Program 42: A Life In Yah

Living every day in the very presence of the Divine.

Welcome to WLC Radio, a subsidiary of World’s Last Chance Ministries, an online ministry dedicated to learning how to live in constant readiness for the Savior's return.

For two thousand years, believers of every generation have longed to be the last generation. Contrary to popular belief, though, Christ did not give believers “signs of the times” to watch for. Instead, he repeatedly warned that his coming would take even the faithful by surprise. Yahushua urgently warned believers to be ready because, he said, “The Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” [Matthew 24:44]

WLC Radio: Teaching minds and preparing hearts for Christ's sudden return.

Part 1: (Miles & Dave)

Miles Robey: Good morning! Or … good afternoon. Good night! Whatever time zone you’re in, welcome to World’s Last Chance Radio. I’m your host, Miles Robey. And joining me is the very erudite Dave Wright!

Dave Wright: Well, I’m not sure how much of an expert I am. More of a jack-of-all-trades when it comes to subjects that interest me. But all of us, anyone who comes to the Creator, to learn heavenly truths, can learn and will be taught.

Miles: We’ve all got so much to learn, haven’t we? Setting aside errors, traditions with which we were raised; that all takes time and a lot of study.

And the most important thing any of us can learn is how to have a personal relationship with our Maker.

Dave: Not only to get it, but also to maintain it on a daily basis. Anyone who accepts the merits of the Saviour’s sacrifice by faith are accepted. But then how to maintain that intimate closeness; that’s hard.

When you’re caught up in the daily grind of putting food on the table, keeping the bills paid, changing the oil in the car, or caring for a sick child or elderly parent, it can be really hard to live, consciously, in the presence of Yah. But that’s where true peace is to be found!

Miles: It really is and that’s what I’d like you to talk about today: maintaining that personal connection with the Father even when you’ve got a deadline at work, your spouse is mad at you, and your bank account is too low.

Dave: Daily life for millions!

Miles: We’ve all been there!

Before we get into that, though, I just want to let any first time listeners know that at WLC we prefer to use the original names for the Father and the Son. The Father’s name is Yahuwah, or Yah. And the Son’s name is Yahushua.

You might also hear us use el, or elohim. These are Hebrew titles that refer to Yahuwah.

So, Dave. What can you share with us about how today’s believers, caught up in the modern rat-race, can maintain that personal connection with the Father throughout our daily life?

Dave: Well, I’d like to start by reading James 4, verses 7, 8 and 10. Again, if anyone wants to follow along in their Bibles, that’s James chapter 4, verses 7, 8 and 10. It says: “Submit yourselves therefore to Yah. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to Yah, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Humble yourselves in the sight of Yahuwah, and he shall lift you up.”

The point I want to make is that salvation is a free gift, yes. There is nothing you can ever do that will somehow earn you salvation. But Yah doesn’t rescue you from slavery to Satan, only to turn you into an indentured servant to Himself!

Miles: Good point. Once you’ve made the choice to accept salvation, your freedom of choice isn’t taken away. You have to continue to make that same choice, every day, even multiple times a day.

Dave: Yahushua’s death on the cross is the biggest guarantor of freedom of choice the universe has ever seen. Yahuwah respects everyone’s right to freedom of choice. He won’t force anyone to accept salvation. We’re all born with a natural tendency to do wrong. That’s our fallen nature, so if anyone does not actively choose to be saved, he or she will, by default, be lost.

Miles: But what you’re saying is, even once we’ve made that choice, we need to continue to choose salvation, to choose Yah.

Dave: Exactly. It’s easy to want the rewards promised the redeemed: the never-ending life, the unimaginable wealth and honor. Everyone wants the rewards, even the demons! But it takes more than just desire in order to be saved.

Miles: Well, I know you don’t believe in salvation by works, so say more. What, in addition to a desire to be saved, is there?

Dave: If a person wants to be saved, it’s necessary that he or she be willing to submit to the purifying, refining process that will mold them into the divine image.

This isn’t salvation by works, because the individual cannot transform himself. Only Yahuwah can do that. But it’s necessary to desire transformation of heart, and to submit to the refining process.

Miles: Well, that makes sense. If you resist the transformative process by which we are changed, as Paul said, from glory into glory, that’s really no different than clinging to rebellion, is it?

Dave: There is no difference. Daily surrender, or perhaps it would be better to say: surrender multiple times a day is necessary for all who want to inherit eternal life. And the transformation into the divine image is to reach every hidden thought, every secret desire of our hearts. Our high calling is to perfectly reflect the divine image. But since Yah will never force our wills, it is necessary at every step along the way, to surrender to His will, and then keep surrendering.

Miles: You think about Yahushua’s parables, and over and over it hammered on the same point: the cost of eternal life, the price of gaining the kingdom of Heaven is, quite literally, everything.

Dave: It’s going to take commitment to your goal and a willingness to sacrifice anything else that stands in your way. And if you don’t have the strength of desire to stay committed to that goal, you can always pray and ask Him to gift you with the strength you need. Because, again, salvation is not attained by anything you do.

Miles: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of Yah; not of works lest any man should boast.”

Dave: I like that verse: Ephesians 2:8 and 9. In the last phrase, “not of works lest any man should boast,” the marginal reading says: “not of effort, lest any man should boast.” So even here, even in desiring salvation, ask the Father to purify your motivations of all selfish desires. In all things, our salvation and our transformation is of Him.

Miles: So, what you’re saying is, the secret to a daily, hourly, moment-by-moment connection with Yah, is through a daily, hourly, moment-by-moment surrender of self.

Dave: Precisely. Think of it this way: it’s like a staircase. We tend to think of salvation as this huge, steep staircase that we must drag ourselves up, one step at a time. But salvation isn’t a step-by-step process of attainment, working your way up to Heaven. Instead, it’s a step-by-step process downward to full and total surrender.

Miles: Hmmm. Each day becoming less and less in our own eyes as we focus our attention more fully on Yahuwah.

Dave: And when we do this, there will be no room to boast. We’re not going to be focused on how good, or holy, or righteous we are. We’ll see as never before how far from the true glory of Yah we are.

Miles: It’s necessary for salvation, though. When you see with new eyes the love of Yah, you’ll also see with new eyes your own failings.

Dave: It’s the daily surrender … and re-surrendering that a lot of people fail to understand.

Miles: How do you mean?

Dave: Well, think about when you first accepted the gift of salvation. How did you feel?

Miles: Wonderful! The peace and joy, there are really no words to describe it. It’s truly “peace that passeth understanding.” [Philippians 4:7]

Dave: It is. But it’s here that many people struggle to understand the science of salvation. Because they felt—past tense—wonderful feelings of joy and peace when they first accepted the Saviour, too many people assume “once saved always saved.” They don’t need to continue to grow in grace because they’re “saved.”

Others make a different mistake: they’re tempted to feel that unless they feel all those nice, warm, fuzzy feelings, than they are lost.

Miles: It’s nice to feel good. I like the “warm fuzzies” myself

Dave: Sure! We all do. But the point is, the presence of glowing feelings is not proof of salvation, any more than the absence of glowing, good feelings is proof of being lost.

Miles: Feelings are very unreliable, aren’t they?

Dave: They really are. And, again, Yahuwah doesn’t force the human will. A person saved one day can always, at a later date, change his or her mind. No one will be saved against his will.

Feelings have nothing to do with being saved or lost. Good feelings are Yah’s gift to give. Our part is to claim the promises by faith every day as we surrender ourselves to Him.

Miles: That’s where faith comes in, doesn’t it? When we still continue to trust, regardless of our feelings.

Dave: We don’t need to fluctuate between hope and fear, and despondency. Like we read in James 4: “Draw nigh to Yah, and He will draw nigh to you.” That’s a promise! We can claim it regardless of what our emotions are.

Miles: So do you have any tips or ideas you can share with us on how to make this happen?

Dave: Yes. The best time to make a full surrender is first thing when you wake up. At the beginning of the day, when the mind is clear and uncluttered with the business of the day, set aside time to spend with Yahuwah. This should be your first work. Lay all your plans for the day at His feet for His blessing or, possibly, changing as He sees best.

Set aside time when you first wake up. It’s the most important thing you can do all day.

Miles: Speaking from experience, I know for myself that to make this work, I usually have to pay attention the night before to get to bed on time. If I stay up too late and I’m too tired, hitting the “snooze” button on the alarm is a mighty big temptation.

Dave: I’ve done that, too. And what goes first is that personal worship time first thing in the morning.

Miles: And, you know, if you keep forgetting, just ask Yahuwah to help you. He will.

Dave: The best way to have a mind that turns to Yahuwah first thing in the morning is to be thinking of Him the last thing at night. As you’re falling asleep, commit yourself to Yah again. Just visit with Him! It doesn’t have to be some formal prayer on your knees. Just chat with Him.

Miles: I like to deliberately think about all the blessings He’s given throughout the day. You stop and think about it, and it really adds up!

Dave: What a great way to fall asleep! This will help your mind be in tune with Yah from the very first waking moments because your mind naturally tends to go to the thoughts it had when it went to sleep.

Okay, there are five basic areas you need to surrender to Yahuwah every day. These are:

• Your will
• Your mind
• Your body
• Your Time, and
• Your money

Miles: That’s an all-encompassing list! But we need that. If we want to be fully surrendered, everything needs to be surrendered, nothing held back.

We’re going to take a really quick break and when we come back, I’d like to go through that list—what it means to surrender not just our will, but our body and time, too.

Be right back!

* * *

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* * *Part 2: (Miles & Dave)

Miles: Okay, we’re talking about how to maintain that daily connection with Yah. In prayer, we need to surrender our will, mind, body, time, and even our money. Say more, Dave. Tell us how this works.

Dave: Well first, begin your prayer by praising Yahuwah. This not only glorifies Him, but it will have an effect on you, too. The gratitude you will feel when remembering His past goodness will strengthen your faith to ask for help with your current needs.

Miles: Yeah, it will give you confidence to trust His love when you need to claim His promises. What’s next?

Dave: Surrendering your will. The surrender of the will is arguably the most important thing you can do in cooperating with Yahuwah for the salvation of your soul. It’s in the surrender of the will that most people fail to understand the part they are to play in cooperation with Yahuwah.

Miles: It’s not the part they are to do or accomplish.

Dave: No, but it is cooperation, because He’s never going to force your will. You have to desire it for Him to do it. He always respects our freedom to choose.

Miles: Okay, but how do we make that full surrender to Yah? Speaking for myself, particularly if it’s something I don’t want to give up, whether it’s an inherited tendency to sin, or one I’ve happily cultivated, it doesn’t really matter because ultimately, I find I’m really, well, weak when it comes to moral power.

Dave: I think we all are but let me tell you something important. Ultimately it doesn’t matter how weak or how strong you are. A person who is 95% inclined to the good and only 5% inclined to do evil is on a par with someone who, through inherited and cultivated tendencies to sin, is 95% inclined to do wrong, and only 5% drawn to do right. Because whether you need Yahuwah’s grace for 5% or 95%, it’s still His grace you need, His strength, His power to help you over come because you can’t do it on your own.

Miles: That is so true! But my own weak will power in certain areas is so discouraging. I don’t want to be controlled by sinful habits, but it’s so hard. I can’t control my thoughts, my desires, and then, of course, when I slip up, there’s the added burden of guilt.

Dave: You’re not alone. I think everyone who has tried to live godly in Yahushua has experienced the same cycle of sin and self-doubt. It can lead you to question your own sincerity, and then, of course, Satan comes in and plants doubts about Yah’s willingness to forgive.

Miles: Exactly.

Dave: I want to share with you a quote from a book I read that discusses this very issue. It says:

“What you need to understand is the true force of the will. This is the governing power in the nature of man, the power of decision, or of choice. Everything depends on the right action of the will. The power of choice [Yahuwah] has given to men; it is theirs to exercise. You cannot change your heart, you cannot of yourself give to [Yahuwah] its affections; but you can choose to serve Him. You can give Him your will; He will then work in you to will and to do according to His good pleasure. Thus your whole nature will be brought under the control of the Spirit of [Yahushua]; your affections will be centered upon Him, your thoughts will be in harmony with Him.”

Then it goes on to say something I think we can all relate to. It says, quote:

“Desires for goodness and holiness are right as far as they go; but if you stop here, they will avail nothing. Many will be lost … [because] they do not come to the point of yielding the will to [Yahuwah]. They do not now choose to be Christians.

“Through the right exercise of the will, an entire change may be made in your life. By yielding up your will to [Yahushua], you ally yourself with the power that is above all principalities and powers. You will have strength from above to hold you steadfast, and thus through constant surrender to [Yahuwah] you will be enabled to live the new life, even the life of faith.”

Miles: Boy, I can really relate to that!

Dave: Now, listen: when you go to fully surrender your will to Yah, Satan’s going to try to frighten you into thinking that if you totally surrender, holding nothing back, Yah will enslave your will and force you to do what you don’t want to do.

Miles: That’s true. I have felt that way before.

Dave: Me, too. But reject those thoughts! They come from Satan. Force is a principle of his government, not Yah’s.

Miles: One thing that helped me was remembering Yah’s sacrifice of His own Son. If He allowed His Son to be crucified to guarantee us freedom of choice, you can know He’s never going to force our will. It’s up to us to choose whether or not we want to surrender our will to Him.

Dave: That’s true. And understand that if you don’t surrender your will to Yahuwah, it will, by default, be enslaved to Satan’s will.

Miles: So what do you do when you get caught in that quagmire of wanting to surrender, but just not able to follow through and actually do it?

Dave: You pray and ask Yah to make you willing to surrender. On some points, I’ve had to ask Him to make me willing, to be made willing, to fully surrender. But He’ll do it! He’s in the business of saving souls. Any help you need, He’ll provide.

Now, when it comes to full surrender of the mind, most people don’t realize they have a duty to control their thoughts.

Miles: Yeah, if you don’t control your thoughts, it’s much easier to be tempted into sin. Especially in today’s world with the Internet and how easy it is to access everything from pornography to violence, it’s so easy to become distracted from Heavenly things. And when you don’t stay focused on heavenly things, you really lose the appetite for it, don’t you?

Dave: Absolutely. Allowing our minds to just wander is an open invitation to Satan to suggest impure thoughts and emotions. These, in turn, make us more susceptible to sinning.

Miles: How so?

Dave: When a person finally sins, it’s the result of a long process that began with desiring sin in one’s mind first.

Miles: Aww, yes. Corruption within meets temptation without, and the person falls.

Dave: Exactly. Read 2 Corinthians 10:4-5.

Miles: “(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through Yahuwah to the pulling down of strong holds;) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of Yahuwah, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Yahushua.”

Dave: At first, controlling your thoughts can seem overwhelmingly difficult. But don’t give up! When your thoughts wander, bring them back. Focus on Yahuwah again. He’ll help even in this area.

Miles: Reminds me of a passage in Isaiah that says, quote: “Seek Yahuwah while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to Yahuwah and He will have mercy on him; and to our Eloah for He will abundantly pardon.” [Isaiah 55:6, 7]

So now, how do we surrender our bodies? Most people don’t take vows of celibacy!

Dave: No, that’s not necessary. Yah created the higher nature, the frontal lobes of the brain, to control the body. When sin entered, and even now when we give in to sin, the lower nature, centered at the base of the brain, takes dominance.

Rather than the mind controlling his desires and appetites, letting reason dictate actions, the lusts, desires and appetites of the lower nature now controls a person’s actions.

Miles: You can really see that with this proliferation of addictions: not just to alcohol and nicotine, but to drugs, porn, movies, violence, computer games. The list just goes on and on and on!

Dave: Just as we must surrender the will and the mind to Yah every day, it’s important to surrender our bodies, too. Paul wrote the Corinthians:

“Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from Yahuwah and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify Yah in your body and in your spirit, which are Yahuwah’s.” [1 Corinthians 6:19, 20]

Regardless of the temptation, if you’ve surrendered your will and your body to Yah, He’ll give you all the power needed to overcome.

Miles: I love the fact that Yah gives us as much strength as He knows we need to overcome. 1 Corinthians 10:13 tells us: “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but Yah is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

Dave: That’s a great promise. Because Yahushua was tempted in every area we can be tempted, He knows just the amount of divine help to give us for victory.

Another great verse is Romans 12:1. It says, quote: “Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto Yah which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable, and perfect, will of Yahuwah.

Miles: Now what about time? That’s not really something we usually think of as being something that needs surrendering.

Dave: We’ve all wasted time at one point or another, but the nearness of the end brings a solemnity to daily life it’s never had before. Every day that passes, is one day closer to the end. One day less to work for the salvation of others. One day less to be transformed into the divine image.

As you surrender your time to Yah, don’t worry–He’ll guide you. Not only will He lead you in the way that is in your best interests, but He’ll also lead you as you would choose for yourself if you could see the future as He can.

Miles: There have been times I’ve felt unsure, not knowing what to do. At those times, the promise in Psalm 32:8 has been really precious. It says: “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.”

Dave: Yeah, we’re not left to flounder about on our own. You’ll find your greatest happiness and your most lasting success when you surrender your time to Yahuwah. The work accomplished under His direction will bring rewards that reach into eternity because Yahuwah will bless all your efforts and give an abundant increase!

Miles: I really like that. It reminds me of something Martin Luther once said.

Dave: What’s that?

Miles: He said: “If I fail to spend two hours in prayer each morning, the devil gets the victory through the day. I have so much business I cannot get on without spending three hours daily in prayer.”

Dave: A lesson we all need to learn.

Miles: What about money? You talked about surrendering our money to Yah.

Dave: Many people mistakenly refer to tithe as “paying it.” But actually, as the Creator, everything belongs to Yahuwah!

Miles: Very true!

Dave: But surrendering your money to Yah encompasses more than returning tithe. It’s also dedicating the funds you have available to use as He directs.

And you’re perfectly safe doing this! He knows the future and what your needs will be. If you wish to spend your money a certain way but first surrender that desire to Him, He’ll protect your interests. Since He knows the future, He can impress you not to spend your money a certain way if, in a few days a greater need will arise for which you’ll need that money more.

Miles: He’s promised to meet all our needs, too.

Dave: Maybe not all our wants, but He has pledged to meet all our needs. What’s more, it’s impossible to out-give Yahuwah. As you let Him guide you in the use of it, you’ll find that He takes care of His own.

Miles: When we make a full surrender, we can trust Yah to keep us safe in every area. Proverbs 3:5 to 6 says: “Trust in Yahuwah with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

Next up is our daily mailbag so stay tuned!

* * *

Mid-point call letters

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WLC Radio: Teaching minds and preparing hearts for Christ's sudden return.

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* * *Daily Mailbag (Miles & Dave)

Miles: Our first question for today’s daily mailbag is coming to us from Jaslene Dalisay in the Philippines. She asks: “What essential doctrines should every Christian know?”

Dave: I believe there is only one doctrine that I would say is truly essential and that is summed up in two verses in John, chapter 3: “For Yah so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For Yah sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved!” [John 3:16-17]

Miles: Yeah, but Jaslene is asking about essential doctrines. I would have thought you’d say something about, I don’t know: the sinlessnes of Christ? Salvation is by faith, not works?

Dave: Yeah. Those are important. But when you boil everything down to an essential belief, the most essential is for the mind to grasp that Yahuwah loves you, individually. If you can believe that the Father loves you truly, deeply, infinitely, then the response of your own heart is automatic! You will love Him in return. You won’t be able to help it!

Miles: That’s true. When you feel loved, accepted, valued, the natural response is to love in return.

Dave: Turn over to Matthew 22, and read verses 37 to 40 for us, would you please?

Miles: All right. Uh, “Yahushua said unto him, Thou shalt love Yahuwah thy Eloah with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

Dave: The most important doctrine anyone can focus on is the love of Yah for you, individually. In 1 John 4:9, it explains why. It says, quote: “We love Him, because He first loved us.” When we grasp how much we are loved, we will love Him in return with all our heart, mind, and soul. This will flow out into love for others.

All other doctrines are secondary to this. That’s why Yahushua said, “On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

So, is salvation by faith an important doctrine?

Miles: Absolutely.

Dave: Of course. But that will come when the heart grasps how truly and deeply you are loved.

Are the truths about the sinlessness of Christ, His perfect sacrifice, the state of the dead, the Sabbath … are these important?

Miles: Yes.

Dave: Sure! Because every truth reveals new aspects of the divine character, but the one most important truth on which everything else hangs is the love of Yah for you. Individually.

Miles: I can see that. Because if you love Yah, then regardless of what next truth is revealed to you, you will accept it because you love Him!

Dave: Exactly. So, if you’re wanting to share truth with others, the most important thing you can do is to reveal, in both word and action, the love of the Father. When a person is convinced of this, he will love in return and then he will want to do everything in his power to live in harmony with Yahuwah’s revealed will.

So, again, everything is secondary to the one essential doctrine of Yah’s infinite love for the individual.

Miles: Reminds me of a comment by Charles Spurgeon. He said: Slavish fear does not bring the backslider to Yah. It’s the sweet wooings of love that allure him to the Saviour.

Dave: So true. Very beautifully said.

Miles: All right, our next question is coming from San Francisco, California. Brandon Patterson writes: “I have recently been asked to serve as a Christian youth group leader. I felt really honored to be asked. They’re a great group of kids. My problem is that every year, the youth group has always put on a Halloween Party on October 31. Even though the parents are Christian, they don’t have a problem with having a Halloween party. They say it keeps the kids busy and off the streets. I understand what the parents are saying, but I have a problem with any recognition of a holiday I’ve always seen as the devil’s holiday. Are there any biblical guidelines we can use to determine whether or not Christians should celebrate Halloween?”

Dave: Thanks for writing, Brandon. What a wonderful opportunity you’ve been given to lead young minds to Yah.

Halloween isn’t celebrated all around the world, but I’ve noticed in recent years that it is growing and spreading into countries where it never used to be. For those who aren’t aware of the origins of Halloween, it occurs on October 31, the evening before All Saints Day, on November 1. Most people assume a Celtic or Druid origin of the holiday as a feast for the dead.

Miles: Ugh! How macabre!

Dave: Well, I suppose it depends on one’s intent. In many Latin countries, they celebrate “Day of the Dead” as a sort of memorial of loved ones who have passed. Many of the traditional elements of this celebration are undeniably pagan in origin. Honestly, there is no Biblical precedent for observing this celebration.

Miles: I’ve heard some Christians say they abhor the holiday and cringe every time it comes around in the year. They talk as though they actually fear it, as though Satan’s power is greater during this time.

Dave: That shouldn’t be. Friends, remember: Satan is a defeated foe. Like Paul said in Romans 8: “If Yah be for us, who can be against us?” We don’t need to fear a defeated foe.

I do not believe that celebrating Halloween is consistent with the Bible.

That said, I don’t think a true Christian will judge another for participating. Everyone is at a different point in their Christian walk. I personally know people who continued to celebrate Halloween as young Christians but who later, as they matured in the truth, quit observing it.

Miles: Yeah, me, too. Okay, so I think we all know and will agree that Halloween is pagan. But what about people who find themselves in a situation like Brandon’s? He’s sort of caught between a rock and a hard place. He doesn’t want to celebrate a pagan holiday, but at the same time, the parents are right, too. It’s a dangerous time of year, and they’d like an activity for their kids where they know they’ll be safe? What do you do? Draw a line in the sand and say, “Just stay home?” What would you suggest?

Dave: Again, don’t fear Halloween as Satan’s day. It’s not. Psalm 118:24 says, “This is the day Yah hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” All days belong to Yah. If you find yourself in a situation such as Brandon is finding himself, there is nothing wrong with planning a social get together on that evening.

Don’t make a Halloween party in everything but the name. The emphasis should never be on witches, and demons, and haunting spirits, grotesque masks and costumes. That sort of thing. But every day belongs to Yah. If the kids in your family or youth group need a safe place to stay during that time—

Miles: And you have to admit, Halloween’s a dangerous time of year.

Dave: It is. So, sure! Go ahead and have a youth group get together. It can start with a short worship about the power of Yah to protect. A lot of Christians do feel afraid at Halloween, so take the opportunity to turn it around and focus on the power of Yah to protect His own. Then, go on and have some good clean fun, healthy snacks, just a nice time. There’s nothing wrong with that at other times of the year, so there is no specific reason why you shouldn’t have it on October 31 and provide a safe place for kids.

But don’t make it a party with grotesque costumes, monsters, gory images: all your traditional elements of Halloween. These things are detestable and those who follow Yahushua don’t have any business participating in such activities.

Turn over to 1 John, chapter 1, and read verses 5 to 7, please.

Miles: “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that Yah is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Yahushua the Anointed his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”

Dave: No true follower of Yahushua is going to portray evil, or wickedness, not even for fun.

Miles: Evil won’t be “fun” to them.

Dave: That’s exactly right. And not just at Halloween. Throughout the year, those who want to reflect the image of Yahushua won’t entertain themselves by watching evil portrayed in movies, books, or violent computer games.

Miles: Philippians 4:8: “Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Dave: And focusing on the power and the ability of Yahuwah to protect at a time that scares many Christians is perfectly acceptable. It can be a celebration of the mighty power of Yah, rather than a celebration of a defeated foe.

Miles: I really like that. Well, that’s it for today. Send us your questions or comments. We always enjoy hearing from our listeners. Just go to our website, WorldsLastChance.com, and click on Contact Us.

* * *Daily Promise

Hello! This is Elise O’Brien with your Daily Promise from Yah’s Word.

Albert Horsley was what, in times past, would have been called a rogue and a scoundrel. After getting married and having a daughter, Albert found himself in debt and dissatisfied with life. He burned down his business, collected the insurance to cover his debts, then, abandoning his wife and daughter, ran off with his girlfriend. The two split up just three months later and Horsley found himself doing menial jobs for several years before finally joining the Western Federation of Miners. He got into gambling and, still legally married to his first wife, married, then abandoned, another. He established another business, only to burn it down as well for the insurance money. He burglarized a train depot, sold fraudulent insurance policies, stole farm animals, and even went so far as to plan to kidnap some children for ransom.

But Albert wasn’t finished with a life of crime. During his nine-years long crime spree, he destroyed millions of dollars worth of property. He also murdered at least 20 people through rather unorthodox methods. Instead of just shooting them, Albert preferred to use a time-delayed bomb, which gave him time to get somewhere else, establishing his alibi.

In 1905, Albert rigged his last bomb to a front gate and killed Frank Steunenberg, a former state governor in the United States. Other than using the aliases of “Tom Hogan” and “Harry Orchard” (the name by which he is most widely remembered), Albert didn’t try to escape. He was caught and, in one of the nation’s most sensational and widely reported murder trials of the first decade of the 20^th century, he was sentenced to life in prison.

After the trial was over, Governor Steunenberg’s son visited Albert in prison and gave him some religious reading materials. The young man explained his mother wanted Albert to have them because she felt he needed the Saviour. Albert began reading the things Mrs. Steunenberg sent. When he asked for a Bible, she sent him one. Eventually, she even visited him several times in prison. She told him that she forgave him because the Bible asks us to forgive our enemies.

Mrs. Steunenberg’s kind, forgiving heart touched Albert in a way he’d never been reached before. He ended up giving his heart to Yahuwah. The change in Albert was profound. Even the warden and guards could see he was a changed man. When he asked to be baptized, they agreed to take him to a local church in Boise, Idaho, for baptism.

Photos of Albert taken late in his life show a man whose eyes are kind and whose face glows with internal peace. Albert’s story proves that there is no one so depraved, no sunk in sin so far, that Yahuwah’s spirit cannot reach him.

Second Corinthians 5:17 promises: “If any man be in Yahushua, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” [2 Cor. 5:17]

Do you feel that your sins are too great for Yahuwah to forgive? That the dark record of what you have done, what you have said, what you have felt, can never be blotted out? It’s not true. Yahuwah is in the business of saving sinners!

We’ve been given great and precious promises. Go, and start claiming!

* * *Part 3: (Miles & Dave)

Miles: Knowing how to surrender to Yah, knowing that we must surrender in every area is so important.

Dave: It really is, Miles. Just sitting in church every week, having a connection through your priest, or your pastor isn’t going to cut it. We each one have to have that connection for ourselves.

Because, who knows? Maybe someday you’ll have plans to go somewhere or do something, but Yah, in His foreknowledge, will impress you to go somewhere or do something else than you’d planned. It may just save your life someday!

Miles: It’s so important to discern and learn to obey His impressions on your heart. Are there any last thoughts you want to share with us about maintaining that vital, one-on-one connection with Yah?

Dave: Yes. As you surrender each area to Yahuwah, trusting in His love and wisdom, it’s important to do four things.

First, ask Yahuwah to search your heart, even to depths you can’t reach and don’t know. In Psalm 139, David prayed: “Search me, O Yah, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” [Psalm 139:23, 24]

Miles: A prayer we all need to pray. And we need to listen for the promptings of the Holy Spirit when we pray, too. It’s how Yah speaks to us: through His spirit.

Dave: As the various areas are surrendered, if there are any points the Holy Spirit brings to your attention, confess them, claiming the promise of 1 John 9.

Miles: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Dave: Then, by faith accept his forgiveness and imputed righteousness and thank Him for it.

Secondly, if there are any areas in which you know you struggle, areas that cause you pain, or concern, confusion or fear, tell Him about it. If you’ll pray, He will have an ear to hear and an arm to save.

Miles: He’s always willing to help, isn’t He? I want to share with you a favorite quote of mine. In talking about prayer, it says, quote:

“Keep your wants, your joys, your sorrows, your cares, and your fears before [Yahuwah]. You cannot burden Him; you cannot weary Him. He who numbers the hairs of your head is not indifferent to the wants of His children. … His heart of love is touched by our sorrows and even by our utterances of them. Take to Him everything that perplexes the mind. Nothing is too great for Him to bear, for He holds up worlds. He rules over all the affairs of the universe.

“Nothing that in any way concerns our peace is too small for Him to notice. There is no chapter in our experience too dark for Him to read; there is no perplexity too difficult for Him to unravel . . . The relations between [Yahuwah] and each soul are as distinct and full as though there were not another soul upon the earth to share His watchcare, not another soul for whom He gave His beloved Son.”

Dave: How encouraging! Thanks for sharing that. It’s so true. Listen friends, you can lay all your burdens on Yahuwah. He’s the great burden bearer!

Miles: He wants to help!

Dave: The third thing we each need to do, every day, is consciously choose to surrender control of everything in every area of your life to Yahuwah. Put it into words.

And finally, if you’re struggling to overcome, or you need help in anything, quote the Bible texts that are applicable to your situation. The promises are for you. Claim them!

I know we’re running out of time here, so just one last thought:

Don’t worry or give into doubt if at first you don’t seem to receive much guidance in your prayer times. Your prayer is heard, not because you feel that it is heard, but because He has promised to listen.

Miles: Feelings are completely unreliable.

Dave: They really are, and that’s where faith comes in: trust in Yah because of who He is, not because of who you aren’t.

There’s tremendous power in prayer and, like we just said, if you’ll pray, He’ll listen and answer.

Miles: Amen. It’s so important that we, each one, know and experience this for ourselves. We need to be able to know our duty for ourselves, not what our pastor tells us. We need that vital connection with the Father.

Dave: In closing, I’d like to share my favorite passage from Scripture. It’s the last part of Romans 8. It says: “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered—“

Miles: Isn’t that beautiful? The spirit of Yah will itself help us pray!

Dave: “Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of Yahuwah.

What then shall we say to these things? If Yah be for us, who can be against us?” [Romans 8:26-27, 31]

Miles: So beautiful. Listen, friends. Rest in the assurance of Yah’s love for you. Invite Him to go with you throughout your day. Know that you are accepted in the Beloved – not because of any goodness in you, but because He is good, and He has promised to accept you.

Please join us again tomorrow, and until then, remember: Yahuwah loves you . . . and He is safe to trust!

* * *

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This program and past episodes of WLC Radio are available for downloading on our website. They're great for sharing with friends and for use in Bible studies! They're also an excellent resource for those worshipping Yahuwah alone at home. To listen to previously aired programs, visit our website at WorldsLastChance.com. Click on the WLC Radio icon displayed on our homepage.

In his teachings and parables, the Savior gave no “signs of the times” to watch for. Instead, the thrust of his message was constant … vigilance. Join us again tomorrow for another truth-filled message as we explore various topics focused on the Savior's return and how to live in constant readiness to welcome him warmly when he comes.

WLC Radio: Teaching minds and preparing hearts for Christ's sudden return.