Rabbi’s Reflections – Thursday, July 23, 2020
Shalom,
God has a development program. It’s called “discipleship.” (Reading the daily reflection is a form of discipleship. Discipleship is not the end, it’s just the beginning.). It is His desire for us to live victorious lives that reflect His healing power. I’m not talking primarily about healing the body to health (although that is part of it), but about the healing of our soul, which produces more abundant life. Hear the words of Yeshua.
John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal, slaughter, and destroy. I have come that they might have life, and have it abundantly!
Salvation is a “rescue operation.” It is a lifeline to a victim who is drowning.
Rabbi Trail: We are all victims, (or were) so get over it. There is a victim mentality that is pervasive in our modern society. Many of us seem to have the objective to blame someone else for everything going wrong in our own lives. Go ahead, make a mistake, then try to find a way to make it someone else’s problem.
Personal responsibility seems to be “out the window.” This ought not to be. Some of us really are victims, but none of us should “own” victimhood. We are created in Messiah Yeshua to be over-comers, not victims! 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. End RT.
Even though we are brought back from a death sentence, we still have a battle in the soul realm to be delivered from much of the “stuff” that got us in that situation in the first place.
Psalm 40:13 For evils beyond number surround me, my sins have overtaken me —I cannot see— they are more than the hairs of my head —and my heart fails me. 14 Adonai, please deliver me! Adonai, come quickly to help me!
We’ve all got to “grow up,” and I mean fast. Ayn Lanu Harbey Z’man (we don’t have much time). Psalm 90:12 So teach us to number our days, so that we may get a heart of wisdom. We can feel the increase of evil in the world today. We are living in Revelation 12:12 Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the earth and the sea, for the devil has come down to you with great rage, knowing that his time is short.
So what’s it going to be, rejoice or woe? Depends on where you “live.” I put it in quotes because it’s not your physical address. It’s where you call home and identify the most. Philippians 3:20a For our citizenship is in heaven….
I’m going to write more on this soon. Great things are coming our way. Stay tuned.
Week 30
Memory Verse: Psalm 51:17 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise.
146 7/23 Monday: Nehemiah 13
147 7/24 Tuesday: Malachi 1
148 7/25 Wednesday: Malachi 2
* 149 7/26 Thursday: Malachi 3
150 7/27 Friday: Malachi 4
Side note: Isn’t this interesting. Malachi 3 and 4 are mashed up into Malachi 3 in the TLV (Tree of Life Version). Malachi 4 has only 5 verses. So just for today and tomorrow I’m going to follow the chapter divisions in the Christian Bible.
Question of the day: Malachi 3:1b Suddenly He will come to His Temple —the Lord whom you seek— and the Messenger of the covenant —the One whom you desire— behold, He is coming,” says Adonai-Tzva’ot. What is “behold?”
Answer: Ha ha! You were expecting a message on tithing and the “windows of heaven” will be opened to pour out your blessing. There are plenty of television evangelists preaching that message. I would like to say though, that we should all be faithful in giving. I would also say that the tithe is not the same as the offering. The tithe is 10%. In Hebrew we ask the question “Netto O Bruto?” (meaning “net or gross”) You choose, would you like a minimum blessing or a great big one? One last thought on tithing. The tithe goes to the community where you are a part. Other ministries can receive offerings, but the 10% tithe belongs to God in the community where you are connected.
Back to “What is behold?…” In Hebrew, “Pitim Yavo” (behold, or suddenly, He will come). The Hebrew word “Pitom” means suddenly, without warning and without cause, like by surprise.
Better than that is “Who” will appear suddenly? “HaAdon” (the Lord), Whom you are seeking. Jewish people have been waiting for the Messiah. The good news is that He has already come. More good news, He’s alive and coming again. Malachi 3:7b Return to Me (repent), and I will return to you,” says Adonai-Tzva’ot. Listen to Misty Edwards… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tb2uffloGFA
Many in Israel missed the day of their visitation. But you don’t have to be one of them. The morning after an all night vigil in the Temple on Shavuot 3,000 Jewish men encountered another “suddenly.” They experienced the reality of the resurrected Lord and His Holy Spirit when they asked… Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of the emissaries, “Fellow brethren, what shall we do?”
Peter gave them the same answer that applies to those asking the question today… Acts 2:38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and let each of you be immersed in the name of Messiah Yeshua for the removal of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Ruach ha-Kodesh.
Yes, but… that was then and this is now. Does the Scripture address our situation? Read this… Acts 2:39 For the promise is for you and your children, and for all who are far away—as many as Adonai our God calls to Himself.” Let’s end with the real question of the day. “Is God calling you to Himself today? It’s time to say yes.