Rabbi’s Reflections – Thursday, February 13, 2020
Shalom *|FNAME|*,
Don Finto sent this message.
Join the Tennessee Prayer Initiative. Citizens across the state are invited to join the Tennessee Prayer Initiative to strengthen the Governor, his Cabinet, the Commissioners, every legislator and members of the State judiciary. Rabbi Trail: He was the pastor our governor’s and performed his first marriage. Governor Lee’s first wife died in a tragic horse accident. Don will be with us at Shomair on August 15th this year. Please save the date. End RT.
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Pillar Six: The Kingdom is Expressed in Apostolic Order – part 1
It’s a strange term, “apostolic order.” We don’t run into it often. The best known preachers among us don’t use it. It’s not familiar to our ears. That’s why I want to write about it today. We have, however; heard the term “good government.” “Apostolic order” is just another way of saying “God’s good government.”
Before we move on, let’s get this thought into the conversation. The test of every organization (including families) is “how do you resolve differences.” Every covenant (if it is to survive) must include language on how to resolve differences. I’ll come back to this thought in a moment.
God’s good government has two areas of focus (the plural is foci). The first is within the congregation. This requires at least 3 leaders to form a plurality of leadership. The opposite is when one person is making all the decisions.
There are two problems that arise when the power is with one person. First, none of us is as smart as all of us. Simply put, we get smarter when we put our minds together. This is true 100% of the time and has been scientifically proven. The second problem with the single leader model is that there is no way to resolve differences when they arise. The only option to resolve an impasse is for one party to break covenant.
The other area of focus for God’s good government is for every congregation to have an apostolic oversight as a place of appeal. If the local leadership is divided or if individual members disagree with the united local leadership, then there is another level of apostolic oversight for appeal.
1 Corinthians 14:40 But let everything be done decently and in order.
God’s kingdom is any place and time where He is King. The 12 Pillars are ways that His kingdom is made manifest. God’s kingdom is made manifest where there is apostolic order, good and godly government. That’s the beginning of our discussion on Pillar six.
Week 7
Memory Verse: John 1:29 The next day, John sees Yeshua coming to him and says, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
31 2/10 Monday: Exodus 8-9
32 2/11 Tuesday: Exodus 10-11
33 2/12 Wednesday: Exodus 12
* 34 2/13 Thursday: Exodus 13:17-14
35 2/14 Friday: Exodus 16-17
Question of the day: Israel is “snookered.” What does that mean to us?
Answer: Rabbi Trail: Snooker is a game played on a table with balls and cues like billiards. I used it as a slang expression meaning, according to the free online dictionary, “To lead (another) into a situation in which all possible choices are undesirable; trap. End RT.
God leads the Children of Israel into what appears to be a trap. There is no way out, “but God!” Moses says, Exodus 14:13b “Don’t be afraid! Stand still, and see the salvation of Adonai, which He will perform for you today. You have seen the Egyptians today, but you will never see them again, ever! 14 Adonai will fight for you, while you hold your peace.”
As always, what is God saying to us today? This theme is actually repeated throughout the Bible. Deuteronomy 31:8 Adonai—He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you. He will not fail you or abandon you. Do not fear or be discouraged.”
Many times God puts us in a place where we must rely on Him. He is the only way out. When we get to that place, we must remember to pray this prayer. “I lay my life down, Lord. You do what you do. I’m firmly in Your grip.” In Yeshua’s name. Amen.