Greetings Brethren,

I was reviewing an interesting set of scriptures this week that I would like share with you in this Pastor's note. It's a reminder of something that we all need to take to heart, especially when we consider why this was recorded. In Ezekiel 20:11-12 we read, "And I gave them My statutes and showed them My judgments, 'which, if a man does, he shall live by them.' Moreover, I also gave them My Sabbaths, to be a sign between them and Me, that they might know that I am the Lord who sanctifies them."

The prophet was speaking under the inspiration of God about a foundational part of what we find in Exodus 20:8-11, where God outlines an important aspect of this special sign. He said "Remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it Holy. This seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your GOD. I blessed it and I hallowed it." Later in Leviticus 23:1-3 God identifies the Sabbath as one of His Feast (Annual Sabbaths) and commanded it to be proclaim as a Holy Convocation (a proper way to approach it). In both these sections of scripture God gave specific instructions concerning how and when this special sign is to be kept." 

What God is saying is that He established this sign for a very important purpose as well as set the perfect example on how it is to be observed. When we seek that purpose, we are learning who and what God is, how we are to approach Him, how He operates. Which reveals who we are, our identity, the incredible potential that has been placed within us, and how that potential is to be developed. The intricate designed behind the Sabbath sign was a thoughtful consideration by our God that perfectly defines how we are to live, it reflects who we are, and what we are to become.

At its foundation, remembering and keeping this sign as God commands is for our benefit. Through it we are gaining a clear and precise understanding of God's ultimate plan and purpose for this entire creation. The Sabbath is a pivotal key to unlocking that great question to why we exist and where we are going. If we desire the truths of this life and what lies ahead, we must honor this sign as God commands. Within it contains wisdom far beyond human comprehension. Yet, its benefits go much deeper than just obtaining wisdom and knowledge.

When we honor and observe this sign, we're getting the privilege to build a personal relationship with God, the Creator of all things. This special interaction is not just to make us aware of Him, but it's there for us to develop that intimate bond that He so desires to have with us. Understanding and keeping this sign is a major step in how our ABBA (Daddy) is revealing Himself to us. Our respect and observance of it also reveals our hearts desire toward Him. It connects us to the great family of God. It reminds us that our hope and our future is founded in God alone, Jeremiah 29:11, John 17:1-3. 

Jeremiah says that God has thoughts toward us, thoughts that bring us peace and hope. When we get to know Him by honoring and keeping His commands and His sign, our hearts and minds catch a glimpse of that wonderful future that's being offered with Him. The Apostle John adds that knowing Him and His purpose connects us to that promise, which is eternal life in His Kingdom.

This special 24-hour period of time gives us a wonderful opportunity to look into the mind of God and be inspired, to be motivated, to be comforted, and gain access to the tools we need to fight the good fight of faith, to lay hold of that promise. If we are to be strong in the might of God, to know what true hope is, and how to live by it, this sign is a vital part of our lives. That's why this sign is personal!

Which leads to some important questions. How much do I personally value this precious sign, this invitation to be a part of something that connects me to my God? Do I honor this precious sign at sabbath services alone like punching a clock, or do I honor this sign as God commands for the entire 24-hour period? It's easy to show up to services where everyone can see us, but how are we upholding the Sabbath sign where no one but God can see us? 

How we observe it in its entirety reveals how much we truly desire to know and be connected to God. The Holy Convocation, the service portion of the Sabbath, is just a part of this wonderful gift from God. If we are to fully take advantage of what this sign contains and allow it to prepare us for what God has in store, we must be fully engaged the entire 24-hour period of time.

We must be honoring it as God would have us do. What we learn, practice, and dedicate our lives to on the Seventh Day Sabbath Sign will be reflected in what we do the other six days of the week. You see, the is no partial observance. We are learning to be like Him and there are no shortcuts, deviations, or alterations to God laws. God defines His laws and His sign. He does not require or need man's flawed human reasoning to redefine them or make them convenient. We yield to God, not the other way around. 

As Saints of the Most-High, we must be all in if we are to sojourn in this evil world and be successful at overcoming our own flawed human nature. That's what the Sabbath sign grants us, access to the power to walk and to change. God gave us this time to cease from all our physical labors, putting aside our own desires, anything that could be a distraction, which then gives us the opportunity to focus on what's most important in this life. Why would we shortchange our opportunity to be connected to this powerful source?

When we honor this sign and approach the presence of God according to His standards, at services and for the entire 24-hour period, we're learning how to distinguish between what's holy and unholy, clean and unclean, Leviticus 10:8-11. Brethren that is a very necessary part of our reality, especially when we consider this evil society and its desire to have us conform to its ways.

Keeping this sign as God commands in its entirety is a major step to coming out of this world. It helps us identify as God's Holy People and it teaches us how to properly conduct ourselves as a first fruit. If we are not keeping strong within this sign, we will become defiled, and we will not be fit to be harvested for that holy Kingdom. To be fully ripened for harvest we must be keeping the sign as God desires and not altering it to fit what we want, what's convenient to our lifestyle. 

If we think we can alter the sign, keep it in a manner that seems fitting to us, we may find ourselves as one of those mentioned in Matthew 7:21-23 where Jesus will say (paraphrasing), "Even though you did those things in my name, I will declare, I never knew you. Your works are as if you practiced lawlessness." 

How can a people do such mighty things in the name of Jesus and hear that?Hosea 4:6-7 puts it plainly, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children. "The more they increased, the more they sinned against Me; I will change their glory into shame."

As we know, God sets the standard concerning how His laws and His sign is to be honored and observed. If we seek to alter what God has put forth, we are in contrary to God's ways. The end result will not be the desired outcome and will result in the loss of our true identity, and an intimate relationship with God and His household.

Let's be engaged, not just at sabbath services, but with the entirety of this sign so that we can grow in that wonderful grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, 2 Peter 3:18. Let's be engaged so that we may know, so that we may be known, and so that we will hear, Well done my Good and Faithful servant, Matthew 25:21. Brethren let's remember our identity, let's hold tight to that sign between us and our Great God.

 

Have a Wonderful and Fulfilling Sabbath,
Ryan Hall