B. Judaism

With visitors who drove more than five hours to attend, and members that have been in the faith over five decades, Messiah Echad was blessed to enter our fifth year observing God’s Feasts and Festivals. Our order of service began by mentioning the unblemished lamb from Exodus 12:5, which became Yeshua (Jesus) later in the Bible. The second Passover theme is removal of leaven from our homes but also pride, puffiness, or sin from our lives. The third theme is when a non-Jewish visitor or stranger wants observe the Passover, God commands us to permit them. Peradventure, maybe even encourage. Passover is a witness, a testimony to the community, and proof that God answers prayer. Lastly, we observed communion with bread and wine, then anticipated Elijah’s coming. Chag Semach, Happy Passover, and may your Feast of Unleavened Bread be easy.

When the sun comes up, it’s time to sing Your song again. You are rich in love, and Your heart is kind; there are ten thousand reasons to worship God Almighty. After praise and worship, Rabbi Jonathan taught from Va’era, I appeared, Exodus 6:2 – 9:35. Not by the name God Almighty but YHVH, God established a covenant with the descendants of Israel. When enslavement and oppression happens, God always hears the groanings of those in covenant with Him. Yet the most powerful reality is knowing God will redeem us with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgement. Lastly, God did not make Pharaoh hate the Israelites… Pharaoh already despised them. Then after praise reports of bible reading and prayer for chronic illness, Pastor Duane preached about David, a man after God’s own heart. And the slides are https://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/13-Jan-2018-Slides.pdf

Chanukah is an excellent time for me to remember this little light of mine, and how I should let it shine. All in my house, and everywhere I go, may His radiance be seen in me. Rabbi Jonathan covered Miketz, At The End, Genesis 41:1 – 44:7. Joseph was 30 when Pharaoh made him second in charge of Egypt, Joseph took Simeon hostage when his brothers visited, and Joseph planted a cup in his brothers’ bag. Yet the brothers did not blame (un)forgiveness or famine on their distress; they blamed themselves. Praise reports included bonus checks, and we prayed for wisdom, after which Hanoch Young, an Orthodox Jew with Kol Yehuda, spoke about Israel, Judah, and Ephraim. The slides are https://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/16-Dec-2017-Slides.pdf . Lastly, thank you Gov. Greg Abbott, Rep. Tony Dale, Rep. Terry Wilson, Jeff Johnson, and Rev. Kurt Hein for enjoying Chanukah with us.

Our God is the Lion, the Lion of Judah. He’s roaring with power, and fighting our battles. Our God is also the Lamb, the Lamb that was slain, and His blood breaks the chains. Bow before the Lion and the Lamb. In the parsha, Brother Adam covered Vayeshev, He Settled, Genesis 37:1 – 40:23. Both Joseph and Jesus were beloved, hated, sold for silver, and tempted, yet did not sin. Recognizing the Messianic connections in this parsha, and your life, can help take you from prison, to the palace. After praises of being given a non-profit, and prayer for our babysitter, Rabbi Jonathan got us into the holiday spirit. Jesus taught in the Temple during Chanukah, and if He observed it, so will we. Plus Chanukah is much more kosher than Christmas, so see you at our 4^th Annual Lighting. Lastly, Brother Mel’s pre-service Investment Teaching is attached, and so are the slides for the Shabbat Service – https://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/09-Dec-2017-Slides.pdf

I have tasted and seen, of the sweetest of loves, where my heart becomes free, and my shame is undone. It is Your presence Lord, and Your Holy Spirit is welcome here. In the Torah Portion, Brother Phillip covered Lech Lecha, Go Forth, Genesis 12:1 – 17:27. With a few connections made to the non-canonized, secondary resource of Jasher (ref. Joshua 10:13 and 2 Samuel 1:18), the focus in this portion was on heeding our leaders, and fleeing strife. Praise reports were powerful, and prayer was strong, after which Rabbi Jonathan spoke on the third part of our mission and vision. If you love Messiah, you will keep His Word… do you love Him enough to follow the commandments? And please, while the darkness of Halloween is being celebrated, remember we need to be lights, and not of this world. And the slides are http://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/28-Oct-2017-Slides.pdf.

We don’t know about you, but falling in love with our Messiah Jesus, was the best thing we have ever done. In His arms, we are never disconnected, and there is no place we would rather be. Our praise and worship team did beautifully, along with the guest woodwind, brass, and vocal additions. Brother Adam brought forth Noach, from Genesis 6:9 – 11:32, which showed what it means to find favor in the eyes of the Lord. When we come into Torah (the Word), we become like the ark of Noah, and something special comes to dwell within us. Further it took 40 days to re-start mankind, and with the Torah in our heart now, heed it. Praise reports came all the way from Norway, and we prayed for medical healings, after which Pastor Duane spoke about peace amidst the storm, and gave us four ways to claim peace. And the slides are http://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/21-Oct-2017-Slides.pdf

As we finish reflecting on this past year, remember to periodically bow your knee to the only Name that has power to break every chain of sin in your life. Yeshua, Jesus, our Messiah! In the torah portion, Brother Chris covered V’Zot HaBerachah, And This Is The Blessings, Deuteronomy 33:1 – 34:12. The blessings include Judah being like a lion, Levi judging people, and Asher receiving favor, but the tribes were also blessed as one, just as we are to be one, in Messiah. Praise reports and prayer requests were powerful as always, after which Rabbi Jonathan led the Yom Kippur portion of our services. The Commandments from God are to abstain from work, afflict your soul, and make an offering. Please do this, and also confess your sins one to another, forgive, embrace salvation in Yeshua, and then set your eyes on Sukkot. And the slides are http://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/30-Sep-2017-Slides.pdf

If you missed our Tashlich Service last Wednesday, here is the audio recording http://messiahechad.org/blog/20-sept-2017-f1t/. On Shabbat Shuvah, we remembered that in 3BC, Virgo was clothed with the sun, the moon was at her feet, and a crown of 12 stars was over her head, then Yeshua came to the world. And we know, He is coming again! Next, Pastor Harry summarized Haazinu, Listen, from Deuteronomy 32:1-52, where Moses spoke the Ha’azinu Hashamayim. God brought Israel from slavery, sustained them, and wants us today to similarly be blessed. Lastly, after praise reports of cancers removed, and prayer requests for more healing, Rabbi Jonathan spoke about the Lord’s Feasts, which we should all observe. Especially during the Days of Awe, consider your deeds, and focus on the fruit. L’Shana Tova. And the slides are http://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/23-Sep-2017-Slides.pdf.