Category: More Manna
Extra Helpings
This voyage has become an iconic story in some of the earliest annals of American History
with its story of death and of survival in the harsh New England winter environment.
It originated as a 
BECAUSE 8
Because – Silence Is Beauty
1 Peter 3:3-4. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.
Learning evolves out of communion but we should be mindful not to mix the two.
Many times we are over anxious to learn or speak or get answers to our prayer requests.
We will see the Lord most clearly in the silent still pool,
where we can hear the still, calm, small voice. Kings 19:11-13
Here in this place, words are as pebbles
which when dropped into quiet water,
send out ripples and distort the image.
He wants to minister to us in the beauty of the silence.
In ways He could never communicate by words alone. 
Psalm 62:5 For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from Him.
He desires to look deep into our souls and as He searches us out and knows us,
His blessings will come in ways yet unknown to us. 
He desires we also minister to Him. 
We need to be still and wait quietly for His salvation. Lamentations 3:26. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.
Time spent in His presence is never wasted for only He can touch us the deep in our souls.
Our modern, technology oriented lives, have become too busy and too noisy.
And we are too eager to impatiently move, to get up and go on with our lives and are easily tempted to dispel the perfect, calm, place in His presence because we’re too busy and 
so we can do what we need to do to move forward 
Like a child with a short attention span we want answers and action NOW!
We leave our ‘shopping list’ of needs and requirements at His feet, and rush out of His presence, without any semblance of real or meaningful communication and expect home delivery without delay!
We are often uncomfortable in the silence.
It takes practice and discipline to remain quiet before Him for any prolonged length of time;
Yet it is for us to minister to Him from our inner desire, asking Him to create in us a clean heart, and to renew a right spirit within us. Ps 51:10
The still waters of Psalm 23 
where the sheep must drink, are those same pure waters, where we too must take in His spirit.
Sheep are not happiest when drinking from fast-moving water
No doubt sheep are afraid of the rushing water and rightly so
because if they fall in, their wool would become so saturated, that they would drown with the extra weight pulling them under.
Likewise for us to receive the full benefit of His life-giving water
in the form of His Holy Spirit, Ruach HaKodesh, we must be still and know that He is God. Psalm 46:10
Because in the silence and stillness, that pool will reflect all that He is; and all that He will be in us; and all that we can become in Him.
The more still that the water is, the more accurate the reflection, as with a mirror made of glass. Likewise the more we are still within, as well as externally, the better we reflect Our Father.
We can only see our reflection in still waters otherwise what we see is distorted.
Our cry should be, “search me and know me”. Psalm 139:1, 23
Then after we are refreshed from the still waters of the pool and we touch that which has imbued us with life then,
when the ripples go outward across the surface, it is symbolic of the giving out of ourselves.
But unless we first fill up; there will be no substance in our outward reach to the lost and hurting world around us.
Jesus, lover of my soul
Jesus, I will never let You go
You’ve taken me from the miry clay
You’ve set my feet upon the rock
And now I know. I love you, I need you,
Though my world may fall, I’ ll never let you go
My Saviour, my closest friend,
I will worship you until the very end…
There is no salvation without purification, so the need to have God create in us a clean heart, is essential for maturity as a believer.
We have to have an inner cleanliness. For Jesus himself reminded us, the pure in heart shall see God. Matt 5:8
Everyday we should take a mental mikveh/ a bath for our minds and determine to be honest with ourselves and then, to think on, whatsoever is pure, etc., as referenced in Scripture. Phil 4:8
Our minds stray, our hearts wander, but let’s not lose our souls but instead discover the living Word Himself and plant Him deep within us, to purify our hearts as only He can (James 4:8); by the washing of the water of His Word . Eph 5:26
2 Corinthians 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Because in the silence of His presence there is holiness and the fullness of His Shalom. When Jesus said My Peace I give to you. John 14:27
He was talking about Shalom which cannot be translated into just a single word..
When there is Shalom there is tranquility,
there is an absence of disorder and violence,
there is justice, sufficient food, clothing and housing. Divine Health no sickness.
There is absence of conflict, lack, hatred, abuse, bribery, corruption, pain, suffering, immorality and all other negative forces.
That is what Jesus was meaning when He said, ‘My peace I give unto you.’ This place of Shalom, is being still and knowing He is God.
Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You.
Because there is beauty in the silence and in the stillness of His shalom.
~~~~~
Mikveh or mikvah (Hebrew: מִקְוֶה / מקווה is a bath used for the purpose of achieving purity
~~~~~~~
Shalom to each and everyone.
Where’s Home?
Heaven is our home and we’re in Seventh Heaven?!
Shamayim: heaven, sky יִםשָׁמַ֫
Phonetic Spelling: (shaw-mah’-yim)
יִםהַשָּׁמַ֖ haš-šā-ma-yim the heavens.
This is the word used in the expression, the heavens and the earth, or the upper and lower regions. Genesis 1:1
The usual Hebrew word for heavens is shamayim, a plural form meaning heights, elevations (Gen. 1:1; 2:1).
The Hebrew word marom is also used (Ps. 68:18; 93:4; 102:19, etc.) as equivalent to shamayim, high places, heights. Used for heaven in (Psalms 18:16; Isaiah 24:18; Jeremiah 25:30). Properly speaking it means a mountain, as in (Psalms 102:19; Ezekiel 17:23)
Heb. galgal, literally a wheel, is rendered heaven in Ps. 77:18 (R.V., whirlwind). like a spiral galaxy?
Heb. shahak, rendered sky (Deut. 33:26; Job 37:18; Ps. 18:11), plural clouds (Job 35:5; 36:28; Ps. 68:34, marg. heavens), probably means the firmament.
In the last post we looked at the universe and our place in it.
We saw some of the amazing images sent back by Hubble.
The night skies have always fascinated mankind, who has always been searching for a way to get a closer look at those twinkling points of light in the heavens above.
History records many who invented and built telescopes for that very purpose; including a 17th century Christian, German astronomer, Johannes Kepler. (1571-1630). He used mathematics to calculate the path of the planets and discovered three laws of planetary motion, amongst other discoveries.
Johannes had a friend who denied the existence of God and maintained the universe came into existence by itself.
This troubled Johannes, so he construct a model of the solar system. When he showed it to his friend, the friend exclaimed how beautiful it was and wanted to know Who had made it?
Cryptically Kepler replied that no one had, it had made itself! ‘Nonsense’ replied his friend ‘just tell me who made it’. Kepler proceeded to say to his friend that if he believed the model could not have made itself, which was but a simple imitation of the great universe, how could he believe the universe could make itself!
It seems to be a silly statement, in light of what we know today. Johannes Kepler’s model could no more have made itself than a car could manufacture itself.
However according to many scientists, the universe came into existence by accident and so did human life!!!
Rest assured that your life was not an accident and God has a purpose for you.
You’re here because of Him and there is hope and a future. I know the plans I have for you plans for welfare and not for calamity, to give you the future and hope. Jeremiah 29:11
You are created from the high purposes of God.
Heaven is our home and one day we will be there with Him.
How to translate bikeseh hashimayim in Deut.30:4 which most English translations render as the outermost parts of heaven.
Are we talking about space travel here? Or is it just a metaphor?
Remember, nothing is placed in the Bible by accident.
Every note and detail has a reason for it being placed there. So there must be a reason why God is speaking of gathering the nation of Israel from the outermost parts of heaven. Bikeseh comes from the root kesah and has the proposition Beth (in or on) in front of it and literally means “in the end or extremity.”
The following word “hashimayhim” is from the root shama’ which means heaven.
The word has a definite article Hei at the beginning and a plural ending and we would render that as the heavens. So we are not referring to our final resting place and the celestial city but most likely it is used to describe the sky or outer space. If the writer wanted to depict God gathering the Jews from the ends of the earth he would have said kesevi eres.
So why does the writer say the heavens or sky? Here is where opinion comes into play. We creating an opinion that makes sense and we are left with just a metaphor, a poetic expression and a wonderful one at that. God will not only search out every corner to restore the ones He loves, but He will even look in the most unlikeliest places and if necessary in outer space.
God cares for and is mindful of everything in His creation.
Taken from a study on the sparrow falling. In the Aramaic language, you say that God is aware of everytime a sparrow lands. He is not only aware when a sparrow dies, He is aware when a sparrow lands and they do a lot of landing. 
Again another verse to show how aware God is of every individual He created and how He longs to draw them to Him. He knows every corner and every rock on earth; and every place in the sky and the universe, we just cannot escape His notice
Isaiah 66:1 Heaven is my throne and the earth my foot stool.
Heaven is ‘as the chair’, to God.
Because that’s where He dwells and the stool is the earth.
By nature He doesn’t dwell there but He does touch it with the ‘feet of His presence’ as part of His footstool. It is therefore under ‘His feet’ and under His control and His perfect will and plans and purposes.
According to Ephesians 1:22, all things are under Messiah’s feet and under ours too!
The constellation in the picture above is called the hand of God.
When we have a friend we spend time in each other’s company, we have the same interests and talk about them together. So we should be the same with God. His home is in heaven as well as in our hearts; and we are already invited for a future event where He lives.
The marriage supper of the Lamb.
Home is where our hearts are fixed and focused.
Meanwhile we have His spirit with us and He never leaves us or forsakes us. Hebrews 13:5. Jesus told us, I am with you always. Matt. 28:20
However our human curiosity wants to know what heaven is really like.
Paul said in 2 Corinthians 12:2, he thought it was the third heaven.
Just how many are there?
The Hebrew language gives seven words for heaven and the ancient model in the form of drawings illustrates what Genesis describes; and the meaning of the seven Hebrew words; and how they saw everything fitting together.
This is the root of where we get our idiom to be in the seventh heaven.
The word in Genesis, in the beginning God created the heavens and earth. The word heavens is plural; it is not singular, meaning, that there is more than one heaven.
God is the God of the Heavens El HaShamayim’
שָׁמַ֫יִם = heavens
2 Corinthians 12:2 (2 Cor. 12:7)
The phrase “heaven and earth” is used to indicate the whole universe (Gen. 1:1; Jer. 23:24; Acts 17:24).
According to the Jewish notion there were three heavens,
Shechakim “expanses,” with reference to the extent of heaven. (33:26; Job 35:5) Pauls’ expression “third heaven,” 2 Cor. 12:2, had led to much conjecture. Grotius said that the Jews divided the heaven into three parts:
1) The First Heaven: Earth & Man. The air or atmosphere, where clouds gather. The firmament, as “fowls of the heaven” (Gen 1:26 2:19; 7:3, 23; Ps. 8:8 etc.), “the eagles of heaven” (Lam. 4:19)
2) The Second Heaven: Space and Stars* The firmament, in which the sun, moon and stars are fixed;
The starry heavens (Deut. 17:3; Jer. 8:2; Matt. 24:29).
(Isaiah 13:10)…(Isaiah 14:13)
Astronomy is the scientific study of the individual celestial bodies (excluding the earth) and of the universe as a whole.
Astrology is the study that assumes and attempts to interpret the influence of the heavenly bodies on human affairs. (a form of prophecy but is false prophecy, false predictions, demonic, a diversion away from God’s truth).
3) The Third Heaven: God and Glory The upper heaven, the abode of God and his angels, the invisible realm of holiness and happiness the home of the children of God.
“The heaven of heavens,” or “the third heaven” (Deut. 10:14; 1 Kings 8:27; Ps. 115:16; 148:4; 2 Cor. 12:2,
The Bible speaks of three heavens, the third heaven is the heaven of heavens, the dwelling place of God, where His throne has always been. 
Seven Hebrew Words translated into the word “Heaven” – (please note you will have difficulty in locating these words without extensive study. You will not find them in the Strong’s Concordance since the Majority Text utilizes only the Hebrew Word ùÑîä ùÑîéí shâmayim ).
The word for Heaven is always plural in Hebrew. Here are the seven levels noted in Scripture. The names are:
Dok
Rakia
Shechakim
Maon
Machon
Aravot
The meanings are noted below for information, as the Hebrew words describe:
DOK
Pronounced like Coke, is the word used in Isaiah 40:22. In the Hebrew commentary they use another synonym. Vilon
Vilon or SHAMEH – Isa 40:22 It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in: H8064 ùÑîä ùÑîéí shâmayim shâmeh
Vilon (“curtain”): a curtain which is rolled over the earth at nighttime to block the sun (Isaiah 40:22); contains the atmosphere, minor stars, snow and dew; abode of Adam and Eve; governed by Gabriel; called curtain or veil because it veils or hides the other six levels; represented by the moon – Word describing the hand of God stretching out like a tent or curtain separating the heavens
Dok retires in the morning and comes out in the evening and renews the work of creation daily. Dok is the entire universe, going beyond what we can see with telescopes.
ḵad-dōq כַדֹּק֙ as a curtain 1852 [e] strongs
Rakia
– Genesis 1:17 – Word describing the physical and visible heavens of the stars, moon and sun.
Heb. rakia is closely connected and is rendered “firmamentum” in the Vulgate, whence our “firmament” (Gen. 1:6; Deut. 33:26, etc.), regarded as a solid expanse.
Rakia is where God set them in the firmament (Rakia) and spread them out like a tent to dwell in. Genesis 1:17
Raqi’a/Raki’a (“expanse,” “canopy”): possibly refers to the frozen canopy over the earth before the Flood (Genesis 1:7-8; Deuteronomy 11:11); Did Moses visit Paradise here to receive the Ten Commandments? Fallen angels are imprisoned here for marrying human women (Genesis 6:4); dwelling place of souls awaiting judgment including “men of renown,” apostates, tyrants; called expanse because it’s where the sun and planets dwell (Genesis 1:14, 17); represented by Mercury.
It’s a reference to the stars, Sun, Moon, and planets: it refers to outer space where the various heavenly bodies move in their prescribed orbits and or maintain relationships in constellations, solar systems galaxies etc. Rakia is the part of the heavens that can be seen with the naked eye both in the day and at night.
bir-qî-a‘ יעַבִּרְקִ֣ in the firmament 
SHECHAKIM
Psalm 78:23 – Word describing atmosphere/air
Shechakim is from the Psalms 78:23, 24. though He had commanded the skies (Shechakim) from above and opened the doors of heaven, and had rained down manna on them to eat and had given them the grain of heaven.
This is where it is believed the millstones are located that grind manna for the righteous.
His word is still miraculously feeding us.
Shechakim is the atmosphere.
wə-ḏal-ṯê יוְדַלְתֵ֖ and the doors
šā-ma-yim יִםשָׁמַ֣ of heaven
Meaning of term. Isa. 14:13, 14; “doors of heaven” (Ps. 78:23); heaven “shut” (1 Kings 8:35); “opened” (Ezek. 1:1). (See 1 Chr. 21:16.)
Spiritual meaning. The place of the everlasting blessedness of the righteous; the abode of departed spirits.
Shehaquim/Shehaqim/Shehakim (“clouds”): Eden and Tree of Life, also includes paradise and hell/hades (Psalm 78:23-24); represented by Venus.
ZEBUL/ZEVUL
Zebul or Zevul – Isaiah 63:15 – Word describing where God’s glory exists as in a Heavenly City.
Zevul is the location for 1Kings 8:13 for I have surely build you a house of habitation (Zevul) a place for you to dwell in for ever. This is said to be the location of celestial Jerusalem and the Temple with the heavenly altar. How do we know that Zevul may be this place? Because Isaiah 63:15 tells us look down from heaven and behold from the habitation (Zevul) of your holiness and your glory.
zə-ḇul לזְבֻ֖ to dwell in
Zebul (“habitation”): stratosphere, sun, moon, and “four great stars,” including celestial mechanics; dwelling of the winds; called habitation because it’s where the New Jerusalem is located with its temple (Isaiah 63:15); and is represented by the sun.
MAON
Maon – Psalm 42:8 – Word describing where angels reside which comes from songs
Maon is where the Lord will command his lovingkindness in the daytime and in the night His song will be with me, according to Psalm 42:9. This is where He is ministering and it is said where angels stay. We know that this could be heaven because of Deuteronomy 26:15 looked down from your holy habitation (Maon) from heaven.
מָעוֹן Phonetic Spelling: (maw-ohn’) habitation, strongs 4584
Ma’on (“refuge”): apparently home to “Grigori” — fallen angels who mourn for their brothers in Raqi’a; hell/Gehenna; Michael possibly presides; filled with ministering angels who sing by night; called refuge because it’s where most of the angels reside; represented by Mars.
MACHON
Machon – Deuteronomy 26:15 – Word describing the location of God’s storehouses of treasures of rain and snow, rain, hail, whirlwinds, storms etc. for the earth.
The Lord will open unto you his good treasure. Deuteronomy 28:12. We know that this is heaven because the same word is used in 1Kings 8:39 then here in heaven your dwelling place (Machon).
מָכוֹן Phonetic Spelling: (maw-kone’)
1 Kings 8:39 HEB: תִּשְׁמַ֨ע הַשָּׁמַ֜יִם מְכ֤וֹן שִׁבְתֶּ֙ךָ֙ וְסָלַחְתָּ֣ NAS: Your dwelling place, and forgive KJV: thy dwelling place, and forgive, INT: hear heaven place your dwelling and forgive.
Makhon/Machon/Makon (“city,” “established place”): home for angels in charge of nature’s cycles and good governing systems of the world; angels who write men’s actions in books; (Deuteronomy 28:12); It is called city, because it is said here is the City of Angels; represented by Jupiter.
ARABOT/ AVAVOT
Arabot or Aravot – Psalm 6:4 – Word describing the storehouse of righteousness and peace, where angels also reside and it is thought by some scholars this is where souls of those not yet born are waiting.
Aravot is that in which are, righteousness, judgement and charity. The storehouses of life, of peace and blessing, the spirits of the righteous, with which the Lord will hereafter revive the dead. Those living here, include the Ophannim, Seraphim, Holy Chayyot, the ministering angels, the throne of glory and the King of the universe; according to Psalm 68:5, extol Him who rides upon the clouds (Aravot) by His Name, Yahweh. YHWH
The storehouse of life contains the force of life for all those yet to be born because it is said that when God finished creation in Genesis 2:1; He had made everything that would ever be – including our descendants. It is also thought that here, the spirits of the righteous dead are sleeping with their fathers. An interesting concept!
Araboth/Aravot (“deserts”): also known as the 10th heaven; The throne of Glory and God dwell here, as well as Seraphim, Cherubim, justice, righteousness, souls of the righteous, and ineffable light (Psalm 68:5); called desert because it has no moisture and no air; God also said to be above the seventh heaven; represented by Saturn.
It’s possible that Judaism’s belief in multiple heavens could have been influenced by their exile in Babylon.. In fact, the word “paradise,” one of many words used to reflect heaven, comes from the Persian for “enclosed park or garden.”
Also note here that the first three represent the universe, the visible night sky and sun, and the atmosphere. These are natural physical things even when beyond the range of telescopes.
Each of the other four levels is both physical and spiritual. Three levels are translated habitation. Three levels are said to be populated: Zevul Maon and Aravot with various heavenly beings, the throne, and the spirits of the Saints. That is probably the level Paul referred to, the third of the populated levels as the dwelling place of the Most High, the third heaven, is the highest heaven. (2 Cor. 12:2)
One thing is certain, whether 3, or 7, or how ever many heavens, levels, realms and dimensions there are…Heaven is our final home and the ‘heaven’ of it will simply be dwelling in His presence. Shalom!
Heroes & Heroines
Heroes/heroines are the ones who would never give themselves that title.
They are the ones who pay the price of laying down their life for others.
The ultimate self sacrifice and many do so on a daily basis.
They come in all guises and sizes but their goal is the same and their heart motivation is one to be both admired and emulated.
This week we say ‘THANK YOU’, to each and every one, who has given their time and heart, to the service of country and fellow woman, man and child in whatever sphere of life you are in. 
We will never know or comprehend the true cost of your service. 
We can however, turn our hearts towards all of you, both past and present, in gratitude and humility.
The reality of knowing that most of us would not be here; and certainly not living in the freedoms we enjoy, if not for those who fought the battles and won the many past wars,
and those ongoing conflicts all around the world today.
Freedom is NEVER free and we honor all veterans and remember every one in our thoughts and prayers.
November 11th is ‘Remembrance Day’, on many continents and it touches us all, for through the years, every family has lost someone.
In Europe, the poppies of the Flanders fields, highlight the overwhelming number of lives lost in the struggles for victory.
The ultimate hero OF COURSE, is Jesus, because how ever many people died in the place, or service, of others, the scriptures tell us, only Jesus can save our eternal souls.
Only His blood can redeem the sinner and wash us white as snow, so we can be acceptable and presentable in our Heavenly Fathers presence. 
In our comfort and complacency, where we demand our rights; and often display selfish attitudes of our perceived entitlement, to everything we think we should have….Let us never forget to whom we owe our freedoms and our futures, both in this life and the next.
While we remember with hope, that one day there will be no more war. 
For then our King will reign and all tears will be wiped away and in His presence, His true Shalom shall be all we know and experience.
We live free because of the brave and because of the courage of those who would protect us with everything they have.
We Remember
and
Thank You.
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