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                                                   “The Way  Of  Peace”

All  throughout  my  life, there  have  been  wars  and violence,  and there  has also been the  endless
pursuit  for peace.

I  was born during the  Korean  conflict  (1950), which  is  still a  nightmare to this day. Shortly before that, 
was  the second World  War,  and since  these,  there have been many wars and skirmishes in about  every
 corner  of  the globe!

I  joined  the U.S. Navy in January  of  1971, at the  ripe  old age  of  2o…the  Vietnam ‘police
action’…or better translated,  major  conflict,  was in full force. I  went  to  eleven  weeks
of boot camp at San  Diego,  then  off to NATTC  Memphis for  training  to  become 
an Aviation Storekeeper  (AK).

After  several months of classes, and  successfully  completing  the course,  I was  on  my  way back
to San  Diego to be stationed  aboard  the USS  Constellation (CVA-64),  an  attack  aircraft  carrier,
actually the  worlds  largest conventional powered  carrier.

Before the  Vietnam conflict ended  in  1973, I  did make two  WestPac (Western Pacific) cruises  to
the  war zone.  During  these,  many  sorties were flown, many bombs  were  dropped,  many  months
were spent  off the  coast of Vietnam. At times  there would  be  several carriers at the  same  time
off  the coast…flying many sorties, and  dropping  many  bombs!  The first  ace of this war  came
from the  ‘Connie’  air wing.

One  of  these cruises  stands  out more than the  other,  I think  you will see  why after  I explain.
We had  been  relieved  from  our duty station, and  was on our  way home.  We  were  in  Japan,
loading  motorcycles on board, buying stereo equipment, and  getting some much needed liberty.

The  Tet offensive  was launched by the  north Vietnamese.  We  were  in  turn  ordered back to
‘Yankee  Station’  off the  coast of the  war zone.  Everything  was unloaded from the  hanger  deck,
and  everyone  was ordered  back  off of liberty…WE WERE ON OUR  WAY BACK!

During this four year enlistment,  and three  cruises total, some of the  liberty ports  that  we
visited  were; Singapore, Karachi  Pakistan, and  Mombasa Kenya…could  we  visit these  now?  I
don’t  think so!  Terrorists  are very active in these  areas today.

After  five  years of civilian life,  marriage, two  children  with  a third  on  the way, I  re-enlisted
again  in  1980  for eight  more  years of service. During this period,  I did  make  two more cruises
aboard now  CV-64…my  old stomping ground!

During this period,  Iraq  and Iran were butting  heads…and we were of course on Iraq’s side at
the  time. We were on our  way to Diego  Garcia  for some liberty  when  Iraq  ‘accidentally’ hit
the  USS Stark  with  a French made missile…probably fired  from  a French made jet!
I  said  to  myself, ‘There goes liberty!’.

We did  visit the  tiny  and beautiful  island  of  Diego Garcia for  about a  week  or  so…and  then 
we headed north  towards the  Persian Gulf…we  were  ready to do to Iran what we eventually
did  to  Iraq!

Iran threatened to attack Kuwaiti  tankers that were in the  Persian Gulf…we  escorted them all
the  way down through  the strait,  sometimes flying for  twenty  four  hours at a  time!

You  know  the rest of the  story…we  didn’t  go  to  war with Iran…but we did  with  Iraq…Iran
is still  in  the cross  hairs though!  The hostage  crisis  is  still in the  back  of  our minds!

This is my experience with war  and peace…I  felt  obligated to share  this  with  you.

Let’s  now switch our  focus to the  Scriptures…and  see what they say  about war, and  about
peace! What happens  in  every day  life  is  tied  to  the Word! 

In the  end time,  as  we  approach  the return (thankfully!)  of  our Savior,  the world  situation is
predicted  to  get very bad…where  all life will be in grave  danger…and  if  possible, become
non-existent!  Could you  fathom  no  life  at  all on earth?

Matthew 24:6-8, 21-22
6  And you  will  hear  of  wars  and rumors of wars.  See that you  are not  troubled,
for  all these things must occur; but  the end  is  not yet. (MKJV)
7  For nation will rise against  nation, and  kingdom against  kingdom,  and there  will  be
famines  and earthquakes  in  various places. (MNT)
8  All  these are  the beginning  of  sorrows. (NKJV)

21 For  then  there will be great  tribulation,  such  as  has not  been  from  the beginning
of the world  until now, no,  and never  will  be. (RSV)
22 And unless those  days  were  shortened,  no flesh  would be saved;  but for  the
elect's sake those  days  will  be  shortened. (NKJV)

This sounds exactly  like  our day  and age. Wars and  hostilities are  happening all  over  this  world
today, with rumors of others!  Weapons are  getting more deadly as well,  and with the  will to
use  them, frightening  consequences  are staring  all of us in the  face!  

There  has been much effort taken  by  man to establish  a lasting  peace…  the League of
Nations…the  United  Nations…a road map  for peace  in  the middle east…but has  a lasting  peace
been produced by any  of  these?  What  do  the Scriptures say? Let’s  investigate!

Isaiah 59:7
Their  feet  run to evil,  and they make haste  to  shed  innocent  blood:  their thoughts
are thoughts of iniquity;  desolation  and destruction  are in their  paths. (ASV)

This is what mankind  has to deal with when attempting to ‘create’ a  lasting peace  between
human  beings  who hate one  another…whose main goal is to hurt,  maim, and  to  kill! So,  is
peace  possible? Again, the  Word  gives us the  answer!

Isaiah 59:8
They have no knowledge  of  the way  of  peace,  and there  is  no  sense of what is right
in their behavior:  they  have  made  for themselves ways which  are not  straight;
whoever  goes in them has  no  knowledge of peace. (BBE)

1 Thessalonians 5:2-3
2  You yourselves know perfectly  that  the Day  of  the Master (Lord) will come as a
thief  in the  night.
3  While men  are saying "Peace and  safety,"  then, like birth-pangs  upon  a woman
 with child, destruction  will  come  upon  them  suddenly. In no wise will they escape.
(MNT)

Peace, like love and  forgiveness,  are not  in  the vocabulary of most in our  world today. The  Ten
Commandments are  not abided by,  in  fact  most  of  humanity  think they were done away with!
So sad, but  so  true!

We know that they were not  abolished…we  also  know  that  if  all of mankind  lived by them,
PEACE  WOULD BE A  BY-PRODUCT!!! We as believers, are  to  be  lights  in  this  dark, evil
world. We are  to  live  by  love, and  by  peace…we  fail  at  times but  we  need  our   focus  to  be
on these  two words!

Matthew 22:37-39
37 Yahshua  (Jesus) said to him, You  shall love Yahweh (the LORD)  your Elohim
(God)  with  all your heart, with all  your  soul, and  with  all your mind. (NKJV)
38 This  is  the great  and first  commandment. (RSV)
39 A  second  likewise  is  this, 'You shall  love  your  neighbor  as  yourself.' {Leviticus
19:18}(WEB)

Romans 12:18, 20-21
18 If it be possible,  as  much  as  lies  in  you,  live  peaceably with all  men. (KJV)

20 Therefore  "If your enemy  is  hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him  a drink;
For in so doing  you will heap coals  of  fire  on  his head." (NKJV)
21 Do not  be  overcome  by  evil, but  overcome  evil  with  good. (RSV)

Think  about what you  have  just  read  in  the above  Scriptures…if everyone on the  face  of  planet
earth  did this…do  you think  we  would have the  world conditions that we are  faced with today?
 

Matthew 5:9, 16
9  Blessed are  the peacemakers, for  they  shall be called Sons of Elohim (God).
 (TCNT)
16 So  let your light  shine before men  that  they  may see  the good you  do, and  give
esteem (glory)  to  your  Father  who is in heaven. (MNT)

We can  make  a difference in a  world that has  lost  its way, we won’t  be  able  to  change  the
heart  within  man,  but we can  surely  be  the kind of example  that  is  different than the  norm.
The  healing will come in the  clouds, when the  Son returns  with  all power  to  set up the
Everlasting  Kingdom of Peace…HalleluYah…PRAISE  YAH!!!

Isaiah 9:6
For  unto  us  a Child  is  born, unto us a  Son is given; and  the government shall  be
upon His shoulder;  and His  Name  is  called  Wonderful,  Counsellor, Mighty El (God),
Father of Eternity  (continuity), Prince of Peace. (DBY)

Mankind  sadly,  will  have  to  be  forced  to  live  at  peace,  and to love one  another!  Isn’t that
a  shame? 

We believers, are  trying  to  get a  head  start with this now…but  it’s  very  difficult living in a
society  with  all of the  negative  pulls!  War and  violence  surround  us…we are  constantly
bombarded  with  them  in  movies, in music, and  on  all of the  news  channels! We get  a
continual  diet  of  hatred, judgement, unforgiving  attitudes,  and a  lack  of  outgoing  concern for
others.  Basically,  we  have  a society  that  treats  others  in  a way  that  is  not biblical but  instead
is of the  Evil  One!

2 Cor 4:4
The  god (Satan!) of this age  has blinded  the minds  of  unbelievers,  so  that  they
cannot see the  light of the  gospel  of  the esteem (glory)  of  Messiah (Christ),  who is
the  image of Elohim  (God). (NIV)

War  is  the absence  of  peace,  darkness  is  the absence  of  light.  By  applying  the Scriptures that
we have studied  we  can bring  a little peace  and happiness, we can  bring a  little  light and
fruitfulness,  to  our society  wherever  that  may be!

John 12:31
Now  is  the judgment of this world; now  shall the  prince  of  this  world be cast out:
(DBY)

Until  the cause  of  this  evil  and lawless  world is removed  completely, we will be plagued  by
the  lack  of  peace…we  need  to  pray  daily for  the Savior’s Return! 

I  would like to end, as I  normally  do, with a  poem  penned  by  my  wife. Out  of  her sweet
heart, she  wrote this especially for  you and  for me!  Truly ENJOY!

                             “Peace At Last!”

How  many  wars  will  it  take…Men’s  lives are  at  stake.

Human  nature  says  fight…Oh, what an unpleasant sight.

When will all  the bloodshed  cease…Men know not  the way  to  peace!

The  Scriptures  tell  of  another way…If men  would only learn  to  pray.

As believers  we  pray  ‘Thy  Kingdom Come’…We earnestly  ask for  ‘Thy  will  be  done’!

Isaiah 26:3 comes  to  mind…True peace  at  last  men will find.

Men  will  love, not  hate  his brother…together will reap the  fruit of their  labors.

A  song  in  our hearts we hope to sing…When  lasting peace  our Savior brings!

(RIW ~8/10/03)
May  Yahweh  Bless ~ all of us with His  Peace and  Love!   DLW
The  Lewiston  Berean  Fellowship, P. O. Box  1904, Lewiston,  Id. 83501 
 

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                                                   “The Search for  WMD!”

This became a  part  of  our vocabulary with the  war in Iraq…these three  letters referring  to
‘weapons of mass destruction’…that  being chemical,  biological, and  nuclear weapons.    

These  will  undoubtedly cause  mass  pain, and  suffering…and  DEATH!

War  is  not something  that  we  like…it is not  something that we want…No!!!…the  majority  of
those  reading this study  paper would  rather  see peace! But  war is in the  end time
equation!  Peace is sought,  but is unfortunately  out of the  reach of mankind!

Luke 21:9-10
9  And when news of wars and  troubled  times comes  to  your  ears, have no fear; 
for  these things have to be,  but the  end will not  be  now. (BBE)
10 Then  said  he  unto  them, Nation shall  rise  against nation,  and kingdom  against
kingdom; (ASV)

Isaiah 59:8
The  way of peace  they  know  not;  and there  is  no  judgment  in  their goings:
they have made  them  crooked paths: whosoever  goes  therein shall  not know
peace. (KJV)

Romans 3:15-17
15 Their  feet  are swift  to  shed  blood. (MNT)
16 destruction  and misery are  in  their way, (MKJV)
17 and  the  way of peace  they  do  not know. (RSV)

We can  see that war  is  prophesied  to  happen, we can  also  see that peace  is  something that is
not  possible  with  humanity! In fact,  Scriptures  tell  us  that  if  time  went  on  and on,  life  as  we
know it would  cease to exist. That is scary! Let’s  investigate!

Matthew 24:21-22
21 For  then  shall be great  tribulation,  such  as  was not  since the  beginning of the
world to this time,  no, nor  ever  shall be. (KJV)
22 And  unless  those days should be shortened, no flesh  would be saved. But  for the
elect's  sake, those  days  shall be shortened. (MKJV)

Let’s  research  this  terminology WMD  within  the pages  of  the Webster’s  dictionary:

Weapons ~ instruments used in fighting

Mass ~  mass  number, bulk;  magnitude

Destruction ~ the act  of  destroying; a  scene of ruin

WMD  is  ‘Anything used to inflict  massive suffering, pain,  and death, that also destroys and
brings about  ruin’.  Not a  pretty  scene at all!

I  have  heard the  statement that ‘if  WMD is found  in  Iraq…it will be planted, it will be put
there’…in  other words…conspiracy! All  I have to say  is…THAT”S ABSURD!!!

I  feel  that  with  what  has already  been  discovered: (1)  mass  graves  (2) torture  chambers
(3)  rape  rooms (4)  video showing  maiming,  fingers being  cut off, tongues  being cut  out,
people being  thrown  off of buildings…yes…WMD  has already  been  found!!! 

I  don’t think  we  have  to  find  anything  else  to  prove that the  leader  of  Iraq  was no different
than Hitler,  Idi Amin,  Pol Pot, or Joseph Stalin!  These were all  ‘instruments’ of ha Shatan to
cause  suffering,  pain, death, destruction  and ruin!   

Hitler ~ in  the holocaust  11  million lives  were  lost

Idi  Amin ~ approximately  300,000 killed

Pol  Pot ~ in  Cambodia, the  Khmer Rouge  party killed from 1-2  million

Stalin ~ approximate kill tally, 20 million

These  individuals are  not the  only  ones  either, others have used these  tactics before…long
 ago…let’s investigate!

Exodus 1:7-11
7  And the  children  of  Israel  were  fruitful, and  increased abundantly,  and multiplied,
and waxed  exceeding mighty;  and the  land  was filled with them. (KJV)
8  Now there  arose a  new king over Egypt, who  knew  not Joseph. (ASV)
9  And he said to his  people, “See,  the people of Israel are  greater in number and
in power than we are: (BBE)
10 Come  on, let  us  deal  wisely  with  them, lest they multiply,  and it come to pass
that,  if war  occur,  they  take  side  with  our enemies  and fight  against us,  and go up
out  of  the land”. (DBY)
11 And they set  taskmasters over them to afflict  them  with  their burdens.  And they
built treasure cities for  Pharaoh,  Pithon  and Raamses. (MKJV)

This setting  could just as well have taken  place in the  19^th or 20^th centuries, but  we  know
that it occurred a  very  long  time  ago.  Let’s continue with this story!

Exodus 1:12-14
12 But  the more they afflicted  them, the  more  they  multiplied  and grew.  And they
were in  dread of the  children  of  Israel. (NKJV)
13 So they made the  people  of  Israel  serve with rigor, (RSV)
14 and  they  made  their lives  bitter  with  hard  service,  in  mortar  and in brick, and
in all manner of service  in  the field, all  their service, in which  they  ruthlessly  made
them serve. (WEB)

We see  that  even  after putting  heavy burdens  upon  the children of Israel,  their numbers
continued  to  increase.  The situation  was getting  more  critical, the  Pharaoh of Egypt  made
a  desperate decision,  one that was  very  brutal, one  that  would not  be  forgotten!

Exodus 1:15-17
15 And  the king of Egypt  spoke to the  Hebrew  midwives, of which  the name of the
one was  Shiphrah, and  the name of the  other Puah: (KJV)
16 and  he  said, When you  do  the office of a midwife  to  the Hebrew women, and
see them upon the  birth-stool;  if  it  be  a son, then you  shall kill him; but  if  it  be  a
daughter, then she  shall live. (ASV)
17 But  the women  had the  fear  of  Elohim  (God),  and did  not do as the  king  of
Egypt said,  but let  the male children go on living. (BBE)

Exodus 1:18-19,22
18 And  the king of Egypt  called  the midwives and  said  to  them, Why  have  you
done this,  and saved  the male children alive? (DBY)
19 And  the midwives said to Pharaoh, Because  the Hebrew women  are not  like  the
Egyptian women. For  they  are lively,  and are  delivered before the  midwives  come
in to them. (MKJV)

22 So Pharaoh  commanded all  his people,  saying, "Every  son who  is  born  you
shall  cast into  the river, and  every daughter you  shall save alive." (NKJV)

Isn’t  this  on  the same level  as  a Hitler,  Idi Amin,  Pol Pot, Stalin,  or  a Saddam Hussein? I
personally have to say…YES!!! This attitude of causing  mass  pain, mass suffering, and
mass death, has  been  around  for thousands  of  years.  I stated earlier  that  this  is
an instrument of ha Shatan…as  well  as  those who  carry them out, his  workmen! 

John 8:44
You  (scribes  and Pharisees) are  of  your  father  the devil, and  you want to do the
desires  of  your  father. He was  a murderer from the  beginning,  and does not
stand  in  the truth, because  there is no truth  in  him.  Whenever  he  speaks  a
lie, he speaks from his  own {nature;}  for he is a liar,  and the  father  of  lies.
(NAS)

When our  Savior  (Yahshua) was  born, Herod  the king became disturbed  when  he  heard about
a  King  being born to the  Jews. I’m  sure  that  he  didn’t  want  to  lose  any of his  control…let’s
investigate!

Matthew 2:1-3, 7-12
1  Now when Yahshua  (Jesus) was  born  in  Bethlehem of Judea  in  the days of Herod
the king,  behold, wise men  from  the East came to Jerusalem, saying, (RSV)
2  "Where  is  the new-born King of the  Jews? For  we  saw His  star  in  the east,  and
have come  to  do  homage  to  Him." (TCNT)
3  When  Herod the  king  heard it,  he  was troubled,  and all  Jerusalem with him.
(WEB)

7  Thereupon Herod  sent  privately for  the Magi and  ascertained from them the  exact
time of  the star's appearing. (WNT)
8  He  then  directed  them  to  go  to  Bethlehem,  adding, "Go  and make careful  inquiry
about  the child, and  when  you have found  him,  bring me word,  that I  too may
come and  do  him homage." (WNT) (This  of  course  is  a lie, harm would  be  a
better word!)
9  When  they  had heard  the king,  they  departed; and, lo,  the star,  which they saw
in the east,  went  before  them, till it came and  stood over where  the young  child was.
(KJV)
10 And when they saw  the star,  they  rejoiced  with  exceeding great  joy. (ASV)
11 And they came into the  house,  and saw  the young  child with Mary,  his mother;
and falling  down  on  their faces  they  gave  him worship; and  from  their store  they
gave him offerings  of  gold, perfume, and  spices. (BBE)
12 And being  warned  of  Elohim  (God) in a  dream that they should not  return  to
Herod, they  departed  into  their own  country another  way. (MKJV)

This of course angered  Herod,  his ego, his  hunger  for power  and control, got  the best of
him…and  he  made  a terrible decision. 

Matthew  2:13, 16
13 When they were gone a  messenger (an  angel)  of  the Master (Lord) appeared to
Joseph in a  dream,  saying; "Rise! Take the  young child  and his  mother  and flee
into Egypt,  and there  remain  until I  bring you  word; for  Herod intends  to  make  a
search for the  child,  in  order to put  him to death." (MNT)

16 Then  Herod,  when  he  saw that he was  deceived  by  the wise men, was  exceedingly
angry; and  he  sent  forth and  put to death  all the  male  children  who were in
Bethlehem and in all  its districts, from two  years old  and under, according  to
the  time  which he had determined from the  wise  men. (NKJV)  

The  following is from Albert Barnes’  NT  Commentary: (quote)

 Exceeding  wroth.  Very  angry.  He  had been disappointed and  deceived. He expected
to send  an  executioner and  kill  Jesus (Yahshua)  alone.  But  since he was
disappointed in this, he thought  he  would accomplish the  same  thing,  and be sure
to destroy  him,  if  he sent forth  and put  all the  children  in  the place  to  death.  This
is an illustration of the power  of  anger.  It  stops at nothing. If it cannot accomplish
just what it wishes,  it  does not  hesitate  to  go  much  farther,  and accomplish much
more evil than it at first  designed. He  that  has a  wicked  heart,  and indulges in
anger, knows  not where  it  will  end,  and will commonly  commit  far more evil than
he at first  intended.

   Slew all  the children.  That  is, all  the male children.  This  is  implied in the  original.
The design of Herod  was to cut  off him  that  had been born King of the  Jews. His
purpose, therefore,  did not  require that he should slay all  the female children;  and though  he  was cruel, yet  we  have  no  right to think  that  he  attempted here anything
except what he thought to be for  his own  safety, and  to  secure  himself from a
rival.

   In all  the coasts thereof.  The word coast  is  commonly  applied now  to  the regions
around the  sea,  as  the sea  coast.  Here  it  means the  adjacent  places, the
settlements  or hamlets  around  Bethlehem--all  that  were  in  that  neighbourhood.  We
do not  know  how large a  place Bethlehem  was;  nor,  of  course, how  many  were
slain. But it was  not a  large place, and  the number could  not be very great. It is
not  probable  that  it  contained more than  one or two  thousand  inhabitants;  and in
this case the  number  of  children  slain was not  probably  over  twenty or thirty.
(unquote)

Some commentaries put  the figure as high as 50,  whatever  the number,  20, 30,  or  50…either
number is a  high  percentage  of  the population!  I’m sure the  deaths  of  these young  male
children brought  much  pain  and suffering! Herod  was definitely an instrument of ha Shatan.

I  would like to end  this  study paper  with  an  uplifting,  heart felt poem penned by my sweet,
loving,  and caring soul mate.  She cares  more  about others than self…the cruel  individuals we’ve
covered  in  this  study paper  were  all for  self, for  control,  and ruled  by  terror!

We   pray  for the  Most  High’s  kingdom to come…and for  His judgement  to  come  upon  those
who  kill, maim,  and to those  who are  filled  with  hate. Let’s  all pray for  the righteous
judgement  from  above…our judgement  would be tainted…mine sure would  be!

“A Message  of  Hope”

A  perfect Kingdom  awaits  us  all,

For  those who  answer  His righteous  call.

A  beautiful place  to  be  for sure,

Where  the skies  are clear  and waters pure.

The  words of Isaiah ring loud and  true,

Creation rejoices,  all things are  made  new.

The  esteem  of  Messiah will shine  as  the sun,

We praise the  Most  High  for all  He  has done.

A  message of hope the  Scriptures  reveal,

The  afflictions of man  will  all be healed.

The  earth will know true peace  at  last,

Rumors of war  a thing  of  the past!

No more will the  beast of the  field run  wild,

At peace  they’ll lie  down  beside  the young  child.

All  nations will live in perfect  harmony,

A  world in confusion  at  last  set free.

Revelation 21:4 makes  it  very  clear,

Elohim shall  wipe  away  every tear.

Pain and  suffering will all  fade  away,

“Thy Kingdom  come” our  Master  we  pray!

                                                                                                       (RIW ~ June  1996)

May  Yahweh  Bless ~ us with peace, happiness, and  love!   DLW
The  Lewiston  Berean  Fellowship, P. O. Box  1904, Lewiston,  Id. 83501
 

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                                                           “Ask,  Seek, Knock”

These words  have  a lot  of  meaning for  all believers. They encompass  our whole  spiritual
life…our whole  spiritual walk…we  need  them  in  our spiritual  vocabulary!

Let’s  take  a look into the  Scriptures  and see  what  we  can find out  about these  important
 words.

Matt 6:8   Be not  you therefore  like  unto  them: for  your  Father  knows what
things you have need of,  before  you ask him. (KJV)

Matt 7:11  If you  then, being  evil, know how  to  give  good  gifts to your children,  how
much more shall  your  Father  who is in heaven give what is good to those  who ask
Him!(NAS)

Matt 18:19   Again  I say  to  you that if two  of  you agree  on  earth concerning anything
that they ask, it will be done for  them  by  My  Father  in  heaven. (NKJ)

John 16:23   In that day  you will no longer ask  me  anything. I  tell  you the  truth,  my
Father will give you  whatever  you ask  in  my  name. (NIV)

ask ~ 154  aiteo  (ahee-teh'-o); (Strong’s)
of uncertain  derivation; to ask  (in genitive case):

KJV--  ask,  beg,  call  for,  crave,  desire, require. Compare 4441.

Our  Heavenly  Father  knows what we need before we ask, but  we  do  have  to  ‘ask’.  Of  course,
we need to ask  for those  things  that  will  benefit our  spiritual growth…we  could ask  for a
million  dollars…or  to  be  CEO of a  major corporation…or any  number  of  things…but  if  what 
we ask  for will not  benefit us,  benefit our  spiritual growth,  we  will  most  likely  not receive
them.  We  can see  in  the Old  Covenant  that  Solomon asked  for what pleased  Yahweh, and 
he was  given much more than what he asked  for:

IKing 3:5  In Gibeon Yahweh (LORD) appeared to Solomon  in  a dream  by  night:  and
Elohim (God)  said, Ask  what  I shall  give  you.

6  And  Solomon said,  you have showed unto your servant  David my father great  mercy,
according  as  he  walked  before  you in truth, and  in  righteousness,  and in uprightness
of heart with you; and  you have kept for  him this great  kindness, that you  have  given
him  a son  to  sit on his  throne, as it is this day.

7  And  now,  O Yahweh (LORD) my Elohim (God) , you  have  made  your  servant king
instead  of  David my father:  and I  am  but a  little  child:  I know not  how to go out  or
come in.

8  And  your  servant is in the  midst of your people which  you have chosen,  a great
 people, that  cannot  be  numbered  nor counted  for multitude.

9  Give therefore  your  servant an understanding  heart to judge  your  people, that I  may
discern  between good and  bad:  for who  is  able  to  judge this your so great  a people?

10   And  the speech pleased  Yahweh  (Lord), that Solomon  had asked  this  thing. (KJV)

If we ask  in  a ‘right’  attitude, in an unselfish, loving way, like young  Solomon did, Yahweh
the  Most  High  Elohim  “will”  hear  our requests…guaranteed!

He will always do what He says,  remember  He  can’t lie…thankfully!!!!!

IKing 3:12   Behold,  I have done according  to  your  words.  Behold, I  have  given you  a
wise and  discerning  heart,  so  that  there has  been  no  one like you  before  you,  nor
shall one  like  you arise  after you.

13   And  I have also given  you what you  have  not asked, both riches and  honor,  so
that there will not  be  any among  the kings  like  you all  your  days. (NAS)

We see  that  Solomon received much more than he asked  for,  because he asked  in  the right
attitude,  an  attitude  that  looked  out for  the good of others.  If  we  do  the same,  the One  who
says “I change not” will do the  same  for us.  We  probably  (most likely)  won’t receive  that
million  dollars,  or  that  executive position,  but our  Heavenly  Father, the  Most  High  Elohim,
will bless  us  abundantly  in  so  many  ways, in ways that we can  share with others.  Isn’t that
the  way it is suppose  to  be?  

Let’s  look  at  the next word…SEEK…this  word  is  just  as  important!  If  our ‘seeking’
is not  on  the right  track,  the fruits will not  be  good, will not  be  blessed.  We
must seek what is good for  ourselves,  and for  others:

Ps 105:4   Seek  Yahweh (LORD),  and His  strength: seek His  face  evermore. (KJV)

Isa 1:17   Learn  to  do  good; seek justice, reprove  the ruthless;  defend  the orphan,  plead
 for the  widow. (NAS)

(NIV)1 Pet 3:11   He (We!)  must  turn  from  evil  and do good;  he  must  seek  peace and
pursue it.

Matt 6:33  But  seek  first His  kingdom and  His  righteousness;  and all  these things shall be
added  to  you. (NAS)

Our  road  map in our  journey is the  Set-apart (holy) Scriptures,  they  will  show  us  what  we
need to seek,  and how  to  seek  those things that will help us in reaching our  journeys  end…the
Wonderful  Kingdom of Yahweh.  If  we  loose our  way,  if  the path that we may  be  on  is  taking
us away from the  right direction, change course!!!  Pull  off to the  side  and look at our  map
before we get  too far  down  the wrong  road. A  map has  many  roads,  we  want  the straight
and  the narrow…Yahweh  points  us  in  the right  direction!!!

The  Most  High  Elohim  won’t force  us  to  choose  His way…the  straight  way…He  will  nudge us
in the  right direction, but  we  are the  ones  who must make the  necessary course changes
when we see  a wrong  direction,  our hands  are on the  steering  wheel.

It takes  effort  on  our part…we  must  Knock on Yahweh’s door…and He will open His  book  of
Life to us…that  we  can see  the Way. His  Son is the  Light…without that Light…we are  in
darkness…and it is hard traveling  in  darkness, we won’t  see the  hidden  dangers.  May Yahshua
shine  brightly  in  all of us,  He  is  the Way.

Rev 3:20   Behold,  I stand  at  the door and  knock;  if  anyone  hears My voice  and
opens the  door, I  will  come  in  to  him,  and will dine with him, and  he  with  Me.
(NAS)

We see  from  the above  scripture that not  only  do  we  have  to  knock on Yahweh’s door,  but
we must hear Him  knocking  on  our door,  and open it to Him!

Luke 11:9  So I  say to you, ask, and  it  will  be  given to you; seek,  and you  will  find;
knock, and  it  will  be  opened  to  you.
10   For  everyone  who asks receives,  and he who  seeks finds, and  to  him who  knocks
it will  be  opened. (NKJ)

Matt 6:19  Lay  not up for  yourselves  treasures upon earth, where  moth  and rust
does corrupt,  and where  thieves break  through and  steal:
20   But  lay up for  yourselves  treasures in heaven,  where neither  moth  nor rust does
corrupt, and  where thieves  do  not break  through nor  steal:
21   For  where your treasure is,  there will your heart  be  also. (KJV)

I  would like to end  this  study with a  poem  that  will  help  us  on  our journey, and  may we all
ask  for wisdom from above, and  seek  Yahweh  with  our whole  being,  and clean  our ears so
that we can  hear  Him knocking.

“Hymn”

Think  of  others  more  than  self,

As we journey  through this life.

When you  share with them your joy,

With the  Light that shines from within.

Serve  your  brother who  has need,

You’ll be blessed, more ways than one.

You  can make a  sad heart  glad,

Reach  out now, to help a  friend.

Yahweh provides for  all our  needs,

If we let  Him guide  our way.

He gives  strength  to  those He loves,

Chosen people that we are.

We will show the  world His  way,

And  give  praise  to  Yahweh  alone.

Let’s  prepare for  Elohim  a song,

And  give  praise  when  Yahshua returns.

When we hear the  trumpet sound,

We will know that our  Messiah is here.

Yahweh will give to us new  names,

And  reward  us  by  our works.

Kings  and priests  on  earth,  we’ll reign,

Born to rule in our  Father’s  Kingdom.

With great  confidence  we  stand,

For  we  have  kept  His set-apart  word.

Truth  and justice  will  prevail,

Throughout all  the universe!

Let’s  prepare for  our Father a  hymn,

And  give  praise  when  His son  returns.

When we hear the  trumpet sound,

We will know that Yahshua  is  here.

When we meet Him  in  the clouds,

We will sing our  praises loud.

All  esteem  belongs to righteous  Yahweh!

                                                                 (Aug-Dec  1987-RIW)   

May  Yahweh  Bless -   DLW
The  Lewiston  Berean  Fellowship, P.O. Box  1904, Lewiston,  Id. 83501 
 

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                                                     “The Gideon Approach”

This is a  most  interesting story  within  the Old  Covenant  Scriptures! As Moshe  (Moses) was  an
emancipator, and  Abraham Lincoln  was labeled  as  the ‘Great Emancipator’,  this  man Gideon
 was also an emancipator.

Humanity has  a very short  memory! We will beat our  heads into the  wall, and  when  we
realize  that  it  hurts,  we  stop  doing it!  But we forget the  pain  and we start  beating our  heads
into the  wall  again,  only  to  stop  when  we  rediscover  that  it  hurts!

The  children  of  Israel  cried out  when  their pain became   severe. You  can study  on  your  own
and  see how  they  were  brought out  of  bondage by the  strong  hand  of  Yahweh  Elohim
(Deut, 26:6-8). You  will  also  find  in  your  studies how  Israel  soon  forgot  their pain,  and started
complaining, even to the  point of wanting  (lusting!)  to  go  back  to  Egypt (Num.  11:1-6, 14:3-4,
Ex.  16:3, 17:3)!

The  children  of  Israel  would get  themselves  into  trouble time and  again with their  Creator,
largely  due to the  breaking  of  Yahweh’s  Commandments. And  every time,  when  repentance
was  uttered from the  mouths  of  the Israelites,  Yahweh  would rescue them! 

This man  Gideon  was chosen by Yahweh for  another rescue of the  children  of  Israel. Like I
mentioned, every  time  the children of Israel turned their  backs to Yahweh,  they  got spanked
pretty severely,  EVERY TIME!  This  example is no exception! Let’s  begin our  Berean
investigation!

Judges 6:1-6,  11-14
1  And  the children of Israel did  evil  in  the sight  of  Yahweh  (the  LORD):  and
Yahweh (the LORD)  delivered them into the  hand  of  Midian  seven years. (KJV)
2  And  the hand of Midian prevailed  against Israel;  and because  of  Midian  the
children of  Israel  made  them  the dens which  are in the  mountains,  and the  caves,
and  the strongholds. (ASV)
3  And  whenever  Israel's  grain was  planted,  the Midianites and  the Amalekites and
the people of the  east  came  up  against them; (BBE)
4  Then they would  encamp  against them and  destroy the  produce of the  earth as
far  as Gaza,  and leave  no  sustenance  for Israel,  neither sheep  nor ox nor  donkey.
(NKJV)
5  For  they  would come up with their  cattle  and their  tents,  coming  like  locusts for
number;  both  they  and their  camels  could not  be  counted;  so  that  they  wasted  the
land as  they  came  in. (RSV)
6  And  Israel  was made very poor because  of  the Midianites.  And the  sons  of  Israel
cried to Yahweh (the LORD). (MKJV)

11 Now  the Messenger  (Angel) of Yahweh (the LORD)  came  and sat  under the
terebinth tree which  was in Ophrah,  which belonged to Joash  the Abiezrite, while
his  son Gideon threshed  wheat in the  winepress,  in  order to hide it from the
Midianites. (NKJV)
12 And  the Messenger  (Angel) of Yahweh (the LORD)  appeared  to  him and  said  to
him, "Yahweh (The LORD)  is  with  you,  you mighty man  of  valor." (RSV)
13 Gideon said to him, “Oh, my master (lord),  if  Yahweh  is  with  us, why  then  has
all this happened to us?  And where  are all  his wondrous works  which our  fathers
told us of,  saying, Did  not Yahweh bring  us  up  from  Egypt?  But now  Yahweh  has
cast us off, and delivered  us  into  the hand of Midian.” (WEB)
14 And  Yahweh  (the  Lord),  turning to him, said,  “Go in the  strength  you have and
be Israel's  saviour from Midian:  have  I not  sent  you?” (BBE)

I  would like to bring  out a  few questions  in  verse 13 that Gideon states; 
(1)  Gideon  mentioned ‘if  Yahweh  is  with  us’
(2)  Why has  this  happened  to  Israel?
(3)  Where are  all of Yahweh’s wondrous works?
(4)  Did not  Yahweh  bring us out  of  Egyptian  bondage?
(5)  Why now  has Yahweh cast us off?
(6)  Why has  Yahweh  delivered us into the  hand  of  Midian?

You  know, it really isn’t  ‘if Yahweh is with us’…He is always with us…we  are the  ones  who
turn our  backs to Him, when we sin  and go contrary to His  principles. Humanity has  always
gotten themselves into trouble, it hasn’t been Yahweh,  and it has  always  been  because of our
wrong  choices!  The story  of  Gideon  gets  very  interesting,  he  was a  special individual,  a very
faithful individual,  who went the  ‘distance’. Let’s  continue  our investigation!

Judges 6:15-19
15 And  he  (Gideon)  said  unto  Him,  Oh  my  master  (Lord), wherewith  shall I  save
Israel? Behold,  my  family  is  poor  in  Manasseh, and  I am the  least in my father's
house. (KJV)
16 And  Yahweh  (Jehovah) said unto him, ‘Surely  I will be with you, and  you shall
smite the  Midianites  as  one man’. (ASV)
17 So he said to Him, ‘If  now I  have  grace in your eyes,  then  give  me  a sign that
it is you who  are talking  to  me. (BBE)
18 Do not  depart  from  here, I  pray, until  I come to You, and  bring forth  my  food
offering and  set it before You. And  He  said, I  will  stay  until you  come  again.
(MKJV)
19 So Gideon went in and  prepared  a young  goat, and  unleavened  bread from an
ephah of flour. The  meat  he  put in a  basket, and  he  put the  broth in a  pot;  and
he brought them out  to  Him under  the terebinth  tree  and presented  them. (NKJV)

Remember what Moses  said…‘Who am I’ (Ex. 3:11)… ‘I’m  slow  of  speech’ (Ex. 4:10)… ‘They
won’t  believe me’ (Ex. 4:1)… ‘Please  choose  someone else’ (Ex. 4:13)?  Do  you see  a pattern  here?
Gideon does say…‘How will I  save  Israel’… ‘My  family  is  poor’… ‘I am the  least in my father’s
house’… ‘Give  me  a sign.’ Just like Moses  (Moshe) had  some  doubts  at  first,  Gideon  also  had
some doubts as we can  see!  But in the  end,  both  men took the  reins and  did their  jobs  well!
But  Gideon  does  ask for  a few  more  signs.  Let’s investigate!

Judges 6:36-37, 39
36 Then Gideon said to Elohim (God), If You  will  deliver Israel by my hand,  as
You have said, (RSV)
37 behold,  I will put  a fleece of wool on the  threshing floor; if there  be  dew on the
fleece only,  and it be dry  on  all the  ground, then shall  I know that you  will  save
Israel by  my  hand, as you  have  spoken. (WEB)

39 Then Gideon said to Elohim (God), Do not  be  moved to wrath  against me if I  say only  this: let  me  make  one more test with the  wool; let  the wool now  be  dry,  while the earth  is  covered  with  dew. (BBE) 

You  can read verses 38 and  40  for yourselves and  see that the  signs were fulfilled  by  Yahweh.
Now  Gideon  must  be  riding  high  with  confidence  and faith. Let’s  continue  our study  and see
within the  Scriptures  this  confidence  and faith  in  action

Judges 7:1-3
1  And  Jerubbaal (he  is  Gideon) and  all the  people  that  were  with  him,  rose  up
early  and pitched  beside  the well of Harod, so that the  army  of  the Midianites was
on the north  side  of  them, by the  hill  of  Moreh,  in  the valley. (MKJV)
2  Yahweh said to Gideon,  The people who  are with you  are too  many  for me to
give the  Midianites  into  their hand,  lest  Israel  vaunt themselves against  me, saying,
My own hand has  saved me. (WEB)\
3  Now  therefore,  proclaim  in  the hearing  of  the people,  saying, 'Whoever  is  fearful
and afraid,  let him  turn  and depart at once from Mount  Gilead.’  And twenty-two
thousand of the people returned,  and ten  thousand  remained. (NKJV)     

Did  you catch  that, 22 thousand men  out of the  32  thousand  men,  went home!  My  math
tells  me  that  that’s  over  60% of his  fighting  force!  If  I were Gideon,  I probably
would  have  been  more  than  a little concerned! But, it gets even more interesting
than this!

Judges 7:4-7
4  And  Yahweh  (the  LORD) said to Gideon, "The people are  still too  many; take
them down  to  the water  and I  will  test  them  for you  there;  and he of whom I  say
to you, 'This man  shall go with you,'  shall go with you; and  any of whom I  say to
you, 'This man shall  not go with you,'  shall not  go." (RSV)
5  So he brought  down  the people to the  water:  and Yahweh said to Gideon,
Everyone who laps of the  water with his  tongue, as a  dog laps,  him shall  you set
by himself; likewise  everyone  who bows down on his  knees to drink. (WEB)
6  And  the number of them that lapped,  putting their  hand  to  their mouth, were
three hundred  men:  but all  the rest of the  people  bowed down upon their  knees to
drink water. (KJV)
7  And  Yahweh  (the  Lord) said to Gideon,  By  those three  hundred who  were
drinking with  their tongues  I will give you  salvation and  give  the Midianites into
your hands; let the  rest  of  the people go away,  every man  to  his place. (BBE)

At this juncture,  I personally think  that  faith would  have  to  be  a major  player! There  is  a
Scripture  in  this  story flow that will no doubt  show  that  Gideon’s  faith was  just  that, very
strong!  Let’s continue!

Judges 7:12
And  the Midianites and  the Amalekites and  all the  children  of  the east lay  along in
the valley like locusts  for multitude;  and their  camels  were  without number,  as
the  sand which  is  upon  the sea-shore  for multitude. (ASV)

It would  take  complete  faith for  300 men  to  do  battle  with  what  we  have  just  read:
(1) the  enemy being  like  locusts in number.
(2) their  camels  being without  number  as  the sand upon the  sea shore.
Yes, I  would have been very concerned  unless  I had  a secret weapon to rely upon.  In  reality
Gideon did  have  a secret weapon,  Yahweh’s  awesome power!

Judges 7:13-                                                                                                                           (BBE)
13 When Gideon came there, a  man was  giving  his friend an account  of  his dream,
saying,  See,  I had  a dream  about a  cake  of  barley  bread which, falling  into  the
tents  of Midian,  came  on  to  the tent,  overturning it so that it was  stretched out  flat
on the  earth.
14 And  his fellow answered and  said, This is nothing  else  except  the sword  of
Gideon the  son of Joash, a  man of Israel.  For into his  hand  Elohim  (God) has delivered  Midian and all  the army.  (MKJV)
15 And  so  it  was,  when  Gideon  heard the  telling of the  dream and  its interpretation,
that he  worshiped.  He  returned  to  the camp of Israel,  and said,  "Arise, for  Yahweh
(the LORD)  has delivered  the camp of Midian into your hand." (NKJV)

You  can read for  yourself  from  this  point and  see that Gideon and  his army truly  prevailed.
We too, can  prevail over the  enemies in our  lives,  that  look  just  as  menacing  as  what  Gideon
and  his men  witnessed.  No  matter  what  the trial, no matter what our  fears may  be, if we
approach them as Gideon did, with complete faith  and trust  in  Yahweh, we will come out  on
the  winning side,  every time!

Now  I would  like  to  end this study  with  another poem penned by my believing  soul-mate.
Truly  enjoy and  be  edified! 

May  Yahweh  Bless ~ our faithfulness and  our trust!   DLW

                                                                       “Rise  Above”

How  approachable  are you

When times  get tough,

Do you  just  say enough is enough?

Wrong  choices we will make

But  don’t despair~

There’s  victory in the  air!

Pray for  more  faith

Be not  faint,

Good things come to those  who wait!

Will we be ready

When Messiah  returns?

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