7 Sivan 5768
In arguing with HaShem over my selfish “issues” that I have about my life, the L-rd spoke to me. I certainly don’t deserve His time if I’m going to hold onto a bad attitude. However shortly after I had my little outburst and perhaps a bit of cooling down on my part, He decided to put these questions into my mind:
How urgent is it to keep a soul from Gei-Hinnom?
How much do you have to sacrifice for it to be enough to save another?
How much effort is required of an EMT to save a physical life?
Is it any different for a spiritual life?
How about a flock?
In a flock of GOD’s people, there will be many needs to fill 7 days at all hours. For a number of years I have felt the call from Him to be some form of shepherd to minister to the needs of GOD’s flock.
The prophet Yechezk’el was told by HaShem to speak against the shepherds of Israel in chapter 34. GOD told this prophet to point out that they “have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You [ Israel’s shepherds] have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally” (34:4) (NIV).
These things that Israel’s shepherds were not doing are the very things that will take up a 24/7 schedule should He really want me to be an ordained rabbi/minister/pastor someday.
It appears that these questions seem to imply a certain level of sacrifice is necessary and that I must get relatively comfortable with it in preparation for similar sacrifices that I would experience as a shepherd.
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Sunday, April 27, 2008
No Division Among GOD's People
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Galatians 6:10 (NIV)
Our first concern should be for our spiritual family—of whom we meet and worship together with in some regularity (hopefully its regular, at the very least).
In Paul’s first writing to those who believed in Yeshua in Corinth, chapter 12, verses 25-26 it reads:
“…there should be no division in the body [family of those who believe], but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.”
Now here’s a thought: If I was to obey this teaching when a division arises in my own congregation, I should have more concern and prayers to help those who are suffering. Even if I am suffering in my own soul, I am to follow Yeshua’s example of how He suffered for our good. But Yeshua went even further than that. He died in our place as a consequence of our sins.
Of course I am not saying that our suffering does the same as Yeshua’s did. However, what I am saying is that we must ultimately reject our own suffering and seek to minister to the needs of others, whose suffering may be even greater than ours.
If my understanding is correct then Paul’s letter to the believers in Colosse chapter 1 verse 24 touches on this principal:
“Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Messiah’s afflictions, for the sake of His body…”
Let’s end our time of study of the Bible in prayer.
Abba, Heavenly Father. Thank You for the abundant kindnesses that You show us each and every day. Thank You for Yeshua and His death and resurrection and how the trusting in its truth leads to eternal life with You, beyond the “death” of our fleshly bodies. Let all that is written here bring You glory, honor, and praise. Please forgive any mistakes in the text and grow me into a teacher whose understanding and sharing of it is clear and correct according to its foundations in Judaism. Please bless all who read this and allow it to feed and grow their faith according to Your commands. Help us to have equal concern for each other as we prayerfully try to become more like You. Please bring peace to Jerusalem and give wisdom to its and Israel's leaders. We also lift up our American leaders to you. We ask that You would give the leaders of both countries the faith and the desire to fulfill the reasons why You brought both countries into existance. In Yeshua’s name, I pray. Amen.
Notes of reference:
(1) Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.
(2) All of the NIV verses that make reference to the name of GOD’s Son, I have used the Hebrew name “Yeshua” to be true to my faith as well as sensitive to any Jewish readers .
(3) For those NIV verses that mention the title of “Christ,” the equivalent term “Messiah” was used.
Our first concern should be for our spiritual family—of whom we meet and worship together with in some regularity (hopefully its regular, at the very least).
In Paul’s first writing to those who believed in Yeshua in Corinth, chapter 12, verses 25-26 it reads:
“…there should be no division in the body [family of those who believe], but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.”
Now here’s a thought: If I was to obey this teaching when a division arises in my own congregation, I should have more concern and prayers to help those who are suffering. Even if I am suffering in my own soul, I am to follow Yeshua’s example of how He suffered for our good. But Yeshua went even further than that. He died in our place as a consequence of our sins.
Of course I am not saying that our suffering does the same as Yeshua’s did. However, what I am saying is that we must ultimately reject our own suffering and seek to minister to the needs of others, whose suffering may be even greater than ours.
If my understanding is correct then Paul’s letter to the believers in Colosse chapter 1 verse 24 touches on this principal:
“Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Messiah’s afflictions, for the sake of His body…”
Let’s end our time of study of the Bible in prayer.
Abba, Heavenly Father. Thank You for the abundant kindnesses that You show us each and every day. Thank You for Yeshua and His death and resurrection and how the trusting in its truth leads to eternal life with You, beyond the “death” of our fleshly bodies. Let all that is written here bring You glory, honor, and praise. Please forgive any mistakes in the text and grow me into a teacher whose understanding and sharing of it is clear and correct according to its foundations in Judaism. Please bless all who read this and allow it to feed and grow their faith according to Your commands. Help us to have equal concern for each other as we prayerfully try to become more like You. Please bring peace to Jerusalem and give wisdom to its and Israel's leaders. We also lift up our American leaders to you. We ask that You would give the leaders of both countries the faith and the desire to fulfill the reasons why You brought both countries into existance. In Yeshua’s name, I pray. Amen.
Notes of reference:
(1) Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.
(2) All of the NIV verses that make reference to the name of GOD’s Son, I have used the Hebrew name “Yeshua” to be true to my faith as well as sensitive to any Jewish readers .
(3) For those NIV verses that mention the title of “Christ,” the equivalent term “Messiah” was used.
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