You might have heard the term “ Apostolic Diet ” mentioned in a conversation, in a church group, or online, and found yourself a little confused. Is it a new fad for weight loss? Is it some kind of historical eating plan? Let’s clear things up right away. The “ Apostolic Diet”  is not a diet in the modern sense of the word. Its goal isn’t weight loss, managing health conditions, or fitting into a smaller pair of jeans. At its heart, this is spiritual practice. It’s a way of eating rooted in the beliefs of certain Apostolic and Pentecostal church denominations, and it’s all about living a life that is considered holy and set apart. So, to really understand  what the Apostolic diet is , we need to look beyond the food and into the faith behind it. The foundation of the  Apostolic diet  is not built on calories or macronutrients. It’s built on a desire to honor God in all aspects of life, including what one eats. The core ideas are: Holiness and Separation:  A central belief in many Apostolic churches is the idea of being “set apart” from the world. This extends to many lifestyle choices, from dress and entertainment to diet. Biblical Foundation:  The dietary guidelines are drawn directly from the Old Testament, specifically from the book of Leviticus, Chapter 11. This chapter lays out which animals God declared “clean” (fit to be eaten) and “unclean” (to be avoided). A Spiritual Discipline:  Adhering to these rules is seen as an act of obedience and a physical reminder of one’s commitment to their faith. It’s not about earning salvation, but rather about living a life that reflects one’s beliefs. These  Apostolic church dietary restrictions  are a serious and deeply personal part of many people’s faith walk. So, what does this look like in the kitchen? The rules are based on the classifications found in Leviticus. While interpretations can vary slightly, the general guidelines are quite clear. These are the foods considered permissible to eat . Land Animals:  Animals that both have a “cloven hoof” (split hoof) and “chew the cud” are considered clean. This includes beef, lamb, goat, and venison. Poultry:  Most common birds are considered clean, such as chicken, turkey, quail, and dove. Fish:  Sea creatures that have  both  fins and scales are considered clean. This includes popular fishlike salmon, tuna, cod, tilapia, and trout. Unclean animals : This is the list that often requires the biggest lifestyle change for those adopting the diet. Pork:  This is the most well-known restriction. Pigs do not chew the cud, so all pork products (including bacon, ham, sausage, and pork chops) are avoided. Shellfish:  This is a broad category. Any sea creature that does  not  have both fins and scales is considered unclean. This means shrimp, lobster, crab, oysters, clams, and mussels are all avoided. Other Fish:  Fish without scales, such as catfish and shark, are also on the “unclean” list. Other Animals:  The list in Leviticus also includes animals like rabbits and camels, among others. This is a really important question. From a purely nutritional standpoint, the “ Apostolic diet”  can have some health benefits, but it also has things to be aware of. The Positives:  Cutting out many processed pork products like bacon and sausage can significantly reduce your intake of sodium and saturated fats. Focusing on whole food is always a good thing. The Considerations:  The term “clean” in this context is spiritual, not nutritional. For example, deep-fried chicken is “clean” according to the rules, but it’s not necessarily a healthy choice if eaten frequently. Similarly, avoiding shellfish means missing out on a good source of lean protein and certain minerals. Ultimately, whether this diet is “healthy” depends on the specific choices a person makes within the guidelines. A diet of lean beef, chicken, fish, fruits, and vegetables can be very healthy. It’s always best to consult with a doctor or registered dietitian about your personal nutritional needs. The “ Apostolic Diet”  is a fascinating example of how faith and food can intertwine. It’s not a health plan designed by nutritionists, but a spiritual path chosen by believers. Understanding it requires looking past our modern definitions of “dieting” and seeing it for what it is: a deeply personal expression of faith, holiness, and obedience. It’s a way of life where every meal is a reminder of a commitment to a higher calling. If you have any questions, or are considering this type of spiritual commitment, or just want to consider increasing your knowledge and spiritual connection, please contact us by completing our form at www.for-the-father.com .

A Kingdom spouse is not just about companionship, romance, or shared dreams, it’s about refinement.  When God sends you a partner aligned with His will, He doesn’t just give you someone to love; He gives you someone who will challenge everything in you that doesn’t look like Christ. Marriage is not a hiding place for your flaws; it’s a mirror that magnifies them. A Kingdom spouse will expose what you have been able to cover up in friendships, ministry, or even casual dating.  Not because they are harsh or judgmental, but because their presence and your covenant will draw out what God wants to heal, prune, and transform. Here are some things God will confront in you through a Kingdom spouse: 1.      SELFISHNESS – You can’t walk into a Kingdom marriage and live as though it’s still “me first”.  Philippians 2:3-4 says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests of the others.”  God uses marriage to confront the part of you that still wants to cling to independence at the expense of unity. 2.      PRIDE – Your spouse will see you in your rawest state – your weaknesses, your fears, your failures.  Kingdom marriage will confront pride that makes you want to appear perfect.  James 4:6 reminds us – “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”  Through your spouse, God will teach you humility, vulnerability, and the grace of being known fully yet still loved. 3.      CONTROL – Many people enter relationships trying to steer everything according to their comfort and plan.  But a Kingdom spouse will test your willingness to release control to trust, to compromise, and most importantly, to yield to God’s authority over your union and play the role God gave you in your marriage.  Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, mind, and soul, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” 4.      UNHEALED WOUNDS – The unresolved trauma, fears, and insecurities you buried will often surface in marriage.  Not to shame you, but to be healed.  God will use your spouse’s love, patience, and even conflicts to highlight where you still need His restoration. 5.      YOUR CAPACITY TO LOVE UNCONDITIONALLY – It’s easy to love when emotions are high and everything feels smooth.  But true Kingdom love requires patience, forgiveness, and sacrifice – especially when it’s inconvenient.  1 Corinthians 13:4-5 says, “Love is patient, love is kind… it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”   God doesn’t send a Kingdom spouse to leave you as you are.  He sends them to help you become who He intended.  That means the relationship will sometimes press on your weaknesses, stretch your faith, and confront your flesh to become the person God made you to be.   So, when you pray for a godly marriage or if you are in marriage now, don’t just pray for someone who completes you, pray for someone who sharpens you.  “Iron sharpens Iron”….  Because the true blessing of a Kingdom spouse isn’t just that they stand with you; it’s that God uses them to sanctify you. Be Well...

My aunt had a 49cc Honda moped in like 1983. When I was in the fifth grade starting at a new school and living in a new town, which happened to be next door to the town I lived in for four years and was a small town rival. I was living with my aunt in town when school started, due to our house was not finished and ready to live in. My aunt and uncle insisted that I wear a helmet when operating the moped and to stay within the few blocks within the neighborhood. I am embarrassed to admit that for a few times, I did not wear a helmet, and it caught up with me! I was followed home by a police officer, who knew the red moped of my aunt and uncle, and he told my aunt and chastised me thoroughly! Needless to say, I was not allowed to ride the moped anymore. The officer made it a point to inform me that a helmet was not a suggestion but the law, and it is much better to get a scolding than a head injury. Since that time, I have ridden several moving type vehicles and I always wear a helmet or the appropriate equipment. I wonder how many believers do the same thing with the whole Amor of God? As a result of not wearing our spiritual armor, we aren't walking in the victory that Jesus bought for us with His precious blood. Everyday we are getting spiritual scolding's, essentially, we are battling against spiritual attacks. We are unable to stand up to the wiles of the devil, unable to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one, and constantly being hurt and harassed by the enemy. Our problem is not that we don't have the Armor of God; our problem is that we just aren't using it. Don't just store God's armor in your head; you need to "dress" your mind and actions with it! Ephesians 6:10-18- Describes the Armor of God and it's uses. The Helmet of Salvation - Instead of the Hat of Condemnation We put on the helmet of salvation when we believe that we are saved, and we confess that we are saved. We are saved by the grace of Jesus Christ through faith. The gift of salvation makes us children of God. He prepares a place in heaven for us and enables the Holy Spirit to live in us. Salvation is a helmet that we must wear. By living constantly aware of our salvation, we protect our minds from the attack of the devil. Believers have the helmet of salvation but often choose to wear the hat of condemnation. Their mind id filled with guilt or shame, they live in constant fear of loosing their salvation. But your salvation is in Jesus Christ and your salvation is secure! Put salvation on your mind. Don't wear hats of guilt, shame, and fear; put on salvation. Confess with your mouth, out loud, that Jesus is your personal Savior. No one can snatch you out of His hand. Having salvation protects us from the wrath of God, but wearing salvation protects us from the attacks of the devil. Breastplate of Righteousness - From Rags to Righteousness Our human righteousness is as filthy rags, but Jesus' righteousness is bulletproof. Righteousness is more than just forgiveness. It's right standing before God. Jesus became sin so that we can be made righteous. Jesus was not a sinner, but He became sin on the cross so that I will be righteous in and through Him. I am not righteous in myself. Jesus died on the cross taking upon Himself, my sins so that I can live as a righteous person. This robe (breastplate) of righteousness is powerful protection from the condemnation of the devil. If salvation protects the head, righteousness protects the heart. If our heart condemns us, we have something bigger that our heart... the blood of Jesus Christ. The cross is greater than our heart: that's why Jesus' righteousness protects the heart. Through righteousness, we are as bold as a lion (Proverbs 28:1), not easily shaken (Psalm 112:6), and we get up after a fall (Proverbs 24:16). Blessed are those who thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5:6). God delivers the righteous man from all afflictions (Psalm 34:19). We reign in life through the gift of righteousness (Romans 5:17). Every believer has this righteousness, but not every believer puts on His righteousness. This means that they are not constantly aware of who they are in Christ. Most of us live with sin consciousness, not righteous consciousness. As a result, we get spiritual heart attacks. The devil attacks our hearts because we are not "wearing" righteousness. It's time to take off your rags of self and put on His righteousness. Believe that you are righteous. If you don't feel it, look to the cross. It's not about feeling it but believing it. Confess that you are righteous. Be constantly aware of your righteousness in Jesus Christ. That is your royal garment. That is your dress code for spiritual warfare. The Sword of the Spirit - Spiritual Stabbing Out of all the spiritual armor that Paul mentioned in Ephesians chapter 6, the sword is the only offensive piece of the armor that is used for the purpose of fighting. The rest of the pieces of armor are for our personal defense, for the purpose of standing in the victory given to us by Jesus. This sword of the the Spirit is the Word of God. It's not called the sword of Jesus nor the sword of the Father, but of the Holy Spirit. That means that the Word of God is empowered by the Holy Spirit. The power of the Spirit is released by God's Word. Victory over the enemy is possible by using the sword. Jesus modeled that for us in the wilderness. Jesus didn't use His own name or divine nature to cause the devil to be defeated. He used Scriptures. He used the sword of God's Word. And this sword works every single time. It's important to emphasize that Jesus spoke the Scriptures out loud against the devil. "But He answered and said, "It is written..." (Matthew 4:4). Most of the devil's attacks will be in our mind, but our fight against these attacks has to be with our mouth. When Satan throws darts at you in the form of your thoughts or feelings, don't fight back with "thoughts". Open you mouth and speak out the Scriptures as Jesus did. The Word of God declared out of your mouth has the same power as the Word of God out of Jesus' mouth. Fighting demonic thoughts with human thoughts doesn't bring victory. Demonic attacks are fought with the sword which is spoken out of your mouth. Fight the spiritual enemy with the sword of the Holy Spirit by declaring God's Word out loud. It might sound strange and it will even feel weird at first, but remember, your words are swords in the spiritual realm: they are affecting the devil, even if you don't see it with your physical eyes. Every time you are speaking the Scripture, you are stabbing Satan. That is what is happening in the spirit realm. After a while, the devil will flee from you as he did from Jesus. The Gospels of Peace (Just doing the Work) and the Shield of Faith You must know the story or the gospel of Jesus Christ and practice your faith daily. We are all called to be ministers of the faith and be examples for others. Meaning that we should live our lives as living examples of Jesus Christ, by ministering to those in need. They are all around us everyday. Greeting everyone with a smile or maybe even just a Hello! We must die to self and seek opportunities to serve. You don't have to be licensed or ordained by any institution. If you have Jesus Christ as your savior, been publicly baptized, and are diligently in God's Word, then help others to find the path of righteousness. The Shield of Faith is for you to be able to block the fiery darts of doubt, anger, and regret. But we cannot hide behind the shield with people. Meaning we must share our faith with others, by living our lives as the followers of Jesus Christ. It's not about Winning but Standing! It is vital to notice that spiritual armor is not for winning a battle, but is used for standing firm in the victory. Your spiritual armor enables you to stand in the victory that Christ has already won! It enables you to firmly withstand the attacks and the fiery accusation of the wicked one, the devil. It is true that the Bible says we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but do wrestle against principalities, powers, rulers, and spiritual hosts, but we wrestle from a position of victory. We don't fight for victory; we fight from victory. The main purpose of the Amor of God is not for fighting but to enable us to stand firm in the victory of Jesus Christ. Just stand and do not move from your position of victory! Don't Fight People!!! It's important to notice that we don't put on God's armor to wrestle against flesh and blood. In other words, we are not at war with people. It is not possible to live victoriously in the spiritual realm while clashing with people in the flesh. That is why Paul reminds us that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood. God anoints us to win spiritual battles, not arguments with people. We are not called to squabble with people. The devil entices us to engage in battles that are not ours. Do not fight people. The wicked one tempts us to fight our brothers and sisters so that we forget to fight him. Don't waste your anointing on battles that God didn't call you to. To walk victoriously in the spiritual realm, we must stay focused and walk away from conflicts with people, no matter how enticing those battles may be. Put on the Full Armor of God daily!

The Old Testament Law otherwise know as "The Ten Commandments" It occurred to me one day as I was reading the Ten Commandments, in light of what I just said that there may be more than meets the eye in the fifth commandment, “Honor your father and your mother,” the Lord commanded- “which is the first commandment with a promise,” Paul adds to his letter to the Ephesians 6:2.  Have you ever asked why?  “That it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on earth.”                 Could it be, the long, fulfilling spiritual life is being withheld from the Church until she honors the origins of her faith?  Could it be the history of division will cease only after we unite with God’s chosen family- the Jewish community?  Hence this teaching, I believe is going to serve as a timely reminder to bring about a spiritual awareness of our responsibility as Christians to Israel, the Law (The Torah) and the Jew in these last days.                 In Hebrew, the word for commandment is Mitzvah.  In Judaism, there are 613 mitzvahs.  All these mitzvahs are encompassed by the Ten Commandments.  Today, all over the world there seems to be a concerted attempt to remove all representations of the Ten Commandments from the minds of people in many subtle ways.                 Let’s take a brief refresher course on the Ten Commandments that God gave Moses on Mount Sinai as recorded in Exodus 20: Ten Commandments 1.       You shall have no other gods before Him. 2.       You shall not make for yourself a carved image or any likeness – an idol. 3.       You shall not take the name of the Lord in vain. 4.       You shall remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. 5.       You shall honor your father and your mother. 6.       You shall not murder. 7.       You shall not commit adultery. 8.       You shall not steal. 9.       You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. 10.   You shall not covet your neighbor’s house or anything that is your neighbors. I don’t want to assume that you have accepted Jesus Christ into your life, and you are born-again according to John 3:3, and therefore let me proceed by asking you that just because you are now saved by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus that you don’t have to follow these Ten Commandments?  In other words, does it mean that Jesus put an end to those teachings of having to follow the Law of God? Let me answer that questions with a reply from Jesus Himself – “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets.  I did not come to destroy, but to fulfill.”  (Matthew 5:17)         Now we are brought to the question that has created confusion for multitudes of Christians:  If the works of the Law cannot save a person, is it therefore necessary to keep the Law?  Apparently, this was a burning issue in the early church, because Paul asked the same question in Romans 6:1 – “Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?”  In other words, does grace give us a license to disobey the Law of God?  Paul’s answer is: “God forbid.  How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” (verse 2).         How interesting it is that Christians in this age of relativism can invent their own definitions that condone lawbreaking.  The Bible says sin is violating the Ten Commandments – the law which has been described as irrelevant and old-fashioned by many modern theologians.         The reason that the gay movement, the abortion industry, and the humanist movement have flourished in nearly every country in the world is because the church has been a sleeping giant for too long.         Some spiritual leaders have reached a stage where their indifference is so clearly seen by the stance they take.  If the church does not rise up, speak out, and take action on issues like the sacredness of marriage, we will bequeath a moral cancer to our children and the children of the world who live in darkness and sin.         Don’t be deceived.  Every one of those great moral precepts is just as timely and needful today as they were when God wrote them on the imperishable tables of stone.  And nothing has ever happened to make them less binding than they were when God gave them.         In fact, we are going to discover that Jesus came to magnify the Law and to open up its spiritual application, making it more comprehensive than the legalistic Pharisees ever imagined.  Under the distilling influence of Christ’s perfect life of obedience, we can see the spiritual details of keeping which are neither recognized nor made possible apart from Him.         Fortunately for us, all 613 Mitzvahs have been condensed into these two mitzvahs:  Jesus tells us to love and honor God the Father and love others as yourself.  How simple!  How gracious and wonderful indeed! John 3:3  – “Jesus answered, and said unto him, Verily, verily I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of heaven.”

Here are 10 ways Satan is slowly trying to destroy the LOVE in your marriage. He targets your heart, mind, and connection, but you are NOT powerless. "We are not unaware of his schemes...,". 2 Corinthians 2:11 1. Plant Seeds of Bitterness The Lie: "He or she will never change." This causes you to replay old hurts or old worries surface in your mind. The Truth: "Love keeps No record of wrongs." 1 Corinthians 13:5 Solution: Release the record, Choose forgiveness! Distort Your Identity The Lie: "You are not enough, or maybe even Too Much!" You base your worth on their behavior. The Truth: "You are God's masterpiece." Ephesians 2:10 Solution: Your value is secure in Jesus Christ (if you are a Christian), not in their response or actions. 3. Twist their Intentions The Lie: "They meant to hurt you." You misinterpret, assume, and attack. The Truth: "Love always trusts." 1 Corinthians 13:7 Solution: Ask, clarify, and believe in the best. Use Comparison The Lie: "Look how other husbands or wives treat their spouses." Discontentment grows and Gratitude stops. The Truth: "But Godliness is great gain, if a man or woman be content with that which he/she has." 1 Timothy 6:6 Solution: You are not called to their story, you need to Honor your own. Block Intimacy The Lie: "You are too busy, too tired, too hurt, etc..." Distance becomes the norm. The Truth: "What God has joined together, let no ne separate." Mark 10:5 Solution: You must continue to fight for connection and Prioritize closeness! 6. Stir up Control The Lie: "You have to Fix Him or her." You take the reigns and lose your peace. The Truth: "Be still and know that I am God." Psalms 46:10 Solution: Let God Lead and Trust in His timing! Minimize Prayer The Lie: "Why bother with prayer? No one is listening! The Truth: "The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." James 5:16 Solution: Don't underestimate what God hears and how he moves through your prayers. Isolate You The Lie: "No one would understand." You withdrawal from wise council and community. The Truth: "A Cord of three strands is not easily broken." Ecclesiastes 4:12 Solution: Let other's hold up your arms in the fight. Magnify the Pain & Minimize the Good The Lie: "There is nothing good left here." You forget how far you have come and what you have gone through together. The Truth: "Whatever is lovely... Think about such things." Philippians 4:8 Solution: Love is good for the soul. Always speak life or positivity! Destroy Hope The Lie: " It's too late... The love is gone." You start to believe healing is not possible. The Truth: "With God, all things are possible." Matthew 19:26 Solution: No marriage is too far gone for God! We are not unaware of the enemy's (Satan) tactics. God is greater. He empowers you to Love, Forgive, and Hope again. We have to die to self and surrender our lives to Him. He gives us a promise that he will fight for us, if we only surrender the control. "The Lord will fight for you: you need only to be still." Exodus 14:14 I will leave you with this prayer of surrender, acknowledgement and protection over your marriage. Dear God, I give you my heart, my marriage, and every place where the enemy has tried to steal my love and joy. I do not want bitterness, pride, or fear. I want and need your peace, your love, and your truth to fill my heart. Help me to see my (husband or wife) the way that You do. Teach me to love with grace, forgive quickly, and speak life over them. Protect our connection and guard our hearts. Restore what feels broken. I trust you to fight for us. Make me a (husband or wife) who builds, prays, and believes. You are not done with us yet! I pray this in the Name and power of Jesus Christ! AMEN...

PASSOVER – The first of all the Jewish Celebrations and coming up Soon! Time of Preparation - Mark (Chapter 14) The upcoming Jewish Time of Preparation and Remembrance is coming soon.  Passover is a time of reflection and is a very important time for both Jews and Christians.  Yeshua’s (Jesus’s) final 24 hours began in Bethany, just outside of Jerusalem on the slope of the Mount of Olives.  It was here that the weary Messiah periodically found refuge and comfort in the home of his friends, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Here Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead before the grieving eyes of the two sisters. IT is also here, just a short time prior to the events described in the Bible, that a woman with an alabaster jar had poured expensive oil over His head. You will recall that when she did so, some of his disciples had complained about the waste of money. But Jesus stated, “she came beforehand to anoint My body for burial” (Mark 14:8). In this passage, Jesus sends two of his disciples into Jerusalem with very detailed instructions for identifying an “upper room” in which they can prepare and partake of the Passover meal. Of course, the two disciples “found just what Jesus had told them”. Food for Thought & Prayer :   When the voice of the Lord gives me clear instructions, do I respond quickly and fully – with a heart filled with trust and confidence that everything will work out as He has planned? The Passover Celebration  – (Leviticus Chapter 23) (1 Corinthians 5:7) (Mark 10:45) When God commanded the institution of a yearly Passover observance for His people, He made it the first in an annual cycle of celebrations of remembrance. At the Passover Seder meal, the Jewish people commemorate the event in Egypt when the spirit of death passed over the Israelite nation on the night before their great deliverance from bondage. On that night, they were saved by placing the blood of a lamb upon their doorposts. This event foreshadowed the coming day when all humanity would be offered deliverance from slavery to sin and eternal death through the blood of Jesus, the Lamb of God. Sadly, through the centuries many Christians have lost sight of the Jewish roots of their faith. As a result, many Believers have no idea that the meal we’ve come to know as “The Last Supper” was a Passover Seder. Every detail of the traditional Passover Seder is filled with Messianic symbolism. And when you understand that Yeshua (Jesus and His disciples were celebrating a Seder, many of the details of the biblical narrative come into sharper focus. For example, Leviticus 23:5 says, “The Passover was to begin at twilight” and concerning the Last Supper we read in Mark 14:17, “When it was evening, He came with the twelve”. It wasn’t a coincidence that this meal was held at sundown; it was a direct command from God the Father. Food for Thought & Prayer :   Timing and order are clearly important to God. And his instructions to “rest” regularly are a key element in our worship of Him. Are there any areas of my life in which I have disregarded God’s designated order of things? Am I resting as I should? IF not, why not? The Sacrificial Lamb  – (1 Corinthians Chapter 5) (Exodus Chapter 12) The very first Passover shows God satisfying both His justice and His love by providing innocent blood to spare His beloved Children. He delivers them not only from bondage but also from death through the blood of the Passover Lamb. This shedding of innocent blood for the forgiveness of sins is a central theme of God’s atoning work. But it’s much more than a literary or symbolic act. It’s the literal lifeblood of our faith. Of course, this all was pointing toward the future arrival of the ultimate Pesach sacrifice – the Lamb of God, Yeshua (Jesus). The apostle Paul recognized this and directly identifies Yeshua’s execution as the Passover’s fulfillment:  … for Messiah, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed (1 Corinthians 5:7).          Did you know that the Aramaic word for Lamb is Talya , which can mean either lamb or servant? Isiah chapter 53’s famous “Suffering Servant” passage describes Yeshua (Jesus) as a Lamb led to the slaughter. Hence, describing Jesus carrying the wood cross down the path leading to his public death or slaughter. The New Covenant also calls Yeshua (Jesus) “the Lamb” – no fewer than 34 times! In fact, the number of parallels between the Passover Lamb and Jesus is nothing less than extraordinary. Taken as a whole, these passages show that God had been preparing for Yeshua’s (Jesus’s) atoning sacrifice since the dawn of human history (post flood). Food for Thought & Prayer :  Jesus once said that He “did not com to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45) What is my attitude and expectation today? Will I allow a deeper understanding of Jesus’s atoning work – the forgiveness, safety, wholeness, and acceptance I have in Him - to free me to serve others today? The Elements of Passover  – (Exodus Chapter 12) (Matthew 26:26) (John 1:29) There are three vital elements that comprised the Jewish Seder that Jesus and His disciples would have observed – matzot, bitter herbs, and lamb. Matzot was unleavened bread, or bread made without yeast. It is a tangible reminder that when the Israelites left Egypt, they left in haste and therefore had no time to allow the bread to rise in the traditional way. This is the same type of bread Yeshua (Jesus) held in his hands at His final Passover: “Now while they were eating, Jesus took matzah; and after he offered the Bracha (Blessing), he broke and gave it to the disciples and said, ‘Take, eat, this is My body broken for you’” (Matthew 26:26). Why bitter herbs? They served as a reminder to the Jewish people that were slaves in Egypt before God brought them out. When they entered the land of promise, God wanted them to have an annual reminder of the bitter hardships of which He had rescued them. Perhaps Jesus also consumed these bitter herbs with thoughts of the disciple who would soon betray Him, and the Father who had ultimate authority. In fact, I believe it was bitter herbs in the bowl he shared with Judas when he declared, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me". The roasted lamb was the third piece of the Seder meal. As we have seen, it was the Lamb’s blood that marked the doorpost of the Israelite houses as a sign for Death to “pass over.” Roasting symbolized trials and judgement. As Yeshua (Jesus) partook of this final meal with His closet associates, He was surely keenly aware that all of these elements ultimately pointed to Him as the prophesied Messiah of Israel and Savior of mankind. He knew, as John the Baptizer had declared, that He was “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Food for Thought & Prayer :  Through Jesus’s atoning death, I have been delivered out of slavery to sin and death. I will take a moment now to ponder and remember, with gratitude, all the Yeshua (Jesus) died to make possible for me. Today I will give Him thanks and praise.   Teacher and Lord  – (John Chapter 13) (Philippians 2:5-7) Unpretentious, Accessible, and Real. These words are why people found Jesus’s blend of authority, authenticity, and compassion irresistible. Yes, He communicated truth powerfully through sermons and parable. But He also delivered truth through His example. He modeled it. This is precisely what we see Him doing near the beginning of His final Passover. Recognizing that His time for teaching and training His handpicked followers was rapidly running out, Jesus knew He had to do more than tell them that servanthood was the key to advancing in His kingdom. He had to show them. In washing His disciples’ feet as the lowest servant in a household would do, Yeshua modeled for them the kind of life He wanted them to live after he was gone. He said, “I have set you and example that you should do as I have done for you” (verse 15). As His disciples jockeyed for position and argued about which of them was the greatest, Jesus showed them the paradox of greatness in the Kingdom of Heaven – even as He stood on the threshold of the greatest ordeal any person ever faced. Food for Thought & Prayer :  The apostle Paul said, “Have this attitude in yourselves, which also was in Messiah Yeshua, Who, though existing in the form of God, did not consider being equal to God a thing to be grasped. But He emptied Himself – taking on the form of a slave…” (Philippians 2:5-7). Jesus Predicts Betrayal, Denial, and Abandonment – (Matthew 26:20-25) (Exodus 12:3) In His final hours with His closest friends and companions, Jesus must reveal that one of them will betray Him. But Judas isn’t the only disciple who falls short during His final 24 hours. Just a few verses later, Jesus says to Peter: “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times” (Matthew 26:34). Peter of course declares: “’Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.’ And all the other disciples said the same” (verse 35). But by verse 56 we read: “All the disciples deserted Him and fled”.    Let’s remember for a moment the passage from Exodus about the Passover lamb: “Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household” (Exodus 12:3). Food for Thought & Prayer : In what ways have I betrayed or denied the Savior in my life? Today, I will seek and receive the free gift of forgiveness and restoration made possible through the blood of the lamb. My Shalom, I Give You  – (John 14:25-31) (Philippians 4:7) (Exodus 12)                 In John 14, it seemed an odd moment for Jesus to speak of “peace”. It was probably the last thing the disciples felt at this point, as their Teacher and Leader told them He would no longer be with them. But Jesus assured them that they would indeed have peace – not the ephemeral worldly form of peace that we experience when everything is going our way, but the peace in the midst of the hardest of trials. A peace that passes all understanding (see Philippians 4:7). In exodus 12, as the Lord directed Moses and Aaron as to how the Israelites were to celebrate the Passover, He said that first they were to apply the blood of the lamb over their doorpost, then they should enter the door of their home to eat the Seder meal in peace. They had to apply the blood first so that death would not pass over them, and then they could eat in peace and safety. In the same way, the blood of Jesus allows us to enter into His peace, because after the blood has been applied, then we are covenantally sealed under God’s favor, protection, and saving power. Most importantly, we have His presence in our lives. As the psalmist David wrote: “Even though I walk in the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me” (Psalm 23:4) Food for Thought & Prayer: Revelation 12:11 declares, “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony…”. When I feel troubled or afraid, it is important to recall that the blood of the Lamb is painted upon the doorposts of my life.

Introduction to this series: We are about to embark on a teaching that will surely help you learn to read your Bible, which is the Living Word of God, not with the eyes of a Gentile, not the eyes of a Protestant, or Catholic, but through the eyes of Judaism.  You will realize that Jesus and His disciples weren’t converted Jews (Keepers of the Law or Torah) of God. They were faithful practicing Jews and also followers of Jesus Christ. As you sincerely begin to learn about the Torah with an unbiased mind that is open to being taught by the Holy Spirit, on God’s Law, you will better begin to appreciate how its customs and celebrations are linked to the fulfillment of many blessings found in the believer whose life is fully immersed in Christ.  You will also learn to love and respect all people with the unconditional love of the Lord. The Biblical story of Ruth is more than the beautiful love story of King David’s great grandparents.  Ruth is the symbol of every Gentile who has ever come to faith through Israel’s God.  The words of this Moabitess to her Jewish mother-in-law Naomi – “Your people shall be my people and your God my God” – are still ringing in the hearts of every non-Jew who believes in the promised son, Messiah, who would come down through their lineage. Please read the four chapters of Ruth in the Bible to rediscover truths and prophesy leading towards the promised Messiah. Every Gentile believer has come from the land of famine to the spiritual realm of abundance in that Name.  Even Jesus’ reference to Himself as the Bread of Life hearkens back to this ancient love story – to say nothing of the fact that He was born in the shadow of the very fields where Ruth was gleaning just outside of Bethlehem (House of Bread). But the church has not responded to her Boaz as Ruth responded to hers.  The church did not leave her Moabitish way behind when she came into the house.  Although she may have taken the “Bread” of Boaz, which represents Jesus to the Jew, she has turned her back on all His relatives, the Jewish people. As a student of the Word, I am deeply aware of a significant change in the spiritual realm.  I eagerly await the second Coming of the Lord, just as any other believer, but at the same time I am increasingly growing passionate by the day about seeing my Jewish brothers and sisters are accepted as Jewish and encouraged to express their faith in Jesus Christ within a Jewish framework. I want to see the Gentile church appreciating her Jewish foundation stones.  I want her to understand why Israel and the Jewish people are center stage in world history again and I want her to be grateful for a returning Jewish leadership in the Body of the Messiah (Jesus Christ). Deuteronomy 4:40  – “Thou shalt keep therefore His ordinances and His commandments which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days upon the earth, which the Lord thy God giveth thee forever.” Psalms 119:126-127  – “It is time for thee Lord to work:  for they have destroyed thy Law.  Therefore, love I thy commandments above gold, yea, above all fine gold.” Ruth and Naomi in the fields gleaning outside of Bethlehem.

Step 4 - FRIENDS I have a couple of friends I have been hanging out with for over 40 years. We connected in the 5th grade, and for the most part, the group has not changed, except through life experiences. Growing up, each year we take a trip together, and one particular year we went to a lake. We decided to go across the lake by boat for pizza. It happened to be a very hot day that turned into a super muggy evening. At some point during dinner I got into an argument with one of my friends. It got heated and I got so angry, I left, pouting, to go back to the boat. We were arguing about some stupid thing, but at the moment it seemed super important. Everyone eventually came back to the boat where my friend and I resumed our argument. Now understand, it was muggy. We had just eaten and were on a boat with waves. As we argued, another friend attempted to bring peace, while our fourth friend gets boat sick and starts puking over the side of the boat! Did this stop the argument? NOPE! So in this boat you have four young men, two mad and yelling, one trying to bring peace, and the fourth puking his guts out over the side of the boat. It was quite the scene! It was also quite a memory and brings smiles to our faces, even to this day. This group of guys has been with me through the good and the bad times in my life. I can say they are closer than brothers to me. The same is true for them. We have held each other accountable, laughed, fought, and cried together. I would not trade these guys for anything in this world. Our relationship has not always be smooth sailing, but one thing that has stayed at the center of our relationship has been our faith in Jesus. We all understand now how important having a personal relationship with Jesus is and how important being involved in a community of faith is, as well. Even though we are all living in different states, we are still as close as ever. Does this story resonate with you? Do you find yourself longing for true community? Too often as men, we tend to isolate ourselves. We stop building communities and start building walls. We don't want to run the risk of being called out. Most have a hard time with vulnerability and can't receive constructive criticism or feedback. We have stopped sharing our hearts and share more about our accomplishments. This does not make better, but creates chasms in our development. I believe men crave community and authentic manhood. We long to create memories and share stories. We want tough conversations with someone we can trust; the type of friends who will build you up, and not tear you down. Those who have your best interest and genuinely want you to get better. A great saying is "show me your friends and I will show you your future." A great place to find these friends is in church or a small group. There are also other great organizations specifically designed to help me develop authentic community. Wherever you find them, these friends are needed and they are worth it! Questions: 1. What does your friend circle look like? 2. Do your current friends build you up, or tear you down? 3. Start asking God, today, to direct your steps and guide you to strong friends. 4. Get involved with organizations that have the same passions you do. There is a good chance you will find friends there. Proverbs 18:24 - "A man that hath friends, ought to shew himself friendly: for a friend is closer than a brother." Proverbs 27:6 - "The wounds of a lover are faithful, and the kisses of an enemy are pleasant." 1 Corinthians 15:33 - "Be not deceived: evil speaking corrupts good manners." Thank you for reading this series. Keep taking steps to be the man or woman God made you to be! I hope in some way this series has helped you rekindle or start something new that will change you life forever. Please see my website for all the blogs and services that we can provide to all. Jesus tells us that he is knocking on the door, and we just have to answer and open the door, repent, and let him in. If you are struggling with understanding or have never been offered the opportunity to hear Jesus's story, we would love to have the opportunity to make contact with you! Please visit our website listed below and fill out the contact form. We look forward to speaking with you soon. Until then, BE WELL... www.for-the-father.com

Step 3 - Healthy Habits I used to enjoy playing video games. I know a lot of people who do. It is something that relaxes me and feeds some of my competitive drive. The problem is that it can easily become addicting, due to the dopamine the activity releases to the operator of the game. I remember one day I was playing a game, and my two children at the time (both boys), wanted to play with me, but I couldn't because "Dad needed to level up!" It dawned on me at that time that this game had become an unhealthy habit. I put away the game console for my kids to play with later. I also eventually sold it. That was the "way out" God showed me. This is just one small example of many from my life that God has revealed to me to remove from my life. Which of your habits have become unhealthy? It could be what you eat or drink, what you watch or listen to, what you think about others, working out too little or too much, substance abuse, work, sports, gambling, or sex. Whatever IT is, if it has become an unhealthy habit, then it needs to stop. When it is unhealthy it has become a crutch used to make you feel better about yourself. We want to feel powerful and successful, so we pour our heart and soul into something that will give us that feeling. The more of it we have, the more of it we want, until the point that something which was meant to be used in moderation offering us positive results becomes destructive. Nothing should wield that kind of control in our lives except Jesus. We all are tempted, but when we look for a way out, He will and can provide it. He has also provided the Holy Spirit to guide us through with a war chest of Full Armor and a resource manual (The Bible ). Acknowledging that something has gotten out of control and you need help is the first move in the right direction. This is the first step, regardless if you are a Christian or not. Doing this is agreeing with Scripture that you can stand up to temptation rather than being controlled by it. By doing this, you start creating new habits that rewire and help eliminate the desire for what was unhealthy. Sometimes these habits require professional help to overcome. Other times (Most of the time) , it means completely removing the habit from your life and assistance is usually necessary. What unhealthy habit do you need remove? Don't waste any more time. Start getting healthy today. 1. What is one good habit that has become unhealthy for you? 2. What habit needs to be completely removed from your life? 3. Do you need to seek professional help for any of your habits? 1 Corinthians 10:13 - "There hath no temptation taken you, but such as appertain to man: and God is faithful, which will not suffer you to be tempted above that you be able, but will even give the issue with the temptation, that you may be able to bare it." 1 Corinthians 6:12 - "All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not profitable. I may do all thing, but I will not be brought under the power of anything." Romans 12:1 - "I beseech you brethren, by the mercies of God, that you give up your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable serving of God.

Step 2 - FEAR What are you afraid of? I used to be be deathly afraid of sharks, even though I grew thousands of miles aways from the ocean! As I grew older, the fear became more rational, but I still never wanted to run into a shark. While on an ocean getaway with my wife, we decided to go snorkeling. We were having a great time looking at all of the ocean life, when my wife started freaking out. She pointed behind us, where no more than six feet away, a four foot shark had snuck up upon us. I was paralyzed, but instead of trying to out-swim my wife, I faced that shark and watched as it swam away. I then had to go change my wetsuit! The point is, I came face to face with what I was afraid of and did not run away. Fear is a common theme today. Everyone is afraid of something. Fear seems to dominate our politics, religion, and relationships. Fear also prevents us from becoming a better man or woman. Why? Because it keeps us from trying new things and taking new opportunities. It keeps us at home playing video games, not getting a gym membership, or not going after that job promotion or opportunity, and in some cases, you calling from God. When fear controls us, we aren't walking in God-given "power, love, and self-discipline. Fear wants us to be complacent. When we are comfortable we stop improving. I believe what the world needs now, more than ever, is human beings willing to face their fears. Human beings who will not let the risks outweigh the rewards. The spirit of fear around us is not what God intends for us. If we look at the great leaders from the past, throughout history, we see that they did not let fear stop them from achieving amazing feats. It's not that they were not afraid, but they didn't let fear control them. POP Culture - There are so many stories, movies, books, songs, etc. that describe how dangerous and destructive fear is. To name a few most recent ones, Star Wars and Dune, come to my mind. Master Yoda to little Anikan Skywalker at the testing. Paul Atraites when he is being tested by the Reverend Mother - "I must not fear, fear is the mind-killer." Fear is a motivating factor and when used for good it can be world and life changing. What is one thing that you have always wanted to do? Why haven't you done it? If fear is a major reason, maybe it is time to reevaluate. People today have allowed fear to keep them from being engaging fathers and mothers, investing in their marriage, and leading their families. Today, more than ever, we need people who aren't afraid to face and conquer their fear; PEOPLE WHO WALK IN "POWER, LOVE, AND SELF DISCIPLINE." 1. Each of us have experienced legitimate fears. We all have areas we allow our fear to control. Write down 3 things that fear is controlling in your life today. What would you need to do to overcome those fears? What would your life look like if you did? 2. What is a fear you need to face? It could be dealing with your finances or facing someone who has abused or wronged you. 3. What is one small or large step you can make today to start conquering that fear? 2 Timothy 1:7 - "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." Isaiah 41:10 - "Fear not, for I am with you: be not afraid, for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee, and help thee, and will sustain thee with the right hand of My justice." 1 Corinthians 6:13 - "Meats are ordained for the belly, and the belly for the meats: but God shall destroy both it, and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body."

"Mostly, every person wants to be the best version of themselves they can be." We have an innate desire to improve, so why do so many people settle for being just okay? Why do we assume we can't improve, or that we are tapped out? Over these next few blogs, we will discuss some practical steps everyone can take to get out of the "okay" rut. These are steps you can take, starting today. I hope that after this series you are making strides toward being the man/woman God made you to be. Just like Pearl Jam's song a few decades ago, "A Better Man". STEP 1: Identify the LIES Growing up my grandfather used to tell us that if you sprinkled salt on a squirrel's tail you could catch it. Or have you ever been Snipe hunting? :) You know, they are both not true. I have tried! If you are like me, you believe certain things about yourself that just are not true. As I grew up, I learned to bury truth in grandeur, by being egregious with success or portrayed as something other than the truth, in order to gain influence, material gains, etc. That was one lie that I believed. What have you believed and unknowingly accepted? It could be that you are incapable of losing wight, you aren't smart enough, you will never find a significant other, or you cannot be minister of the gospel. Like Moses, Jonah, and many more from the Bible, God's plan or blueprint to becoming the best version of yourself is not available, need access code, etc. Whatever the lie is, you don't have to keep believing it. The problem is that we don't always seem to know when we are believing a lie. A lot of times, it is something that we have just accepted subconsciously. How do we start identifying these lies and calling them what they are? How do we start unmasking the deep rooted lies that we have accepted as truth? First, we have to allow God to identify the lies from truth: To "capture rebellious thought." We need to ask God to give us insight or clarity, into what He says is true. Ask him who He created you to be. Ask for discernment, to be filled with the Holy Spirit to guide you through this process, rebuke Satan, and lastly, ask your friends and family for their view of you. Flesh out the very things you have always believed and confirm whether or not they are true. Second, replace the lies with truth. This is what it means to "teach your thoughts to obey Christ." Confirm what is true. Speak the truth out loud. Set up ways to be affirmed in truth and to be accountable to others when they see you not walking in truth. It could mean seeing a counselor. It could mean writing down lies you have believed, then lining them up against scripture. Third, create opportunities to watch the truth play out in front of you. Maybe it is finding ways to measure your success. Maybe it is hitting the gym and watching the pounds drop off. Maybe it is getting involved with a singles group, Sunday school class, or other organization to assist others. Whatever it is, experiencing the joy of watching the lie die, while seeing truth manifested through faith growing your confidence and need to share with others. Today is the day you stop believing the lies and start experiencing the Truth. Don't be just "okay", be a better man/woman. 1. Allow God to separate the lies you have believes from His truth. 2. Replace lies with the truth. Write down the lies, then check them against what Scripture says. 3. Create opportunities to watch the truth play out, so you can share your success with others. 2 Corinthians 10:5 - "Casting down the imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." Psalms 86:11 - "Teach me thy way, O Lord, and I will walk in thy truth: knit mine heart to the, that I may fear the Name." John 8:44 - "You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do: he has been a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. We he speaks a lie, then he speaks of his own: for he is the father of lies."

Worry is where we mull over, ponder, and think of a negative outcome until it causes stress, anxiety, dread, and ultimately fear. We usually see things turning out very badly, and imagine the worst case scenario. We can't see that anything will get any better, only worse. What we know about the soul is whatever we continue to think about things, it affects our emotions. And so anxiety, stress, and fear begin to take over and dominate us. From this point we start to make decisions based on all this negative thinking because this is how we feel. We can tend to withdraw, avoid, shrink back, or try to work things out in our own strength. But Jesus Christ says "Do Not Worry?" The reason Jesus said for us not to worry is because of who our Father is. He created everything by His word, He created us, and He is all love, all power, all knowing. So if we are believers, then we are also sons and daughters of God. We have full access to all his help, wisdom, power, which dwells in us right now. If He is already in your heart, then everything you need is on the inside of you by the Holy Spirit. So then, the battle is in our minds, our imaginations, and this is where worry begins. What are we allowing in our minds? What are we allowing our imaginations to see? We have got to be intentional on what we think on. This is why Jesus Christ, in his Sermon on the Mount, says "don't be like those who don't know God". Don't go down the wrong path to get things in your own strength, stressing and worrying. But seek God, seek His kingdom ways, seek His promises, seek His word in your situation. Think on these things, look at these things in your thoughts and imaginations. Where you are looking is key. Whatever you put your attention on is the direction you will head in. Faith in God and His Word, and always looking at His words, your eyes on Him. We know when we are worrying and anxious, we have taken our attention away from God and His Kingdom ways and put them back on our own abilities and strength. But 2 Peter 1 says - "We have already been given all we need for life and godliness through the promises of God. This is not easy, as there are plenty of things going to tell you it's not true." So what kingdom are you operating in today? Where are you looking today? The Kingdom of God - operates by faith and trust in God's ways, God's word. All the other kingdoms of the world operate in stress, fear, worry, and anxiety. Jesus came to deliver us from all of this, by showing us a different way to lie in His kingdom. So I ask you, which kingdom do you want to live in today? In Matthew, chapter 6, Jesus gives us a road map on how to navigate this kingdom and not to lean on our own ideas, or notions, or motives. We need to die to selfishness, submit ourselves daily to God's purpose and plans for our lives, and allow the Holy Spirit to guide us down the path of righteousness. This is a remedy to eliminate the fears out and away from our lives. Read the chapter below and keep it close to your heart and mind. Be well... Matthew Chapter 6: 1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. 2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: 4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. 5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are : for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. 7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do : for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. 9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. 14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. 16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; 18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. 19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. 23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. 25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? 27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? 28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.