B. Non Religious

Lead me to the cross, where Your love poured out. Bring me to my knees; Lord I lay me down. Rid me of myself because I belong to You. Lead me God; I humbly submit to Your empowering will. In the Torah portion, Brother Brandon covered Chukat, Statute, Numbers 19:1 – 22:1. There were many parallels here with Yeshua being a red heifer, and we also see Moses lose his cool. Yet Aaron was punished for Moses’ sin, because Aaron did not speak against it. And may we never complain like Israel did, incessantly. Praise reports included blessings for attending Messiah Echad, then we prayed for our work load, after which Rabbi Jonathan delivered a passionate message connecting the “Prove God Story” from 1 Kings 18:20-39, to a “Does God Answer Prayer” debate in 2018 https://youtu.be/QcsxU5hYhgk. Which person are you from the story? Will you be the one who speaks out against sin and stands up for God? The slides are https://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/23-Jun-2018-Slides.pdf

Are you ready to no longer be a slave to fear? If you claim to be a Child of God, the arms of the Father will free you, liberate you, and surround you. And if you claim your sonship rights, every chain by which the world holds you, will be broken. There is power in the name of Yeshua (Jesus). After praise and worship that brought everyone to tears, Rabbi Jonathan summarized Tzav, Command, Leviticus 6:1 – 8:36. How is this parsha profitable for doctrine, reproof, and correction? Return things better than you received them, seize the day, and exercise patience! In the praise reports, Mark was miraculously healed of stage four cancer (yes really!), and we prayed against curses, after which Brother Adam gave a testimony that defines hate, but also highlighted the power of love and forgiveness. The slides are https://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/24-Mar-2018-Slides.pdf . See you for Passover!

Oh how sweet is the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I was once lost but now am found; I was blind but now I see, so clearly! Hallelujah for the grace that falls down like rain on those who believe. And despite what occurs in life, trial or tribulation, may we remember there is no fear in love. Brother Chris opened Vayikra, And He Called, Leviticus 1:1 – 5:26. The Burnt, Grain, Peace, Sin, and Guilt Offerings satisfied the payment required in the Korban Principle (Sin, Confession, Sacrifice, Redemption), and Yeshua (Jesus) satisfies it now. After praise reports and prayer requests, Rabbi Jonathan spoke about his bike ride (his videos are here), then presented three ways society can love and reform potential murderers. Bring God back into our schools, be kind, and be honest. The referenced editorial is linked, the parsha slides are https://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/17-May-2018-P-Slides.pdf, and main message slides are https://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/17-Mar-2018-T-Slides.pdf.

When I walk through deep water, when I am standing in the fire; through the valley of the shadow, and in the midst of deep sorrow, I am not alone. God goes before me. Amazing praise and worship from Amanda and Alex. In the torah portion, Pastor Harry spoke on Terumah, Exodus 25:1 – 27:19, covering the contributions that were needed to build the temple. We studied the menorah, holy of holies, ark of the covenant, and correlated it all to the creation story. Then after praise reports of passed exams and help for veterans, we prayed for favor in the workplace. Finally, Rabbi Jonathan taught us how to discern if a voice or word is of God, or not from Him. (1) Does the word align with or go against Scripture? (2) Is the word benefiting your flesh, or the Spirit? (3) If the word does not help others, its ungodly and selfish. And the slides are https://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/17-Feb-2018-Slides.pdf

Hear this podcast and share this post! As we discussed personal matters and worked through staffing changes, we did not upload a recording 03 February, but our members can brief you on anything you missed. As for this week, Pastor Herb from Restoring God’s Family Church was prophetically led to cover Mishpatim, Laws, Exodus 21:1 – 24:18. As we consider our leaders, even if someone wicked is ruling, we must fight the urge to groan. God calls us to respect our authorities. Mandi gave a powerful 12 year anniversary praise report, and we prayed for favor, after which Rabbi Jonathan showed the biblical basis for (or against) Valentines Day. We are called to be sheep amongst wolves; light in a dark world. God has given us the ability to choose between good and evil… truly ask yourself if Valentines Day observances are of God, or the devil. And the slides are https://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/10-Feb-2018-Slides.pdf

Draw me close to You, and never let me go. In 2018, help me find a way, to bring my life back to God’s will. After beautiful praise and worship, Watchman Alexander closed out Genesis with Vayechi, He Lived, Genesis 47:28 – 50:26. Jacob died at the age of 147, despite Genesis 6:3 saying men would not live past 120 years. Extra biblical books (Jasher), and source texts (Septuagint) help clarify. Then after praise reports of new jobs and prayer for health, Rabbi Jonathan recapped our three most enjoyed podcasts of 2017; (1) Looking Forward and Politics, (2) Perils and Messianic Judaism, and  (3) Commandments and Exorcism. Finally, if you are looking to make new years resolutions, remember the three things we said that will help you not be part of the 33% who fail in January, or 90% who fail balance of year. And the slides are https://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/30-Dec-2017-Slides.pdf

Despite whatever happens in life, during praise and worship, or in our dealings with people, we can stop and shout HalleluYah, because our Holy and Worthy Lord God Almighty reigns! After getting an earful of feedback, Rabbi Jonathan was reenergized by that Almighty God we worship, and then summarized Parsha Toldot, Generations, Genesis 25:19 – 28:9. Isaac, son of Abraham, fathered Esau and Jacob, but through who did the Abrahamic Covenant and Blessings flow? Esau was too short term thinking, unrepentant, and addicted to sin to be blessed. Don’t be like Esau. Then after praise of academic excellence and payer for our families, Councilwoman Val Nicholson encouraged us to be involved in our community. Find your “tribe”, consider how you can serve, and know that you CAN make a difference. And the slides are http://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/18-Nov-2017-Slides.pdf