Rabbi’s Reflections – Monday, October 28, 2019
Shalom *|FNAME|*,
We took the Sukkah down Sunday afternoon in beautiful weather. There were about a dozen people helping. It took us a little longer than we anticipated, but it wasn’t a race. I mention it here to thank those who helped. You know who you are. Thank you for your ministry of helps. May you be blessed.
On October 27, 2018 the members of Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, PA were gathering for their weekly Shabbat service, just like they had done for many years. It was a usual Shabbat until it wasn’t. For 11 of their attendees, it would be their last moment on earth.
You would think in the 21st Century mankind would have advanced beyond the need to kill Jews for being Jewish. But no, hate is never satisfied. We also must join the rest of the rational world in condemning the anti-Semitic actions of the few against the innocent.
May God continue to comfort the bereaved of that community, and wherever they are. Fortify us, Lord, to stand firm against all prejudice (anti-Semitic and other racial prejudice).
As Martin Luther King, Jr. so famously spoke… (I couldn’t pick just one, so I chose two.).
“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”
“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed — we hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.”
I also have a dream. My dream is for Jewish people. That one day the love of Yeshua will shine forth from the hearts of Christians into Jewish hearts that have been darkened to the gospel by anti-Semitism. Then these Scriptures will be our reality…
Philippians 2:10 that at the name of Yeshua every knee should bow, in heaven and on the earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue profess that Yeshua the Messiah is Lord— to the glory of God the Father.
Zechariah 14:9 Adonai will then be King over all the earth. In that day Adonai will be Echad and His Name Echad.
Week 44
Memory Verse: Romans 5:1 Therefore, having been made righteous by trusting, we have shalom with God through our Lord Yeshua the Messiah.
* 216 10/28 Monday: 2 Corinthians 9-10
217 10/29 Tuesday: 2 Corinthians 11-13
218 10/30 Wednesday: Romans 1-2; Acts 20:1-3
219 10/31 Thursday: Romans 3-4
220 11/01 Friday: Romans 5-6
Question of the day: In 2 Corinthians 10, Paul is writing about the tension between the flesh and the spirit. Can you break that down?
Answer: Sure, I’m glad to. Here are the relevant verses…
2 Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly but powerful through God for the tearing down of strongholds. We are tearing down false arguments 5a and every high-minded thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God.
Let me share this principle. For every physical reality, there is a greater spiritual reality. We walk (live) in the flesh, but our greater walk (life) is spiritual. The real battle is always spiritual.
Our spiritual weapons are designed to pull down spiritual strongholds. What is a spiritual stronghold? It is an area of our life we have not surrendered to God. We have left an opportunity for the enemy to gain a foothold, which grows into a stronghold. It is a place of rebellion. It’s a place from within us that the enemy can attack us.
1 Peter 5:8 Stay alert! Watch out! Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, searching for someone to devour. 9a Stand up against him, firm in your faith,….
So, what are our spiritual weapons? Prayer and prayer for one another is very effective. Jacob (James) 5:16 So confess your offenses to one another and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous person is very powerful.
The only offensive weapon we have is the sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God. (Ephesians 6:17) And the only way we can use it effectively is if we know it. Please don’t miss this, it’s really important, (and you can quote me here) “Read the Bible.” That’s right, read the Bible every day.
Too tired to read the Bible, that is flesh keeping you from the spiritual victory God has for you. We always have time and energy for what’s important. Prioritize the Word of God and give God the victory. Let the Spirit of God triumph over the weakness of our flesh. To God be the glory.