Why the Mustard Seed?

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I try my best not to question the Word, but often I come across imagery that just doesn’t translate into something meaningful to me. That is, until I take a deeper look.

One example of this is when Yeshua compares our faith and the Kingdom of YeHoVaH to a mustard seed. I get it — it’s small and grows into something big. Yet, I am quite sure there are smaller seeds and bigger plants or trees that could have painted this picture just as effectively, if not better.

But, what if that wasn’t the only message that Yeshua was trying to get across? 

Let’s start with the metaphor where the parable of the mustard seed is first used. In the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, Yeshua likens the Kingdom of YeHoVaH to the mustard plant.

“And He said, “To what shall we compare the reign of Elohim? Or with what parable shall we present it? Like a mustard seed, which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth, and when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all plants, and forms large branches, so that the birds of the heaven are able to nest under its shade.”
– Mark 4:30-32 (ISR)

What exactly did Yeshua imply by “greater”? I have a feeling that it does not suffice to say size alone.

Mustard is an herb. While it is quite large compared to other herbs, what is so special about it is how densely it grows. Wild mustard spreads quickly, densely covering the surrounding area. Due to this trait of the plant, it greatly suppresses weeds from growing.

This was HUGE to me! So often the Scriptures refer to the harvest of the wheat and tares. This imagery reveals to us that the Kingdom of the Almighty has the power to suppress the growth of the tares! It is the Kingdom above all kingdoms. Praise Yah!

The mustard seed is also likened to faith.

“And Yeshua said to them, Because of your unbelief, for truly, I say to you, if you have belief as a mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it shall move. And no matter shall be impossible for you.”
– Matthew 17:20 (ISR)

When we look at the characteristics of the mustard plant, there are a few details that can be pondered on:

  • Germination takes place in the cool season.
  • It flourishes in fertile soil, and grows rapidly.
  • Within 4-5 weeks, the plant covers the ground.

The teacher in me loves homework, so I will leave it to you to dig deeper into these and see what connections YeHoVaH reveals to you.  

My final point is the most impactful of all.

I felt a yearning to research the Hebrew word for mustard, which is חרדל. Each Hebrew letter has a picture associated with it, stemming from the ancient Paleo-Hebrew alephbet. Here is the breakdown:

  • Chet (ח) – Fence/Inner Room
  • Reysh (ר) – Head/Person
  • Dalet (ד) – Pathway/Door
  • Lamed (ל) – Authority/Shepherd Staff

So, when looking at the Hebrew word pictures for the word mustard, we see that the innermost part of a person is the pathway or door to the Shepherd. 

The Hebrew word for mustard literally gives a definition for faith. How awesome is that!

I try my best not to question the Word, but often I come across imagery that just doesn’t translate into something meaningful to me. That is, until I take a deeper look.

Problem of the Heart

by with No Comment Faith and FamilyTedd's LettersVideo Blog

In recent days we have seen horrific crimes committed against our fellow man. People gunned down with little to no reason. Shooters with no more purpose than to kill their prey in the most ruthless ways. This is not what God had intended for us. Not in the slightest.

We can hate on our leaders, but this starts in our own home when we say, “This far, no further.”

This is not a gun problem. This is not a political problem. This is a problem of the heart.

You see, Yeshua (Jesus) said this is one of the most important things we can do…

And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
– Mark 12:28-31

Where have we gone wrong with this world? We need to go back to the word of the Almighty, the Bible.

I’m not asking you take my word for it. Just stop for one moment, pull your Bible out and see what God has in store for you. He doesn’t want you to hate your brother or sister and you know we are all brother and sisters. He wants you to love them, to understand them, and to protect them as your own.

And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
– Mark 12:28-31
​

Remember politics can only do so much. We can hate on our leaders, but this starts in our own home when we say, “This far, no further.” We have to take responsibilities for our future — now before it’s too late.

To the people of El Paso and Dayton, our hearts and prayers go out to each and every one of you.

Let’s all pray that this is the last time we have to come together and speak of such a horrible thing. Remember — God loves you. Today, love each other as he loves us.

Tearing Down The Legacy Of Hate

by with No Comment Faith and FamilyTedd's LettersVideo Blog

In my 58 years on this planet, I have noticed a trend if you will, of people being more and more influenced by hate.

I hate this neighbor, I hate this politician, I hate this person, I hate hate HATE!!!” It seems like the world is just growing a legacy of hate. And if you’re not careful, you will be trapped by the influence of hate in your life.

You see, hate is just another way Satan gets into your life and makes an absolute mess of your attitude, your emotions, and most importantly, the way you look at the world and the people around you.

If you live in the world of hate, Satan has you right where he wants you: In the pit of despair and hopelessness.

Jesus or Yeshua says in John 13:34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”  

“Finally, brethren, 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.”
– Philippians 4:8

You see, the Almighty’s plan was to make this world a peaceful, loving place where people would treat one another with kindness and trust in a way that only God’s love can overcome life’s obstacles.

Are you surrounding yourself with negative people? Then break the bonds of hate and find people that treat you with respect, with love and happiness. Find relationships that see the good in people and your surroundings.

Remember when you live in hate — Satan wins.

Be an overcomer.

Today, right now, tell Satan to get under your feet and see the good in everything you can. Be the person Yeshua wanted you to be and change the world, one attitude at a time. You can be the change that YeHoVaH is looking for, one life at a time. God Bless.

The Breath of Life

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I love how descriptive the Word of Yehovah is. We are often given metaphorical imagery to help us understand spiritual concepts.

These comparisons not only give us a tangible idea of what Scripture describes but, I imagine, that each metaphor also carries secret keys to understanding the physical world.

We are often called “the body of Messiah” in the Scriptures:

“For as we have many members in one body, but all members do not have the same function, so we, the many, are one body in Messiah, and members each one of one another.”
– Romans 12:4-5

We also know that we are created in the image of Elohim. Imagine, then, all the ways that our bodies reveal the glory of our Creator!

Recent studies have shown that the average human body is composed of approximately 37 trillion cells- not including the at least equal amount of foreign cell bodies that live in us, too.

97% of all cells in the body fall into one of six categories: red blood cells, glial cells, endothelial cells, dermal fibroblasts, platelets, and bone marrow.

Over 70% of ALL cells in our bodies are red blood cells. This means that most of our actual body is responsible for carrying oxygen to other cells. The other really important thing that red blood cells do is remove carbon dioxide from our cell tissues.

Glial cells, once thought to simply be neuron-insulators, are now being investigated more deeply as some scientists believe they could be responsible for our creative thoughts. They make up 90% of our brain. Another important function of glial cells is, again, to transport oxygen and nutrients to neurons.

Endothelial cells create a one-cell thick lining in all of our blood vessels. They ensure a smooth ride for our oxygen-carrying RBCs.

Dermal Fibroblasts are found in our skin, and aid in healing when we are wounded!

Platelets, another vital component to healing in our bodies, specifically work to seal any breaks in the endothelial lining of our blood vessels.

Lastly, we have bone marrow cells that are responsible for the cultivating of our blood cells.

This means that 97% of the human body is directly involved with the transport of oxygen to our cells.

“And YeHoVaH Elohim formed the man out of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils breath of lives. And the man became a living being.”
– Genesis 2:7

We that make up the body of Messiah all have this breath of life! What an interesting parallel the Father has given us in the design of our own bodies.

Just as our cells minister to one another, we are to do the same.

We are each filled with the Ruach haKodesh, the Holy Spirit, and we manifest different gifts that we are to use in support the body of Messiah as a whole.

How amazing! Baruch Hashem YeHoVaH!

I leave you with this…

As these cells bring life-breath to the functioning tissues of our bodies, they also rid the body of waste.

“And, according to the Torah, almost all is cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”
– Hebrews 9:22

Our blood moves throughout the body, cleansing it. Individual cells are the vessels for cleansing. They are carried by the blood and they are filled with the breath-of-life!

I encourage you to dwell on this thought. We know of the power of the Blood. It courses through our (endothelial-lined) veins.

Each of us has the privilege of being vessels of the Holy Spirit.

Let us continue to work together as one body of many members, until the day He is crowned as King of Kings.

Choosing Faith or Fear

by with No Comment Faith and FamilyTedd's LettersVideo Blog

My father-in-law taught me something a long time ago.  He said, “Tedd, you can either live in faith or fear, but you can’t live in both. It’s your choice.”

Webster’s Dictionary defines fear as “an unpleasant, often strong emotion, caused by anticipation or awareness of danger or doom.”

Now, I’m just like any other man who can have doubts or fears – fears about health, fears about finances, fears about personal relationships, even fears about my relationship with The Father.

On the other hand, the Bible defines faith in Hebrews 11 as “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

The Bible really doesn’t define fear, but simply tells us, “Fear Not!”…

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.”
– John 4:18

 

“And the Lord appeared to Isaac the same night and said, ‘I am the God of your father Abraham; do not fear, for I am with you’.”
– Genesis 24:26

Finally, in 1 Chronicles 28:20, David says to his son Solomon, “’Be strong and of good courage; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord God – my God – will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you’.”

Again, my father-in-law Ron taught me that fear and faith are both spiritual elements – elements that can’t take up the same space.  

If you live in fear, then faith just simply is not present; but if you live in faith, fear cannot exist either.

YeHoVaH wants you to live in faith, to live in hope, love, happiness and peace, not in fear.  That is nothing more than Satan bringing doubt and hopelessness into your life.

In fact, the Bible says “fear not” 365 times in one form or another. If you think about it, that’s a “Fear Not” for every day of the year!

So now you have a choice: to live as The Almighty would have you live – in faith and hope – or as Satan would have it, in fear and despair.

Don’t allow negativity to dwell in your life. Anger, fear, doubt. It’s all of the Devil.

Choose YeHoVaH.

Choose life.

Choose faith.

Where is Your Heart Today?

by with No Comment Faith and FamilyTedd's LettersVideo Blog

As a pastor, I had many instances when people would come up to me and ask: “What truly does Matthew 6:21 mean?”

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

My normal response is “Well, it’s complicated.” You see, Yeshua always talked in the simplest language, so that the people of the time would understand – most of the time in parables, in other times, simple sentences.  I think he was saying “You give where you love” or maybe better interpreted, “Give where you are loved…” Is that what you are doing? Yeshua also said:
“Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” – Luke 6:38
And in this verse he talks about the ultimate giving:
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16
In short, I believe that Yeshua thought that giving was one of the most important things that we believers can do. It shows our trust in the Almighty, that when we give unto him, he truly gives back to us in return. In fact, it was the very thing that the Almighty said in Malachi 3:10: “Test me on this.” But be wise – He wants you to give but plant your seed into good soil, soil that bear fruit. Every day here at A Rood Awakening! International, our prayer warriors are praying and interceding for people literally all over the world. And our broadcasts are ministering to young and old alike in English, Spanish, German, Russian, Chinese and soon, in Italian and French. We aim to teach Truth to a lost and dying world. Your giving of the Truth brings people out of the darkness and into the light of Yeshua. So do your homework. See the fruit that comes from this ministry. See how lives are changed. How bonds are broken. How health is restored to the sick. And how people’s lives and relationships are made whole again. Please consider giving your best gift to A Rood Awakening! International and Michael Rood – click here to give online or call us at 800.788.7887. From Michael and the entire Rood Crew, we wish you LOVE, peace and happiness. Blessings to you all and have a GREAT week!
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