In the organization of my early years of conversion, children would have special Sabbath toys they would play with at services. They would be on a blanket on the floor in front of our seats and were allowed to play, but very quietly. There was a sermon one Sabbath about the first resurrection. About two weeks later one of my sons who was three and a half came to me and asked me a very deep question about something the minister had said in that sermon. I was astounded. This little child had been mulling this over in his little head for two weeks and was finally able to formulate a question about it.

I, like most parents of that time, thought that our children were playing and were too young to listen and learn. What an eye opener. He asked a question and needed an answer. What he asked was not a simple question one would expect from a toddler. I had to try to think like he was and give a logical, truthful, complete answer. In doing this I learned, as well as teaching my son. From that time on I fully included the little ones in the bible studies.

Children’s minds are very logical as they have not yet learned all of the illogic of adults. If the answer does not contain pure, clear logic, a child will be confused and frustrated. If one continues with unclear illogical answers, soon a child will stop coming to a parent for answers and seek them somewhere else.

Yahweh was teaching me a lesson through my children. From that point I never answered with “You are too young to understand”, or “I don’t know”, and just leave it at that. If I didn’t know the answer off the top of my head, I would say, “I don’t know for sure but will find the answer and tell you as soon as I do.” Then make sure I did at the first possible occasion. This will keep children coming to the right place for their answers, their parents.

From that point on we had family bible studies twice a week and included all of the children. In preparing bible studies geared to the interest of youngsters, I found that I was learning a great deal about spiritual matters. As I dug for subjects and answers to questions that came up at studies I was being taught as well.

These times became very special to all of us. If you think bible studies are boring for kids and they would rather be doing something else, you are wrong. Sometimes after working a long hard day, I would think to postpone study for that particular evening. The children would not let me. They would give a hundred reasons why we should have it on schedule. I would always relent and we would study and Yahweh always gave me the energy I needed.

PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH

As the children grew and matured, their questions became more and more complex and I had to be constantly in the scriptures for answers, logical complete answers. I was also learning another very important lesson. WHAT ONE TEACHES, ONE HAD BETTER BE LIVING. Children will not accept lip service. They expect you to live in the way you are teaching them to live. If you don’t, your teaching means nothing and will not bear fruit in them. Children will learn much quicker by what you do rather than what you say. One can say I believe, but if it is not accompanied by actions it is pointless and a waste of time. James.2:14-20

When the children reached the teen years, bible studies had become something that they looked forward to with great joy. Studies were interactive from the beginning and became even more of a challenge for me, the teacher.

During one study I mentioned that Yahweh could teach us in every situation and in simple every day occurrences, such as work and play, or at school or anyplace else they happened to be. There is a bible study in everything we do if we are tuned in to it. They were a little sceptical and one asked if Yahweh could teach me by the job that I did, upholstery and refinishing antiques. I said that He could. They challenged me to make up a bible study based on my job and the lesson it taught and present it at the next study. This was not a real challenge since I had gone through the lesson it taught many times as I worked. However, sometimes you know something in your mind but it is very different when you try to write it out and the lesson it gives.

The following is the study we did and it holds a valuable lesson for all of us who profess to be followers of Yahweh and Yahshua.

THE OLD FINISH

Ephesians 4:22 Put off your old nature which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and put on the new nature, created after the likeness of Elohim in true righteousness and holiness. Put off the old and put on the new. In my everyday work I regularly take off the old and put on the new. This same principle works with reupholstery of stuffed furniture or with the refinishing of wooden furniture. The old covering or finish on the furniture must be thoroughly cleaned off before I can even consider putting on the new fabric or stain and varnish. I will concentrate on refinishing wooden furniture in this study.

Stripping off the old finish is like repentance. When Yahweh calls us to repentance, we must examine our old self and remove all the old finish such as self exalting pride, evil thoughts, anger, lusting and all dishonesty, that makes us appear to be something other than what we are deep down. Just as the shine on old furniture makes the finish appear perfect when in reality, under close scrutiny, it is imperfect and full of flaws. Just as we can see through shine to the true finish so Yahweh can see past what we appear to be on the surface to the real condition within us. HEBREWS 4: 12 For the word of Elohim is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

13 And before him no creature is hidden, but all are open and laid bare to the eyes of him with whom we have to do. Nothing is hidden from Yahweh. He can see the true finish. Luke 8:17 For nothing is hid that shall not be made manifest, nor anything secret that shall not be known and come to light.

Once the old finish is examined and removed the furniture is ready to work with and prepare for a new finish. This is not an easy process. There is a lot of strenuous work involved in removing the old finish. It must be done however, or the new finish will not hold. Once the old finish is off, revealing the beautiful workmanship beneath we can begin to apply the new finish.

OLD AND NEW WON’T MIX

MATT.9:16-17 MARK 2:21-22 Old and new fabrics and finishes can’t bond or mix properly to make a strong, durable finished product. It is the same with us. If we try to put on our new life in Yahshua over our sins hoping to cover them, it will eventually damage our new life and under times of stress or strain and trial it will break down. The old must be completely stripped away. Once we have done this with Yahweh’s help and guidance, we are ready for the new finish.

Colossians 3: 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old nature with its practices 10 and have put on the new nature, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. We must not deceive ourselves or others about what we are. We must be what we seem to be. If we are not it will at some point become apparent what we really are.

Just as in furniture, if we leave part of the old finish on, it will show through the new and the flaw will spread and become a scar on the new finish. So it is with repentance. If we don’t completely put off the old self and we try to retain some of what we were, it will ultimately cause us to became flawed and with time the new finish will not hold and the spiritual scar will be apparent. So it is with Yahweh. When we have finally examined, recognize, and admitted what we truly are, He can begin to work with us toward a new heart, mind, and a new strong finish.

FINISH THE PREPARATION

Just as a chemical wash is the final step in removing the old finish from furniture, so immersion into the Name of Yahshua is the final step in washing away what we were to the clean new condition. In this pure, clean state with the bare product showing, we are ready for Yahweh to begin applying a new finish. With none of the old finish to prevent it, the new finish on furniture will be strong and durable. It is the same with us spiritually. With none of our old finish, what we were, to prevent it, our new finish will be strong and durable as well.

PROTECT THE FINISH

The finish on the furniture will be strong and durable but delicate and needing care and attention to keep it in perfect condition. So it is with our new finish. It is delicate and needs tender care and attention to maintain it. Just as waxes and oils will protect and maintain the new finish on furniture, Yahweh has provided things that will protect and maintain our new finish as well. He is a faithful workman and has not left us on our own to withstand the elements.

Ephesians 6: 16 besides all these, taking the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of Elohim. 1 Thessalonians 5: 6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 8 But, since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. Yahweh offers us the shield of faith to repel the weapons of satans attacks. Also we have the helmet of salvation to protect our minds from the evil urging of Satan and the sword of the Spirit which is Yahweh’s word to lead us into all truth so we will be properly prepared for what is ahead .

Faith is the most important product to protect our new finish. Matthew 21: 21 And Yahshua answered them, "Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and never doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it will be done.

22 And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith."

Hebrews 11: 1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Faith goes beyond belief to absolute assurance that what Yahweh says is true and unchangeable and His promises are sure. 1 Thessalonians 5: 23 May the Elohim of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Sovereign Yahshua Messiah. 24 He who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. Yahweh and Yahshua are faithful and will certainly carry out their word. I have been asked on occasion “How do I get more faith”? One doesn’t get more faith. Faith comes not from within us but from the Spirit of Yahweh and Yahshua and it will naturally grow because of the things we see them doing in our lives. It is not the faith of me or you but the faith of Yahshua growing within us through the Holy Spirit. Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Messiah; it is no longer I who live, but Messiah who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of Elohim, who loved me and gave himself for me. Yahshua Messiah lives within us through the Holy Spirit. His faith in Yahweh is immeasurable, and he will translate this faith to us if we allow Him to. His mind is within us. 1 Corinthians 2:16 "For who has known the mind of Yahweh so as to instruct him?" But we have the mind of Messiah.

Love

Love is another product to protect our new finish. Yahweh’s love which He has poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit strengthens our finish as we feel it working within us and as we share it with others.

ROMANS 5: 1 Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with Elohim through our Sovereign Yahshua Messiah. 2 Through him we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in our hope of sharing the glory of Elohim. 3 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not disappoint us, because Elohim’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us. Yahweh’s love within us is the light that shines before men and gives our finish that soft warm glow that will attract others to Yahweh at some point.

Matthew 5:14 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid.

15 Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Remember, Yahweh is the source of our light. It is His light we are reflecting not our own.

1 Thessalonians 5: 17 pray constantly, We can replenish the products we need by constant prayer and contact with Yahweh and Yahshua. These things are free for the asking . Don’t give up. Luke 18:1 And he told them a parable, to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2 He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared Elohim nor regarded man; 3 and there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Vindicate me against my adversary.’ 4 For a while he refused; but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear Elohim nor regard man, 5 yet because this widow bothers me, I will vindicate her, or she will wear me out by her continual coming.’" 6 And the Sovereign said, "Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 And will not Elohim vindicate his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them?

8 I tell you, he will vindicate them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man comes, will he find faith on earth?

Maintenance Manual

When one makes a major purchase such as a car or lawn mower etc., one gets a maintenance manual with it. This tells you how to operate and care for the new item. It also usually contains the guarantee. Where do you suppose the idea came from originally? Yahweh!! The Holy Bible is our maintenance manual.

It contains everything we need to keep our new finish safe and free from contamination by Satan and the worlds society around us. It also contains the guarantee. 2 TIMOTHY 3:16 All scripture is inspired by Elohim and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

17 that the man of Elohim may be complete, equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 1: 7 for Elohim did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power and love and self-control. All of these things come from one source. The Holy Spirit of Yahweh and Yahshua within us. This is a Spirit of limitless power and righteousness from the most awesomely powerful Beings in the universe. Yahweh is not a workman afar off but He is always right at hand. Jeremiah 23:23 He is constantly checking our finish to see if we need extra care which He gives happily. Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and of good courage, do not fear or be in dread of them: for it is Yahweh your Elohim who goes with you; he will not fail you or forsake you."

We who have been refinished by Yahweh and are in Yahshua are all refinishers. We have stripped off the old and put on the new. Let us all strive to be dependable, honest workmen and be a product that will stand-up under Yahweh’s closest scrutiny . 2 Timothy 2: 15 Do your best to present yourself to Elohim as one approved, a workman who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. Let us never SEEM to be something. Let us BE something. Let what we are within be what we are on the outside. Let our finish be transparent to let the real beauty of Yahweh’s product be clearly visible to all.