Actions to be a reflection of openness of heart

The people of God heard the words Moses brought to them from the Adonai and they were willing to listen and to take them at heart.

Without a willing mind, costly offerings would be abhorred. With it, the smallest will be accepted. Our hearts are willing, when we cheerfully assist in promoting the truth both by giving our money and our time and our labour. It is up to each individual to decide what he is going to do for God and how much time and money he or she is willing to invest in this God's work. The command, and its fulfilment, was not based on wealth. Nor was the determination of the donation — be it of gold, fabrics or skills — based on what the mind thought would be “appropriate” charity. It was based on each person becoming aware of their spirit and their heart and acting on that awareness.  Thus anyone who attends to his work in the faith and fear of God, may be as wise, for his place, as anyone else, and be equally accepted of the Lord. Our wisdom and duty consist in giving God the glory and use of our talents, be they many or few:

 "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" (1Corinthians 10:31).

Exo 35:20-29 MKJV  And all the congregation of the sons of Israel departed from the presence of Moses.  (21)  And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom His spirit made willing. They brought Jehovah's offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all His service, and for the holy garments.  (22)  And the men came in together with the women, as many as were willing-hearted, bringing bracelets and earrings, and rings and ornaments, all jewels of gold. And everyone who offered waved a wave offering of gold to Jehovah.  (23)  And everyone with whom was found blue, and purple, and scarlet, and bleached linen, and goats' hair, and red skins of rams, and badgers' skins, brought them.  (24)  Everyone lifting up an offering of silver and bronze brought Jehovah's offering. And everyone with whom was found acacia-wood for any work of the service, brought it.  (25)  And every wise-hearted woman spun with her hands. And they brought spun yarn, blue, and purple, scarlet, and bleached linen.  (26)  And all the women whose hearts were lifted up in wisdom spun goats' hair.  (27)  And the rulers brought onyx stones, and stones to be set, for the ephod and for the breast-pocket.  (28)  And they brought spice and oil, for the light and for the anointing oil and for the sweet incense.  (29)  The sons of Israel brought a willing offering to Jehovah, every man and woman whose heart made them willing to bring for all kinds of work which Jehovah had commanded to be made by the hand of Moses.

The inhabitants of this world have to choose which world they want to belong to. Each person also has to chose on whose side he or she wants to stand and where to look for wisdom and truth. To come to wisdom and insight there has to be an open mind, willing to look further then the length of the nose and looking beyond the man made dogmas and teachings. That last part is the most difficult. Most people are afraid to set aside the dogmatic teachings, like the teaching of the Holy Trinity.
Most often they want to silence themselves such a tri-une godhead is too difficult to understand for man so it shall only be understood when the Holy Spirit is on man.

As such many Christians keep blinding themselves, not willing to accept the words like they are written down in the Bible. They forget that God commanded each person to search for the truth and to seriously study His Word, being prepared to put aside man's word. Each person has to become aware of their spirit and their heart and acting on that awareness, and God shall consider each person himself or herself responsible for the (man)made choices.

Rabbi Michael Barclay reminds us that in the past each gift was not judged by its financial value, but valued because it was a gift of the heart, a unique expression of that person. According to Rabbi Avraham Greenbaum:

 “The various different physical materials that different men and women had in their possession and contributed for the construction of the Sanctuary correspond to the unique personal attributes and powers possessed by each and every individual.

These days we look at the Book Exodus and at the Book of Proverbs trying to see how God's Wisdom is given free to share with many and enabling to free our minds and souls. coming closer to 14 Nisan we remember the Exodus of God's People. With them we find the story of a journey into freedom, but with freedom comes responsibilities.

We can not ignore how even the People of God once liberated form slavery by Him, dared to doubt Him and even went astray at several moments in their life. From the book Exodus we should hear the clear teaching:

 Each individual must choose to give from the deepest part within themselves in order to achieve God’s goals and obey God’s instructions. There are no statements that one person’s gift is better than another’s, just an instruction that the gifts must be heartfelt. {Building a community on individual effort}

When we look at what happened in Ancient Egypt and later in Jerusalem when the Nazarene Jew Jeshua offered himself as a lamb for the liberation of many,we can see the generosity of two people, one the Most High Divine creator, the Elohim Hashem Jehovah, and second His only begotten son, who is called son of man but also son of God.
That man only did what his heavenly Father wanted. He managed to keep doing the Wishes of the Most High. He told people he could do not anything without that God Who is much higher than him.

Joh 14:27-31 MKJV  Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.  (28)  You have heard how I said to you, I go away and I am coming to you again. If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, I go to the Father, for My Father is greater than I.  (29)  And now I have told you before it happens, so that when it happens you might believe.  (30)  I shall no longer speak many things with you, for the ruler of this world comes, and he has nothing in Me.  (31)  But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father has given Me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go away from here.

Today there are still lots of Christians who do not want to believe the words of Christ Jesus and his heavenly Father, what they say about each other, but prefer to keep to the idea of a tri-une god.
They should come to understand that this Jew who said he can do nothing on his own initiative, but only what he sees the Father doing is the one promised in the Garden of Eden and the one who was tempted, though God can not be tempted, and really died, whilst God can not die.

It is that period of the last hours we are going to 'celebrate' these days and in particular next Friday and Saturday. We do believe that the Nazarene Jeshua, is the one provided by the Elohim to bring a solution against the curse of death. The son of man who is also the son of David and son of Abraham could do only the things he did because God allowed him to do it and gave him the power to do it. For those around Jeshua and for us it should be the sign that God the Father loves this son and shows him everything he does, and will show him greater deeds than these, so that we will be amazed.

We shall read the coming days in the books of the New Testament how Jesus prepared himself to the agony and death he was expecting. We also shall read how he ended up in hell for three days and afterwards was taken up from the dead by his heavenly Father, who made him higher than angels. In that action taken place some 1985 years ago we can see how God raises the dead and gives them life and how in the same manner now life has come over us who want to accept Jesus as the son of God.

We all should also be fully aware how God now has assigned all judgement to the Son, so that all people will honour the son just as they honour the Father. We also should know that the one who does not honour the son does not honour the Father who sent him.

 Joh 5:18-27 MKJV  Then, because of this, the Jews sought the more to kill Him, because He not only had broken the sabbath, but also said that God was His father, making Himself equal with God.  (19)  Then Jesus answered and said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, The Son can do nothing of Himself but what He sees the Father do. For whatever things He does, these also the Son does likewise.  (20)  For the Father loves the Son and shows Him all the things that He Himself does. And He will show Him greater works than these, so that you may marvel.  (21)  For as the Father raises the dead and makes alive, even so the Son of Man makes alive whomever He wills.  (22)  For the Father judges no man, but has committed all judgment to the Son,  (23)  so that all should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.  (24)  Truly, truly, I say to you, He who hears My Word and believes on Him who sent Me has everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation, but has passed from death to life.  (25)  Truly, truly, I say to you, The hour is coming and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and they who hear shall live.  (26)  For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has given to the Son to have life within Himself,  (27)  and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man.

Jesus honoured his Father and honoured God His commandments, asking us to do likewise.

Our generosity, especially toward honouring God’s commands, must be determined by what our hearts say, not our minds (which are often concerned with growing assets and eliminating financial debts). All too often, we think about and even “want to” donate something but hesitate because we are scared that ultimately we will “not have enough.” Our minds, busy worrying about the future, often get in the way of what our hearts know is truly righteous. {Building a community on individual effort}

We can hear the words of Jesus and prefer them to place them in the tri-une god dogmatic teaching or can place them like God wants us to see them in the light of the Only One Godship. Having to make the choice to stay popular by man or to become popular by God, honouring the right people in the right concept, worshipping only One True God.

The people who got guided out of Egypt also had to make the right choices and many of them had difficulties to worship the true God all the time.  They who felt the Hand of Salvation by God, even had a moment they came to worship a golden calf.

We, in our generation have not felt the Hand of God like the Jews had felt it. This perhaps makes it more difficult for many to see that Hand of God. Though god has given His Word where in wisdom can be found. We only have to take it up and study it. Reading the words we should come to hear the words and  then we shall have to make the right choices.

In reality, every choice is one between faith and fear, and while our hearts may know that it is right to give of ourselves, our minds sometimes get caught in that fear, and so we don’t follow the deeper parts of ourselves. The teaching in our portion (Exodus 35:21) reminds us to follow our hearts and to give fully … knowing in faith that we are in partnership with God and that our well-being is always in God’s hands. {Building a community on individual effort}

Ben Azzai in Pirkei Avot 4:3 says:

“Do not regard anyone with contempt, and do not reject anything, for there is no man who does not have his hour and nothing which does not have its place.”

The portion, as well as the words of Ben Azzai, also reminds us to honour the honest gift of each person.

Wouldn’t it be nice if we all judged each other with the same standards that God demonstrates in this part of the Torah? If, rather than glorifying someone who gives a lot of money to their temple and degrading someone who gives less — or worse, trying to shame them into giving more — we chose to look at whether the gift was a reflection of the person’s spirit and heart. If we valued the volunteer who helps set up and take down services and does it from their heart, as highly as we valued the financial donor? If we followed this simple instruction of respecting and treasuring each person and their individual gifts, how much more full would our communities be?  {Building a community on individual effort}

The month Nisan is the first of the Judaic religious year and should also be our first month of the year were we think to start a new or make some good intentions again. It is a point were we should reconsider how we treated everybody last year and how we should treat everybody in the future.

How much more welcoming and healthy would our communities be if we truly honoured each person for their own uniqueness, special qualities and expressions? {Building a community on individual effort}

Freedom itself is a Divine gift. This week’s portion reminds us to truly open our hearts and let our actions be a reflection of that openness — to respect each individual for their unique gifts and to embrace the results of more participation in all ways. {Building a community on individual effort}

Open hearts, action and true respect. Isn’t that what defines a healthy community?

May we all be blessed to build our own communities with the same integrity and passion as our ancestors, and to reap the blessings God provides as a result. {Building a community on individual effort}

Jesus asked us to become part of his body. With him we should all gather in unity trying to exhort each other and helping each-other to get more insight and wisdom.

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Find also to read:

1. Hearing words to accept
2. Looking for wisdom not departing from God’s Word
3. Increased in wisdom in favour with God
4. Fools despise wisdom and instruction
5. We may not be ignorant to get wisdom

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Woorden in de Wereld

Hoe men het draait of keert leven in wij en zijn aldus een deel van de wereld.

Wat wij maar propberen te doen zal de wereld steeds blijven ronddraaien terwijl wij slechts een klein, verwaarloosbaar, deel in het geheel zullen zijn. Ook al zouden wij graag wel wat meer te betekenen hebben in dat grote universum. Ook al was het maar in onze kleine leefwereld, dat wij meer aanzien zouden willen verwerven.
Mensen hebben een zelftrots die zij nu en dan wel eens gevleid voelen worden. Niemand schijnt er aan te ontsnappen, ook de schrijver van dit artikel niet.

Al duizenden jaren moest de mens zich een rechtmatige ruimte verzekeren om adequaat te kunnen leven en zocht hij naar verschillende manieren om zijn leven zo aangenaam mogelijk te maken en zich in zijn omgeving 'thuis' te voelen. Men dacht veel na over de redenen waarom we leven en wat we moeten doen, waar we naar toe gaan en wat er gebeurt als we sterven.

Er zijn altijd meer vragen in een mensenleven dan antwoorden. Veel mensen gebruiken hun hersenen om antwoorden en oplossingen te vinden en zijn bereid om hun gedachten te delen met anderen.

Veel ideeën, veel wetenschappelijke verklaringen. Veel geschriften, veel discussies.

Tussen al die boeken en woorden van de mens, vindt u mensen die van mening zijn dat het meer de moeite waard is om te luisteren naar de woorden die geschreven staan in een aantal zeer oude boeken. Zij geloven dat die oude geschriften tijdloos zijn, en ons de geschiedenis van het volk van God voorschotelen en  ons de weg wijzen om te komen tot een beter leven. We kunnen die woorden van die oude boeken geloven of niet, we kunnen ze nemen of laten.

Vanaf het begin is de mens geïntrigeerd geweest over zijn positie in de wereld. Velen vroegen zich ook af hoe de dingen waren ontstaan en of er iets of iemand achter zat. Men vroeg zich af of er speciale ondergrondse of bovengrondse wezens, goden of hogere geestelijke wezens waren. Christadelphians zijn niet anders. Zij hebben ook vragen over het bestaan ​​van de mens. Ook zij houden zich bezig met de aarde, de planten en de dieren, en de mensen die een heleboel dingen in het universum kunnen maken of vernietigen.

We stellen ons ook vragen over de wereld en bezien de verhalen over de schepping, mythen en leerstellingen. Ook wij worden geconfronteerd met verschillende meningen en religies. Mythe en mythologie hebben  voor vele jaren veel denkers bevorderd. Er zijn al een heleboel gebieden tot bestaan gekomen waar geleerden de tijd en moeite namen om het belang van de wereld en de mens te bestuderen.

Boeddhisme, christendom, hindoeïsme, jodendom, taoïsme en zo veel meer vormen van religieuze of mythische denkvormen gaven de wereld veel boeken en veel woorden die rond onze oren draaien om ons te hetzij in verwarring te brengen, of om ons langs een aantal wegen in deze wereld te brengen waar wij al of niet moeten zijn.

In deze 'Christadelphian World' of  'Christadelphian Wereld' zouden nederige pacifistische mensen graag hun liefde willen delen met anderen over de hele wereld. Hier zult u in staat zijn om gedachten te vinden vanuit een andere invalshoek. Christadelphians, kunnen worden gezien als mensen die in de phila delphia of in christadelphia leven als broeders in de stad van Christus. Als broeders en zusters willen we onze tijd en kennis delen, elkaar informeren en groeien in Christus. De joodse leraar die ongeveer twee duizend jaar geleden leefde, en de wereld de werken van zijn Vader, de enige God in de hemel, wilde laten zien. Ja, dat is het enige wat we als een soort dogma moeten aannemen. Dat is het enige wat wetenschappelijk niet kan bewezen worden en wat meer iets gevoelsmatig is, war het hart en de zinnen de overtuiging moeten krijgen dat er achter dit alles een bepaald iemand is, die alles geschapen heeft. Voor de rest hebben we geen behoefte aan een dogma. Alles wordt uitgelegd in de woorden van die Ene God, die Eén is .

Het Geloof in één God is het enige facet dat het volledige geloof vereist zonder een duidelijk bewijs. Christadelphian mensen geloven in die Ene Ware God, de God der goden, die een geest is en niet iets fysieks tastbaar. Deze Geest, die een God der goden is heeft alles om ons heen geschapen. Het kan een geest zijn, maar we hoeven niet bang te zijn voor Hem, die ook een naam heeft en deze heeft kenbaar gemaakt. Hij verlangt dat Zijn zal gekend zijn over geheel de aarde. De "Ik ben die ben" wiens naam Jehovah is, is de Allerhoogste waarin we geloof en vertrouwen moeten hebben en waar misschien een gezonde vrees voor mag bestaan, maar er geen angst voor moet zijn.

We hebben de Schepper van hemel en aarde en alles om ons heen, יהוה Jehovah, die bestaat en Zijn Woord heeft gegeven, dat geïnspireerd is en onfeilbaar is. Op een speciale manier zorgde Hij dat de wereld gered kon worden door een mens die bereid was zijn leven te geven voor velen. Deze joodse man, Jeshua van Nazareth, beter bekend als Jezus Christus de langverwachte Messias,probeerde de wereld te laten zien wat ze moest geloven en wat er zou gebeuren. God had Zijn hoop op hem gericht en ook wij moeten onze hoop stellen in deze nederige man die prediken kon als geen een. In hem kregen we een betere toekomst. 

Deze man's woorden werden opgeschreven door zijn discipelen, die ook de geschiedenis van de eerste volgelingen van Jezus schreven . Door zijn leer en volgens de manier waarop de eerste volgelingen van Christus hun gemeenschap wilde opbouwen, willen wij ook een gemeenschap opbouwen volgens de leer van Christus en zijn apostelen en volgens de Wil en Wet van God, zodat we een leven kunnen krijgen met God. Christadelphians willen een nauwe relatie met God de Schepper voeden.

Veel mensen zouden beter een vrees voor God hebben als reden om terug te keren naar de Heilige Schrift, en stappen ondernemen om te grijpen naar de bestseller van alle tijden, Het Boek der boeken, en zo de Bijbel te lezen. 

Words in the world

The world is revolving all the time and we are just a small part in it.

For thousands of years humans had to find themselves a rightful space to live adequately and looked for different ways to make their life as enjoyable as possible. Men thought a lot about the reasons why we live and what we have to do, where we going to and what happens as we die.

There have always been more questions in a human life than answers. Many humans used their brains to find answers and solutions and where willing to share their thoughts with others.

In previous times some people wanted to present the world as a tree bringing knowledge tradition, extending between earth and heaven, being a vital connection between the world of the unknown, possible heavenly creatures or spirits, gods and the world of man.
Today people are more rational and think of a black hole and a big bang followed by an evolution to come back to an end by a big explosion.

Many ideas, many scientific explanations. Lots of writings, lots of discussions.

In between all those books and words of human beings, you can find people who consider it more worthwhile to listen to the words written in some very old books. They believe those ancient writings are timeless, and do bring us the history of the people of God and show us the way to come to a better life. We can believe it or not, we can take it or leave it.

Men has been intrigued from the beginning about his position in the world. Many also wondered about gods or higher spiritual beings. Christadelphians are no different. They also questioned the existence of man. They too are concerned with earth, the plants and the animals, and the human beings who can make or destroy a lot of things in the universe.

We also wonder about the world and face the stories about creation, myths and doctrines. We too are confronted with different opinions and religions. Myth and mythology have fostered for many years many thinkers. There have come a lot of fields in existence were scholarship took time and effort to study the importance of the world and the human being.
Buddhism, Christianity,Hinduism, Judaism, Taoism and so many more forms of thinking religious or mythical gave the world lots of books and many words which turn around our ears to bring us either in confusion or to bring us along several paths in this world.

In the Christadelphian World humble pacifist people would like to share their love with others all over the world. Here you will be able to find thoughts from a specific angle. Christadelphians, could be seen as people who live in the phila delphia or in christadelphia as brothers in the city of Christ. As brothers and sisters we want to share our time and knowledge, to educate each other and to grow in Christ. The Jewish teacher who lived about two thousand years ago, and wanted the world to show the works of his Father, the Only One God in heaven. Yes that is the only thing we should take as a sort of dogma. For all the rest we do not need any dogma. Everything is explained in the Words of that One God, who is One.

That is the only facet which requires full faith without a clear proof. Christadelphian people believe in that One God, who is a spirit and not something physical touchable. This Spirit who is One God of gods has created everything around us. It may be a ghost but we do not have to be afraid of him, who also has a Name of which we should not be afraid. He is the Most High in which we should have faith and confidence.
We have the Creator of heaven and earth and everything around יהוה who exists and has given His Word which is inspired and infallible. In a special way He took care that the world could be saved by man who was willing to give his life for many. This Jewish man, Jeshua from Nazareth, better known as Jesus Christ is the long awaited Messiah. Jesus tried to show the world what it had to believe and what would happen to it. God had put His hope in him and also we should put our hope in this humble man who could preach like none. In him we got a better future.

This man's words were written down by his disciples, who also wrote down the history of the first followers of Jesus. By his teachings and according the way the first followers of Christ wanted to build up their community we also like to build up a community according the teachings of Christ and his apostles and according the Will of God so that we can get a life with God. Christadelphians want to nurture a close relationship with God the Creator.

Many people should better get a Fear of God as reason to return to Holy Scriptures, and get to read the Bestseller of all times, The book of books, the Bible.

Scripture alone Sola Scriptora

Timothy Ross wrote in Scripture alone Sola Scriptora

Why do folks love this idea. Is it because we are rebel's by nature ? Who are we to think such things. Doesn't God speak to us today outside of the Bible? Isn't the Bible just a collection of what God has said to normal people like you and me garced by God in a special ...way called prophets adn Apostles and so forth?

The early church wrestled over what Books to put in the canon. Ever studied how they put it all together it might help alot of you and others out. Martin Luther wanted to reform the Institution of Rome not leave her. Many believed he was going to be a pope one day and that he was really brilliant. There was at least two cannon's proposed The common one we have today and the Eusibius cannon. Which one and why? Enoch and othe books like this were recognized by Eusibius . Also why are Protestants so agains the Apocrypha it is full of things that line up historically with scripture and is used by Paul in his writings. So when folks say scripture alone which ones ? I know this is controversial but as a student and scholar this is my question for all real folks after God. Note theApostles had there own traditions also and people say you teach traditons. Really who says? Are you your own God or not accountable to the Body? I am guilty and repent I wonder how many want to turn a new leaf and folow after the Spirit tha trose Jesus from the dead keep the good and throw out the Bad. Do you really know the origins of your theological thoughts? Somebody always is molded by somebody elses ideas. We all have a theology or a traditon but these are not apart of are dogma's . Can you really say Your Doctrine and traditon isn't your dogma. The yare different. So what are your thoughts.

Russell himself never claimed to be a prophet.

Charles Taze Russell (although he stated his views firmly as his beliefs) was never dogmatic about his beliefs on chronology and time prophecy, nor did he demand of the Bible Students associated with him or anyone else accept his beliefs.
 His statements were:
“Our own views are not prophecy, but interpretations of the holy prophets of old.” (Watch Tower, October 1890, page 8)
“Neither must you lean upon the DAWN and the TOWER as infallible teachers. If it was proper for the early Christians to prove what they received from the apostles, who were and who claimed to be inspired, how much more important it is that you fully satisfy yourself that these teachings keep closely within their outline instructions and those of our Lord; — since their author claims no inspiration, but merely the guidance of the Lord, as one used of him in feeding his flock.” (”The Watch Tower”, June, 1893)
...
What one will not find anywhere in Russell’s writings is that he claimed that his writings were a direct revelation from God, or that his predictions were directly from God.

> Read full article >Did Russell Claim Direct Revelation From God?