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                                                       “Canaan’s  Curse!”

 This  past  Sabbath,  our Fellowship discussed  this  subject…and I  must  say,  “we had  a very good debate!”
 In  this  study paper, I  would like to share  with  you our  discussion, and  our findings!  First we’ll  look
 into  the Scriptures!

 Gen 9:17-19
 17 And  Elohim (God) said unto Noah,  This  is  the token  of  the covenant,  which I  have
 established between  me  and all  flesh that is upon the  earth. (KJV)
 18 Now the  sons  of  Noah  who went out  of  the ark  were  Shem, Ham, and  Japheth.  And
 Ham was  the father of Canaan. (NKJ)
 19 These  were  the three  sons  of  Noah, and  from  them  came  the people who  were
 scattered over the  earth. (NIV)

 In  the above  Scriptures, one  thing jumps  out at me… “And Ham  was the  father  of  Canaan.”  It  seems to
 me  that  a special  emphasis  is  put upon Canaan,  while nothing  is  stated  about Shem or Japheth’s  sons!
 Let’s continue!

 Gen 9:20-22
 20 Then Noah began  farming and  planted a  vineyard. (NAS)
 21 And he drank  of  the wine,  and was  drunken.  And he was  uncovered within his  tent.
  (ASV)
 22 And Ham, the  father  of  Canaan,  saw his  father  unclothed,  and gave news of it to
 his two brothers outside. (BBE)

 We  can glean  from  the above  Scriptures: (1) Noah  planted a  vineyard (2) and  truly enjoyed  reaping
  its    reward (3) He was  (or became NKJ)  uncovered (4) Ham  saw his  father’s  nakedness
 (5) He  told  his brothers but  did nothing  to  cover his  father (6) Again  we  see the  phrase  “Ham
 the father of Canaan.”

 Genesis 9:23-24
 23 But  Shem  and Japheth  took  a garment, laid it on both their  shoulders,  and went
 backward  and   covered  the nakedness  of  their father.  Their faces  were  turned  away, and
 they  did not  see their  father's  nakedness. (NKJV)                                                         
 24 When Noah awoke  from  his wine and  knew what his  youngest  son had  done  to  him.
  (RSV)

 We  see that the  two other  brothers  of  Ham,  Shem  and Japheth, did  what  Ham should have done!  They
 showed  the proper respect  to  their father,  by  covering  him with a  garment! 

 We  can also glean  from  verse 24 above, that “Noah  knew  what  his youngest son  had done to him.”
 My  question  is, exactly  who is the  ‘his’ referring  to  in  this  scripture?  Is  the ‘his’  referring
 to  Noah’s  youngest  son?  The Companion  Bible can  help  us  out with this question!

 (quote) “Shem, Ham, Japheth. Named  in  inverted  order.  Japheth was  the older  (Gen. 10:21),  Shem  the
  youngest,  and,  as  in  other cases, the  youngest  chosen  for the  blessing.” (unquote)

 From  this  information,  if  verse  24 is referring  to  “Noah’s youngest son”,  that  would be Shem!  We  know
 that  a blessing would  not have gone to Shem if he had  done  a wrong  to  his father Noah! 

 1 Chronicles 1:8
 The sons of Ham: Cush,  and Mizraim, Put, and  Canaan. (WEB)

 3667 {Kena` an} ~ Canaan = "lowland";  the  fourth  son of Ham…

 We  can clearly  see from all  of  the information  that  we  have  researched  so  far,  that  the ‘younger son’
 mentioned in verse 24 of chapter  nine, is none other  that  Ham’s younger  son,  Canaan. I  would now
 like  to  research  this  ‘curse’ put  upon  Canaan.

 Genesis 9:25-27
 25 And he said,  “Cursed be Canaan;  a servant  of  servants  shall he be unto his 
 brethren.” (KJV) 
 26 He  said, “Blessed be Yahweh,  the Elohim (God)  of Shem.  Let Canaan be his  servant.(WEB)
 27 Elohim (God) enlarge  Japheth,  And let  him dwell  in  the tents  of  Shem; And  let Canaan
  be his  servant.” (ASV)

 It  doesn’t look so bad  for Canaan,  to  be  cursed  only  to  be  a servant…is that so bad  or  does  it  go 
 deeper  than  that? IT GOES MUCH DEEPER THAN THAT!!!

 Curse ~ 779 'arar (aw-rar'); (Strong’s); to execrate:  bitterly  curse. 
 Webster’s  New World  Dictionary: Execrate ~ to  call  down  evil  upon, to detest,  abhor,  abominate.

 It  surely  doesn’t look good for  Canaan  or  his descendents! Let’s  now turn our  focus to where  Canaan 
 and his  descendants dwelt  or  DWELL!

 Genesis 10:19
 And the  border  of  the Canaanites was  from  Sidon (as you  come  to  Gerar) to Gaza,  as  you go
 in  towards   Sodom  and Gomorrah and  Admah and  Zeboim, even to Lasha. (MKJV)

 Two words  jump  out at me from the  above scripture, i.e. SODOM  AND GOMORRAH!  I don’t  have  to
 tell  you how  evil  these were,  they  were  the epitome  of  evil!

 Genesis 19:4-5
 4 Now  before  they  lay down,  the men  of  the city,  the men  of  Sodom,  both old  and young,
 all the  people  from  every quarter, surrounded the  house (of  Lot). (NKJV)
 5 They called to Lot, and  said  to  him, "Where are  the men  who came in to you  this
 night?  Bring them out  to  us, that we may  have  sex with them." (WEB)

 We  can glean  from  these Scriptures: (1) That these  were  descendants of Canaan (2) they wanted to have
  sexual relations  with  Lot’s two  male  visitors (3) and  this  involved  the youngest to the  oldest  of  the
 men of Sodom. In other  words,  Sodom was  evil  from  the head to the  toes!

 Genesis 19:24-25, 28
 24 Then Yahweh (the Lord)  sent fire and  flaming smoke  raining down from heaven on
 Sodom and  Gomorrah. (BBE)
 25 And  He  overthrew those  cities, and  all the  plain,  and all  the inhabitants  of  the cities,
 and that which  grew  upon  the ground. (MKJV)

 28 …and  lo, the smoke  of  the land went up like the  smoke of a  furnace. (RSV)

 I would  have  to  say that this truly  was a  curse put  upon  Canaan  and his  evil  descendants!  Does
 Yahweh’s  anger stop with the  destruction of these  two cities or does it go much further? Let’s  continue
 our investigation!

 Zephaniah 2:1-5
  1 Gather  yourselves  together, yes, gather together,  you nation that has  no  shame, (WEB)
 2 Before  Yahweh (the Lord)  sends  you violently  away  in  flight  like  the waste  from  the
 grain;  before  the burning  wrath of Yahweh (the Lord) comes  on  you,  before  the day  of
 Yahweh’s (the Lord's) wrath  comes on you. (BBE)
 3  Seek Yahweh,  all you  humble  of  the land,  who have kept his  ordinances. Seek
 righteousness.  Seek  humility. It may  be  that  you will be hidden in the  day of Yahweh's
 anger. (WEB)
 4 For  Gaza  shall be forsaken,  and Ashkelon a  ruin. They shall  drive out  Ashdod  at  the
 noonday,  and Ekron  shall be rooted up. (MKJV)
 5 Woe  to  the inhabitants  of  the seacoast,  The nation of the  Cherethites!  The word of
 Yahweh (the LORD) is  against you, O Canaan,  land  of  the Philistines: "I will destroy  you; So
 there shall  be  no  inhabitant." (NKJV)

 It  appears to me,  that  in  the end  time  scenario, the  descendants of Canaan will look a  lot like Sodom
 and Gomorrah!  Do  you get  that  same  feeling?  I think  that  if  I was  in  that  part  of  the world, I  would
 be  checking  out my genealogy  very  closely!  And I  would be doing  all that I  could,  to  get on the  good
 side  of  Yahweh! Just my thoughts!

 In  closing,  I would  like  to  share with you  a poem penned by my non-Canaanite  wife (),  who truly  is
 doing all  that  she can  to  be  on  the blessing side of Yahweh!  Truly enjoy!

“BLESSINGS,  NOT CURSINGS!”

In our  study of the  Scriptures, how  far do we go,

Reading  about people who  lived long ago?

Everything we know has  a distinctive  origin,

Adam and  Eve committed  the first  sin.

Cain killed Abel,  and we could  go  on,

Remember,  we  are living in present  day Babylon.

Nothing  is  new under  the sun,

If it’s been said ~ it’s  already been done.

Begin  to  sort  out truth  from  the lies,

Always remember and  realize,

No two  people  think the  same,

Life for  some  is  just  a game!

There’s  so  much  evil  in  the world  today,

This gives  us  all the  more  reason  to  pray!

Blessings  not cursings is what we desire,

The  “Words  of  Life” truly  inspire!

(RIW ~ 3/7/06)

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                                                   “Guard Your Mind!

 We  live  in  a time when our  minds are  constantly  bombarded by Satan, and  by  those who  work  for him!
 He  does  control the  air,  and he is the  god of this world  (age).  Let’s investigate  a few  Scriptures.

 Eph 2:1   And  you were dead in your trespasses and  sins, (NAS)

 2 in which  you used to live when you  followed  the ways of this world  and of the  ruler of
 the kingdom  of  the air, the  spirit  who is now  at  work  in  those who  are disobedient. (NIV)
                                                                                                                                          
 2 in which  you once walked according  to  the course of this world, according  to  the
 prince  of  the power  of  the air, the  spirit  who now  works in the  sons  of  disobedience.(NKJ) 

 In  my  mind, for  someone to be in control  of  the air, they would  in  effect  be  in  control of music,
 television, communication, and  anything  else  that  has to do with the  air.  We  know  that  Satan offered  to
 our Messiah  the kingdoms of this world, to be able to do that,  he  would have to be in control  of  them
 as  well!

 2 Cor 4:3-4
 3 But  if  our gospel be hid, it is hid  to  them  that  are lost:
 4   In whom the  god (mighty  one) of  this  world (age) has  blinded the  minds of them which
 believe not, lest the  light of the  glorious  gospel  of  Messiah (Christ),  who  is  the image  of
 Elohim (God), should  shine unto them. (KJV)

 Matt 4:8-9
 8 Again, the  devil took Him  to  a very high mountain,  and showed Him  all the kingdoms
  of the  world,  and  their glory (esteem);
 9 and  he  said  to  Him,  "All  these things will I  give  You,  if  You fall down and  worship
 me." (NAS)

 Here  we  see a  created being  tempting  the Creator! This created  being was  (still  is!)  power hungry…and
 wants to be worshipped!  How do we guard  against our  minds being  overtaken by these  invisible and
 visible temptations  that  are constantly thrust at us?  Remember, this world  is  hostile against  what  is
 good, Satan  it’s  god, is the  arch-enemy  of  anything  good!  

 (Hebrew-Strong’s) 7854 satan (saw-tawn'); from  7853;  an opponent; especially (with the  article prefixed)
  Satan, the  arch-enemy  of  good:

 1 Pet 5:8 Be  of  sober spirit,  be  on  the alert.  Your  adversary,  the devil, prowls about  like a
  roaring  lion, seeking  someone to devour. (NAS)

 The first  point I  would say, is to be sober, and  to  be  constantly  alert!

 Titus 2:1-4
 1 But speak  you the  things  which become sound  doctrine: (KJV)
 2 that the  older men  be  sober,  reverent, temperate, sound  in  faith,  in  love, in
  patience;(NKJ)
 3 Likewise, teach  the older  women to be reverent in the  way they live,  not to be
 slanderers  or  addicted  to  much  wine, but  to  teach what is good. (NIV)
 4   that they may  encourage the  young women  to  love  their husbands,  to  love  their
 children, (NAS)
 5 to be discreet,  chaste, homemakers,  good, obedient to their  own husbands,  that  the
 word  of  Elohim  (God) may not  be  blasphemed. (NKJ)
 6   Young  men likewise exhort to be sober  minded. (KJV)

 4993 sophroneo  (so-fron-eh'-o); (Strong’s) from 4998;  to  be  of  sound  mind,  i.e.  sane, (figuratively)
  moderate: KJV-- be  in  right mind,  be  sober (minded), soberly.

 4993   sophroneo- (Thayers) to be of sound  mind:
 a) to be in one's  right mind
 b) to  exercise  self  control

 1) to  put a  moderate  estimate  upon  oneself,  to think  of  oneself soberly
 2) to curb one's  passions

 3525 nepho  (nay'-fo); (Strong’s) of uncertain  affinity: to abstain  from  wine  (keep sober),  i.e. (figuratively)
 be discreet: KJV-- be sober, watch.

 1127   gregoreuo (gray-gor-yoo'-o); (Strong’s)
 from  1453; to keep awake,  i.e.  watch (literally or figuratively):

 KJV-- be vigilant,  wake, (be) watch (-ful).

 The second point, is to run  from  a temptation!  We  must  not flirt  with  temptation, remember we all 
 are weak in the  flesh,  unlike  our Messiah! I  did a  study paper  on  Lot,  there are  some  interesting
 circumstances that go along  with  this  point…let’s re-read  a few  Scriptures.

 Gen 19:1 And there  came  two angels (messengers) to  Sodom at even; and  Lot sat  in  the
 gate  of  Sodom:  and Lot  seeing  them  rose  up  to  meet  them; and  he  bowed himself  with 
 his face toward the  ground; (KJV)

 Gen 19:13 for we are  about to destroy  this  place,  because their  outcry  has become so
 great before Yahweh (the  LORD) that  Yahweh (the  LORD) has sent us to destroy  it. (NAS)

 Gen 19:15 When the  morning dawned,  the angels (messengers)  urged  Lot to hurry, saying,
  "Arise,  take  your  wife  and your two  daughters who  are here,  lest  you be consumed in
 the punishment of the  city."

 Gen 19:16 And  while he lingered,  the men  took  hold  of  his hand,  his wife's hand,  and the
 hands of his two  daughters,  Yahweh (the LORD)  being  merciful  to  him,  and they brought
 him out  and set  him outside  the city. (NKJ)

 The interesting  word  that  I want to bring  out is lingered:

 (Hebrew-Strong’s) 4102 mahahh (maw-hah');  apparently  a denominative from 4100; properly,  to
  question or hesitate,  i.e.  (by implication) to be reluctant: KJV-- delay, linger, stay selves,  tarry.

 If  I knew the  city that I  lived in was  about to be destroyed, hopefully  I would  not linger.  No!
Hopefully  I would  flee!!! We should do the  same  when  we  are tempted!

 1Cor 10:7-8 , 13
 7 And  do  not be idolaters, as some of them were;  as  it  is  written,  "The  people sat  down  to
  eat  and drink, and  stood up to play." (NAS)
 8 We should not  commit  sexual  immorality, as some of them did-- and  in  one day
 twenty-three  thousand  of  them  died. (NIV)

 13  No temptation has  overtaken you  except  such  as  is  common  to  man;  but Elohim (God)
  is faithful,  who will not  allow you  to  be  tempted beyond what you  are able,  but with  the
  temptation will also make the  way of escape,  that  you may  be  able  to  bear  it.(NKJ)

 1 Tim 6:11   But  you,  O man  of  Elohim (God), flee  these things;  and follow after
 righteousness,  reverence (godliness),  faith, love, patience,  meekness. (KJV)

 2 Tim 2:22 Now  flee  from  youthful  lusts,  and pursue righteousness, faith, love and 
 peace, with those  who call on the  Master (Lord) from  a pure heart. (NAS)

 We  all have weaknesses that affect us on a  daily basis, some physical,  some  are not  physical. We are
 at  war with these  fleshly pulls, the  way that we want to live goes contrary to the  way that our  society
 is. The  third point  is, we must never  give  up  that  fight:       

 1 Tim 6:12 Fight the  good  fight of faith; take hold of the  eternal life to which  you were
 called, and  you made the  good  confession  in  the presence of many witnesses. (NAS)

 2 Tim 4:5-7  
 5 But  you be watchful in all  things, endure afflictions, do the  work  of  an evangelist,
 fulfill your ministry.
 6   For  I am already  being poured out  as  a drink  offering, and  the time of my departure
 is  at  hand.
 7 I  have  fought  the good fight, I  have  finished  the race,  I have kept the  faith. (NKJ)

 The final  point that I  want  to  bring out, is that we need to fully  immerse ourselves  into  the work of
 The Most High and  His Son, relying  completely  upon  Them!

 Eph 6:11-17 
 11 Put  on  the full armor  of  Elohim (God),  that you  may be able to stand  firm against 
 the schemes  of  the devil. (NAS)
 12   For  our struggle is not  against flesh  and blood, but  against the  rulers, against  the
 authorities,  against the  powers  of  this  dark  world and  against the  spiritual forces of evil
 in  the heavenly realms. (NIV)
 13 Therefore take up the  whole armor  of  Elohim  (God), that  you may  be  able  to
 withstand  in  the evil day, and  having  done  all,  to  stand. (NKJ)
 14 Stand therefore, having your loins  girt  about with truth, and  having  on  the
 breastplate of righteousness; (KJV)
 15   and  having  shod  your  feet  with  the preparation  of  the gospel of peace; (NKJ)
 16 In addition to all  this, take up the  shield  of  faith,  with  which you  can extinguish all
  the  flaming arrows of the  evil  one. (NIV)
 17 And  take  the helmet of salvation, and  the sword  of  the Spirit,  which is the  word  of
 Elohim (God). (NAS)

 As  I have done in most of these  study papers,  I have ended  with  a poem penned by my wife.  I
 would like to keep this tradition  going with a  beautiful poem that goes right  along with what we
 have  covered,  enjoy and  be  uplifted!!!

“A Better Way”

Stay close  to  Yahweh, and  you will find; 
That troubles fade with peace  of  mind.

Mistakes we make,  will  help  us  grow;
They cultivate  the seeds  we  sow.

Don’t  let the  world,  catch you  off guard;
Search for  Yahweh  and His  reward.

The  choice  is  yours,  don’t hesitate;
Make up your mind before it’s too  late.

(RIW ~ 1982)

May  Yahweh  Bless ~ and strengthen us! DLW

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                                                 “Father  Knows Best”

 When  this  program aired  on  television, the  attitude  within  our society  was totally  different than what  
 we  see today. The  family  structure was  stronger, the  word  father was  a respected  title.  Oh, how  times
  have changed! Hopefully  you have some good memories when you  think back.

 It’s  good  to  reminisce…and remember the  good  times of our  past. In this present  age,  it  can be a
 depressing  experience  to  see all  of  the violence,  to  see the  destruction of the  family  structure,  to  see
 the air  pollution that is in the  music,  and that comes  out of the  movie industry.  Family  is  the
 backbone, the  foundation  of  our society. If that can  be  destroyed,  our society  will  crumble,  just  like 
 the walls  at  Jericho! 

 The Most High Elohim created  the family structure, He created  it  for our  benefit,  it  is  a major  part  of
 His master plan.  This  structure came under  attack  a very long time ago. A  very powerful created  being
 rebelled  against our  Heavenly  Father.  

 Satan,  through deceit,  caused  the first  family  to  become  disfunctional!

Gen 3:1-7
 1 Now  the serpent (Satan)  was  more  subtil  than  any beast  of  the field  which Yahweh (the
  LORD) Elohim (God)  had  made. And  he  said  unto  the woman, “Yea,  has Elohim (God) said,
  You  shall not  eat of every  tree  of  the garden?”
 2   And  the woman  said  unto  the serpent, “We  may eat  of  the fruit  of  the trees  of  the
 garden:
 3   But  of  the fruit  of  the tree which  is  in  the midst  of  the garden,  Elohim (God) has said,
  You  shall not  eat of it,  neither shall  you touch  it, lest you  die.”
 4   And  the serpent  said  unto  the woman, “You shall  not surely die:
 5 For  Elohim (God)  does know that in the  day you  eat thereof, then your eyes shall  be
 opened, and  you shall  be  as  gods, knowing  good  and evil.”
 6  And  when  the woman  saw that the  tree  was good for  food, and  that  it  was pleasant to
  the  eyes, and  a tree to be desired  to  make  one wise,  she took of the  fruit thereof, and  did
  eat, and  gave  also  unto  her husband  with  her;  and he did  eat.
 7 And  the eyes of them both were opened,  and they knew that they were naked; and
 they  sewed fig  leaves  together, and  made  themselves  aprons. (KJV)

 The family structure  was damaged  severely…Cain slew Abel shortly  after this rebellion    …and  the
 family  was thrown out  of  a perfect  environment.  Family  strife, family struggles  have  continued ever
 since…Isaac  and Ishmael  are proof  of  that!

 The way  the family is today, is not  the way  it  is  suppose to be!  There are  quite a  few scriptures that
 discuss the  family, and  how it is to function.  Let’s look into these  scriptures…and  see how  a functional
 family  structure is to be.  

 First,  let’s see  what  advice  is  given to newlyweds:

 Gen 2:23-24
 23   And  the man  said, "This  is  now bone of my bones, and  flesh of my flesh; she shall 
 be  called  woman,  because  she was  taken out  of  Man."
 24 For  this  cause a  man shall  leave his  father  and his  mother, and  shall cleave to his
 wife; and  they  shall become one  flesh. (NAS)

 Mark 10:6-7
 6 "But at the  beginning of creation Yahweh Elohim (God) 'made them male and  female.'
 7 and the  two will become one  flesh.' So they are  no  longer  two,  but one. (NIV)

 When  we  take  on  the responsibilities of marriage,  becoming  one, and  cleaving to each other  are so
 important,  they  are a  bonding for  a marriage covenant.  How much bonding  do  you see  taking  place
 in  this  day and  age?  Marriage  has become almost a  thing of the  past. Divorce  is  out of control…it’s a
 fire  in  dry brush…will it get  worse…can it get  worse?  Yahshua will heal marriage in the  future…but 
 right now, we have to ride out  the storm! We have to be lights in this storm, and  not conform  to
 societies standards  when  it  comes to marriage and  family. May  Yahweh  Bless our  efforts.

 Col 3:18-19
 18   Wives, submit to your own  husbands, as is fitting  in  the Master (Lord).
 19 Husbands,  love your  wives and  do  not be bitter toward them. (NKJ)

 Eph 5:21-25
 21 Submitting yourselves one  to  another in the  fear  of  Yahshua Messiah.
 22   Wives, submit yourselves unto your own  husbands, as unto the  Master (Lord).
 23 For  the husband is the head of the  wife, even as Messiah (Christ) is the head of the  assembly (church): and He is the saviour  of  the body.
 24   Therefore  as  the assembly (church) is  subject unto Messiah (Christ),  so let the  wives be to their own husbands in every  thing.
 25 Husbands,  love  your wives, even as Messiah (Christ) also loved  the assembly (church),  and  gave  himself for  it; (KJV) (underlined  words were added)

 If  this  was applied  in  our society  today,  the divorce  rate  would be drastically  reduced.  In  the
 Scriptures, we also have instructions concerning parenting, and  like  the above  scriptures, if applied,
 family  relations would  be  much  better  and family violence would  be  much  less.

 Deut 6:5-7
 5 And  you shall  love  Yahweh (the  LORD) your Elohim (God) with  all your heart and  with 
 all your soul and  with  all your might.
 6   And  these words, which  I am commanding you  today,  shall be on your heart;
 7 and  you shall  teach  them  diligently  to  your  sons and  shall talk of them when you  sit
 in  your  house and  when  you walk by the  way and  when  you lie  down  and when you  rise
 up. (NAS)

 Teaching  our children about  Yahweh’s  plan  of  salvation,  about His  perfect law  of  love, about  how to
 interact  with  others, all  of  this  teaching  is  a full time job. We can’t  let up for  one second!  The pollution
 in  the air, talked about  earlier,  will  consume them if we let  our guards down…our eyes must be
 watching…our  ears  must  be  listening…we  must  be  vigilant  in  our parenting  efforts.

 Col 3:20-21
 20 Children,  obey  your  parents in all  things: for  this  is  well  pleasing  unto  the Master
 (Lord).
 21 Fathers, provoke  not your children to anger,  lest  they  be  discouraged. (KJV)
(underlined  words were added)

 I wasn’t as diligent as I  should  have  been  as  a parent…but my children,  now grown, did  learn
 principles  mentioned in the  above scripture…the  seed  of  truth was  planted.  You can read from Genesis
 to  Revelation…and  not see  perfect  parenting.  While we are  in  the flesh,  we  will  make  mistakes  within 
 our marriages, within our  families, and  with  our parenting.

 Even though we at times  seem  to  make  more  mistakes  than  not,  we must never  give  up,  but try  all
 the harder at doing  better  tomorrow  than  we  did today. Our  adversary wants  us  to  get discouraged 
 and throw  in  the towel…He did!

 Remember, Solomon  asked for  wisdom  from  above,  and was  blessed abundantly.  We  need  to  do  the
 same  in  marriage, in family matters, and  with  being a  parent. We are  on  the winning  team, and  we 
 have  the very best coach  possible!

 HalleluYah!,  Praise  Yah!… our  perfect parent!

 I  would like to share  with  you,  my  brothers  and sisters, a  poem  written by my wife that is very
 fitting…ENJOY!!!

“Children  of  Promise”

Oh, how  precious  are the  children

A  delight they truly  are!

Master,  grant us wisdom to guide  their way…

How  wonderful it is to watch  them  learn;

We listen carefully  each  word  they  say…

Little voices making choices

In a  world that’s lost it’s way-- 

They also must decide…

We know that they are  set apart--

Called out  to  do  a special  job.

For  now,  Yahweh’s  word  within  them  abides…

A  constant  fight they will face--

Like Daniel they must choose…

With Yahweh at their  side

They will win  the race—

For  they  don’t want to loose…

And  oh  the blessings  they  will  reap

By doing  what  is  right—

They’ll  see Messiah  when  He  appears…

Together we shall  stand;

Forever  praising  Yahweh—

This is our  earnest prayer. 

To All  The Children-We  Love  You (RIW-9/94)

May  Yahweh  Bless – our marriages, and  our families   DLW

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                                       “What  Grade Are  You In?”

 As with education, spiritual  growth  has different  levels, different  grades,  different maturities,  different
  understandings.  We  all are  not in the  same  grade,  not at the  same  level.  If  we  were, wouldn’t that be
  boring?  We  would have nothing  to  beat  each  other over the  head  with! We all  have  wielded our  clubs,
  we all  have  defended  our grade!

  Hopefully  this  study paper  will  bring us closer to the  middle. Hopefully  we  all can  proceed to the  next
  grade, to the  next  level,  remember, only one  has graduated!  We  still have our  work  cut out  for
 us, our  final exam is still  in  the future!

 We all  started our  spiritual walk at a  lower grade, as a  babe:

 Heb 5:13 For  everyone  who partakes only of milk is unskilled  in  the word of
 righteousness,  for he is a  babe. (NKJ)

 3516  nepios (nay'-pee-os);
 from  an  obsolete  particle  ne- (implying negation)  and 2031;  not speaking,  i.e.  an infant (minor);
 figuratively, a  simple-minded person,  an immature Christian:                             
 KJV-- babe, child (+-ish).

 Anyone new  at  studying  the Scriptures,  is  a babe,  is  unskilled.  It  takes a  lot of studying to get
 comfortable with scripture, to get  skilled.  We  must  work  out our  own salvation, work very hard,
 because the  ‘god’ of this age  doesn’t want any  of  us  to  graduate! He dropped  out
 himself!

 Rev 12:9  And  the great  dragon  was cast out, that old  serpent,  called  the Devil, and
 Satan,  which deceives the  whole world: he was  cast  out into the  earth,  and his
 messengers (angels)  were cast out  with  him. (KJV)

 2 Cor 4:3-4
 3 But  if  our gospel be hid, it is hid  to  them  that  are lost: (KJV)
 4 in whose  case  the god  of  this  world has  blinded the  minds of the  unbelieving, that
 they might  not see  the light  of  the gospel of the  esteem (glory) of Messiah  (Christ), who is
 the image  of    Elohim  (God). (NAS),

 From  the above  scriptures, we see  that  the arch-enemy of truth, is a  deceiver, and  has blinded  the
 minds…he  definitely  doesn’t want anyone of us to get  to  the truth. I  saw something  on  the news that
 proves  this, a  High  School  in  California  has allowed  a club for  Satan to be on their  campus, do you
 remember  the outcry concerning the  commandments  in  schools?  They were removed  from  the schools!

 So,  to  get to the  truth,  one has  to  dig,  and turn over many ‘rocks’, this deceiver has  messed  with  the
 Scriptures  too,  look  at  all of the  translations  out there, things have been changed, altered, omitted,
 added,  watered down…etc…etc.  In  our previous organization,  an  organization  patterned after  Rome,
 they  were  taught  to  defend  the KJV, that it is the  best  that  we  have  today.  In  our
 studies,  we  see that King James  had an agenda,  that  he  was a  tool  of  the deceiver, 
 but even in the  KJV,  the truth  can be uncovered.

 Let’s  take  a look at some Scriptures in the  KJV that can  be  misleading:

 Heb 6:10 For  Elohim (God)  is not  unrighteous to forget your work and  labour of love,
  which  you  have  showed  toward  His Name,  in that you  have  ministered  to  the saints,
 and do minister.  (KJV) (underlined words  were  added)

 1 Tim 3:10   And  let these  also  first be proved;  then  let them use  the office of a  deacon,
 being found blameless. (KJV) (underlined word  was added)

 Acts 6:2   Then the  twelve  called  the multitude  of  the disciples  unto them,  and said,  It
 is not  reason  that we should leave  the word of Elohim (God), and serve  tables. (KJV)
 (underlined words  were  added)

 We see  in  this  most favored  translation,  that  the   words minister,  ministered  and deacon have
  the  same  Greek word,  #1247-diakoneo,   so  to  be  ‘elevated’  from  being a  deacon  to  a minister,  if  Paul
  (Shaul)  spoke Greek, would  he  have  understood? Also,  serve  tables has  this  same  Greek word
 attached  to  it! Isn’t  that  confusing?  We  know  who the  master  of  confusion is!

 1 Cor 14:33   For  Elohim (God)  is not  the  author of confusion, but  of  peace,  as  in  all
 churches  of  the saints. (KJV) (underlined words  were  added)

 Other  scriptures  have  added,  or  altered words  as  well, some not  so  damaging, others have taken  there
  toll.  We’ll go over some of them so that you  can be aware  of  them  and maybe  help  others.

 John 3:13   And  no  man has  ascended  up  to  heaven, but  he  that  came  down  from
 heaven, even the  Son of man which is in heaven. (KJV) (underlined words  were  added)

 Acts 12:4   And  when  he  had apprehended  him,  he  put him in prison,  and delivered  him
 to  four  quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending  after Easter to bring  him forth 
 to the  people. (KJV) (underlined words  added-- ‘Easter’  should  be  rendered Passover)

 John 5:3   In these  lay a  great multitude  of  impotent  folk, of blind, halt,  withered,
 waiting for  the moving of the water. (Underlined words were   added)
 4 For  an  messenger (angel)  went down at a  certain season into the  pool, and  troubled
 the water: whosoever then first  after the  troubling of the  water stepped  in  was made
 whole of whatsoever  disease he had. (KJV) (All  of  verse four has  been  added) 

 I Jn 5:7   For there  are three  that  bear  record  in heaven,  the Father,  the Word,  and
 the Holy Ghost:  and these three are one.
 8 And there are three that bear witness in earth,  the spirit,  and the  water,  and the blood:
 and these  three agree  in  one. (KJV) (underlined words  were  added)

 As  I stated before,  some  of  these added  or  altered words  don’t really change the  true  meaning of the
 Scripture,  but we should be aware  of  them, and  search  them  out!

 I would  not want to be in the  shoes of those  who have made additions, changes, or deletions  because 
 of  their agendas:

 Rev 22:18-19
 18 For I  testify unto every  man that hears  the words  of  the prophecy of this book, If any
 man shall  add unto these  things, Elohim (God) shall  add unto him  the plagues  that  are
 written in this book:
 19   And  if  any man  shall take away from the  words of the  book  of  this  prophecy, Elohim
  (God)  shall  take  away  his part out  of  the book of life,  and out  of  the set-apart (holy) city,
 and  from the  things  which are  written in this book. (KJV) (underlined  words were added)

 These are  only  a few  examples  in  the KJV. If you  are one  of  those who  say,  “it’s the  best  we  are
 offered today”…you need a  ‘PC Study  Bible’  for your computer!  This  has several  translations  that  can
 be  viewed, an interlinear  bible which  will  show  any added  words,  concordances, and  other study
 helps…all of these  are important  to  the bible  student,  of  which we all  are.  No  translation is perfect,
 anything  that  man has  touched has  been  tainted,  but we don’t  throw out  the baby with the  bath  water.
 Like  I stated before,  we  have  to  dig,  we  have  to  search…the  truth is there!  

 As  I have done several  times in these  studies,  I would  like  to  end with a  poem  written by my wife.
 May it bring  joy to your heart.

“Refreshed Once Again”

Into all  the world  the gospel will go,

And  we  all have a  part  to  play.

Our  merciful  Father  wants all  to  know,

That He is the  Life, the  Truth,  and the  Way.

How  wondrous  it  is  to  be  a part of His  plan,

And  to  share with the  world what truth  we  know.

He is working  with  our minds, and  has from the  start,

And  now through  us, His  Spirit  of  truth flows.

A  living  faith is what counts the  most,

As we reach  out to those  in  pain.

Our  Messiah promises to restore  all things,

And  to  His words, ‘we  can say Amein’!

A  world that is lost;  knows not  where to turn,

They live day  to  day,  not seeing the  Way.

Our  message of hope,  will  help  them  yearn--

For  the soon coming Kingdom, of our  Father  Yahweh.  

The  brethren  are scattered  throughout  the land,

A  oneness of mind will draw us together.

Disciples  we  are;  refreshed once again,