What Is Shalom? The True Meaning

There’s an ancient Hebrew concept of peace. Rooted from the word “shalom,” but it dines not only mean peace – there is so much more. It means wholeness, completeness, soundness, health, safety, and prosperity and it carries with the implication of permanence.

Shalom And Peace

Peace! Peace! Peace! Every body’s for it. No body is against it. But what is that very elusive quality we call peace? For it means different things to different people.

  • Peace is what those who follow Eastern religions and say it only comes through the obliberation of the individual personality; becoming a part of the Universe with no awareness of self. But they really mean serenity.
  • Peace is what that elderly neighbor wants when the teenager across the street is practicing on their drums.
  • Peace is what the shopkeeper wants when their worried about paying the bills. They really mean that they’d like there store to be busy and bustling with customers. Peace to them means prosperity.
  • The patient waiting anxiously in the doctor’s office to be told the results of the lab tests wants peace. They really want good health.

At the most extreme, some, like Hitler, peace results from killing people- at least it means killing to attain their kind of peace.

When we don’t have what we think we should have, we say we need peace.

Peace Cannot Be Determined By Our Own Biased Viewpoints or selfish needs

Defining Peace

“Peace” is oftentimes defined as the condition of life that should be. But who has the right to determine what should be and what shouldn’t be? If all of us could get the kind of peace we wanted, it would be an imposed peace. It would be peace at the expense of someone else’s dream of what peace should be. Peace cannot be determined by our own biased viewpoints or selfish needs. Nor can our standard for peace be set by the norm of our turbulent society. So where can we look, if not to ourselves or society? How do we set up criteria for defining “peace?”

Webster’s definition centers are two major themes. One deals with the cessation of hostilities. The other focuses on the freedom from inner turmoil, better known as peace of mind.

We can look at the outworking of these two themes by seeing how two distinct cultures interpret peace. The word, as common,y used in English, comes from the Latin word “pax.” Pax to the Romans meant cessation of hostilities between the conquers and the vanquished. The peace was alway temporary because it depended on who was in the position of strength. (Which is how the World is operating today).

The Difference Between “Peace” And Shalom

One can dictate a peace; Shalom is a mutual agreement. Peace is a temporary pact treaty: Shalom is the condition of peace. Peace can be negative, the absence of commotion. Shalom is positive, the presence of serenity. Peace can be partial; Shalom is whole. Peace can be determined by circumstances; Shalom is complete.

God Of Peace

God’s name is peace and is bound together in peace.

Peace is a positive thing, the essential means by which men of differing temperaments and opinions can work together for the common good. Pearls of individual virtue would be dim in isolation were it not for the string of peace that binds them together and so increases their luster. That is why peace in a name of God for it is He who gives unity to the whole creation.

Zohar

God’s Shalom

The criteria for Shalom, true peace, then rests with God. The definition of peace must begin with the assumption that there is a Creator and that He has established a standard for us. Hence, there must come an acceptance (at least for the understanding of this post) of the way in which God has chosen to reveal Himself to man – through the Bible.

Shalom In The Bible

The first example of peace in the Bible is the condition that existed in the beginning in the Garden of Eden. There is good reason to believe the Genesis account of creation, but even if you do believe it literally, the message still demonstrates a lesson of peace.

Adam And Eve Disobeyed And The Shalom Of God Was Lost For Them

Adam and Eve were at peace with God and all He created. Their needs were supplied. They did not suffer hunger, disease or pain of any kind. Beauty surrounded them so they could experience and enjoy it. They weren’t lonely they had each other, and more importantly, they had an intimate relationship with God. If any people ever experienced peace it was Adam and Eve. The only condition of peace existed in the Garden on,y as long as they were obedient to God’s will. Unfortunately, they disobeyed and the Shalom of God was lost.

Shalom In The Old Testament

If through Adam and Eve we see that peace was lost through disobedience, in Abraham we see the opposite:

Then God said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.” Early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he told his servants to stay behind and he set out for the place God had to,d him about.”

Genesis 22:2-3

It seems beyond the comprehension to follow such instructions at all, let alone to do it without anger, anxiety or despair. But Abraham obeyed God. He recognized that God had the right to require Isaac’s life if He chose. This trust and reliance in the One who created him made it possible for Abraham to have peace of mind, even when all his natural senses much have told him otherwise.

Adam and Eve could not follow a simple rule God had set for then. As a result they were banished from the Garden. The cynic will lament. “I have tried to make right things happen. I’ve worked abs I’ve hoped, but everyone eventually disappoints me. You say I should hope in God? It’s like asking me to trust in the tooth fairy! How can I believe in a supernatural being?”

This lack of trust in an almighty God is reflected in the story of a 9-year old boy returning from a Hebrew school who tells his mother about the day’s lesson.

The young boy told his mother about: the rabbi that told how God sent Moses behind the enemy lines ti rescue the Israeli from the Egyptians. When they came to the Red Sea, Moses called for the engineers to understand a pontoon bridge. . After they had all crossed, they looked back and saw the Egyptian tank coming. Quick as a flash Moses radioed headquarters on his walk-in-talkies to sent in the bombers to destroy the bridge, and that’s how he saved the Israelites.

His mother, astounded, said to the boy., “Son, is that really the way the rabbi told that story?”

“Well, not exactly, Mom. But if I told it his way you’d never have believed it!”

The story was humorous because it’s all too true. When things are bigger than our own life experience, we “translate” them into what we consider to be understandable dimensions. The danger in doing this is that when we translate God’s acts, we are by our limited understanding, diminishing who God is. We diminish the possibility of peace in our lives because we diminish the One who has the power to give us peace.

Attaining Peace

Peace, lasting peace, transcends the situation and flaws of our own personal lives because it doesn’t come from us. It comes from God. The prophet Isaiah wrote, “You will keep in perfect peace who mind is steadfast, because he rust in you. Trust the Lord forever, for the Lord, is the Rock forever” (Isaiah 26:3-4). Trusting God means recognizing Him and giving Him His rightful place in our lives. We are not in a position to attain peace ourselves.

We are however, in a place to choose peace. I believe that Jesus came to be an agent of that peace God promises (Isaiah 9:6-7) by first giving us the Opportunity to be reconciled with God. And I believe it is possible to experience all the qualities of Shalom that God promises – wholeness, completeness, soundness, health, safety, when we look to Him.

I wish you Shalom Peace

Did You Know The Brain Has A Delete Button? Here’s How To Use It.

I was speaking to someone last night. And they brought this to my attention. I read up on it. This is what I learned. I thought I would share it will you.

There’s a old saying in neuroscience: “neurons that fire together wire together.”

This means the more you run a neuro-circuit in your brain. The stronger the circuit becomes. This is why people say “practice makes perfect.” The more you practice piano or speaking a language, or juggling, the stronger those circuits will get.

Scientists have knows this for years. However now days researchers have learned another part of the truth. In order to learn something, even more important than practicing is the ability to unlearn or break down the old neural conn. This is called “synaptic pruning.”

Let’s imagine your brain is a garden, except instead of growing flowers, fruits, and vegetables, you grow synaptic connections between neurons. These are the connections that neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and others travel across.

“Glial cells“ are the gardeners of your brain – they act to speed up signals between certain neurons. But other glial cells are the waste removers, pulling up weeds, killing pests, and raking dead leaves. You brain’s pruning gardeners are called “microglial cells.” They prune your synaptic connections. The question is, how do they know which ones to prune?

Researchers are just starting to unravel this mystery, but what they do know is the synaptic connections that get used less get marked by a protein called C1q (as well as others).. When the microglial cells detect that Mark, they bond to the protein and prune or destroy the synapse.

This is how your brain makes the physical space for you to build new stronger connections so you can learn more.

This Is Why Sleep Matters

Your brain cleans itself out when you sleep.

Have you ever felt like your brain in full, like when you learn something new, or start a new job or hobby? Like you’ve gotten to much information all at once. Well, it may just be.

When we learn lots of new things, your brain builds connections, but they’re ineffective ad hoc connections. Your brain needs to prune a lot of those connections away and build more streamlined efficient pathways. It does this when we sleep.

When we scour brain cells shrink by up to 60% to create space for your glial gardeners to come in and take away waste. That’s how your they prune the synapses.

Have you ever woken up from a good night’s sleep and been able to think clearly and quickly? That’s why. It’s like running fragmentation on your computer.

This is the same reason naps are so beneficial to your cognitive abilities. A 10 or 20 minute nap gives your microglial gardeners the chance to come in and clear away some unused connections, and leave space to grow new ones.

Thinking with a sleep-deprived brain is like hacking your way through a dense jungle with a machete. It’s overgrown, slow going, and exhausting.

Thinking on a week-rested brain is like wandering happily through a park; the paths are clear and connect to one another at district spots, the trees are in place, and you can see far ahead of you. It’s invigorating.

This Is How You Can Control What Gets Deleted From Your Brain.

It’s the synaptic connections you don’t use that get marked by recycling. The ones you do use are the ones that get water and oxygenated. So be mindful of what you’re thinking about.

The Best Advice I’ve Ever Received

1. Whatever You Do Give it 100%. Whatever you find yourself doing don’t say “I can’t” even if it seems mundane.

2. Forgive And Let Go. When we carry unforgiveness, it’s literally like taking a huge rock and putting in a rucksack and carrying it on your back wherever you go. It weighs you down, saps your energy and your motivation and enjoyment of life.

3. Read A Lot. You’ll become smarter, books gives us access to some of the greatest minds and ideas that ever lived. Do just accept people ideas. Research it, find out for yourself.

4. Don’t Ever Stop Learning And Growing As A Person. The more you learn and grow, the better your life will become. Become a master at what you do.

5. Grow And Develop As A Person. Go beyond the expertise in a job skill, and as a person. Your people skills, leadership, skills, your attitude and ability to handle difficult situations,

6. Save A Portion Of Your Earnings And Avoid Credit Card Debt. This is brilliant money advice that I wish I had learned earlier in life. You will save a lot of money on the interest. If you need a credit card, be able to pay the balance off every month. For example is you have $3000 in credit card debt. At 28% interest that $3000 turns into approximately $5203 you will have to pay back.

7. Changing Your Thinking, Can Change Your Life. I used to think that if my circumstances magically changed, then everything would be great. But it’s not the circumstances that are the problem. It’s how to respond to the circumstances. It’s our thinking that determines what happens to us in life – not our circumstances.

8. Find A Mentor And Di What They’re Doing. Who are you watching and learning from? Success leaves clues. We can learn from those who have gone before us. If you find someone who has the results you want, then you need to do what they are doing.

9. Be Kind To People; Treat People As You Would Lime To Be Treated. Everyone loves to feel special. Everyone loves to be noticed. From the famous words of Zig Ziglar, “If you help enough people get what they want, then you will get what you want.” My Father always told me “You can catch more flies with honey than you can with vinegar.”

10. Never, Never, Never Give Up. It’s always easy to start something. Everyone can start something. Everyone can have a great idea. But seeing something significant through to completion takes perseverance. When no one believes in what your doing – will you keep going?

We’ve all had setbacks and difficulties and sometimes we just don’t feel motivated to carry on- but we have to continue fighting. Disappointments, pain, failure, resistance, setbacks and criticism from others will all come from others. You have to get through all of it in your path to your dream. And when that happens never, never give up!

Even When We Know What We Ought To Do – We Don’t Always Do It.

If You want to make. changes in your life. Try by including some of this advice if see for yourself.

How To Stop Being A Slave To Sin And Be Brought Into The Heavenly Kingdom

Sin, as a Christian, is something I couldn’t be more familiar with. It hovers around me everyday, it’s always close, and I can’t get rid of it. The constant cycle of sinning and confessing has always troubled me, because if the Lord ever returned, could I enter the kingdom of heaven like this? In my torment,I think of Apostle Paul’s words, “Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifies, Who isHe that condemns?” (Romans 8:33-34). “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). Yes, I am one of the Lord’s elect, the Lord has already forgiven all my sins, and no matter whether they are past, present, or future sins, He forgives them all. He no longer sees me as a sinner,and when the Lord comes, I will be able to enter the kingdom of heaven.

Coincidentally the Lord has forgiven us of our sins, but we still sin, we can’t keep the Lord’s way, and in our daily lives, we still deceive, lie, act in crooked, cunning ways m scheme and plot, become envious and squabble among ourselves, and are arrogant and self-righteous. We live in a cycle of sinning every day and confessing our sins every night, and we have not escaped our sinful natures and become purified. The Lord Jesus said: “Truly, truly, I say to you, Whoever commits sin is the servant of sin. And the servant stays not in the house forever: but the son stays ever” (John 8:34-35). In 1 Peter 2:16, He also says, “Because it is written Be you holy; for I an holy.” In these words we can see that people who haven’t escaped from the bondage of sin cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. We should believe in the Lord according to the Lord’s words, not according to man’s words. Paul was only a disciple, nothing more than a corrupt man. Wouldn’t you say so?

I can’t help but think: God is holy and righteous, so sinners are unqualified to remain in God’s kingdom. God hold the key to the gate of the heavenly kingdom, while Paul is merely a corrupt man. How could his words be the standard for entry into the kingdom of heaven? If we want to enter the kingdom of heaven, we need to determine the way based on God’s words, not the words of man.

I am a sinner, and God is Holy, which is a wide gulf between myself and God. How could I even hope to enter the kingdom of heaven while it exists?

To think I could is only deceiving myself. With Bible verses like “Holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14) and For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23), my heart was pierced with torment when I saw these verses. I often involuntarily sinned and resisted God, I was in bondage to sin and lacked the strength to escape, and this meant I would never be worthy to see God. Entering the kingdom of heaven was merely a dream for me.

I tried several ways to escape the bondage and restraints of sin. Once I fasted, and hiked to a mountain and prayed before the Lord to confess my sin, but afterward, I still sinned. I also strived to practice the Lords words and to be an honest person and to stop myself every little white lie I’ve told, but the moment something touched my interest, I lied involuntarily to deceived not only myself but others are well. Because I was tempted by these interests. Not only that I saw my brothers and sisters fellowshipping more clearly than myself, I became jealous of them… This troubled me deeply, I don’t know how many tears I cried before the Lord as a wept to Him.”Lord, how can I escape the bondage of sin and enter the kingdom of heaven? I would cry.”

And I believe God heard my prayers. One day I was visiting an old friend and was telling her my troubles and she said “we are created beings. By ourselves, we are powerless to overcome sin. If we want to escape the bondage of sin and be purified, we must ask God to work on our behalf and save us.”

Those who lived late in the Age of Law, were corrupted even more deeply that us because they didn’t have enough sacrificial offerings to redeem their sins, and they were always in danger of being condemned to death for violating the law. They could only cry out to God and bet Him to save them. God heard their cries and prayers, and to redeem people from the laws, God became the incarnate Lord Jesus, granted them rich and bountiful grace, and taught people how to confess their sins and repent, and allowed Himself to be nailed to the cross for man, after that we would no longer be condemned to death by the law for our sins, instead we can simply pray to God,enjoy the Lord’s grace and blessings, and have our sins forgiven. But our sinful natures are rooted deeply within us, and because the time has not yet come we will have to live in the cycle of sinning every day and repenting every night. We have to wait until His work to purify and save us, before we can completely rid ourselves of sinful nature. Jesus prophesied, “I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth; for He shall not speak of Himself; but wherever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will show you things to come” (John 16:12-14).

“And if any man hear My words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejects Me, and receives not My words, has one that judges him: the word that I have spoken, the same judge him in the last day” (John 12:47-48). From this we can see that the Lord will return in the last days to express many truths, as well as judge and purify our sins.

We must accept all the truths expressed by Christ in the last days to escape from our sinfulness, completely purifying ourselves of our satanic natures, and be completely saved by God to enter the kingdom of heaven.

Having read to this point, I understand that the reason I couldn’t escape the bondage and control of my sinfulness was that the Lord Jesus only did the work of redemption, not purifying and changing our dispositions. The Lord only redeemed people from the laws, and gave people the opportunity to come directly before God, pray to Him and receive His salvation. For those of us who hear the Lord’s words but cannot practice then, and who live trapped helplessly in a cycle of sinning and repenting, the Lord does not condemn us or judge us. In the last days the Lord will return, speak many new things, as well as Judge, purify and change us to completely escape the bondage of sin and live in the likeness of Him.

Until Jesus returns to Judge or purify us. We will have to continue to sin and repent for our sins. Knowing that Satan is right there hoping we won’t repent for our sinful nature, so he can win our souls. We can not stop sinning, but we can keep asking for repentance of those sins. And turn away from those sins, and turn toward God.

We Must Never Stop Trying To Be Who God Wants Us To Become. God Will Never Stop Leading And Guiding Us. We Just Have To Learn From Him, Listen And Obey.

Counting The Omer

From the second night of Passover until the day of Pentecost. God’s people engage in an unique mitzvah (a religious duty) called counting of the Omer. While it’s not good to become religious these 49 days can change your life if you pay attention to this command in the Bible.

The Bible commands us that during this time each year we count seven complete weeks, for 49 days. At the end of the seven week periods celebrate Pentecost (or Shavuot), which means weeks.

This is considered a mitzvah, so the count, which takes place each night, is preceded by a blessing. Hover, we may recite the blessing on,y if we have not missed a single day’s counting. (There are apps you can get on your phone or computer to be involved in this yearly count and blessings). If you have omitted the counting even one night during that stretch and don’t make it up during the day time without reciting the blessing, we may no longer recite the blessing,

The days in the Bible start at 6:00pm to 6:00pm so each nights count for the following day.

During the times of the Holy Temple, at the beginning of the Omer count and on the following holiday of Pentecost (Shavuot), special grain offerings were waved in different directions to demonstrate God’s Almighty’s all encompassing presence

Why Do People Count The Omer Today?

We learn several reasons. The foremost is that this count demonstrates our thrill for the impending occasion of receiving the Bible celebrated on Pentecost. Just as a child often counts the days until the end of school or an undo I get family vacation, we count the days to show our excitement at again receiving the Bible in a renewed sense every year,

We also learn that this person is meant to spiritually prepare and refine ourselves. When the Jewish people were in Egypt nearly 3,400 years ago, they had assimilated many of the immoral ways of the Egyptian people. The Jews had sunk to an unprecedented level of spiritual defilement and were on the brink of destruction (just as we are today). At the least possible moment, the children of Israel were miraculously redeemed. God chose Moses to bring them out of slavery. They underwent spiritual rebirth and qui ascended to the holiest collective state that had ever reached. (Maybe We are like the Jewish people who were in bondage for all those years). The fact that they had become Holy and were compared to angels when they stood at the foot of Mt. Sinai to receive the Bible.

In was during that 49-day period that they underwent such a radical transformation. From the lowest lows to the highest heights in just seven weeks!

The commandments of the Bible are not meant merely as our history, but instead represent an ongoing life lesson for every one. May we view the Bible as freshly received every day of our lives, and approach it and it’s commandments with appropriate vigor.

When the Omer is counted and meditated over we can digest the lesion that it offers. It is specifically during these 49-days that we can strive to grow and mature in our spiritual state. The Bible does or allow us to become satisfied with our current level of spirituality. Instead it tells us to set high goals for ourselves, and them methodically strive to reach that goal.

If you want to become closer with God it’s a way for that to happen. Learn the lesson of Passover to Pentecost be counting the Omer. It can be read in 10 minutes a day and will keep your focus on the lesion God is trying to teach us during this time.

The Gift

You may not look like you are special. You may be so caught up in sin you think God is not looking at you and perhaps a messenger of God may cross your path and tell you “You are beautiful” and your reply is “you think I’m beautiful?” I’m here to tell you, you are beautifully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). As a disciple of God, I choose to believe Him and His word as truth. There are so many lies being spread now and particularly to children and their parents. If satan can’t kill them out of the womb then he will try and flood them with lies so they will never become what God intended for them.

The agenda the world is promoting today are outright evil. God created all of us male or female and those two together are so powerful against satan and his plans. It’s no wonder he doesn’t want us to multiply.

I’m here to tell you this generation that is on earth today is a generation that is being birthed like the time of Moses and Jesus. They are called the Jacob generation. Pharaoh and Herod wanted babies killed because they feared their position as kings. Sons and Daughters of God can be kings under the King on earth like never seen before in this age. No one can stop and the move of God no matter how many delays, or how much the enemy of the soul could care less whether they die or go to heaven or hell. He just wants us outlc his way so he can do his evil works.

Ask God to reveal the evil so that you’re not deceived out of your life. And He will do it, and bless you beyond measure. Don’t waste you life. Have faith that Jesus died at the cross for your sins and confess with your mouth that He is Lord ask Him to come into your heart. Become born again. Set your love upon Him, know His name, call on Him in times of trouble. And He will answer and show you His salvation plan (Psalm 91).

The promises of God are sure, but right now the world is a war zone, and we need to rise up and be in God’s army. Let Him give you life and give it abundantly. That’s the reason Jesus came to do and wants to bring you along. We wants to take back what satan has stolen from you. He wants to give you power over the enemy. He wants to give you, authority over satan, He wants to give you peace, happiness and love. But He can only give you these gifts if your willing to receive them.

For nearly 30 years I allowed satan to take my soul, destroy my life, and make me an empty shell, with no love or compassion for anyone I came in contact with. I chose not to let Satan have control over my life anymore. I chose to be happy. I chose to make God the center of my life. Satan has taken so much from me. Don’t let him win. Choose to make God the center and cornerstone of your life. You are worth it.

Begin to live your life in peace with happiness and live it more abundantly. Don’t miss out on your true destiny. Let God be your light, kick Satan out of your life and the darkness will flee.

Accept God’s Gift Today