Rabbi’s Reflections – Sunday, November 19, 2023
Shavuah Tov,
Update on our friend, Raymond Finney: Raymond has graduated to a regular hospital room. He is in serious condition following neck surgery because his throat is swollen and he can’t swallow. Please continue to pray for him.
Update on our friend, Jonathan Bernis: Jonathan has gotten out of ICU, but is still in need of a liver transplant. Please continue to pray for him as well.
Life In The Body part 39 – Romans, part 214
Romans 14:12 So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God.
There is much in Scripture related to accountability. Life is a gift, an official appointment, not to be wasted, but invested, invested to produce a dividend or profit. The question each of us must answer is, “Invested into what?” For the follower of Yeshua, investing our lives into the Kingdom of God is our calling.
Rabbi Trail: As I’m writing this, I’m thinking about golf. I’m thinking about the five hour investment necessary to play one round. Although golf is fun, should it be the calling of a believer to shave two strokes off his game? The new year will be here in 6 weeks, so now is the time for “New Years Resolutions.” My advice, find a way to sow seeds of righteousness into the kingdom of God, not into improving your golf game. End RT.
The Bible speaks often of our testimony. Revelation 12:11a They overcame him (the one who has been thrown out) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony. Our testimony is the story of our heartfelt covenant with the once-for-all-time sacrifice of Yeshua. Our testimony is the story of how our lives demonstrate His victory.
You are a gifted person. Gifted by God, but His gift in you is only part of the testimony. The rest of it is how our character stewards the gift to give Him glory. Matthew 25:14-30 is the parable of the talents. The character of each one gifted with talents is the point of the parable. To do nothing with our God-given talent is called wicked. Matthew 25:25b …I went off and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’ 26 “But his master responded, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! And let what comes next be a wake up call to us all (including me)… Matthew 25:30 Throw the worthless servant out, into the outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’”
Yeshua started His ministry at the age of twelve. Luke 2:49 He said to them, “Why were you searching for Me? Didn’t you know that I must be about the things of My Father?” 50 But they did not grasp the message He was telling them. Yeshua’s parents didn’t understand. I believe He wasn’t only talking to them, but to us all. He was setting an example for us to be about the Father’s business.
After reading this, have you (like me) come under conviction? We can always live a better witness. The life of a believer is a life of change. Repent and be willing to change. I had to look hard to find my proof text for what I just said. I found it in two verses from Ephesians.
Ephesians 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as dearly loved children.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship—created in Messiah Yeshua for good deeds, which God prepared beforehand so we might walk in them.
Make that your official appointment. Shavuah Tov (have a good week).
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarsson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Sun 19-Nov-2023 6th of Kislev, 5784
Ge 28:10-22 Jdg 17 Ps 38 Mt 27:32-66 (Ro 14)