Rabbi’s Reflections – Friday, May 26, 2023
(Early) Shabbat Shalom,
Tomorrow we conclude counting the Omer. Seven weeks of counting will be complete. Then Sunday, the following day, is the 50th day. A holiday called Shavuot. It is the last of the spring feasts. It is a day with a double meaning (like all the spring feasts). First, it was fulfilled on Mount Sinai, with the giving of the Torah. Then, 1,500 years later, it was fulfilled again with the giving of the Holy Spirit. You can read about it in the Book of Acts, the 2nd chapter.
This Sunday, May 28th at 10:30am, we will join with our friends at Grace and Glory Fellowship at the Shomair building to have our Shavuot (Pentecost) worship service. We are expecting great things, as we will be joining with millions of believers to pray for the salvation of Israel. This service will be followed by a community picnic at nearby Holston River Park. Please bring a side or dessert to share as we celebrate the goodness of God.
Psalm 133:1 A Song of Ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!
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Day 48 of counting the Omer
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָֽׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו, וְצִוָּֽנוּ עַל סְפִירַת הָעֹֽמֶר
Baruch Atah Adonai Elohenu Melech Ha-Olam, Asher Kid’shanu B’mitzvotav, Vitzivanu Al Sefirat Ha-Omer.
Blessed are You O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us by his commandments and commanded us about the counting of the Omer. Today is six weeks and six days of the counting of the Omer.
Follow up that prayer by remembering a blessing from the Lord and give Him thanks.
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Victory Over Sin part 32 – Romans, part 93
Romans 8:9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Ruach—if indeed the Ruach Elohim dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Ruach of Messiah, he does not belong to Him.
What’s this, a second day for the same verse? Yup! There is something else I wanted to say about it. Then we’ll move on. The last half of verse 9 grabbed me. “Now if anyone does not have the Ruach of Messiah, he does not belong to Him.” This isn’t about saying the sinner’s prayer, nor is it about how many times we sing “Just As I Am.” This is about a change of administration from flesh to spirit.
When we are born, we are ruled by the flesh. When we feel a need, we cry to get what we want. Then we grow up and become better at hiding our childish ways. But still, we are driven by the hierarchy of needs which starts with physical needs. Being “born again” involves being born of the Spirit of God. That second “new birth” requires change.
The “seeker friendly” message keeps the focus on love so that there is no need to change, only love. Yeshua has something to say about that from His seat on the throne. John 14:15 “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” Would you like a second witness? 1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God—that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.
We are called to change. Don’t tell Yeshua to “keep the change.” His call on our lives always involves change. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Messiah, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Would you like a second witness for this too? 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.
Now hear this, walk in victory. 1 John 5:4 For everyone born of God overcomes the world. And the victory that has overcome the world is this—our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world, if not the one who believes that Yeshua is Ben-Elohim? Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Day 48 of the Omer
Fri 26 May-2023 6th of Sivan, 5783
Ex 19:1-20:26(23), Nu 28:26-31 Ez 1:1-28; 3:12 Ruth 1-4 Ac 2:1-41