Focus

In the midst of this hurried world, our own hurried worlds, we must maintain a level of focus. A focus that cuts through the ratty mess that tries to overcome us.

Effort is needed on our part to have our minds on 'things above', see Colossians 3:2f, and not on the earthly things which so easily ensnare us. During your work day, if it's like mine, you may never have, or take, a moment to even think about our Righteous Master, but we must. We must stop for a moment, throughout the day, to give thanks to our Father for His mercies which are everlasting. We must stop for a moment to give thanks, because He has provided for us the things/circumstances that will help mature us in righteousness as sons and daughters.

Put a note on the monitor on your desk, create a wallpaper on your desktop, anything to keep the words of Torah in front of you. Effort my friends is needed today, if you are a part of this hurried world, to maintain a proper focus.

Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy- meditate on these things. "Phillipians 4:8

Shalom Aleichem

"Mark the perfect man and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace". Tehillim 37:37

The perfect man in this case is understood to be a pious man, a man of gentleness.

As we seek our Father in this time of introspection, with a heart of humility, a heart of repentance and forgiveness, it is written that HaShem will guard that man. In the midst of the evil that may surround you, the oppression or depression that may try to overcome you, HaShem will keep you.

It is written, "the end for that person is shalom".

May it be that our faith is strengthened according to the mercies and loving kindnesses of Avinu Shebashamayim, our Father in Heaven...

Perseverance

Do you ever grow weary?

I have found , when ever I am tired physically and mentally it can be a real challenge to maintain emuna. Sometimes a feeling of being alone tries to creep in... You know the feeling. Our lives, here in America, can be quite demanding. Our in-office environment is not always conducive to holiness. There is foul language, placement of blame, backbiting, this and more seems to be commonplace. You come home at the end of the day to your sanctuary and even then you can have challenge.

With HaShem's will, He will provide what is needed for you to become the man or woman that you were created to be! It is up to us to accept it and run with it! He loves us and will give us what we need for today!

Remember... "Love Adonai, all His devout ones! Adonai safeguards the faithful, but He repays the haughtiness on one who acts with arrogance. 25 Be strong, and let your hearts take courage, all who wait longingly for Adonai." Tehillim 31:24-25

Humble, Repentant

It is necessary to maintain a heart of humility.

Tehillim (Psalms) 10:17: 'The desire of the humble You have heard, HaShem ; guide their heart; let Your ear be attentive...'

Maintaining a repentant heart is of utmost importance as well.

David provided a striking example of this in Tehillim 51:3... 'Show me favor, O God, according to Your kindness, according to Your vast compassion erase my transgressions. 4 Abundantly cleanse me from my iniqity, and from my sin purify me. 5 For I recognize my transgressions, and my sin is before me always. 6 Against You alone did I sin...'

We should be as such, so that our hearts are free to hear clearly, the way in which we are to walk.

Everything is for the best!

In the book "The Garden of Emuna" by R. Shalom Arush, as translated by R. Lazer Brody, it says, 'Intermediate-level emuna is the belief that everything HaShem does is for the very best, even though it may appear otherwise'.

I have found this to take practice and if you really want your emuna to be strengthend, the opportunity for practice will come! This is all about re-newing your mind, changing the way you may have thought about things previously, subduing a negative mindset, if you will.


'Since everything that HaShem does is good, one cannot say that he or she believes in HaShem while complaining about their lot in life - such is a contradiction in terms'.

The Father does not necessarily want us to be stagnate and remain where we are from now on, but learning to be content from day to day, knowing that everything is from our Father and it is for our own good, we will have greater peace of mind and shalom bayit (peace in the home).

HaShem is good to all; His mercies are on all His works. Tehillim (Psalms) 145:9