our house with no problem, and apparently I passed the inspection ;-) My grief is not handicapping me; and my only real issue with my husband’s passing from this life to the next is learning to deal effectively with Candy and Ron – in other words, learning to get past the sudden and heated anger that rises up in me every time I have to personally deal with Candy in the Park Office; or every time I catch a glimpse of next-door-neighbor Ron. That my husband is dead, and I am now alone and doing what I can to make this alone journey as easy and as content as possible ... with the tedious burden of wading through uncertain financial situations, and having to daily juggle and face serious economic crisis because of petty ridiculous stupidity brought on by paranoia and egomania, rankles. And I need to get past that. Hopefully these grief support meets will help me with that.

The one thought that popped into my head and stayed since my husband passed December 14^th, 2018, is that Elohim’s grace is sufficient for me.

By His strength I am upheld, supported, prospered, and sanctified. When I am at my weakest point, He lifts me up and places me in the safety of The Rock (Isaiah 28:16 & Romans 9:33), where life’s tempests swirl and howl around me; but cannot touch me. When sudden, unexpected emotions overwhelm me and my knees buckle with the onslaught, He comes alongside me and lends His shoulder for me to lean against as we walk together through the turmoil (Isaiah 41:10-11). And I hear Him whisper gently as He hugs me tight against His supportive shoulder, “It’s okay Val: I have everything under control. You just lean on Me; everything will work out. You’ll see. In these days of uncertainty and economic crisis, don’t worry about tomorrow; I will meet all your needs according to My riches in glory: I am well able to do immeasurably more than you can ask or even imagine.” (Matthew 6:25-34, John 14:27, Hebrews 13:5) What a blessing! What promises! What wonderful expectations to look forward to. I am a child of the Most High God, a joint-heir justified in Yeshua, and can rightly expect the fulfillment of these promises (Hebrews 2:1, Hebrews 12:14, 1 Corinthians 6:11, & Ephesians 1:13).

When I stay in Him, He stays in me (1 Chronicles 16:11, 1 John 1:9, 1 John 3:9 & 1 Thessalonians 5:23).

When I find myself harassed by life’s stressors and seek His strength, and seek His presence continually; I find Him immediately beside me, comforting me and rejoicing over me with gladness as he quiets my soul, exulting over me with joyous singing (Zephaniah 3:17). I have heard that singing … and it is beautiful and comforting.

Since my husband stepped off this planet, I have never been alone though we are now 1 instead of 2. Yeshua was and is a constant 24 hr/every day close companion. My BIL and SIL’s were a great comfort in the first days of my alone journey. Cheryl and Mike have continually been present during this time – if they are not visiting, they are calling: daily. They have helped me in ways I cannot put words to, while dealing with the recent deaths of their own parents. That is real love in action, and I hope I will always be worthy of it. My husband’s son came up from Salem every week for a solid month to help me with a couple things around the house I needed help with … and will come again around tax time to help me get that squared away: it is a 2 hour drive one way; a sacrifice I am appreciate of it. Alex does not have to do this – he is not bound to me by blood, and during the 44 years I have been married to his father we have not even really been friends because he has resented me much of the time. But now, I think he realizes that I am really the only family he has. And he is trying to make amends and do what his father would like him to do. I am thankful. Keenager’s – a weekly Senior meet and greet my husband and I enjoyed, and I attend alone now, is a familiar comfort to me. I have worked out an agreeable check-up schedule and routine with our niece, Tiffany, by which a specific phone call at a certain time during the week will be made: if I send a message that I am okay before that day is over, fine; if that call is not made, she will call me; if I do not answer, she will come over immediately to see what is happening. She has nursing experience with the elderly (I can't believe I am using that word to describe me!) and will be a help if I need help. She picked up the house key Saturday afternoon. Most every day I walk around the perimeter of the Park - a mile distance from our driveway and back again: that is what my husband and I walked nearly every day at various places around town, or throughout the county on scenic day-trips when he was still with me. And I am hoping the upcoming Grief Support Group starting on this upcoming Thursday will help me during this period of adjustment I now face.

Monday Elohim sent close friends to me, Cheryl and Pam – 2 women I love, and appreciate more than words can tell. I have known these women most of my life and they are gracious and thoughtful women who are godly examples of compassionate love while going through their own worrisome struggles: when the daughters of Elohim gather together to support and encourage one another, He is there. His presence is strong. And we are thankful for all that he does for us – things we are aware of, and things that are yet unknown. It is good to praise the Lord together.

In my human weakness, His grace is sufficient for me.