Celebrate birthdays

Many may not agree on what I’m about to discuss, but that is okay!

I will tell you at the end of this writing how I celebrate a birth date!

When Yahusha (Jesus) was born, there was much joy in heaven. “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising Yahuah, and saying, Glory to Yahuah in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men,” (Luke 2:13-14).

While bringing forth a new life into the world is certainly a joy for the parents shared by others, the question arises, should we celebrate the anniversaries of one’s birth thereafter?

The day of birth is widely used by astrologers to read one’s horoscope. The word horoscope is defined as, “The aspect of the planets and stars at a given moment, such as the moment of one’s birth used by astrologers; an astrological forecast, as of a person’s future, based on a diagram of the aspect of the planets and stars,” American Heritage Dictionary.

We are made aware of the pagan practice of ascribing power or influence on a person’s life due to the position of the stars at the time of one’s birth. Astrologers allege celestial stars and planets exercise influence on one’s future! Almost every newspaper lists the daily horoscope for the signs of the zodiac. Modern astrology and horoscopes came from Babylon. “The ancient world of Egypt, Greece, Rome and Persia celebrated the birthdays of gods, kings, and nobles...

Although the ancient Israelites kept records of their male citizens, there is no evidence that they had any festivities on the anniversary of the birth date” (Encyclopaedia Americana 1991).

People believed in good and evil spirits, and being afraid that these spirits would cause harm to the birthday celebrant, he was surrounded by friends and relatives who good wishes and very presence would protect him against unknown dangers that the birthday held.

Now let us discuss the scripture……….

 Yahuah’s Word warns against taking up practices of heathen: “Thus says Yahuah, learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them” (Jeremiah 10:2).

More importantly, the Bible’s mention of birthday celebrations is not a happy one. The first is with Pharaoh of Egypt, Genesis 40:20-22. The cupbearer lived, but the baker was put to death at the birthday party.

Herod also celebrated his birthday, where John the Baptist was beheaded (Mark 6:21-28).

Some scholars contend that Job 1:4-5 and 18-19 tells of the death of Job’s offspring while celebrating a birthday, which is why Job offered sacrifices for his children.

Nowhere in the Bible are we commanded to celebrate birthdays.

The Bible says just the opposite: “A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth” (Ecclesiastes 7:1).

Nowhere in the Bible do we find that the anniversary of the Saviour’s birth was celebrated.

We are, however, to observe Passover to remember His death - 1Corinthians 11:26.

We don’t observe Yahusha’s birth date as the world tries to do on December 25. Why, then, would we celebrate our own?

Yahuah’s people need to get with Yahuah’s programs and joyfully celebrate His seven commanded Feast days (Leviticus 23), thus preparing their hearts and minds and train for the coming Kingdom when these commanded times will all be observed by His sons and daughters - Isaiah 66:23.

My story….

I celebrate a birth date of my family by thanking my Heavenly Father for giving them another year here with us. I do not give presents or throw a party on their birth dates.

All my attention and celebration should be towards my Creator, which He requests me to do.

Think about this for a moment: How much celebration do so called believers give to Yahuah, compared to the celebration given towards a birthday? Many believers will make a huge effort in planning into celebrating a child’s birthday; spend huge amount of money and time on a person’s birthday. Does this same person make the same effort in giving all their attention in celebrating Yahuah? Compared to the child’s birthday, very little time is given in worshipping Yahuah.

So, this is my take on birthdays: If I cannot give all my time/celebration to Yahuah, then how can I give all my attention/celebration to all my families birth dates.

Blessed is He

Yahuah your Elohim shall raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brothers. Listen to Him according to all you asked of Yahuah your Elohim....... - Deuteronomy. 18:15-16.

Moses is speaking of the Messiah that would come in the future.

'I shall raise up for them a Prophet like you out of the midst of their brothers and I shall put My Words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him. And it shall be, the man who does not listen to My Words which He speaks in My Name, I require it of him - Deuteronomy. 18:18-19.

This time it is Father Yahuah speaking about His Son the Messiah. Yahuah will give Messiah all His Words.

Messiah said in John 8:55, But I do know Him (Yahuah) and I guard His Word. "Because the Words which You (Yahuah) gave to Me (Messiah), I have given to them (to apostles and to us through the Set-apart Spirit (Holy Spirit).

Peter and John spoke to the crowed in Acts 3:22-23, saying that Moses told Israel of the Messiah. “For Moses truly said to the fathers, ‘Yahuah your Elohim shall raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brothers. Him you shall hear according to all matters, whatever He says to you. ‘And it shall be that every being who does not hear that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.’ 

Stephen said to the Rabbis that they did not understand Moses words when he prophecy about Messiah - Acts 7:37.

David also knew about the Messiah coming and the prophecy Messiah would fulfil; I pray, O Yahuah, please SAVE us now; I pray, O Yahuah, please send prosperity. Blessed is He (Messiah) who is coming in the Name of Yahuah! - Psalms 118:25-26.

And when the people in Jerusalem saw the Messiah coming in, riding on a donkey, immediately remembered what Moses and David said years back.

Messiah came into Jerusalem on the donkey and this is what happened; And most of the crowds who went before and those who followed cried out, saying, "Hoshiana to the Son of David! Blessed is He who is coming in the Name of Yahuah (Heavenly Father)! Hoshiana in the highest!" - Matthew 21:9-10.

John 12:11-13 says, when they heard that Yahusha (Jesus) was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and were crying out, Hoshiana! Blessed is He who is coming in the Name of Yahuah, the Sovereign (King) of Israel!"

They understood the prophecy had just been fulfilled (came true). Before Messiah went back to His Father in heaven, He said that He will come back to fetch His people (those who followed Him truthfully) to reign with Him in His Kingdom.

When Messiah went up back to heaven in the clouds (Acts 1:9-10) and as the people were watching Him go up, two men in white (two angels) appeared and said; "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into the heavens? This same Yahusha, who was taken up from you into heaven, shall come in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven." - Acts 1:11.

This prophecy must still happen and the signs are there that it will be soon.

Are we ready, are we worthy, are we preparing ourselves to meet Him?

Messiah said to Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and believed - John 20:29.

Power is Yahuah

Yahusha (Jesus) had a different kind of power than the Pharisees had, and they knew Messiah had it.

What power are we talking about? Some examples of power according to man: When you go to college and get a degree, you get a certain amount of knowledge with some authority. Knowledge is a form of power. People put their degrees after their name; it gives notice that they have a certain level of knowledge (power). Another example is titles. A President of a company is more powerful than a Department Manager. This is what is called positional authority.

Pharisees were way up there in position and knowledge. Power also comes with wealth. Today, religious men use titles and exert positional authority over the brethren. Regardless of their motives this is their authority base. Reverend, Pastor, Deacon, Rabbi are but a few examples that send the signal to us that the titled person has authority and power.

What did Yahusha think about the power of position, the use of titles and ruling by positional authority? But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brother. And do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Messiah. But the greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted - Matthew 23:8-12.

Is Yahusha saying that all titles are inappropriate? No, He isn't. What He is saying is the power to minister comes from Yahuah not from a title or position. Pastor is not a title; it's a work. Rabbi is not supposed to be a title; it is a work and a ministry. Minister means servant.

Power (the greatest) comes from Yahuah's ministry and service. Yahuah has all the power. Therefore, Yahusha is saying that the servant of Almighty, one who humbles himself, will have the real source of power.

How do you get this power? It comes by Yahuah's anointing. That is why the Messiah is the Anointed One.

Yahusha did not assert His title as Messiah or positional authority. He did not ask anyone to believe Him or follow Him because he was the Messiah by title. Instead, He did the work of the Messiah. He fulfilled the prophecies. He paid the price as the Lamb of Yahuah.

Religious men, like the Pharisees hand out titles to one another, then expect everyone else to do the work. They assert their position and their learned degrees (power of knowledge).

Messiah said it this way. And they tie up heavy loads, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger. But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries, and lengthen the tassels of their garments. And they love the place of honour at banquets, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and respectful greetings in the market places, and being called by men, Rabbi - Matthew 23:4-7.

All power belongs to Yahuah; He is the only source of real power. Trying to acquire power on your own, by others giving you power, by knowledge, title, wealth, or position is temporary at best and will not remain.

At Yahusha's trial, Pilate asserted his authority as a Roman Governor saying that he had the power of life and death. Pilate therefore said to Him, "You do not speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?" Yahusha answered, "You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason, he who delivered Me up to you has the greater sin." - John 19:10-11.

Pilate's authority was temporary and was granted by Messiah’s Father. Pharaoh and Pilate didn't have the power.

Neither do other men no matter what their title.

Any authority they have has been given by Yahuah.

Just because a man is religious does not negate this truth. This is why Yahusha insists that HUMILITY is essential for effective leadership. Yahusha showed us this kind of humility while using the power of Yahuah to heal, calm the storm, speak with wisdom, and teach. The power and authority of Yahuah does not come from title or knowledge.

It comes from the anointing of Yahuah.

This is why Paul says to us. And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Messiah may dwell in me - II Corinthians 12:9.

Perfect Law

Psalms 19:7-11 "The commands (Torah) of Yahuah is perfect, bringing back the soul; The witness of Yahuah is trustworthy, making wise the simple; The orders (statutes) of Yahuah are right, rejoicing the heart. The command of Yahuah is clear/pure, enlightening the eyes; The fear of Yahuah is clean, enduring forever. The judgements of Yahuah are true and righteous altogether, more desirable than gold, than much fine gold; and sweeter than honey and the honeycomb. Also, Your servant is warned by them (the law), in guarding them there is great reward!

The Father and the Son did not share their perfect eternal commands with mankind to burden us, but to show us the way to true happiness. Yahuah's commands, (all of it) is a perfect law of love.

First, it teaches us how to love Yahuah with all our heart, mind, soul and strength. Then, secondly, how to love our neighbor as ourselves.

Every command He gave us was for our good.

How do we know when we love Almighty?

By this we know that we love the children (believers) of Almighty, when we love Elohim and guard His commands (laws). For this is the love for Elohim, that we guard (do/keep) His commands..... 1 John 5:2-3. 

How do we know when we have a good relationship with Almighty and that we really know Him?

And by this we know that we know Him, if we guard His commands (law). The one who says, "I know Him," and does not guard (do/keep) His commands, is a liar, and the truth is not in him - 1 John 2:4.

David says, those who walk in the Torah (commands) of Yahuah, are perfect and blessed - Psalms 119:1.

Beloved Father Yahuah

My greatest HONOR YAHUAH is KNOWING YOU intimately, being ONE with YOU in SPIRIT as Messiah is One with You....... my greatest PRIVILEGE is being an instrument in Your hands to proclaim and witness Your incorruptible TRUTH to those willing to receive it and apply it to their daily lives, no matter the cost.

I HUMBLE myself before You, declaring that I am NOTHING WITHOUT You, and that I can DO NOTHING WITHOUT You - everything is about You, Your reign, and Your righteousness – Everyyyyything….

Abba Father, You are my beginning (Aleph) and end (Tav), and everything in between - I LOVE You DEEPLY my First Love, desiring to please You, serving You in Spirit and Truth!

Thank you, Father, for sending Your Son the Aleph and the Tav to restore the broken covenant to give me the opportunity and privilege to talk (worship) and have a relationship with You again.

Father Yahuah, my beloved