Hebrews 10:25 (Not forsaking the assembling.)


1 Corinthians 14:26 How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.

Acts 2:46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart.

Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.


Hebrews 10:25 commands us to assemble so that everyone can actively encourage and stir each other up in love (Hebrews 10:24). In 1 Corinthians 14:26, the biblical assembly is where everyone participates not a show where everyone sits silently watching a stage. According to Matthew 18:20, whenever even two or three of us gather in His name, Jesus is right there. Gathering as the church is about active fellowship and home to home community (Acts 2:46), not spectator attendance at a venue.

Matthew 5:6 (Hunger and thirst for righteousness.)

Matthew 7:21 Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

Matthew 23:5, 23 But all their works they do to be seen by men. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe... and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith.

1 John 3:7 Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.


Jesus said those who hunger for righteousness will be filled, but He defined righteousness as doing the Father’s will in real life (Matthew 7:21) practicing justice, mercy, and faith (Matthew 23:23). In Matthew 23:5, Jesus explicitly condemned religious leaders who turned faith into an outward show to be seen by people. True righteousness isn't chasing an emotional high at a service; it is walking in obedience, truth, and love every day (1 John 3:7).

Psalm 122:1 (I was glad when they said. Let us go into the house of the Lord)

Acts 7:48-49 However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says: Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. What house will you build for Me? says the Lord.

1 Corinthians 3:16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

John 4:21, 23 - Jesus said to her, 'Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth.


In the Old Testament, Psalm 122 referred to the physical temple in Jerusalem. But under the New Covenant, Acts 7:48 states that God does not live in buildings made by human hands. Jesus told the Samaritan woman in John 4:21-23 that true worship is no longer attached to a physical mountain or venue. 1 Corinthians 3:16 proves that we are the temple of God. A church building is just brick and mortar; we are the house of the Lord wherever we go.

Acts 24:

"1 And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.
2 And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence,
3 We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.
4 Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words.
5 For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:
6 Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.
7 But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,
8 Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.
9 And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.
10 Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:
11 Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship.
12 And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:
13 Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.
14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.
17 Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.
18 Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.
19 Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me.
20 Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council,
21 Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.
22 And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter.
23 And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him.
24 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.
25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.
26 He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.
27 But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound."

Tears of Faith

Have you ever had your heart broken? Or your dreams shattered? Or had your plans crushed by reality?

That happened to the Jewish people when they were forced to leave their homes and become exiles in a foreign land. Their grief was surely deep and their questions surely plenty, but even their tears couldn’t stop new growth.

Recorded in Psalm 126, regarding the time “when the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem…”

“Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭126:5 NLT‬‬

Like the Israelites, you might be in a season of unexpected sadness, but joy, fruit, and abundance are waiting on the other side. 

Are you worried about someone in your family? Are you frustrated with someone at work? Are you devastated or numb regarding a situation in your life? Are you baffled by what you see on the news? Is your health failing you? Is this season not quite what you’d hoped?

Maybe you truly want to make a difference and you want the people around you to know God, but it’s hard—because you’re trudging forward through tears. 

The great news is, seeds aren’t picky about moisture, and tears can be a catalyst for growth.

Like any good book or movie, there’s conflict before there’s resolution. Like a woman in labor, there’s pain before there’s new life. Like a prisoner, there’s the angst of captivity before there’s the relief of freedom. Like any real farmer knows, there’s dirt and sweat before there’s any kind of harvest.

We don’t always get to choose the environment in which we sow seeds. But regardless, we—people made in the image of God—are called to love Him and love people, to be fruitful and multiply, to go and make disciples, and to trust Him with our grief.

Joy is often preceded by tears, which should give us great hope.

So, let’s continue to do the good work God has put before us. Let’s continue to plant seeds in faith, even through tears. Let’s honor Him as we sow our seeds and trust Him with the harvest.

FOOLISH JEWS
The Jews are foolishly being deceived by themselves and the Devil to run with the old agreement or old covenant patterns that have been fulfilled in the personality of the Messiah that came and they failed to realize it which was why they were dispersed and trampled upon all over the world(Luke 21:20 - 24,20:16,17,18,19,Mark 13:2)
God's ultimate plan is for the universal church on earth to have a unified worship in Israel but the reality is that the Jews are still foolish fools who read the scriptures without understanding which was why God called them DENSE(Matthew 23) for they have eyes to see but do not see and have ears to hear but do not hear. They are blind guards. The Holy Scriptures in Isaiah 55:5 says,"You shall call a nation you do not know and nations who do not know you shall run to you because of the LORD your YHWH for HE has glorified you(God coming as human in flesh to bestow all what it takes) and verse 3/4 says," Incline your ears and come to ME(Leaving the old covenant and modernizing and upgrading).Hear, and your soul shall live; and I (YHWH) will make an everlasting covenant (New Covenant that is only on Christ the Messiah alone and no other) the sure mercies of David (Matthew 2:1-6, check chapter 1 on genealogy) with you which is the sure mercies of David(which is the plan from of old because even David could not keep the laws but walked in fleshly lusts and sin).I Indeed I(YHWH) have given HIM (CHRIST or Yahshua)as a witness to the people.A leader and commander for the people". The truth was that Christ prophesied about the dispersions, pulling down of Jerusalem and coming back plus the failures and the successes if the truth is realized that God cannot go back to the old method to give the Jews power and protection but only gathering and taking care of the universal church rather than Rome,the Idolatrous. Yahshuanisim is the only survival for the Jews as most of the talks of Jesus Christ are prophecies of that time and present but they thought that HE was raving mad but part of those words have come to pass. The curses declared by the Master are prophecies and every word HE uttered were fullfiled. Some thought that HIS curses,for example to that woman HE called a dog shouldn't be, but that woman knew so to be true, for she was truly a dog(metaphorically and spiritually Matt 15:25,27).
Jews think that the way they want and go is the way God wanted them to go without realizing that they should have been the Body that gathers all diverse believers of non denominational believers for the Time for all in Christ the Messiah which was why a space was provided in the old pattern or old covenant temple for gentiles and when Jews realize this then that's when a new wave of universal outbreak in Yahshanism will expand. Jerusalem or Israel should be a kingdom like America but unlike it in impurity meant to gather Yahshuans (believers in the Messiah Yah is My Ishua(Yahshua, Immanuel, Jesus Christ, Yeshua or whatever the name of the Son of Man is called) from all over the world together, which is the Rome of our Time or of the current time.

As they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.”

Luke 24:36 ɴᴋᴊᴠ

The disciples were gathered together in Jerusalem on that day talking of His resurrection. He greeted them with that blessed salutation, “Peace to you.” For theirs was to be a mission of peace, and if they were to prosecute it rightly they must be filled with and kept in peace.

With a quiet and matchless dignity, He convinces them as to the reality of His resurrection, assures them that it is Himself and none other who stands before them, and opens their understanding as to the teaching of all Scripture concerning Himself. It was this teaching as to Himself that was to prepare them for the mission and to maintain them in peace in it. Out of Moses, the prophets, and the Psalms, He showed them God’s plan and His glory (Lk. 24:44–45). Their fears, then, that all they had hoped for was lost, were altogether groundless, for in Him, their risen Lord, everything that God had purposed was secured.

And further, though it was not then declared to them, they afterwards learned that in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and that they were complete in Him (Col. 2:9–10). All the resources of God were in Him for them, and there was not a power in the universe that could intercept those resources.

Brethren in Christ, are we conscious that our Lord is such a glorious Lord, Center, Leader, and Head for His servants? Those who are in the knowledge of this will fear no foe, for all the foes are defeated, as His resurrection is witness; they will dread no lack, for all the mighty fullness of God is at their disposal in Him. His presence in the midst of those disciples made them one: one in heart, object, and purpose. For what place could divergent views and selfish aspirations find in the presence of their glorious risen Lord?

J. T. Mawson


https://gbv-online.org/calendar/773/date/2026-08-16

Acts 23:

"1 And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.
2 And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.
3 Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?
4 And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God's high priest?
5 Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.
6 But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.
7 And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.
8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.
9 And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees' part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God.
10 And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle.
11 And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.
12 And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.
13 And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy.
14 And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul.
15 Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would inquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him.
16 And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul.
17 Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him.
18 So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner called me unto him, and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say unto thee.
19 Then the chief captain took him by the hand, and went with him aside privately, and asked him, What is that thou hast to tell me?
20 And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest bring down Paul to morrow into the council, as though they would inquire somewhat of him more perfectly.
21 But do not thou yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, which have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now are they ready, looking for a promise from thee.
22 So the chief captain then let the young man depart, and charged him, See thou tell no man that thou hast shewed these things to me.
23 And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night;
24 And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor.
25 And he wrote a letter after this manner:
26 Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting.
27 This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them: then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman.
28 And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council:
29 Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds.
30 And when it was told me how that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent straightway to thee, and gave commandment to his accusers also to say before thee what they had against him. Farewell.
31 Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris.
32 On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle:
33 Who, when they came to Caesarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him.
34 And when the governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was. And when he understood that he was of Cilicia;
35 I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's judgment hall."

*Tears of Faith - Our Tears Are Never Wasted*
Have you ever had your heart broken? Or your dreams shattered? Or had your plans crushed by reality?

That happened to the Jewish people when they were forced to leave their homes and become exiles in a foreign land. Their grief was surely deep and their questions surely plenty, but even their tears couldn’t stop new growth.

Recorded in *Psalm 126,* regarding the time *“when the Lord brought back His exiles to Jerusalem…”*

*“Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭126:5*

Like the Israelites, we might be in a season of unexpected sadness, but joy, fruit, and abundance are waiting on the other side. 

Are we worried about someone in our family? Are we frustrated with someone at work? Are we devastated or numb regarding a situation in our life? Are we baffled by what we see on the news? Is our health failing? Is this season not quite what we’d hoped?

Maybe we truly want to make a difference and we want the people around us to know God, but it’s hard—because we’re trudging forward through tears. 

The great news is, seeds aren’t picky about moisture, and tears can be a catalyst for growth.

Like any good book or movie, there’s conflict before there’s resolution. Like a woman in labor, there’s pain before there’s new life. Like a prisoner, there’s the angst of captivity before there’s the relief of freedom. Like any real farmer knows, there’s dirt and sweat before there’s any kind of harvest.

We don’t always get to choose the environment in which we sow seeds. But regardless, we—people made in the image of God—are called to love Him and love people, to be fruitful and multiply, to go and make disciples, and to trust Him with our grief.

Joy is often preceded by tears, which should give us great hope.

So, let’s continue to do the good work God has put before us. Let’s continue to plant seeds in faith, even through tears. Let’s honor Him as we sow our seeds and trust Him with the harvest.

*A Prayer For Joy In Hard Times*

Father God, it's hard to keep planting seeds when we are discouraged. When we are heartbroken. But we know that You can use all things for Your glory and our good. Once again, we are trusting You. We are surrendering our plans to You—because Your ways are always best. Thank You in advance for the harvest that's to come. In Jesus’ Mighty Name, Amen.

The new Jerusalem

daily devotion for August 15th
Hunger For The Word
They told Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded for Israel.

Nehemiah 8:1b
It is not surprising that chapter 8 opens with a manifestation of a great hunger for the Word among these people in Jerusalem. Notice that this seems to be a spontaneous gathering. No invitations were sent out. No public notice was given. People were hungry for answers to their problems and for guidelines from the Word of God, and with one accord they gathered in this great square before the Water Gate. They asked Ezra the priest to bring the Law of the Lord and to read it to them. This would undoubtedly be the entire Pentateuch--the first five books of the Bible. This indicates the tremendous desire of these people for truth. They listened, while standing, from daybreak until noon! Certainly this long attention indicates how deeply they were aware of their ignorance about life and how much they needed answers from God. They were simply crying out for the Word.

Ezra, the priest, the author of the book of Ezra, appears for the first time in the book of Nehemiah. Thirteen years earlier he had led a return from Persia to rebuild the temple and to teach the Law of God. Apparently he had been occupied in that task all through the time of the rebuilding of the wall. But when the people had finished their work, they were desperate to hear from the Word of God, so they sent for Ezra to lead them.

It seems to me that we have come to such a time as this again. The prophet Amos predicted that there would come a famine in the world for the Word of God. People would actually be starving for answers to the problems of life. I find everywhere a deep hunger among non-churched people to hear the Word of God. Wherever it is taught with any degree of understanding, they are immediately attracted to it.

When the Word is opened up, people begin to understand themselves. When you know God you begin to understand yourself, because you are made in the image of God. These people in Jerusalem were soon growing in self-knowledge as they began to hunger for the Word of God. The great tragedy of our day is how few churches seem to understand this power of Scripture.

Lord, create in me a hunger for Your Word. Forgive me for so often taking it for granted.

Acts 22:

"1 Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you.
2 (And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more silence: and he saith,)
3 I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.
4 And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.
5 As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished.
6 And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.
7 And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
8 And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.
9 And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.
10 And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.
11 And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus.
12 And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there,
13 Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him.
14 And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.
15 For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.
16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
17 And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance;
18 And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.
19 And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee:
20 And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.
21 And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.
22 And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.
23 And as they cried out, and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air,
24 The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be examined by scourging; that he might know wherefore they cried so against him.
25 And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?
26 When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed what thou doest: for this man is a Roman.
27 Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said, Yea.
28 And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born.
29 Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: and the chief captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.
30 On the morrow, because he would have known the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Jews, he loosed him from his bands, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them."