Rabbi’s Reflections – Friday, December 13, 2019
(Early) Shabbat Shalom *|FNAME|*,
Special Announcement: The previously announced meeting of the International Church at East Town Mall scheduled for Friday, Dec. 13th has been cancelled. The mall closed and has suddenly locked them out of their location. We will advise you where and when the next meeting will take place.
I’m going to speak on Shabbat the first message of a series on the book by Asher Intrater titled “Alignment.” I’m going to write part of the series in the RRs in the next few weeks and perhaps speak more on other Shabbats. I’m looking forward to it.
I wonder if Asher is happy he wrote the “Alignment” book in the first place. Many Israeli leaders are upset about it and some have even slandered Asher’s good name over it. Why are they upset? I’m glad you asked.
When you get to the bottom line, some are upset because they can’t bring themselves to get in line with God’s love for Israel. Seems strange, Israeli Messianic leaders not having a right orientation to God’s relationship to Israel. But, when I put it that way, it’s not so strange at all.
Rabbi Trail: After all, the bastion of replacement theology is also in Israel. This is where the “Christ At The Checkpoint” conference takes place every other year. https://christatthecheckpoint.bethbc.edu/ Now that I notice the date, I will be in Israel then for the second time (early June), but I won’t be attending.
They usually have one speaker who represents the opposing (my) viewpoint. In years past they have had Wayne Hilsden, Dan Juster, and Michael Brown. I don’t know who they have chosen to present sanity and reason to their conference next year. I looked on their website and didn’t recognize any of the speakers. End RT.
You may not know how dysfunctional the Messianic body is in Israel, and I don’t consider it my responsibility to inform you. All natural born Israeli’s call themselves sabras. This is how natural born (in the land) Israelis see themselves.
A sabra is a cactus that grows indigenous to Israel. Like all cacti it is prickly on the outside. But this cactus is sweet on the inside. However; before you can get to the sweet inside, you’ve got to hug the prickly outside. And there’s the rub (pun intended). It’s our challenge to love the hard to love.
Some Israeli leaders are misunderstanding the alignment message. Asher is not saying get in line behind me, he’s saying get in line behind God, and that means getting in line behind Yeshua (who is the first in line, and who is necessary to even have a line). Basic math requires two points to form a line. In this context, those two points are the Father and the Son. We are called to get in Their line, They don’t get in ours.
Buckle up, buttercup.
Week 50
Memory Verse: 2 Timothy 2:15 Make every effort to present yourself before God as tried and true, as an unashamed worker cutting a straight path with the word of truth.
246 12/9 Monday: 1 Timothy 1-3
247 12/10 Tuesday: 1 Timothy 4-6
248 12/11 Wednesday: 2 Timothy 1-2
249 12/12 Thursday: 2 Timothy 3-4
* 250 12/13 Friday: 1 Peter 1-2
Just think, if we were reading the Bible on the F-250 plan we would be finished for the year (or be in a Ford truck). As it is, we have 10 reading days left in 2019. Let’s finish well, my friends.
Question of the day: What does this verse really mean? 1 Peter 1:15 “Instead, just like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in everything you do.”
Wait a minute; just hold on here! I thought 1 Peter is in the New Testament. Since we are under grace, why does it say to be holy in everything you do? After all, we’re human beings, not human doings!!! Maybe it would help if we define some terms. What does it mean to “be holy?” The verse does say “…like the Holy One….” So then, we follow Yeshua’s example. Great, I get that.
But what about the “be holy yourselves” part? To be “holy” means to be “separate” or “set apart.” Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. THEN DO THAT!!!
Maybe this one last verse will help… Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Yeshua, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
WWYD? He would do whatever He saw the Father do. What, you don’t know what the Father does? Read about it in His word. Then follow His example. Blessings my friends. R. Michael.