Over the years as a member of a United Methodist Church this is the time of the year when they begin their Stewardship campaign in order to set up their budget for the New Year, based on what has been pledged. I am sure in most Christian Churches not only do they take a weekly offering, but try to obtain pledges from there members to gain a better understand of the funds they will have available to help themselves increase how they can better get there message out to not only their members but to bring entice new people to join.
There is one interesting thing to note here for some reason Churches pay their Pastors large sums of money to either entice them to be part of their Church or to keep them there. It is all very confusing to us as to why some Churches pay their Senior Pastor up wards of $150,000.00 plus a year while others may only receive $30,000.00 a year. Let us not forget that not only do they receive such large amounts of money the church also pays for their housing, utilities for their home, travel expenses and many more perks.
So what is the big deal, whom are they doing this for? Are they in the business for God it sure doesn’t seem like it to us, it sure looks like the Levites and the Priests in the Temple? The ones who benefited financially from the requirements to bring an offering for their sins, those who would go out and collect animal that were free and brought them to the temple said a blessing over them and sold them as something that was pleasing to the Lord, like God could care less where the offering came form.
I for one would love to just have my housing, utilities and transportation costs paid with enough to just be able to take my wife out or go on a vacation once in a while. I had a discussion with a former Pastor of mine who believed he could understand what I was going though with our financial circumstances, Then I preceded to ask him how, he received a good salary, had a home he wasn’t getting evicted from or had to worry if the electric or gas would be cut off. No I think not like some Pastors they try to help you walk in your faith, yet refuse to practice what they preach. I for one feel if you are going to be preaching to me then you better be walking the walk so to speak.
Not to be one way in just condemning Christians for there actions I also contacted several Jewish friends to see what the Synagogues are asking of their members in order to help provide for there continued service to the local community. What the responses where varied on the community most required a fee for seating during the High Holy Days as well as membership dues. Some just require dues, which cover everything.
Those we would like to commend for there actions are the ones who ask for nothing. Those who rely on the Lord to provide for there needs, every so often I listen to Pastor Richard Ellis, of the Reunion Church in Dallas TX. One message that really stuck in my mind was when he is asked about building a permit building to house his Church he refuses to. See Richards Church is held at the Dallas Convention Center Theater they have no permit building. According to Pastor Ellis this enables them to provide for the needs of the community by not having any overhead costs associated with a church building. I often wonder how many people could be helped if more churches would take up Richards view.
For the Jewish community I would say that there view for a need for a Building is to House the Ark, which houses the Torah scrolls. To them it is important to have a permanent building for this purpose.
What upsets us the most is much like many of our Christian and Jewish Communities today for some unknown reason they keep building these large and wonderfully expensive Buildings. The people who are directing these measures are those that are trying to bring in the people and there money, by offering there members such amenities as a Starbucks or a McDonalds right in there buildings.
So where are we going with all of this? How did we go from a big tent (Tabernacle) in the desert and in Israel to these big Million Dollar places of Worship? Who are the buildings for?
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
What do we Sacrifice for Adonai (The Lord God Most High)?
During our preparation for the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashana & Yom Kippur, we spent time having discussions about the place of the Tribe of Levi during these holidays.
So what is the connection in all off this you might ask? In order to see the connection we first take a look into the book of Genesis 34 &49:5-7. In this we see Shimon and Levi go after the man who raped their sister. After the young man his Father and their followers became circumcised thus complying with the agreement with Jacob. They did this in order to share their women. Shimon and Levi then go into the city and killed every man took all their possessions, the women, children and all of there animals. Jacob becoming enraged with them sought the will of the Lord and was given directions to pack everything he owned and move to the place where he fought with the Lord. As we look into Genesis 49:5-7 we see on Jacobs death bed that he promised Shimon and Levi that there children shall be scattered throughout the people of Israel.
Ok moving forward several generations we see Adonai pulling out one of the Son’s of Levi and choosing him to lead his people out of bondage and at that time create the people of Israel. At this point God requires Moses to count all the people by family, after this count is complete God tells him that instead of taking the first born from each family he will take the Levites in their place. Thus fulfilling Jacob’s words, that the Son’s of Levi will be scattered through out the land of Israel.
This past week a good friend reminded me of the Story about the little girl who sees a string of costume Pearls in the store and she does extra chores in order to make enough money to buy those fake Pearls. Every night when she would say her prayers with her Father he would ask her if he could have those Pearls. They were the thing she most wanted to hold on to in this world. Then one night while she was praying with her Father again he asked for those Pearls. This time she gave in and handed those fake Pearls up, and to her Father, who then returned to her a real set of Pearls.
The point in using this story is this, the Son’s of Levi were never given a chance to turn over there Pearls to Adonai, he had chosen them to replace all the first born of Israel to serve Adonai, by not only caring for his Temple, but all of the People of Israel. The Levites were to be in servitude to Adonai and all the people of Israel from the age of 25-50 then sever as teachers without physical labors. So where does that leave the people of Israel? Well let us address that for a minute. According to the Torah, the Levites were not allowed to possess any Land or holdings of their own. How this worked and this is our understanding that the Levites were given land to live on and care for. These lands in each of the Tribal communities were strictly for the use of the Levities. This was in a sense payment for their servitude to that community. If a Levite went from one community to another he took only his personal possessions, at the new community he would then be given a share of the Levities possessions of that community. This was Adonai’s way of providing for this servitude for which they had been chosen, not asked or given the choice, but required.
Today Christians Theologians based on the teachings of Paul try to explain and teach that it is every persons responsibility to share to good news and to minister to those in need. Why do they continue to use the Torah and Cultural Jewish Teachings, but refuse to speak up that these are the teachings of Jewish culture and of Jesus himself? His teaching’s strictly comes from the Torah and not the New Testament. What Jesus teaches of in the New Testament is directly from the Laws as given by Moses although in some cases he makes greater restrictions on certain Laws.
The fake Pearls in this story represent the things of this physical world in which we choose to hold on to our fear, anxieties anything we refuse to turn over to Adonai. To us they also represent the way today’s Christian Theologians teach their flocks. So maybe it is time for you to give up the fake pearls and open your eyes to the true teaching of Jesus the Jewish Messiah, realizing that every single time Jesus used the term “it is written or the scriptures’ say”, he was referring strictly to the Torah.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
So what is the connection in all off this you might ask? In order to see the connection we first take a look into the book of Genesis 34 &49:5-7. In this we see Shimon and Levi go after the man who raped their sister. After the young man his Father and their followers became circumcised thus complying with the agreement with Jacob. They did this in order to share their women. Shimon and Levi then go into the city and killed every man took all their possessions, the women, children and all of there animals. Jacob becoming enraged with them sought the will of the Lord and was given directions to pack everything he owned and move to the place where he fought with the Lord. As we look into Genesis 49:5-7 we see on Jacobs death bed that he promised Shimon and Levi that there children shall be scattered throughout the people of Israel.
Ok moving forward several generations we see Adonai pulling out one of the Son’s of Levi and choosing him to lead his people out of bondage and at that time create the people of Israel. At this point God requires Moses to count all the people by family, after this count is complete God tells him that instead of taking the first born from each family he will take the Levites in their place. Thus fulfilling Jacob’s words, that the Son’s of Levi will be scattered through out the land of Israel.
This past week a good friend reminded me of the Story about the little girl who sees a string of costume Pearls in the store and she does extra chores in order to make enough money to buy those fake Pearls. Every night when she would say her prayers with her Father he would ask her if he could have those Pearls. They were the thing she most wanted to hold on to in this world. Then one night while she was praying with her Father again he asked for those Pearls. This time she gave in and handed those fake Pearls up, and to her Father, who then returned to her a real set of Pearls.
The point in using this story is this, the Son’s of Levi were never given a chance to turn over there Pearls to Adonai, he had chosen them to replace all the first born of Israel to serve Adonai, by not only caring for his Temple, but all of the People of Israel. The Levites were to be in servitude to Adonai and all the people of Israel from the age of 25-50 then sever as teachers without physical labors. So where does that leave the people of Israel? Well let us address that for a minute. According to the Torah, the Levites were not allowed to possess any Land or holdings of their own. How this worked and this is our understanding that the Levites were given land to live on and care for. These lands in each of the Tribal communities were strictly for the use of the Levities. This was in a sense payment for their servitude to that community. If a Levite went from one community to another he took only his personal possessions, at the new community he would then be given a share of the Levities possessions of that community. This was Adonai’s way of providing for this servitude for which they had been chosen, not asked or given the choice, but required.
Today Christians Theologians based on the teachings of Paul try to explain and teach that it is every persons responsibility to share to good news and to minister to those in need. Why do they continue to use the Torah and Cultural Jewish Teachings, but refuse to speak up that these are the teachings of Jewish culture and of Jesus himself? His teaching’s strictly comes from the Torah and not the New Testament. What Jesus teaches of in the New Testament is directly from the Laws as given by Moses although in some cases he makes greater restrictions on certain Laws.
The fake Pearls in this story represent the things of this physical world in which we choose to hold on to our fear, anxieties anything we refuse to turn over to Adonai. To us they also represent the way today’s Christian Theologians teach their flocks. So maybe it is time for you to give up the fake pearls and open your eyes to the true teaching of Jesus the Jewish Messiah, realizing that every single time Jesus used the term “it is written or the scriptures’ say”, he was referring strictly to the Torah.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
Sunday, September 27, 2009
To all my Christian friends
Today is the eve of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. A day when the people of Israel give thanks to Adonai and ask for forgiveness for their sins committed the year before. A day directed in Torah that the High Priest may enter the inner chamber of the Tabernacle to perform the offering before Adonai. The day that we ask Adonai to write us in the lamb’s book of life for one more year. It is expressed that this is the day Moses returned to the people of Israel with the second set of Tablets.
For those who accept Jesus as the Messiah it is important to understand the concept that he has take the place of the High Priest as the intercessor on our behalf. He is the one who is allowed to stand in the inner chamber of the tabernacle to seek forgiveness for our sins. It is a day when we are to rest and be in prayer to Adonai the Father Almighty. This is a day Jesus would have held in strict observance.
When I saw this today I felt the desire to share this custom and see if you can fit this into your life in Christ. There is a ceremony called Kaparot performed by some sects of Jewish believers.
In the early morning hours of the day preceding Yom Kippur, the Kaparot ("Atonement") ceremony is performed. We take a live chicken (a rooster for a male and a hen for a female) and, circling it three times above our heads, we declare: "This is my replacement, this is my exchange, this is my atonement; this fowl shall go to its death, and I shall go to a long, good and peaceful life." The fowl is then slaughtered in accordance with Kosher Law, at which time we contemplate that this is a fate we ourselves would deserve, God forbid, for our failings and iniquities. The value of the fowl is given to the poor, and its meat eaten in the Yom Kippur meal; some give the fowl itself to the poor. (A alternate custom is to perform the rite only with money, reciting the prescribed verses and giving the money to charity. Kaparot can also be preformed in the preceding days, during the "Ten Days of Repentance" the days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur).
What I find interesting about this is not only due they use this as a way to repent or offer this up to Adonai for their sins, but they eat the Chicken and give the value of it to the poor.
So of what value is this to us you ask? Maybe the thing we need to be looking for is how can we as Christian believers fit this Day of Atonement into our lives and be more like the Christ in following the directions of Adonai the Father Almighty no different then Jesus the Son followed and observed this Day of Atonement. One thing that is important to consider in all of this is even thought Jesus was sinless before Adonai, why would he have followed all these observances? The answer to that question is if he hadn’t followed the Laws as written in Torah, and then he would not have been sinless. So we too should consider that maybe we need to gain a greater understanding of the way Jesus lived in order to be more Christ like in our lives, our observances, and seeking repentance through his offering on our behalf.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX.
For those who accept Jesus as the Messiah it is important to understand the concept that he has take the place of the High Priest as the intercessor on our behalf. He is the one who is allowed to stand in the inner chamber of the tabernacle to seek forgiveness for our sins. It is a day when we are to rest and be in prayer to Adonai the Father Almighty. This is a day Jesus would have held in strict observance.
When I saw this today I felt the desire to share this custom and see if you can fit this into your life in Christ. There is a ceremony called Kaparot performed by some sects of Jewish believers.
In the early morning hours of the day preceding Yom Kippur, the Kaparot ("Atonement") ceremony is performed. We take a live chicken (a rooster for a male and a hen for a female) and, circling it three times above our heads, we declare: "This is my replacement, this is my exchange, this is my atonement; this fowl shall go to its death, and I shall go to a long, good and peaceful life." The fowl is then slaughtered in accordance with Kosher Law, at which time we contemplate that this is a fate we ourselves would deserve, God forbid, for our failings and iniquities. The value of the fowl is given to the poor, and its meat eaten in the Yom Kippur meal; some give the fowl itself to the poor. (A alternate custom is to perform the rite only with money, reciting the prescribed verses and giving the money to charity. Kaparot can also be preformed in the preceding days, during the "Ten Days of Repentance" the days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur).
What I find interesting about this is not only due they use this as a way to repent or offer this up to Adonai for their sins, but they eat the Chicken and give the value of it to the poor.
So of what value is this to us you ask? Maybe the thing we need to be looking for is how can we as Christian believers fit this Day of Atonement into our lives and be more like the Christ in following the directions of Adonai the Father Almighty no different then Jesus the Son followed and observed this Day of Atonement. One thing that is important to consider in all of this is even thought Jesus was sinless before Adonai, why would he have followed all these observances? The answer to that question is if he hadn’t followed the Laws as written in Torah, and then he would not have been sinless. So we too should consider that maybe we need to gain a greater understanding of the way Jesus lived in order to be more Christ like in our lives, our observances, and seeking repentance through his offering on our behalf.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Preparing for Rosh Hashana (Festival of Trumpets) & Yom Kippur the (Day of Atonement)
This is the Jewish month of Elul, it is very important to the Jewish believer; the 30 days of this month are ones we are to reflect on the past year and to look forward to the one to come. This is the month of Divine Mercy and forgiveness, a time to seek repentance.
How and why did this all come about you ask? If we look at the Book of Exodus Chapter 32 & 33, we see that while Moses was getting the Ten Commandments from the Lord the stiff necked people of Israel were building a Golden Calf. Adonai chases Moses back down the Mountain to witness this sinful act being committed. At that time he broke the tables. Moses then ask whomever desires to follow Adonai should come to him. It states that the Levites surrounded him. He then tells them to put on their swords and start to kill there Brothers, Sons, and Kinsmen who were refusing to repent for there sinful actions.
The following is based on the text, and the way the text reads the only ones who came to Moses were his family, the sons of Levi. The way this text is stated it would lead you to believe that the ones whom were put to death were Brothers, Sons and Kinsmen of Levi, yet they were told to go to the gates of each camp.
The text is very vague as to whether or not there were members of other tribes who took part in joining Moses, but the fact remains Joshua was not of the tribe of Levi and he accompanied Moses, part of the way up the mountain.
It is our collective opinion that Moses would have gotten the family of Levi, to put there swords on and surround him to protect him when he gave the order to the members of the other tribes to put those to death who refused to follow Adonai. The point to make here is that there were members of each tribe who chose to follow Adonai and Moses, otherwise each could not have killed his own Brother, Son, and Kinsman.
So we have looked at what started it all, so what does this have to do with us today, our point in bringing this to your attention is that this was the first time that in the history of Israel, there became a need for an intercessor for the people, from that moment on Adonai The Lord God Most High established the covenant of Sacrifice with the people of Israel and removed the negative faction from the people. So after Moses and the group who stood for Adonai, laid sword to the 3,000 people Adonai then brought a plague upon the rest. Leaving only those who choose to server Adonai and follow his Laws as directed to the people through Moses.
So the connection to the Light of Adonai for some maybe Jesus, that still doesn’t give them a free pass to not contemplate or ask forgiveness for our transgressions towards others, during the past year. These High Holy Days that follow this month are those Jesus would have been committed to follow and comply with to the utmost of his spirit.
It is a very interesting to note that the New Testament never makes direct reference to any other High Holy Day (a time to Sacrifice) by name other than Passover, when Adonai freed the people from slavery. However there are multiple references of Jesus being at the Temple. The people of that time only went to Temple for the High Holy Days Passover and Shavuot, this evidenced by further texts of the Levities store houses where they stored there grain and meat. If they only received great quantities of offerings in the spring summer and twice in the fall, this would feed the Levities through out the winter getting them to the spring Holiday of Passover. Then it is reasonable to extrapolate that this was Jesus attending the Temple on Days other then just Passover.
Christians are lead to understand that the time of Passover was when the Sacrifice and the intercession began, but the truth is that it began at least some 130 days after Adonai removed them from Egypt. As we have expressed and are written in the text from Exodus we have quoted.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
How and why did this all come about you ask? If we look at the Book of Exodus Chapter 32 & 33, we see that while Moses was getting the Ten Commandments from the Lord the stiff necked people of Israel were building a Golden Calf. Adonai chases Moses back down the Mountain to witness this sinful act being committed. At that time he broke the tables. Moses then ask whomever desires to follow Adonai should come to him. It states that the Levites surrounded him. He then tells them to put on their swords and start to kill there Brothers, Sons, and Kinsmen who were refusing to repent for there sinful actions.
The following is based on the text, and the way the text reads the only ones who came to Moses were his family, the sons of Levi. The way this text is stated it would lead you to believe that the ones whom were put to death were Brothers, Sons and Kinsmen of Levi, yet they were told to go to the gates of each camp.
The text is very vague as to whether or not there were members of other tribes who took part in joining Moses, but the fact remains Joshua was not of the tribe of Levi and he accompanied Moses, part of the way up the mountain.
It is our collective opinion that Moses would have gotten the family of Levi, to put there swords on and surround him to protect him when he gave the order to the members of the other tribes to put those to death who refused to follow Adonai. The point to make here is that there were members of each tribe who chose to follow Adonai and Moses, otherwise each could not have killed his own Brother, Son, and Kinsman.
So we have looked at what started it all, so what does this have to do with us today, our point in bringing this to your attention is that this was the first time that in the history of Israel, there became a need for an intercessor for the people, from that moment on Adonai The Lord God Most High established the covenant of Sacrifice with the people of Israel and removed the negative faction from the people. So after Moses and the group who stood for Adonai, laid sword to the 3,000 people Adonai then brought a plague upon the rest. Leaving only those who choose to server Adonai and follow his Laws as directed to the people through Moses.
So the connection to the Light of Adonai for some maybe Jesus, that still doesn’t give them a free pass to not contemplate or ask forgiveness for our transgressions towards others, during the past year. These High Holy Days that follow this month are those Jesus would have been committed to follow and comply with to the utmost of his spirit.
It is a very interesting to note that the New Testament never makes direct reference to any other High Holy Day (a time to Sacrifice) by name other than Passover, when Adonai freed the people from slavery. However there are multiple references of Jesus being at the Temple. The people of that time only went to Temple for the High Holy Days Passover and Shavuot, this evidenced by further texts of the Levities store houses where they stored there grain and meat. If they only received great quantities of offerings in the spring summer and twice in the fall, this would feed the Levities through out the winter getting them to the spring Holiday of Passover. Then it is reasonable to extrapolate that this was Jesus attending the Temple on Days other then just Passover.
Christians are lead to understand that the time of Passover was when the Sacrifice and the intercession began, but the truth is that it began at least some 130 days after Adonai removed them from Egypt. As we have expressed and are written in the text from Exodus we have quoted.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
Stepping out of the Comfort Zone 18
Our question is much like who was benefiting from the sale of these offering in the Temple, who is truly benefiting from your financial gifts to the Church? Is it truly those in need or is it the ones who are in control of it?
We asked some tough questions at the end of last week’s article. Let’s look to the creation of the sacrifice process. Beginning at the start of the Book of Leviticus, Adonai gives Moses directions to what and how the sacrifice is to be performed and what portion is to be given to Aaron and his descendants for their keeping the Tabernacle and teaching the Torah.
It sure seems that somewhere along the way the Coheim lost sight of their duties and their job. It sure appears that they were the ones who, along the way, made these determinations that only the animals they deemed acceptable were to be used and sold to those in need of an offering. Our question and the point Jesus was making at the time was what gave these men the right to make this determination?
Even given this time that the People of Israel were no longer farmers or raising animals, why would they have created this farce in or around the Temple grounds. We would venture to say that their mind set would have been much like that of Judas, when the women anointed Jesus’ feet with the oil, Oil that could have been sold at a great price.
Although we will never know for sure if Judas was stealing from the ministry cash box, many Authors and Theologians are assuming that he was, merely because he was in charge of the funds, he was a known theft, and he made such a big deal over this event.
What concerns us with this matter is, what makes us any different today than those Jesus condemned for these actions. We build these Million Dollar Churches and Synagogues in order to praise Adonai, yet we care not for what he has directed us to do. We are more concerned with the appearances of our place of worship then we are of caring for the needy, more concerned with our own possessions and keeping up with the Jones then we are about our friends, neighbors, or the people of this world. We would rather spend hundreds of Thousands of Dollars to put in great sound systems to our places of worship than see that the members of our own Church have a roof over their heads, or are eating properly, or are able to seek necessary medical care.
If this is what your community of believers is all about then one really needs to reevaluate their place of worship and what the place of worship is really all about. The big question one really needs to be asking is What makes my place of worship any different than those that had control of the Temple when Jesus went in an cleared out the money changers and those extorting the people of Israel in Adonai’s Holy House?
The way one brings the Light of Adonai to this world is to care for the needs of other’s less fortunate than us. Adonai never once in his Torah states that it is important for you to spend Millions or Billions of Dollars for these houses of worship, yet the opposite we are supposed to shine the Light of Adonai in our giving to care for the needy. Maybe it is truly time for some to reevaluate what it truly means to spread the Light of Adonai for some and Jesus for others.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX.
We asked some tough questions at the end of last week’s article. Let’s look to the creation of the sacrifice process. Beginning at the start of the Book of Leviticus, Adonai gives Moses directions to what and how the sacrifice is to be performed and what portion is to be given to Aaron and his descendants for their keeping the Tabernacle and teaching the Torah.
It sure seems that somewhere along the way the Coheim lost sight of their duties and their job. It sure appears that they were the ones who, along the way, made these determinations that only the animals they deemed acceptable were to be used and sold to those in need of an offering. Our question and the point Jesus was making at the time was what gave these men the right to make this determination?
Even given this time that the People of Israel were no longer farmers or raising animals, why would they have created this farce in or around the Temple grounds. We would venture to say that their mind set would have been much like that of Judas, when the women anointed Jesus’ feet with the oil, Oil that could have been sold at a great price.
Although we will never know for sure if Judas was stealing from the ministry cash box, many Authors and Theologians are assuming that he was, merely because he was in charge of the funds, he was a known theft, and he made such a big deal over this event.
What concerns us with this matter is, what makes us any different today than those Jesus condemned for these actions. We build these Million Dollar Churches and Synagogues in order to praise Adonai, yet we care not for what he has directed us to do. We are more concerned with the appearances of our place of worship then we are of caring for the needy, more concerned with our own possessions and keeping up with the Jones then we are about our friends, neighbors, or the people of this world. We would rather spend hundreds of Thousands of Dollars to put in great sound systems to our places of worship than see that the members of our own Church have a roof over their heads, or are eating properly, or are able to seek necessary medical care.
If this is what your community of believers is all about then one really needs to reevaluate their place of worship and what the place of worship is really all about. The big question one really needs to be asking is What makes my place of worship any different than those that had control of the Temple when Jesus went in an cleared out the money changers and those extorting the people of Israel in Adonai’s Holy House?
The way one brings the Light of Adonai to this world is to care for the needs of other’s less fortunate than us. Adonai never once in his Torah states that it is important for you to spend Millions or Billions of Dollars for these houses of worship, yet the opposite we are supposed to shine the Light of Adonai in our giving to care for the needy. Maybe it is truly time for some to reevaluate what it truly means to spread the Light of Adonai for some and Jesus for others.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Stepping out of the Comfort Zone 17
Now it’s time to look at the Mikvah of Jesus and the events that followed. A closer look through the Gospel of John 1:29-35. According to John’s account it was the testimony of John the Baptist who was witness to the Rauch HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) upon Jesus.
There is a point that needs to be addressed here, Jesus claims John the Baptist was Elijah reborn, take a look at Second Kings Chapter 6:15-18, this is an example of the gift Elijah was gifted by the Lord. He was able to see and understand things others were not able to see. In this section of Scripture Elijah asked the Lord to remove the blinders from his young student’s eyes so he would be able to see the army of God.
The point we are trying to express here is that based on the account written in John’s Gospel, the way John the Baptist was able to determine that Jesus was the Messiah, and the one he was instructed to do the Mikvah for was that he would be surrounded by the Rauch HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) as a dove, the interruptive narratives given in the other Gospels attempt to lead the readers into the understanding that every person present at the time witnessed this, and based on John’s writings this was not the case.
One thing to keep in the back of your mind here is that all this was done far from the Temple grounds and before Jesus set one foot into the Temple. Just a thought but as the Scape Goat (Sin Offering) for the people the Mikvah of Jesus would have been performed off in the Wilderness before he had a Mikvah in order to enter the Temple grounds.
Jesus then begins his ministry and his teaching of the disciples. Unlike the other three Gospels, John’s tells the story of Jesus entering the Temple and driving out the money changes. This is a very important thing we need to address for our Society today.
We find it very interesting that in the 400 hundred years prior to Jesus, Adonai refused to have any contact with the people of Israel as they continued to go about their business of daily life. Was it that they were so wrapped up with themselves and the desires of the ones in control—the Sanhedrin?
Did the Rabbi’s and leaders of Israel have that much control over the people that they just rolled over a played dead. Who was benefiting from their controlling orders, it surely wasn’t those that Adonai had instructed it to be now was it? Adonai couldn’t have cared less where someone’s sacrifice came from, just that Adonai had provided it for that person. While those in control made it out to be that you had to purchase a Sheep or Dove or Calf from those at the Temple or your sacrifice would not have been acceptable before Adonai.
The sad part is that some churches today seem to lead people to believe in this concept. That in order to be part of their Church you must believe in their Doctrine and everything they stand for. While telling those you must give us your money, so we can continue the work of Adonai, without your support we can not continue our Ministry and get the word out.
Our question is much like who was benefiting from the sale of these offering in the Temple, who is truly benefiting from your financial gifts to the Church? Is it truly those in need or is it the ones who are in control of it?
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
There is a point that needs to be addressed here, Jesus claims John the Baptist was Elijah reborn, take a look at Second Kings Chapter 6:15-18, this is an example of the gift Elijah was gifted by the Lord. He was able to see and understand things others were not able to see. In this section of Scripture Elijah asked the Lord to remove the blinders from his young student’s eyes so he would be able to see the army of God.
The point we are trying to express here is that based on the account written in John’s Gospel, the way John the Baptist was able to determine that Jesus was the Messiah, and the one he was instructed to do the Mikvah for was that he would be surrounded by the Rauch HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) as a dove, the interruptive narratives given in the other Gospels attempt to lead the readers into the understanding that every person present at the time witnessed this, and based on John’s writings this was not the case.
One thing to keep in the back of your mind here is that all this was done far from the Temple grounds and before Jesus set one foot into the Temple. Just a thought but as the Scape Goat (Sin Offering) for the people the Mikvah of Jesus would have been performed off in the Wilderness before he had a Mikvah in order to enter the Temple grounds.
Jesus then begins his ministry and his teaching of the disciples. Unlike the other three Gospels, John’s tells the story of Jesus entering the Temple and driving out the money changes. This is a very important thing we need to address for our Society today.
We find it very interesting that in the 400 hundred years prior to Jesus, Adonai refused to have any contact with the people of Israel as they continued to go about their business of daily life. Was it that they were so wrapped up with themselves and the desires of the ones in control—the Sanhedrin?
Did the Rabbi’s and leaders of Israel have that much control over the people that they just rolled over a played dead. Who was benefiting from their controlling orders, it surely wasn’t those that Adonai had instructed it to be now was it? Adonai couldn’t have cared less where someone’s sacrifice came from, just that Adonai had provided it for that person. While those in control made it out to be that you had to purchase a Sheep or Dove or Calf from those at the Temple or your sacrifice would not have been acceptable before Adonai.
The sad part is that some churches today seem to lead people to believe in this concept. That in order to be part of their Church you must believe in their Doctrine and everything they stand for. While telling those you must give us your money, so we can continue the work of Adonai, without your support we can not continue our Ministry and get the word out.
Our question is much like who was benefiting from the sale of these offering in the Temple, who is truly benefiting from your financial gifts to the Church? Is it truly those in need or is it the ones who are in control of it?
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
Monday, August 24, 2009
Stepping out of the Comfort Zone 16
We are going to continue our discussion on Baptism and how we can relate it to the teachings of Jesus. Last week we introduced the word Mikvah it is a ritual bath designed for the purpose of ritual immersion in Judaism. The word "Mikvah", as used in the Hebrew Bible, literally means a "collection" generally, a collection of water as defined by Wikipedia.
As we pointed out last week this was the ritual John the Baptist would have been performing. A Mikvah pool is a specially crafted and designed pool used to perform a spiritual cleansing, although they are now performed in pools, any body of water, such as a lake stream or flowing water can be used to perform the Mikvah cleansing. Starting with the Tabernacle and following through the Temple eras it was a requirement for any Jewish person to undergo a Mikvah before he/she could enter onto the Temple grounds, and no the baths outside the Temple were not used to perform this those baths and pools were part of the cleaning process prior to going through the Mikvah process.
Baptism (from Greek baptizo: "immersing", "performing ablutions", i.e., "washing")[1] is the ritual act, with the use of water, by which one is admitted to membership of the Christian Church as defined by Wikipedia. As we pointed out last week if one wants to convert to Judaism that person is required to go through the Mikvah or immersion process.
This is a quote from and article found on Chabad.org site written by Rivkah Solonim. “In many ways mikvah is the threshold separating the unholy from the holy, but it is even more. Simply put, immersion in a mikvah signals a change in status -- more correctly, an elevation in status. Its unparalleled function lies in its power of transformation, its ability to effect metamorphosis.”
Do these words look familiar to any of you? Sounds like what happened to Jesus after being Baptized by John. Elevated just prior to entering the desert for 40 days to be confronted by Satin
Ok so I’m sure by know you are wondering what is the point here, so Jewish people call it a Mikvah, Christians call it Baptism, our point is that although Christians view it differently than their Jewish counter parts, Jesus does not, for us Jesus’ view is what it was meant to the Jewish people, it was a reconnection or rededication to God the Father Almighty in a ritual cleansing of ones Soul in order to accept the Torah and the Laws as found in the 5 Books of Moses.
Again we call on these verses from Matthew 5:17-20, Jesus himself confirms that the Mitzvoth of Torah will still be in effect long after his death. In verse 20 he is expressing to those listening that a persons that expects to enter the Kingdom of Heaven better be a person who will follow the Torah with a greater zeal then that of a Scribe or a Pharisee.
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
As we pointed out last week this was the ritual John the Baptist would have been performing. A Mikvah pool is a specially crafted and designed pool used to perform a spiritual cleansing, although they are now performed in pools, any body of water, such as a lake stream or flowing water can be used to perform the Mikvah cleansing. Starting with the Tabernacle and following through the Temple eras it was a requirement for any Jewish person to undergo a Mikvah before he/she could enter onto the Temple grounds, and no the baths outside the Temple were not used to perform this those baths and pools were part of the cleaning process prior to going through the Mikvah process.
Baptism (from Greek baptizo: "immersing", "performing ablutions", i.e., "washing")[1] is the ritual act, with the use of water, by which one is admitted to membership of the Christian Church as defined by Wikipedia. As we pointed out last week if one wants to convert to Judaism that person is required to go through the Mikvah or immersion process.
This is a quote from and article found on Chabad.org site written by Rivkah Solonim. “In many ways mikvah is the threshold separating the unholy from the holy, but it is even more. Simply put, immersion in a mikvah signals a change in status -- more correctly, an elevation in status. Its unparalleled function lies in its power of transformation, its ability to effect metamorphosis.”
Do these words look familiar to any of you? Sounds like what happened to Jesus after being Baptized by John. Elevated just prior to entering the desert for 40 days to be confronted by Satin
Ok so I’m sure by know you are wondering what is the point here, so Jewish people call it a Mikvah, Christians call it Baptism, our point is that although Christians view it differently than their Jewish counter parts, Jesus does not, for us Jesus’ view is what it was meant to the Jewish people, it was a reconnection or rededication to God the Father Almighty in a ritual cleansing of ones Soul in order to accept the Torah and the Laws as found in the 5 Books of Moses.
Again we call on these verses from Matthew 5:17-20, Jesus himself confirms that the Mitzvoth of Torah will still be in effect long after his death. In verse 20 he is expressing to those listening that a persons that expects to enter the Kingdom of Heaven better be a person who will follow the Torah with a greater zeal then that of a Scribe or a Pharisee.
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
Stepping out of the Comfort Zone 15
This week we wish to begin a discussion on the Christian ritual of Baptism and where its roots begin in Jewish Culture.
The beginning of the Jewish faith wasn’t started until the entire family of Jacob was removed from Slavery out of Egypt. When Adonai came down and gave the people of Israel his laws at Mount Sinai. On must keep in mind that Moses’ wife as well of many of the wife’s of Jacobs children were a diverse group. For instance Joseph married and Egyptian women, Moses wife was the daughter of a Priest from a different culture; it is told that many of the other wife’s of Jacobs Sons were Canaanites.
So how did it all begin for the people of Israel, Exodus 19:10 “And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes”. The Jewish traditional understanding of this verse is that the people of Israel were immersed in water. It is not important if you believe this or not the important point is that the Jewish people were required to cleanse themselves before entering the Temple grounds period. To the Jewish believer they would have understood this as being part of the rich tradition of ones acceptance of the Torah that their forefathers took part in at Mt. Sinai.
So why is John the Baptist out baptizing people, what was he doing and why? Well this was a time when Adonai had left the presentence of his people for several hundreds of years. Adonai had kept his silence and left his people go about their business alone, without his directions. It was obvious from reading scripture he was at a point where he was allowing them to suffer at their own hands for as many put it their failure to comply with Torah Laws (Written) and not what mans interpretations were Talmud (Oral).
So just what was John out doing?, he was trying to bring the people of Israel back to the Torah, in his baptisms his attempt was to instill in the people a rededication to Adonai and his Torah. Which is why when Jesus came to him to be baptized John complained he wasn’t worthy of baptizing him, that Jesus was the Messiah and John was not worthy of the position of baptizing the Messiah found in Matthew 3:13-18. It wasn’t until Jesus told him in order to fulfill the prophets did John consent to do so.
The bottom line is no matter how we try to envision baptism or justify its meaning, if you fail to understand it’s meaning to the Jewish people, and why it was so significant for Jesus to be baptized. Even though Jesus is the Messiah and the Living Torah he has established and confirmed a need for the Jewish followers to recommit themselves to the Torah and the Mitzvoth contained within.
The Jewish culture and tradition during the Thousands of years before Jesus, any person who married outside of the Faith, would have been converted to Judaism in a ceremony called a Mikvah. Although the Bible doesn’t give details about these being performed it would have surly been obvious to its Jewish readers. It would be like me telling you my friend Kevin received his Doctorate in History. It is surly obvious and understood that Kevin wrote a Thesis and defended it.
So the next time you are attending a baptism or your Pastor does a service to rededicating your baptism understand that its true meaning is you are converting your self to following the Torah and the Mitzvah contained therein.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX.
The beginning of the Jewish faith wasn’t started until the entire family of Jacob was removed from Slavery out of Egypt. When Adonai came down and gave the people of Israel his laws at Mount Sinai. On must keep in mind that Moses’ wife as well of many of the wife’s of Jacobs children were a diverse group. For instance Joseph married and Egyptian women, Moses wife was the daughter of a Priest from a different culture; it is told that many of the other wife’s of Jacobs Sons were Canaanites.
So how did it all begin for the people of Israel, Exodus 19:10 “And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes”. The Jewish traditional understanding of this verse is that the people of Israel were immersed in water. It is not important if you believe this or not the important point is that the Jewish people were required to cleanse themselves before entering the Temple grounds period. To the Jewish believer they would have understood this as being part of the rich tradition of ones acceptance of the Torah that their forefathers took part in at Mt. Sinai.
So why is John the Baptist out baptizing people, what was he doing and why? Well this was a time when Adonai had left the presentence of his people for several hundreds of years. Adonai had kept his silence and left his people go about their business alone, without his directions. It was obvious from reading scripture he was at a point where he was allowing them to suffer at their own hands for as many put it their failure to comply with Torah Laws (Written) and not what mans interpretations were Talmud (Oral).
So just what was John out doing?, he was trying to bring the people of Israel back to the Torah, in his baptisms his attempt was to instill in the people a rededication to Adonai and his Torah. Which is why when Jesus came to him to be baptized John complained he wasn’t worthy of baptizing him, that Jesus was the Messiah and John was not worthy of the position of baptizing the Messiah found in Matthew 3:13-18. It wasn’t until Jesus told him in order to fulfill the prophets did John consent to do so.
The bottom line is no matter how we try to envision baptism or justify its meaning, if you fail to understand it’s meaning to the Jewish people, and why it was so significant for Jesus to be baptized. Even though Jesus is the Messiah and the Living Torah he has established and confirmed a need for the Jewish followers to recommit themselves to the Torah and the Mitzvoth contained within.
The Jewish culture and tradition during the Thousands of years before Jesus, any person who married outside of the Faith, would have been converted to Judaism in a ceremony called a Mikvah. Although the Bible doesn’t give details about these being performed it would have surly been obvious to its Jewish readers. It would be like me telling you my friend Kevin received his Doctorate in History. It is surly obvious and understood that Kevin wrote a Thesis and defended it.
So the next time you are attending a baptism or your Pastor does a service to rededicating your baptism understand that its true meaning is you are converting your self to following the Torah and the Mitzvah contained therein.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX.
Stepping out of the Comfort Zone 14
This week we want to continue our discussions from the last several weeks on Reincarnation of ones Soul. As we had explained last week that the verse in Hebrews 9:27 is one statement many Theologians claim that rebukes this reality, and is what we will continue to address this week.
Since we are unable to research the Talmud online it was important to seek a response from someone who would be able to give us Talmudic references to Judgment upon death to better illustrate the Jewish perspective on this subject. Here are three different excerpts from the Talmud which reference this subject.
Ethics of our Fathers 3:1 Akavia the son of Mahalalel would say: Reflect upon three things and you will not come to the hands of transgression. Know from where you came, where you are going, and before whom you are destined to give a judgment and accounting. From where you came--from a putrid drop; where you are going--to a place of dust, maggots and worms; and before whom you are destined to give a judgment and accounting--before the supreme King of Kings, the Holy One, blessed be He. ibid 3:16 He would also say: Everything is placed in pledge, and a net is spread over all the living. The store is open, the storekeeper extends credit, the account-book lies open, the hand writes, and all who wish to borrow may come and borrow. The collection-officers make their rounds every day and exact payment from man, with his knowledge and without his knowledge. Their case is well founded, the judgment is a judgment of truth, and ultimately, all is prepared for the feast. ibid 4:22 He would also say: Those who are born will die, and the dead will live. The living will be judged, to learn, to teach and to comprehend that He is G-d, He is the former, He is the creator, He is the comprehender, He is the judge, He is the witness, He is the plaintiff, and He will judge. Blessed is He, for before Him there is no wrong, no forgetting, no favoritism, and no taking of bribes; know, that everything is according to the reckoning. Let not your heart convince you that the grave is your escape; for against your will you are formed, against your will you are born, against your will you live, against your will you die, and against your will you are destined to give a judgment and accounting before the king, king of all kings, the Holy One, blessed be He.
I guess when one looks closer at these reflections from the Talmudic Laws it will give us a greater in sites into understanding the reason for the statement made in Hebrews. Keep in mind the Jewish people were the ones he was addressing in this text. As we explained in last weeks article this was just another reason why we think Paul was the author of this book, Paul would have been educated in these Talmudic teachings.
Although many of the teachings of Jewish and Christian Theologians wish to portray the non-existence of Reincarnation of Ones Soul, for the purpose of showing that to them the important point is not that it doesn’t exist, but what is important is that we are following God’s directions while we are here today, Love our neighbors, help the poor use the resources God has provided to us to care for others and not be selfish and use them only for our selfish desires.
The absents of any great details of just what Adonai’s Judgments will be is enough information for our belief that although this physical body will not return to this Physical plane our Soul will be judged for our merits and our wrong doings, as Jesus spoke of many times What you have done to unto the least of my brotherin you, you have done it unto me. Now it is important to note that anytime Jesus referred to his brotherin, he was referring specially to the Jewish people.
In closing this discussion one important point Jesus made to us all found in –Matthew 7:7 or Luke 11:9, Jesus tells us this “Seek and Yea Shall find Ask and it shall be given unto you Knock and it shall be opened unto you.” The point in closing is Jesus never told us that in giving us what we seek we would like what we are shown in truth. It is for us to choose to believe and follow Jesus or listen and follow Man’s interpretations of God’s directions.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
Since we are unable to research the Talmud online it was important to seek a response from someone who would be able to give us Talmudic references to Judgment upon death to better illustrate the Jewish perspective on this subject. Here are three different excerpts from the Talmud which reference this subject.
Ethics of our Fathers 3:1 Akavia the son of Mahalalel would say: Reflect upon three things and you will not come to the hands of transgression. Know from where you came, where you are going, and before whom you are destined to give a judgment and accounting. From where you came--from a putrid drop; where you are going--to a place of dust, maggots and worms; and before whom you are destined to give a judgment and accounting--before the supreme King of Kings, the Holy One, blessed be He. ibid 3:16 He would also say: Everything is placed in pledge, and a net is spread over all the living. The store is open, the storekeeper extends credit, the account-book lies open, the hand writes, and all who wish to borrow may come and borrow. The collection-officers make their rounds every day and exact payment from man, with his knowledge and without his knowledge. Their case is well founded, the judgment is a judgment of truth, and ultimately, all is prepared for the feast. ibid 4:22 He would also say: Those who are born will die, and the dead will live. The living will be judged, to learn, to teach and to comprehend that He is G-d, He is the former, He is the creator, He is the comprehender, He is the judge, He is the witness, He is the plaintiff, and He will judge. Blessed is He, for before Him there is no wrong, no forgetting, no favoritism, and no taking of bribes; know, that everything is according to the reckoning. Let not your heart convince you that the grave is your escape; for against your will you are formed, against your will you are born, against your will you live, against your will you die, and against your will you are destined to give a judgment and accounting before the king, king of all kings, the Holy One, blessed be He.
I guess when one looks closer at these reflections from the Talmudic Laws it will give us a greater in sites into understanding the reason for the statement made in Hebrews. Keep in mind the Jewish people were the ones he was addressing in this text. As we explained in last weeks article this was just another reason why we think Paul was the author of this book, Paul would have been educated in these Talmudic teachings.
Although many of the teachings of Jewish and Christian Theologians wish to portray the non-existence of Reincarnation of Ones Soul, for the purpose of showing that to them the important point is not that it doesn’t exist, but what is important is that we are following God’s directions while we are here today, Love our neighbors, help the poor use the resources God has provided to us to care for others and not be selfish and use them only for our selfish desires.
The absents of any great details of just what Adonai’s Judgments will be is enough information for our belief that although this physical body will not return to this Physical plane our Soul will be judged for our merits and our wrong doings, as Jesus spoke of many times What you have done to unto the least of my brotherin you, you have done it unto me. Now it is important to note that anytime Jesus referred to his brotherin, he was referring specially to the Jewish people.
In closing this discussion one important point Jesus made to us all found in –Matthew 7:7 or Luke 11:9, Jesus tells us this “Seek and Yea Shall find Ask and it shall be given unto you Knock and it shall be opened unto you.” The point in closing is Jesus never told us that in giving us what we seek we would like what we are shown in truth. It is for us to choose to believe and follow Jesus or listen and follow Man’s interpretations of God’s directions.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
Stepping out of the Comfort Zone 13
Two weeks ago we addressed the issue of Reincarnation of the Soul through the teachings of Jesus himself. Today we would like to elaborate on this subject as well as the words in Hebrews chapter 9:27 how many Christians are taught to use this verse in order to rebuke this issue.
27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.
The Quest Study Bible NIV that we draw information from, explains that the author of the book of Hebrews is unknown, that most think it was written by Paul, or Luke. It claims that this book was written as a warning to the Jewish believers who were considering reverting to the ways of the Old Testament.
In looking at the context of chapter 9 in Hebrews starting with verse 19 going onto verse 26, the author is confirming our argument that Jesus has taken the place for our need to take a physical sacrifice to the High Priest in order for him to interceded on our behalf. That Jesus being before Adonai is interceding on our behalf.
After much research we are still trying to figure out how this statement even relates to the context of the rest of the paragraph, this statement just doesn’t fit into the context of the author’s argument, nor is there any other direct Biblical reference to this statement what so ever in the Old Testament, so where is the author gaining this information from in the first place? What we have been able to obtain is that there are references to Judgment after ones passing. So in this case the author has placed his own perception here in this statement.
So lets go out on a limb here, and go with Paul being the Author of the Book of Hebrews, Paul being a Pharisee, we can put him in the same category as Nicodemus that we addressed several weeks ago when Jesus himself was speaking to Nicodemus, found in John Chapter 3.
10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
But lets look at this from a humans view point, If our Soul is Reincarnated it most assuredly would not enter the same physical body we currently exist in.
So as Jesus told Nicodemus “that we must be born again in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven,”
These statements of Jesus follow the Ancient Jewish Mystical Teachings, This in fact does follow our though process on how our soul can be given the chance to arise to the levels of the Ten Sefirot we have been discussing in these articles. Prior to the arrival of the Jesus the Messiah we were required by Adonai to have the High Priest intercede on our behalf.
The real issue then becomes do you listen to the Words and teaching of Jesus, or do you allow yourself to be taken by those of and unknown author of a document that was written to address Jewish believers, ones who followed the Laws of the Old Testament, and continued to do so after Jesus death and resurrection? Keeping in mind that these words Jesus spoke to us found in Matthew chapter 5:17-18.
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.
The Quest Study Bible NIV that we draw information from, explains that the author of the book of Hebrews is unknown, that most think it was written by Paul, or Luke. It claims that this book was written as a warning to the Jewish believers who were considering reverting to the ways of the Old Testament.
In looking at the context of chapter 9 in Hebrews starting with verse 19 going onto verse 26, the author is confirming our argument that Jesus has taken the place for our need to take a physical sacrifice to the High Priest in order for him to interceded on our behalf. That Jesus being before Adonai is interceding on our behalf.
After much research we are still trying to figure out how this statement even relates to the context of the rest of the paragraph, this statement just doesn’t fit into the context of the author’s argument, nor is there any other direct Biblical reference to this statement what so ever in the Old Testament, so where is the author gaining this information from in the first place? What we have been able to obtain is that there are references to Judgment after ones passing. So in this case the author has placed his own perception here in this statement.
So lets go out on a limb here, and go with Paul being the Author of the Book of Hebrews, Paul being a Pharisee, we can put him in the same category as Nicodemus that we addressed several weeks ago when Jesus himself was speaking to Nicodemus, found in John Chapter 3.
10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
But lets look at this from a humans view point, If our Soul is Reincarnated it most assuredly would not enter the same physical body we currently exist in.
So as Jesus told Nicodemus “that we must be born again in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven,”
These statements of Jesus follow the Ancient Jewish Mystical Teachings, This in fact does follow our though process on how our soul can be given the chance to arise to the levels of the Ten Sefirot we have been discussing in these articles. Prior to the arrival of the Jesus the Messiah we were required by Adonai to have the High Priest intercede on our behalf.
The real issue then becomes do you listen to the Words and teaching of Jesus, or do you allow yourself to be taken by those of and unknown author of a document that was written to address Jewish believers, ones who followed the Laws of the Old Testament, and continued to do so after Jesus death and resurrection? Keeping in mind that these words Jesus spoke to us found in Matthew chapter 5:17-18.
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
Stepping out of the Comfort Zone 12
Last week the opportunity came up to minister to a young friend, Young I say she is 35, but what was so unusual about the whole encounter really hit me like a ton of bricks. This is the whole purpose of this Ministry and what this Series is all about. How do we reach people whose Comfort Zone lies in the belief that the New Testament is the spoken word of Adonai. During the conversation it was pointed out that there are many inconsistencies in Paul’s teaching and his writings in the New Testament text. Cindy asked if it was our belief that God allowed this text to be placed in the Bible with false truths. When she receive the response I saw a very upset and confused individual,
This was the perfect gift from Adonai on how to bring this issue to the fore-ground many have expressed to us that the New Testament is ordained by Adonai as his word and it is truth, or he would not have allowed it to be published.
Question then why did Adonai not destroy the people of Israel after the Golden Calf, or when the 10 spies came back and told of lies of Giants living in the promised land? The people of Israel decided to follow the spies instead of following Adonai, so Adonai made them walk for 40 years in the desert to die so only their Children would enter into The Promised Land.
We have written several pieces about the Tallis and Tefflin as well as one on “Surrounding Yourself in the name of God” in all our writings and teachings of how Jesus would have followed the Laws of Torah, we have been very consistent to the fact that these ways were designed by Adonai, for us to always remember that he is in control of our lives, that he is always watching over us, and that he Loves us and protects us from evil.
Let’s look at an inconsistency in the New Testament. For those of you who believe that the writings in the New Testament are in fallible this is going to be a thought pill to swallow. Found in Matthew chapter 1:1-17 is the genealogy of Jesus this is the one we find to be false because it traces the line of Jesus through Jeconiah who was cursed by Adonai. Adonai would have never brought his Kingdom through the Children of Jeconiah. Found in Luke chapter 3:23-37 we find a completely different genealogy this particular one we believe to be the true one for one reason it doesn’t come through Jeconiah but through Nathan.
However the most glaring fact is that they are different! Irrespective of the one we chose to believe to be true one must be incorrect. News flash the New Testament infallibility argument dead on arrival one simply cannot explain away the fact that the two genealogies are totally different from Solomon forward.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
This was the perfect gift from Adonai on how to bring this issue to the fore-ground many have expressed to us that the New Testament is ordained by Adonai as his word and it is truth, or he would not have allowed it to be published.
Question then why did Adonai not destroy the people of Israel after the Golden Calf, or when the 10 spies came back and told of lies of Giants living in the promised land? The people of Israel decided to follow the spies instead of following Adonai, so Adonai made them walk for 40 years in the desert to die so only their Children would enter into The Promised Land.
We have written several pieces about the Tallis and Tefflin as well as one on “Surrounding Yourself in the name of God” in all our writings and teachings of how Jesus would have followed the Laws of Torah, we have been very consistent to the fact that these ways were designed by Adonai, for us to always remember that he is in control of our lives, that he is always watching over us, and that he Loves us and protects us from evil.
Let’s look at an inconsistency in the New Testament. For those of you who believe that the writings in the New Testament are in fallible this is going to be a thought pill to swallow. Found in Matthew chapter 1:1-17 is the genealogy of Jesus this is the one we find to be false because it traces the line of Jesus through Jeconiah who was cursed by Adonai. Adonai would have never brought his Kingdom through the Children of Jeconiah. Found in Luke chapter 3:23-37 we find a completely different genealogy this particular one we believe to be the true one for one reason it doesn’t come through Jeconiah but through Nathan.
However the most glaring fact is that they are different! Irrespective of the one we chose to believe to be true one must be incorrect. News flash the New Testament infallibility argument dead on arrival one simply cannot explain away the fact that the two genealogies are totally different from Solomon forward.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
Stepping out of the Comfort Zone 11
We speak to many Christians who insist that they believe that “ALL” things are possible where Adonai is concerned. So when our conversation turns to Reincarnation of ones Soul, or Ancient Jewish Mystical Teachings such as the Ten Sefirot which we have been discussing, We hear from some Christians that even though they espoused to believing “ALL” things are possible with Adonai. It is there belief that this only applies to how they read and interpret to texts of the Bible from with in the confines of their doctrinal beliefs.
How can one claim to be a Christian and deny what Jesus him self had said in Matthew 11:9-14
9 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.
10 For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
14 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come
Many Christians will attempt to refute this by claiming that Reincarnation of ones Soul is an Eastern Culture concept foreign to Judaism. However this is not true at all. In the days of Jesus, there were 2 distinctly different thought processes’, the Phariseedic process, which included the Pharisee's and the Essense, and various other Jewish sects. Who believed in life after death including Reincarnation of ones Soul, for the greater purpose of perfecting ones spirit with the ultimate goal of reaching the Kingdom of Heaven. The second being, that of the Sadducees which included several of sub sects. The Sadducees did not believe in life after death at all, and thought the definition of life everlasting was to be remembered by others.
It is interesting to note that the way a person becomes a Christian is through and act of ritual Reincarnation of the Soul, i.e., Baptism. Remember the words of Jesus himself, “no man shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven least he be born again”. As Jesus addresses this issue with Nicodemus in John Chapter 3, he answers Nicodemus, with these words.
10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
The point Jesus made was how could this man be well versed in Torah and Ancient Jewish Mystical Teachings and not even be able to see or understand that, Jesus was referring to the Reincarnation of the Soul.
The reason for the Title of this series “Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone” is to assist you in seeing that through Paul’s writings some Christian Theologians use his words in a context to fit a doctrinal belief that the Laws of Torah no longer apply. It is our belief that if we replace Nicodemus with Paul in this story Jesus’ question would be the same. How could Paul be a Master of Israel and not understand that Jesus’ taught the Disciples from the Ancient Jewish Mystical Teachings. In addition it is interesting to note, that while Paul was teaching that the Law of Torah no longer applies, he still taught that we should tithe and personally chastised Peter for eating with the Gentiles, both of which are found only in the 613 Mitzvoth. If we taught such things we would be in fear of our Lord saying to us from Matthew 7:23 from Youngs Literial Translation
23 and then I will acknowledge to them, that -- I never knew you, depart from me ye who are working lawlessness.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX.
How can one claim to be a Christian and deny what Jesus him self had said in Matthew 11:9-14
9 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.
10 For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
14 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come
Many Christians will attempt to refute this by claiming that Reincarnation of ones Soul is an Eastern Culture concept foreign to Judaism. However this is not true at all. In the days of Jesus, there were 2 distinctly different thought processes’, the Phariseedic process, which included the Pharisee's and the Essense, and various other Jewish sects. Who believed in life after death including Reincarnation of ones Soul, for the greater purpose of perfecting ones spirit with the ultimate goal of reaching the Kingdom of Heaven. The second being, that of the Sadducees which included several of sub sects. The Sadducees did not believe in life after death at all, and thought the definition of life everlasting was to be remembered by others.
It is interesting to note that the way a person becomes a Christian is through and act of ritual Reincarnation of the Soul, i.e., Baptism. Remember the words of Jesus himself, “no man shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven least he be born again”. As Jesus addresses this issue with Nicodemus in John Chapter 3, he answers Nicodemus, with these words.
10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
The point Jesus made was how could this man be well versed in Torah and Ancient Jewish Mystical Teachings and not even be able to see or understand that, Jesus was referring to the Reincarnation of the Soul.
The reason for the Title of this series “Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone” is to assist you in seeing that through Paul’s writings some Christian Theologians use his words in a context to fit a doctrinal belief that the Laws of Torah no longer apply. It is our belief that if we replace Nicodemus with Paul in this story Jesus’ question would be the same. How could Paul be a Master of Israel and not understand that Jesus’ taught the Disciples from the Ancient Jewish Mystical Teachings. In addition it is interesting to note, that while Paul was teaching that the Law of Torah no longer applies, he still taught that we should tithe and personally chastised Peter for eating with the Gentiles, both of which are found only in the 613 Mitzvoth. If we taught such things we would be in fear of our Lord saying to us from Matthew 7:23 from Youngs Literial Translation
23 and then I will acknowledge to them, that -- I never knew you, depart from me ye who are working lawlessness.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX.
Stepping out of the Comfort Zone 10
The Ancient Jewish Mystical Teachings; were always handed down, from Master to Student. Jesus picked 12 men to Master, during his ministry. Much like a Teacher Student relationship, he used the world of his time, to teach his pupils all they needed to know about how God created the Universe, and how to use the Ten Sefirot in order to achieve these wonderful miracles of healing, they were able to perform. Jesus sends them out to minister to the people, on their own, see Luke 9:1-6, Matthew Chapter 10. Bear in mind, when Jesus was teaching the masses, he spoke in Parables, while he gave explanations to the 12 disciples. Yet they also followed Jesus’ lead in as much as they gave explanations, but left some little details out of what he taught them
As Jesus himself paraphrased from Isaiah 6:10 “You will keep on hearing, but never understanding, and keep on seeing but never perceive, because the heart of this people has become dull with their ears they barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, so as not to see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart and do repentance, so that I may heal them.”
At this point, let us take a step back in time, and review the Book of Numbers Chapters 13 & 14. Adonai directs Moses to pick 12 leaders from the 12 Tribes of Israel, and send them out to the land I promised to your Fathers. Moses does as he was directed, and as we read; picks 12 leaders, from the Tribes of Israel. These leaders go forth and scope out the Lands before them. There are many views on the out come and choices that were made by these men. The one that we will address is a view point of power and control. In this account 10 of the 12 report this was not a good time to invade the land was filled with Giants and to disobey Adonai.
Let’s look at these men from the perceptive of human nature. These men had just come from Egypt only recently. Moses had only placed these men in there positions a very short time before this event. What is their reaction?
When giving their report 10 of the 12 gave false negative reports of the land they had been ordered to observe. Where they lazy and didn’t do there Job? Where they afraid of losing there new found power after entering the land? We may never know, what we do know is that even after they had witnessed all the Miracles Adonai had performed, in bringing them out of bondage they still showed that they were more concerned with the Physical world then that of the Spiritual world. It is amazing to us that these people can witness all these miraculous events yet still lack in their faith in Adonai.
Joshua and Caleb on the other hand step out of their Comfort Zone, and are willing to live beyond the physical, and stand up to the others and recognize the great blessings Adonai is offering his people.
The question we each need to ask ourselves is are we a Joshua or Caleb, or are we following the other 10 refusing to follow Adonai’s directions and live in the physical world were hearing we will never understand and seeing we will never perceive?
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman,
As Jesus himself paraphrased from Isaiah 6:10 “You will keep on hearing, but never understanding, and keep on seeing but never perceive, because the heart of this people has become dull with their ears they barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, so as not to see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart and do repentance, so that I may heal them.”
At this point, let us take a step back in time, and review the Book of Numbers Chapters 13 & 14. Adonai directs Moses to pick 12 leaders from the 12 Tribes of Israel, and send them out to the land I promised to your Fathers. Moses does as he was directed, and as we read; picks 12 leaders, from the Tribes of Israel. These leaders go forth and scope out the Lands before them. There are many views on the out come and choices that were made by these men. The one that we will address is a view point of power and control. In this account 10 of the 12 report this was not a good time to invade the land was filled with Giants and to disobey Adonai.
Let’s look at these men from the perceptive of human nature. These men had just come from Egypt only recently. Moses had only placed these men in there positions a very short time before this event. What is their reaction?
When giving their report 10 of the 12 gave false negative reports of the land they had been ordered to observe. Where they lazy and didn’t do there Job? Where they afraid of losing there new found power after entering the land? We may never know, what we do know is that even after they had witnessed all the Miracles Adonai had performed, in bringing them out of bondage they still showed that they were more concerned with the Physical world then that of the Spiritual world. It is amazing to us that these people can witness all these miraculous events yet still lack in their faith in Adonai.
Joshua and Caleb on the other hand step out of their Comfort Zone, and are willing to live beyond the physical, and stand up to the others and recognize the great blessings Adonai is offering his people.
The question we each need to ask ourselves is are we a Joshua or Caleb, or are we following the other 10 refusing to follow Adonai’s directions and live in the physical world were hearing we will never understand and seeing we will never perceive?
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman,
Stepping out of the Comfort Zone 9
Last week we ended with our being told to try to maintain our conversations with main stream academia since many Christians would not understand where we are coming from, while most of the educated Biblical Scholars, Pastoral and Biblical Academics would, have a considerable knowledge of our concepts and teachings. Although not readily spoke of or taught they would have some form of knowledge, where these details are concerned.
A good example of this; was a program from Back to the Bible dated 05/08/2007, by Dr. Woodrow Kroll. Upon listening to this program several questions came to mind. One was isn’t Judaism and Eastern Culture? The second was why he didn’t use the Ancient Jewish Mystical Teachings (Kabbalah), to disavow the idea of Reincarnation. He chose not to use them because although Christianity is rooted in Judaism this part of Jewish culture is known, but not spoken of, to the normal everyday person. Dr. Kroll explains in his response, he was not addressing Jewish beliefs. Yet to the Orthodox and Chassidic communities of today, were the Pharisaic class of Jesus’ time period all this knowledge and understanding was well known and taught.
Below was the response that was received from Dr. Kroll about this program.
“I went back to look at the transcript to see what I said and the context in which it was said. I'm sure I didn't mention the Kabbalah, not in an attempt to avoid it, but because I was not addressing Jewish belief but the syncretism in American belief in general. Because most Americans do not have a good handle on the teachings of the Bible, they have adopted Eastern beliefs, such as reincarnation, without knowing their origin, source, or end. If my intent was to highlight Jewish thinking alone, I'm sure the Kabbalah would have been mentioned. As you know, there are many people (ironically many in Hollywood) who are today discovering Kabbalah, but not in the traditional Jewish sense. Again, people untaught in the inspired Word of God are easily influenced by other religious writings without an ability to compare them to God's Word. Just another reason to campaign to regain Bible literacy in America.”
This is the important difference; the Professor from LeTourneau was trying to enlighten us about last week. Those of Academia and Theologians know about these issues, so why do they refuse to give the everyday person what they are seeking.
Christianity has its roots based in Jewish Torah and its Savior the Jewish Messiah. It is our belief and mission to bring this information to the everyday Christian that to us is the only way to bring them Back to the Bible to feed them with all its glory and might. Even if it means going against everything they are out there teaching. Dr. Kroll’s final statement reveals and important point. How important it is to revive Bible literacy in America, the difference is, by approaching people with the truth, when you truly understand what Jesus was teaching His Disciples.
We always find it amazing, how many people can read the New Testament and become confused about its content. They ask questions of Christian Academics and Theologians and get the common doctrinal answers based on there individual church. It is no different than a Jewish person going to his Rabbi and asking the question, what about the fact that the Torah says nothing about separating Meat from Dairy products. So why do we have to keep them separate? The answer is only found in the Oral Law (Talmud). This is the Jewish Doctrine.
This to us is the exact point Jesus was trying to make in his parable teachings to the masses. The one which comes to mind first is the Sower of the Seeds. In this we see him referring to how one plants the seeds of knowledge in another. Do you address this issue by teaching your students or your children to dig deeper for answers or do you try to keep yourself empowered, by giving them an answers that suits your desired status or doctrinal theology.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
A good example of this; was a program from Back to the Bible dated 05/08/2007, by Dr. Woodrow Kroll. Upon listening to this program several questions came to mind. One was isn’t Judaism and Eastern Culture? The second was why he didn’t use the Ancient Jewish Mystical Teachings (Kabbalah), to disavow the idea of Reincarnation. He chose not to use them because although Christianity is rooted in Judaism this part of Jewish culture is known, but not spoken of, to the normal everyday person. Dr. Kroll explains in his response, he was not addressing Jewish beliefs. Yet to the Orthodox and Chassidic communities of today, were the Pharisaic class of Jesus’ time period all this knowledge and understanding was well known and taught.
Below was the response that was received from Dr. Kroll about this program.
“I went back to look at the transcript to see what I said and the context in which it was said. I'm sure I didn't mention the Kabbalah, not in an attempt to avoid it, but because I was not addressing Jewish belief but the syncretism in American belief in general. Because most Americans do not have a good handle on the teachings of the Bible, they have adopted Eastern beliefs, such as reincarnation, without knowing their origin, source, or end. If my intent was to highlight Jewish thinking alone, I'm sure the Kabbalah would have been mentioned. As you know, there are many people (ironically many in Hollywood) who are today discovering Kabbalah, but not in the traditional Jewish sense. Again, people untaught in the inspired Word of God are easily influenced by other religious writings without an ability to compare them to God's Word. Just another reason to campaign to regain Bible literacy in America.”
This is the important difference; the Professor from LeTourneau was trying to enlighten us about last week. Those of Academia and Theologians know about these issues, so why do they refuse to give the everyday person what they are seeking.
Christianity has its roots based in Jewish Torah and its Savior the Jewish Messiah. It is our belief and mission to bring this information to the everyday Christian that to us is the only way to bring them Back to the Bible to feed them with all its glory and might. Even if it means going against everything they are out there teaching. Dr. Kroll’s final statement reveals and important point. How important it is to revive Bible literacy in America, the difference is, by approaching people with the truth, when you truly understand what Jesus was teaching His Disciples.
We always find it amazing, how many people can read the New Testament and become confused about its content. They ask questions of Christian Academics and Theologians and get the common doctrinal answers based on there individual church. It is no different than a Jewish person going to his Rabbi and asking the question, what about the fact that the Torah says nothing about separating Meat from Dairy products. So why do we have to keep them separate? The answer is only found in the Oral Law (Talmud). This is the Jewish Doctrine.
This to us is the exact point Jesus was trying to make in his parable teachings to the masses. The one which comes to mind first is the Sower of the Seeds. In this we see him referring to how one plants the seeds of knowledge in another. Do you address this issue by teaching your students or your children to dig deeper for answers or do you try to keep yourself empowered, by giving them an answers that suits your desired status or doctrinal theology.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
Stepping out of the Comfort Zone 8
This week we will conclude our look at the Ten Sefirot as it pertains to us through Jesus the Messiah. The upper 5 Sefirot represents the spiritual side of life. The steps of the upper 5 Sefirot is the place where our very Soul exists in direct communication with Adonai.
Through our mind we see the physical aspects of this world. This is the place where our 5 senses dwell. This is the place where we inhabit the lower 5 Sefirot of the physical world. In our efforts to achieve a greater spirituality we must show a willingness to remove the mind to these aspects of the truth, this is the meaning of true faith. We must show a true desire where our Soul achieves this state of spirituality that we may be in direct connection with the Kingdom of Heaven.
(5) The Geburah is Power; this is the place where we are able to receive the power of healing. The best descriptions I can use to explain this position is when Peter walked on the water towards Jesus. When he stepped out of the boat and headed towards Jesus, he was not thinking about the consequences of his actions in fact based on the information provided in the NT he wasn’t thinking at all. It wasn’t until his mind caught up with his actions did he take a swim.
(4) The Chesed is Love; this is the place where we can obtain the Spiritual love, a love that abounds no limitations, one in which we see the Blessing and Grace of even our worst of enemies.
(3) The Binah is Understanding; this is, what our Lord was referring to, when he used the term “let he who hath an ear”…it doesn’t mean hearing,
it means understanding what was heard. This is the level of spiritual understanding achieved by the prophets to understand the visions that they were given by Adonai (The Lord God Most High) Blessed be He.
(2) The Chokhman is Wisdom; this is the wisdom achieved only through the spirit, which allows one such as Job to praise the Lord with all his heart even though he had suffered so much, the knowing that each loss was a lesson and each pain was a test of faith. This is the Wisdom that King Solomon prayed of the Lord to receive that he may become a good and Just King.
(1) The Kether is the seat of Adonai (The Lord God Most High) this is the Lord our God the Father in Heaven who directs all, through the use of the lower levels of the Ten Sefirot Through these Ten Sefirot we find the true Ancient Jewish Mystical meanings to the Tree of Life that Jesus the Messiah spoke of.
Please keep in mind that in order for us to achieve these upper levels of the Ten Sefirot we must have and show a willingness to remove our minds from the physical world. The test is if you are willing to shut off the things of this Physical world and open up your Soul to the Kingdom of Heaven.
Several Christian authors such as Rick Warren in his book “The Purpose Driven Life, and John Ed Mathison in his book “Treasures of the Transformed Life”, it is unknown to us if Christian authors like Rick Warren and John Ed Mathison understand that the concepts they are sharing in their material is just what we have shared in our last 3 articles.
In having a discussion with a Letourneau University Professor this past week, he made the comment that most of our material should be addressed and discussed biblical Academics and scholars only and not the ordinary Christian. It seems that his concern is that most everyday Christians would not understand this material, while most in the biblical Academic field would.
To me this is a sad statement when those of the academic world know of these things yet refuse to teach them to the up and coming Pastors of this world. It is our goal to bring the truth about these teachings to the everyday Christian, Just as The Lord Jesus did throughout his ministry to the Disciples and the predominantly Jewish following. This does require something of the reader to take a large leap of Faith and Step out of Your Comfort Zone.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX.
Through our mind we see the physical aspects of this world. This is the place where our 5 senses dwell. This is the place where we inhabit the lower 5 Sefirot of the physical world. In our efforts to achieve a greater spirituality we must show a willingness to remove the mind to these aspects of the truth, this is the meaning of true faith. We must show a true desire where our Soul achieves this state of spirituality that we may be in direct connection with the Kingdom of Heaven.
(5) The Geburah is Power; this is the place where we are able to receive the power of healing. The best descriptions I can use to explain this position is when Peter walked on the water towards Jesus. When he stepped out of the boat and headed towards Jesus, he was not thinking about the consequences of his actions in fact based on the information provided in the NT he wasn’t thinking at all. It wasn’t until his mind caught up with his actions did he take a swim.
(4) The Chesed is Love; this is the place where we can obtain the Spiritual love, a love that abounds no limitations, one in which we see the Blessing and Grace of even our worst of enemies.
(3) The Binah is Understanding; this is, what our Lord was referring to, when he used the term “let he who hath an ear”…it doesn’t mean hearing,
it means understanding what was heard. This is the level of spiritual understanding achieved by the prophets to understand the visions that they were given by Adonai (The Lord God Most High) Blessed be He.
(2) The Chokhman is Wisdom; this is the wisdom achieved only through the spirit, which allows one such as Job to praise the Lord with all his heart even though he had suffered so much, the knowing that each loss was a lesson and each pain was a test of faith. This is the Wisdom that King Solomon prayed of the Lord to receive that he may become a good and Just King.
(1) The Kether is the seat of Adonai (The Lord God Most High) this is the Lord our God the Father in Heaven who directs all, through the use of the lower levels of the Ten Sefirot Through these Ten Sefirot we find the true Ancient Jewish Mystical meanings to the Tree of Life that Jesus the Messiah spoke of.
Please keep in mind that in order for us to achieve these upper levels of the Ten Sefirot we must have and show a willingness to remove our minds from the physical world. The test is if you are willing to shut off the things of this Physical world and open up your Soul to the Kingdom of Heaven.
Several Christian authors such as Rick Warren in his book “The Purpose Driven Life, and John Ed Mathison in his book “Treasures of the Transformed Life”, it is unknown to us if Christian authors like Rick Warren and John Ed Mathison understand that the concepts they are sharing in their material is just what we have shared in our last 3 articles.
In having a discussion with a Letourneau University Professor this past week, he made the comment that most of our material should be addressed and discussed biblical Academics and scholars only and not the ordinary Christian. It seems that his concern is that most everyday Christians would not understand this material, while most in the biblical Academic field would.
To me this is a sad statement when those of the academic world know of these things yet refuse to teach them to the up and coming Pastors of this world. It is our goal to bring the truth about these teachings to the everyday Christian, Just as The Lord Jesus did throughout his ministry to the Disciples and the predominantly Jewish following. This does require something of the reader to take a large leap of Faith and Step out of Your Comfort Zone.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX.
Stepping out of the Comfort Zone 7
We find that many Christian Theologians and people who have done extensive study in the New Testament when they read the beginning of the Book of John they assume that John is speaking about Jesus being the living word. This site will address this issue and help explain John’s true meaning. This is an article called “The way the truth and the Light, by Jeff A Benner, http://www.ancient-hebrew.org/50_way.html. It will help explain that John a Disciple of Jesus was referring to the Torah and of the Ancient Jewish Mystical Teaching we have been covering over the past several weeks.
Due to size constrains we will have to cover the Ten Sefirot individually in two different articles this week will address the bottom 5 Sefirot and completing with the upper 5 Sefirot next week. Since the 10th Sefirot of Malkuth represents the starting point for our spiritual walk we will start at this point looking at the Ten Sefirot and working our way up to Kether which represents Adonai (The Lord God Most High). Just as there are many different ways of interpreting the Bible there are just as many ways of seeing the Ten Sefirot based on our Studies this is our perception of them.
Please keep in mind due to limited space you can find the diagram of the Ten Sefirot here on our blog http://thelightinchristministry.blogspot.com/.
(10) The Malkuth is Presence or the Physical Kingdom this is the place we live in day to day. This would be called by many the 99%. This is the place where we strive to have the things of the Physical, answers where we can see touch and feel. This is the image as we see it of Jesus’ Feet on the Cross.
(9) The Yesod is Foundation, this is the place of the foundation of our faith. This is where we start to seek a better understanding of the world we live in. This is the place where we start our walk with the Lord and seek to have a greater understanding from him. This is the image as we see it of Jesus’ Body on the Cross.
(8) The Hod is Splendor, this is the place that as we grow stronger in our faith and knowledge of the Torah, we can begin to see the splendor in everything Adonai has created. This is the image as we see it of Jesus’ Left arm on the Cross.
(7) The Netzakh is Eternity, at this point in our walk we start to gain a better understanding that there is more to our lives than just what we perceived to be in the physical. This is the image as we see it of Jesus’ Right arm on the Cross.
Take a close look at the detailed image that we are creating. Jesus spreads his arms and what do you behold, Splendor and Eternity. If that doesn’t make you stop and look at the Cross from a different point of view then we surly don’t know what else will.
(6) The Tiphareth is Beauty or Compassion, This is the point we reach as we strive to be more Christ like. At this point in your walk you should have started to become more compassionate of other around you, and be striving to show others the beauty of the Lord through your walk with him, through all of your actions and deeds. We image this to be the point of Jesus’ head on the Cross covered with the crown of thorns. For as he spoke the only way to the Father is through me. This we believe to be his meaning, that with out achieving this point in your walk, will you ever be able to achieve your walk in the Upper 5 Sefirot.
Please keep in mind when reading our Articles and even in your daily reading of the Bible that Jewish culture is covered throughout with images. It is for us as humans a gift from God to help us to visualize their contents and their meanings.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
Due to size constrains we will have to cover the Ten Sefirot individually in two different articles this week will address the bottom 5 Sefirot and completing with the upper 5 Sefirot next week. Since the 10th Sefirot of Malkuth represents the starting point for our spiritual walk we will start at this point looking at the Ten Sefirot and working our way up to Kether which represents Adonai (The Lord God Most High). Just as there are many different ways of interpreting the Bible there are just as many ways of seeing the Ten Sefirot based on our Studies this is our perception of them.
Please keep in mind due to limited space you can find the diagram of the Ten Sefirot here on our blog http://thelightinchristministry.blogspot.com/.
(10) The Malkuth is Presence or the Physical Kingdom this is the place we live in day to day. This would be called by many the 99%. This is the place where we strive to have the things of the Physical, answers where we can see touch and feel. This is the image as we see it of Jesus’ Feet on the Cross.
(9) The Yesod is Foundation, this is the place of the foundation of our faith. This is where we start to seek a better understanding of the world we live in. This is the place where we start our walk with the Lord and seek to have a greater understanding from him. This is the image as we see it of Jesus’ Body on the Cross.
(8) The Hod is Splendor, this is the place that as we grow stronger in our faith and knowledge of the Torah, we can begin to see the splendor in everything Adonai has created. This is the image as we see it of Jesus’ Left arm on the Cross.
(7) The Netzakh is Eternity, at this point in our walk we start to gain a better understanding that there is more to our lives than just what we perceived to be in the physical. This is the image as we see it of Jesus’ Right arm on the Cross.
Take a close look at the detailed image that we are creating. Jesus spreads his arms and what do you behold, Splendor and Eternity. If that doesn’t make you stop and look at the Cross from a different point of view then we surly don’t know what else will.
(6) The Tiphareth is Beauty or Compassion, This is the point we reach as we strive to be more Christ like. At this point in your walk you should have started to become more compassionate of other around you, and be striving to show others the beauty of the Lord through your walk with him, through all of your actions and deeds. We image this to be the point of Jesus’ head on the Cross covered with the crown of thorns. For as he spoke the only way to the Father is through me. This we believe to be his meaning, that with out achieving this point in your walk, will you ever be able to achieve your walk in the Upper 5 Sefirot.
Please keep in mind when reading our Articles and even in your daily reading of the Bible that Jewish culture is covered throughout with images. It is for us as humans a gift from God to help us to visualize their contents and their meanings.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
Stepping out of the Comfort Zone 6
We introduced the Ten Sefirot last week and explained the three columns and their meaning. The diagram of the Ten Sefirot and the meanings we are using can be found on our Blog site by using this link,
http://thelightinchristministry.blogspot.com/. This week we are going to discus the aspects of the separation between the Upper 5 Sefirot and the Lower 5 Sefirot. These aspects are taught as the Upper Kingdom and the Lower Kingdom.
To start with this explanation we need to evaluate the Garden of Eden, prior to Adam and Eve eating the fruit of the Tree of Good and Evil. When Adonai created the earth, these two worlds were combined; Physical and Spiritual were as one. We can explain it this way, Adams mind was able to be in both the Spiritual realm and the Physical realm at the same time. This meaning he was able to maintain 50% in the Physical world and 50% in the Spiritual world.
It is explained in Jewish Mystical teachings that today we live in the 99% Physical world and 1% Spiritual world. The keys to the Ten Sefirot are for one to use these tools to achieve a greater percentage in the Spiritual thereby reducing the amount in the Physical.
It is our observations of Jesus that he walked in this reality of 50% - 50%. In order to illustrate so you may understand our though process, we have chosen three different Scriptures. Let us look at Matthew 3:17, Matthew 17:2 and the third is Acts 9:3. In the first 2 of these Scriptures Jesus is still living in the Physical world, the area of the bottom 5 Sefirot. The first is where he is baptized by John and the second is on the Mount of Transfiguration. In both of these instances we see the Light of the Or Haganuz while in both of these situations there are no stories of this Light blinding any who were present. Much like when the people of Israel were in the desert and Adonai came to them in a cloud to give them the Torah at Mt. Sinai. Now to the third situation, Jesus had been put to death and had risen to the 5 Upper levels of the Sefirot, he was living in the 99% Spiritual and 1% Physical at this time, he meets Saul on the Road to Damascus and the Light projected from the Or Haganuz is so great it blinds him. The point in this illustration is that the best we can ever hope to achieve in our Physical existence is to strive to achieve a 50% - 50% mix between the spiritual and the Physical. It is only when our Soul returns to the 99% Spiritual and the 1% Physical do we really achieve the full Light of the Or Haganuz.
Have you ever stopped to look at the little child after their birth? Did you ever wonder what there were thinking when they came into the light, and out of the womb?
Jesus speaks Blessed are the little Children for they are the Kingdom of God. Most theologians try to explain this by saying they are our further. To a Mystical Jew this has a very different meaning. When we are born we are the closet to the Kingdom. What is meant here is they are still more in the spiritual than the physical, they still maintain that connection with the upper parts of the Ten Sefirot. The sad part of all this is as we grow we parents try to bring them into reality by telling them that there imaginary friends are not real, and what they see and feel is wrong.
In reading about the life of Edgar Cayce as a child he could place a school book under his pillow at night before he went to sleep and in the morning had the knowledge of all that was in that book.
We live in the Physical world so we try to explain these things in terms of the Physical aspects of what we can see, touch and feel. If something comes along which is beyond those senses we claim it to be a miracle of God. Did you ever stop to think that these are not Miracles, but how Adonai created the universe to be?
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX.
http://thelightinchristministry.blogspot.com/. This week we are going to discus the aspects of the separation between the Upper 5 Sefirot and the Lower 5 Sefirot. These aspects are taught as the Upper Kingdom and the Lower Kingdom.
To start with this explanation we need to evaluate the Garden of Eden, prior to Adam and Eve eating the fruit of the Tree of Good and Evil. When Adonai created the earth, these two worlds were combined; Physical and Spiritual were as one. We can explain it this way, Adams mind was able to be in both the Spiritual realm and the Physical realm at the same time. This meaning he was able to maintain 50% in the Physical world and 50% in the Spiritual world.
It is explained in Jewish Mystical teachings that today we live in the 99% Physical world and 1% Spiritual world. The keys to the Ten Sefirot are for one to use these tools to achieve a greater percentage in the Spiritual thereby reducing the amount in the Physical.
It is our observations of Jesus that he walked in this reality of 50% - 50%. In order to illustrate so you may understand our though process, we have chosen three different Scriptures. Let us look at Matthew 3:17, Matthew 17:2 and the third is Acts 9:3. In the first 2 of these Scriptures Jesus is still living in the Physical world, the area of the bottom 5 Sefirot. The first is where he is baptized by John and the second is on the Mount of Transfiguration. In both of these instances we see the Light of the Or Haganuz while in both of these situations there are no stories of this Light blinding any who were present. Much like when the people of Israel were in the desert and Adonai came to them in a cloud to give them the Torah at Mt. Sinai. Now to the third situation, Jesus had been put to death and had risen to the 5 Upper levels of the Sefirot, he was living in the 99% Spiritual and 1% Physical at this time, he meets Saul on the Road to Damascus and the Light projected from the Or Haganuz is so great it blinds him. The point in this illustration is that the best we can ever hope to achieve in our Physical existence is to strive to achieve a 50% - 50% mix between the spiritual and the Physical. It is only when our Soul returns to the 99% Spiritual and the 1% Physical do we really achieve the full Light of the Or Haganuz.
Have you ever stopped to look at the little child after their birth? Did you ever wonder what there were thinking when they came into the light, and out of the womb?
Jesus speaks Blessed are the little Children for they are the Kingdom of God. Most theologians try to explain this by saying they are our further. To a Mystical Jew this has a very different meaning. When we are born we are the closet to the Kingdom. What is meant here is they are still more in the spiritual than the physical, they still maintain that connection with the upper parts of the Ten Sefirot. The sad part of all this is as we grow we parents try to bring them into reality by telling them that there imaginary friends are not real, and what they see and feel is wrong.
In reading about the life of Edgar Cayce as a child he could place a school book under his pillow at night before he went to sleep and in the morning had the knowledge of all that was in that book.
We live in the Physical world so we try to explain these things in terms of the Physical aspects of what we can see, touch and feel. If something comes along which is beyond those senses we claim it to be a miracle of God. Did you ever stop to think that these are not Miracles, but how Adonai created the universe to be?
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Stepping out of the Comfort Zone 5
Last week we introduced the Ten Sefirot of Ancient Jewish Mystical Teachings, in order to give some clarity to this we are going to try to illustrate the Ten Sefirot and how we relate them to Jesus.
Although all Hebrew words have several different meanings for the purpose of our discussions here the following is the definitions we will use.
(1) The Kether is Adonai (The Lord God Most High)
(2) The Chokhman is Wisdom
(3) The Binah is Understanding
(4) The Chesed is Love
(5) The Geburah is Power or (Judgment)
(6) The Tiphareth is Beauty or Compassion to us this is the place that
represents Jesus Christ.
(7) The Netzakh is Eternity
(8) The Hod is Splendor
(9) The Yesod is Foundation
(10) The Malkuth is Presence or the Physical Kingdom.
First thing that we wish to cover here is that the Ten Sefirot, are looked upon as Left, Center, and Right. Just look at the Trintiy, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
The Left Side of the Sefirot represents the Spiritual Kingdom, The Kingdom of the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) the female side of Creation.
The Center represents the Adonai (The Lord God Most High) and how we are all part of his world. It represents both Male and Female and the Ideal balance between Divine Mercy and Devine Justice.
The Right Side of the Sefirot is the Physical Kingdom, the male aspects of this world.
If we take a look at the words of the Lords Prayer found in the book of Matthew given by Jesus these are some key words to look at. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX.
(1) The Kether is Adonai (The Lord God Most High)
(2) The Chokhman is Wisdom
(3) The Binah is Understanding
(4) The Chesed is Love
(5) The Geburah is Power or (Judgment)
(6) The Tiphareth is Beauty or Compassion to us this is the place that
represents Jesus Christ.
(7) The Netzakh is Eternity
(8) The Hod is Splendor
(9) The Yesod is Foundation
(10) The Malkuth is Presence or the Physical Kingdom.
First thing that we wish to cover here is that the Ten Sefirot, are looked upon as Left, Center, and Right. Just look at the Trintiy, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
The Left Side of the Sefirot represents the Spiritual Kingdom, The Kingdom of the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) the female side of Creation.
The Center represents the Adonai (The Lord God Most High) and how we are all part of his world. It represents both Male and Female and the Ideal balance between Divine Mercy and Devine Justice.
The Right Side of the Sefirot is the Physical Kingdom, the male aspects of this world.
If we take a look at the words of the Lords Prayer found in the book of Matthew given by Jesus these are some key words to look at. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Stepping out of the Comfort Zone 4
As we listen to the song “I Want To Know You” by SonicFlood the question that comes to mind for us is just what was it like to be one of the 12 disciples of Jesus? To walk with him during his Ministry, to listen to him preach, for him to teach us how to reach out and receive all the gifts and power of the universe that Adonai (The Lord God Most High) created at the inception of this world.
It is told in Ancient Jewish Mystical teachings that when Adonai created the world he knew many people will not be able to access the Light. When Saul met Jesus on the road he was blinded by the Light. In this example it is meant to show that one is unable to be in direct contact with such Light without the proper spiritual preparation to accept such a gift. God has protected us from accessing this Light by requiring us to perform certain duties or Mitzvoth in order to achieve this spiritual blessing. This Spiritual Light we are referring in Aramaic is called “Or Haganuz” which also means the Lofty Light, or literally the Concealed Light. This Light originates from the upper spiritual dimension known as Binah, which is the eight dimensional level of the Tree of Life. In each one of us is a connection to the Or Haganuz, in previous generations it was only for the righteous to enter and connect to the Or Haganuz.
We would like to make an important point here that before Jesus it was the Job of the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) to spread this spiritual Light, everything that the Kohen Gadol did was for the purpose of sharing and doing the spiritual work for all the people. With the advent of Jesus’ death on the Cross it removed the need for the Kohen Gadol to intercede on our behalf to bring this Light of Binah to us. The example we will use here is that we could achieve this level by following the Mitzvoth directed in Torah. Bringing our first fruits to be sacrificed before Adonai where the Kohen Gadol would intercede on our behalf.
So just what was it that Jesus taught the disciples in private? Let’s look at it this way. It is our belief that Jesus taught them how to achieve this level of Binah. There are many aspects of his teachings which are lost, and it is our belief with justifiable cause. Adonai is still concealing the Or Haganuz from all. This can only be achieved by means of prayer and devotion to his Mitzvoth. How are the disciples able to achieve the miracles?
Most Christian theologians desire you to believe that this was only achieved by the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit). It is there understanding and teachings that only through the Ruach HaKodesh are these miracles possible for one to achieve. One thing that is interesting is Peter did not have the Ruach HaKodesh upon him when he walked on the water towards Jesus. When he falls into the water and Jesus saved him the question Jesus asked him can lead one to really think about the event. What did Jesus really mean when he told him oh yea of little faith? Maybe he was really saying all that I have taught you and you still don’t see, what you can achieve.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX.
It is told in Ancient Jewish Mystical teachings that when Adonai created the world he knew many people will not be able to access the Light. When Saul met Jesus on the road he was blinded by the Light. In this example it is meant to show that one is unable to be in direct contact with such Light without the proper spiritual preparation to accept such a gift. God has protected us from accessing this Light by requiring us to perform certain duties or Mitzvoth in order to achieve this spiritual blessing. This Spiritual Light we are referring in Aramaic is called “Or Haganuz” which also means the Lofty Light, or literally the Concealed Light. This Light originates from the upper spiritual dimension known as Binah, which is the eight dimensional level of the Tree of Life. In each one of us is a connection to the Or Haganuz, in previous generations it was only for the righteous to enter and connect to the Or Haganuz.
We would like to make an important point here that before Jesus it was the Job of the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) to spread this spiritual Light, everything that the Kohen Gadol did was for the purpose of sharing and doing the spiritual work for all the people. With the advent of Jesus’ death on the Cross it removed the need for the Kohen Gadol to intercede on our behalf to bring this Light of Binah to us. The example we will use here is that we could achieve this level by following the Mitzvoth directed in Torah. Bringing our first fruits to be sacrificed before Adonai where the Kohen Gadol would intercede on our behalf.
So just what was it that Jesus taught the disciples in private? Let’s look at it this way. It is our belief that Jesus taught them how to achieve this level of Binah. There are many aspects of his teachings which are lost, and it is our belief with justifiable cause. Adonai is still concealing the Or Haganuz from all. This can only be achieved by means of prayer and devotion to his Mitzvoth. How are the disciples able to achieve the miracles?
Most Christian theologians desire you to believe that this was only achieved by the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit). It is there understanding and teachings that only through the Ruach HaKodesh are these miracles possible for one to achieve. One thing that is interesting is Peter did not have the Ruach HaKodesh upon him when he walked on the water towards Jesus. When he falls into the water and Jesus saved him the question Jesus asked him can lead one to really think about the event. What did Jesus really mean when he told him oh yea of little faith? Maybe he was really saying all that I have taught you and you still don’t see, what you can achieve.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Stepping out of the Comfort Zone 3
In the last 2 weeks we have opened the door to have you evaluate your own personnel Comfort Zone, In dealing with this subject through Saul and Peter now has become the time when we deal and open up to show how we removed ourselves from ours.
After reading the Zohar notes I received this week there is a story in them which reminded us of Jesus and his teachings. For most of you we need to explain what the Zohar is and how it came about. The word Zohar in Hebrew means Splendor. The Zohar is an Ancient Jewish Text written in the ancient language of Aramaic written during the Second century, the author is not as important as its text although this text was written after the Death of Jesus the teachings that are contained in its 22 volumes have been taught since before Moses came down with the Torah from Mt Sani.
Anyway the story goes like this; two men for a better illustration we will call them Charlie and Fred and they are walking in the desert. In the middle of nowhere, a third man will call George shows up and asks for food, Charlie gives all of his food to George, Fred then asks Charlie if he is crazy, you are going to die. Charlie then answers Fred Am I supported by your food? The Lord Adonai is the one who gives me food.
Now Charlie felt that if George showed up in the middle of nowhere and asked him for food then God had sent him to Charlie for a reason. If we believe that everything in our lives has a reason and we take what Jesus told us to do in the literal sense then caring for the needs of others is following him.
Charlie then realizes that here is his opportunity to show his faithfulness to Jesus the Messiah, control his physical reality, to overcome his physical fears, as well as overcoming the natural laws of nature.
Fred in this story represents the Laws of Nature and Fear in our lives, it wasn’t enough for Fred to tell Charlie that he made a mistake in giving away his food, Fred add salt to the wound when Charlie began to get hungry and says “I told you so!”.
The Story then continues with Charlie falling asleep and a deadly snake coming toward him to kill him, but at the last moment, another snake came along and killed the first one then Charlie awoke. It is explained that had Charlie not given George his food the snake would have killed him. By giving George all of his food he was able to change his destiny. There is a universal law that states “The cure always comes before the disease”.
God will not send us a free lunch, free gift, or free miracles; instead God sends us the opportunity to create a miracle for ourselves, to control the physical reality.
If we look at Matthew 19:16-21 Jesus is speaking to a wealthy young man and instructs him to sell all that he possessed and give it to the poor, and you will have riches in Heaven. Then Come and follow me. It is important to make note here that Jesus did not instruct this young man to sell his possessions and give the money to support Jesus’ Ministry; he made the point for him to give everything to the POOR!
But the one that came to mind first was the story in Matthew Chapter 4 when the spirit leads Jesus into the Desert to confront Satan. Jesus’ words that “Man shall not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of Adonai.” Here again we see Jesus speaking of following the words of the Torah, and not the Oral Law or Rabbinic Interpretation of the Torah.
If any of us truly do believe that Jesus came all knowing then it only makes sense that he knew of all that is taught through the Ancient Mystical Jewish teachings, and how to use these teaching to achieve any and all the universe has to offer us.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
After reading the Zohar notes I received this week there is a story in them which reminded us of Jesus and his teachings. For most of you we need to explain what the Zohar is and how it came about. The word Zohar in Hebrew means Splendor. The Zohar is an Ancient Jewish Text written in the ancient language of Aramaic written during the Second century, the author is not as important as its text although this text was written after the Death of Jesus the teachings that are contained in its 22 volumes have been taught since before Moses came down with the Torah from Mt Sani.
Anyway the story goes like this; two men for a better illustration we will call them Charlie and Fred and they are walking in the desert. In the middle of nowhere, a third man will call George shows up and asks for food, Charlie gives all of his food to George, Fred then asks Charlie if he is crazy, you are going to die. Charlie then answers Fred Am I supported by your food? The Lord Adonai is the one who gives me food.
Now Charlie felt that if George showed up in the middle of nowhere and asked him for food then God had sent him to Charlie for a reason. If we believe that everything in our lives has a reason and we take what Jesus told us to do in the literal sense then caring for the needs of others is following him.
Charlie then realizes that here is his opportunity to show his faithfulness to Jesus the Messiah, control his physical reality, to overcome his physical fears, as well as overcoming the natural laws of nature.
Fred in this story represents the Laws of Nature and Fear in our lives, it wasn’t enough for Fred to tell Charlie that he made a mistake in giving away his food, Fred add salt to the wound when Charlie began to get hungry and says “I told you so!”.
The Story then continues with Charlie falling asleep and a deadly snake coming toward him to kill him, but at the last moment, another snake came along and killed the first one then Charlie awoke. It is explained that had Charlie not given George his food the snake would have killed him. By giving George all of his food he was able to change his destiny. There is a universal law that states “The cure always comes before the disease”.
God will not send us a free lunch, free gift, or free miracles; instead God sends us the opportunity to create a miracle for ourselves, to control the physical reality.
If we look at Matthew 19:16-21 Jesus is speaking to a wealthy young man and instructs him to sell all that he possessed and give it to the poor, and you will have riches in Heaven. Then Come and follow me. It is important to make note here that Jesus did not instruct this young man to sell his possessions and give the money to support Jesus’ Ministry; he made the point for him to give everything to the POOR!
But the one that came to mind first was the story in Matthew Chapter 4 when the spirit leads Jesus into the Desert to confront Satan. Jesus’ words that “Man shall not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of Adonai.” Here again we see Jesus speaking of following the words of the Torah, and not the Oral Law or Rabbinic Interpretation of the Torah.
If any of us truly do believe that Jesus came all knowing then it only makes sense that he knew of all that is taught through the Ancient Mystical Jewish teachings, and how to use these teaching to achieve any and all the universe has to offer us.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Stepping out of the Comfort Zone 2
Last week we made a reference to Saul’s Comfort Zone and would like to take this opportunity to expand on that subject. Many people may think we are out to bash Saul. What our goal in all of this is to not so much bash him, but to bridge the huge gap created by his teaching, and his refusal to understand that through out Jesus’ entire Ministry and teachings he rebuked the Oral Law and traditions set forth in them.
These two scripture references from 2 Peter Chapter 3 where brought to my attention to add credibility to Saul Claims that he was speaking for God.
15 And account that the long suffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
What we see in these scripture verses is exactly what we have been trying to say. Peter here in these verses is trying to explain that many have chosen to use the words of Saul’s writings and other Scriptures to justify there own programs or Ideals. Today we find so many Christians who are ignorant in the scriptures of the Torah and the Prophets, manly because Saul’s teaches in his writings that through Jesus’ Death on the Cross these sections of scripture no longer apply and are irrelevant to us as Christians.
The example to use in this case is a Sermon done by Pastor Jack Graham of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Dallas Texas. Pastor Graham’s sermon of September 23, 2007 was entirely about repentance the day after Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement the most Holy Day of the Jewish year. The point of this example is that Pastor Graham we believe was well aware that it was the day after Yom Kippur, yet with staying in his Comfort Zone chooses not to tell the congregation or those outside watching through other media sources that he was specifically speaking of Yom Kippur.
Last week we looked at Peter’s transformation from his Comfort Zone, but Saul’s was a totally different story, it took Jesus himself to come and awaken Saul by means of a super natural experience. Through his experience Saul learns that Jesus was truly the Messiah whose coming was fore told by the Prophets. Jesus then sends Saul out on a Mission to bring the Word of God to the gentiles he maintains his Comfort Zone of Oral Law and Torah, himself, while teaching those who were not circumcised that they only fell under certain laws which can only be found in Oral Law Traditions. Saul sets out to convince the disciples that he was correct and through his actions created a big rift between Peter’s church created before Saul’s transformation and that of the one Saul was creating in the gentile community. Part of this we concede to Saul’s upbringing in the Oral Law, but the rest of it we blame on his choice to stay in that Comfort Zone of Torah and Oral Law Traditions. In that he was chosen by Jesus to bring the word to the gentiles and not to be the head of his Church. The head of his Church was to be placed in Peter’s hands one who Jesus taught himself to understand and rebuke the teachings of Oral Law and traditions. Not to forsake the Torah, but to continue to preach strictly from it and adhere to its directions for our lives.
A perfect example of Saul’s Comfort Zone and his inability to separate the Written Torah from the Oral Torah Traditions, is in Galatians Chapter 2 were Saul rebukes Peter for eating with the Gentiles, and requiring them to live like Jews. We think that Saul had no clue of the vision Peter received we looked at in Acts Chapter 11 which took Peter out of his Comfort Zone when it came to eating those of unclean things as described in Torah. See there is no such Law in Torah to separate Meat from Dairy, those rules are only found in the Oral Law Traditions no where else. Even though Saul had a vision of his own he was unable to accept Peter’s, if in fact he had knowledge of it.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
These two scripture references from 2 Peter Chapter 3 where brought to my attention to add credibility to Saul Claims that he was speaking for God.
15 And account that the long suffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
What we see in these scripture verses is exactly what we have been trying to say. Peter here in these verses is trying to explain that many have chosen to use the words of Saul’s writings and other Scriptures to justify there own programs or Ideals. Today we find so many Christians who are ignorant in the scriptures of the Torah and the Prophets, manly because Saul’s teaches in his writings that through Jesus’ Death on the Cross these sections of scripture no longer apply and are irrelevant to us as Christians.
The example to use in this case is a Sermon done by Pastor Jack Graham of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Dallas Texas. Pastor Graham’s sermon of September 23, 2007 was entirely about repentance the day after Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement the most Holy Day of the Jewish year. The point of this example is that Pastor Graham we believe was well aware that it was the day after Yom Kippur, yet with staying in his Comfort Zone chooses not to tell the congregation or those outside watching through other media sources that he was specifically speaking of Yom Kippur.
Last week we looked at Peter’s transformation from his Comfort Zone, but Saul’s was a totally different story, it took Jesus himself to come and awaken Saul by means of a super natural experience. Through his experience Saul learns that Jesus was truly the Messiah whose coming was fore told by the Prophets. Jesus then sends Saul out on a Mission to bring the Word of God to the gentiles he maintains his Comfort Zone of Oral Law and Torah, himself, while teaching those who were not circumcised that they only fell under certain laws which can only be found in Oral Law Traditions. Saul sets out to convince the disciples that he was correct and through his actions created a big rift between Peter’s church created before Saul’s transformation and that of the one Saul was creating in the gentile community. Part of this we concede to Saul’s upbringing in the Oral Law, but the rest of it we blame on his choice to stay in that Comfort Zone of Torah and Oral Law Traditions. In that he was chosen by Jesus to bring the word to the gentiles and not to be the head of his Church. The head of his Church was to be placed in Peter’s hands one who Jesus taught himself to understand and rebuke the teachings of Oral Law and traditions. Not to forsake the Torah, but to continue to preach strictly from it and adhere to its directions for our lives.
A perfect example of Saul’s Comfort Zone and his inability to separate the Written Torah from the Oral Torah Traditions, is in Galatians Chapter 2 were Saul rebukes Peter for eating with the Gentiles, and requiring them to live like Jews. We think that Saul had no clue of the vision Peter received we looked at in Acts Chapter 11 which took Peter out of his Comfort Zone when it came to eating those of unclean things as described in Torah. See there is no such Law in Torah to separate Meat from Dairy, those rules are only found in the Oral Law Traditions no where else. Even though Saul had a vision of his own he was unable to accept Peter’s, if in fact he had knowledge of it.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Stepping out of the Comfort Zone 1
Webster’s Dictionary defines a Comfort Zone as the level at which one functions at ease and familiarity. Over the last several months we have been writing about Saul and how he created this kind of Comfort Zone for Christians. To him gentiles were not Jews so they didn’t fall under the same rules Jews had to follow. So to us he creates a Comfort Zone so to speak. As we have discussed many times before this Comfort Zone can create many problems between Christians and Jew.
Look at all the documentaries of the Life of Jesus we see on TV or in the Movies. You never see a picture of Jesus’ clothing with the Fringes (Tzitzit) on the corners of his Garments. This we see as a Comfort Zone, why do producers or directors fail to place these very important Fringes on his clothing? This Comfort Zone image of Jesus and the disciples gives Christians this warm and false sense of image. In portraying him with such and image it lens credibility to Saul’s teachings that Gentiles don’t have to do such things. Ponder on this for a few minutes, if you were to see Jesus pictured with his Tzitzit, would you not be wondering first of all what they were and second why he had them on. Once getting the answers to those questions, the biggest one that would come to your mind might be. So why am I not wearing them?
In this Ministry Rick and I have really step out of the Comfort Zone of both Christian and Jew to teach the truth, through the words of Adonai (The Lord God Most High) and Jesus. As we see it, our Articles may have stepped on many peoples understand and learning’s, but we have embarked on a mission to remove you from your Comfort Zone. Many Christians have tried to rebuke us for they use the words of Saul, saying Saul says we no longer have to do these things. Saul’s Comfort Zone kept him in the mind set that the Torah and the Oral Law (Talmud) were one in the same. He rebuked Peter for his understanding that the 613 Mitzvoth in Torah were to be followed by all.
At this time we would like to use Peter as an example of stepping out of your Comfort Zone take a look at the book of Acts Chapter 11 4-15 Peter refused as he states in verse 8 But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth. Three times Peter argues with the Lord in this meditative trance. Think about how hard is would have been for Peter, to eat of any animal that the Torah directed to be unclean.
I recently spent the night in the Hospital due to chest pain and one of the respiratory therapists who came into the room to check on me was wearing a Star of David. We had the chance to talk for a few minutes and I shared about our Ministry with her. She had expressed to me that it never stop amazing her how many Christians fail to understand and see that Jesus was a Jew. She commentated to me that it really bothers her that Christians try to make Jesus out to be a Christian. When the definition of Christian is to be Christ like, so how does one be Christ like if one has no idea about how Jesus Christ lived? Jesus Christ lived everyday of his life as a Jew. The very hem of the garment that the women with the blood issue reached out to touch was his Fringes (Tzitzit). Maybe you need to evaluate that Comfort Zone you live in and seek the bases for those beliefs.
As for use we choose to follow the words of Joshua found in Chapter 24:15.
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
Look at all the documentaries of the Life of Jesus we see on TV or in the Movies. You never see a picture of Jesus’ clothing with the Fringes (Tzitzit) on the corners of his Garments. This we see as a Comfort Zone, why do producers or directors fail to place these very important Fringes on his clothing? This Comfort Zone image of Jesus and the disciples gives Christians this warm and false sense of image. In portraying him with such and image it lens credibility to Saul’s teachings that Gentiles don’t have to do such things. Ponder on this for a few minutes, if you were to see Jesus pictured with his Tzitzit, would you not be wondering first of all what they were and second why he had them on. Once getting the answers to those questions, the biggest one that would come to your mind might be. So why am I not wearing them?
In this Ministry Rick and I have really step out of the Comfort Zone of both Christian and Jew to teach the truth, through the words of Adonai (The Lord God Most High) and Jesus. As we see it, our Articles may have stepped on many peoples understand and learning’s, but we have embarked on a mission to remove you from your Comfort Zone. Many Christians have tried to rebuke us for they use the words of Saul, saying Saul says we no longer have to do these things. Saul’s Comfort Zone kept him in the mind set that the Torah and the Oral Law (Talmud) were one in the same. He rebuked Peter for his understanding that the 613 Mitzvoth in Torah were to be followed by all.
At this time we would like to use Peter as an example of stepping out of your Comfort Zone take a look at the book of Acts Chapter 11 4-15 Peter refused as he states in verse 8 But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth. Three times Peter argues with the Lord in this meditative trance. Think about how hard is would have been for Peter, to eat of any animal that the Torah directed to be unclean.
I recently spent the night in the Hospital due to chest pain and one of the respiratory therapists who came into the room to check on me was wearing a Star of David. We had the chance to talk for a few minutes and I shared about our Ministry with her. She had expressed to me that it never stop amazing her how many Christians fail to understand and see that Jesus was a Jew. She commentated to me that it really bothers her that Christians try to make Jesus out to be a Christian. When the definition of Christian is to be Christ like, so how does one be Christ like if one has no idea about how Jesus Christ lived? Jesus Christ lived everyday of his life as a Jew. The very hem of the garment that the women with the blood issue reached out to touch was his Fringes (Tzitzit). Maybe you need to evaluate that Comfort Zone you live in and seek the bases for those beliefs.
As for use we choose to follow the words of Joshua found in Chapter 24:15.
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Righteousness of A Man
These verses from Matthew Chapter 5 (Young’s Literal Translation) keep turning up every time we start to write.
17 Do not suppose that I came to throw down the law or the prophets -- I did not come to throw down, but to fulfill;
18 for, verily I say to you, till that the heaven and the earth may pass away, one iota or one tittle may not pass away from the law, till that all may come to pass.
19 Whoever therefore may loose one of these commands -- the least -- and may teach men so, least he shall be called in the reign of the heavens, but whoever may do and may teach [them], he shall be called great in the reign of the heavens.
20 For I say to you, that if your righteousness may not abound above that of the scribes and Pharisees, ye may not enter to the reign of the heavens.
We often wonder if people really understand the words Jesus is speaking here. A definition of fulfill is “to meet the requirements of”, Ok we like to use this in looking at Jesus words to the crowd, So what were the requirements Jesus was referring to. He was referring to the Physical Sacrifice Requirements in Leviticus 9:1-4. Thought the teachings of Saul and the theology of Hyper-Dispensationalist these verses have been taken completely out of context. We always need to keep in our minds that when Jesus was preaching and teaching through out his Ministry Saul of Tarsus was nowhere to be found. He neither followed Jesus nor was a disciple of Jesus. So how did he even know what Jesus was talking about, We were recently asked by a teacher of Theology to consider that Saul as he put it was speaking for God. The response we sent to that request was quite simple. Adonai (The Lord God Most High) came in the cloud to instruct the people of Israel what he had told Moses to tell them. Jesus in these verses explains to the crowds that this is not why he has come. And further more rebukes any and all who will teach such Theology. Verse 19 the Commandments Jesus was speaking of here is the 623 Mitzvoth in Torah.
So in looking at verse 20 were Jesus said your righteousness must be that greater than the Scribes or Pharisees to enter into the kingdom what do you think that meant? What did the Scribes and Pharisees do that made them righteous men in the eyes of Jesus? To be righteousness in the eyes of Adonai (The Lord God the Most High) is to follow his will and his Mitzvoth (Commandments). They would wear Fringes Tzitzit on the corners of their garment, put Tefflin on during their prayers (Bind them for a sign upon thy hands and they shall be forefontletes before thine eyes. The problem comes in when you look at the beginning of Chapter 6, when you look at what Jesus is telling them of the acts of tzedakah (righteousness). He is speaking of the ones who come out right and make a big deal of the things they do in the name of Adonai or today in Jesus’ name. He is saying if you do these acts of Tzedakah then do them without letting others be aware of them and you will receive your reward in heaven, if you go to great lengths for a pat on the back from your fellow church members, this is also inclusive of your local Church, if they go out to minister, then they need to keep it private and not extort praise from there local community. Even for our Churches to advertise and invite others to come out and join in these efforts can be construed as an attempt to gain praise for there efforts of tzedakah.
So maybe the righteousness of a person is determined if he/she is following the directions of God in everything he/she does, if one prayers daily and when a choice is set before you seek what the Lords choice is for you. Seek him in all you do, yes we can sometimes make the wrong choice, but the important thing is seek, seek and seek his directions.
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
17 Do not suppose that I came to throw down the law or the prophets -- I did not come to throw down, but to fulfill;
18 for, verily I say to you, till that the heaven and the earth may pass away, one iota or one tittle may not pass away from the law, till that all may come to pass.
19 Whoever therefore may loose one of these commands -- the least -- and may teach men so, least he shall be called in the reign of the heavens, but whoever may do and may teach [them], he shall be called great in the reign of the heavens.
20 For I say to you, that if your righteousness may not abound above that of the scribes and Pharisees, ye may not enter to the reign of the heavens.
We often wonder if people really understand the words Jesus is speaking here. A definition of fulfill is “to meet the requirements of”, Ok we like to use this in looking at Jesus words to the crowd, So what were the requirements Jesus was referring to. He was referring to the Physical Sacrifice Requirements in Leviticus 9:1-4. Thought the teachings of Saul and the theology of Hyper-Dispensationalist these verses have been taken completely out of context. We always need to keep in our minds that when Jesus was preaching and teaching through out his Ministry Saul of Tarsus was nowhere to be found. He neither followed Jesus nor was a disciple of Jesus. So how did he even know what Jesus was talking about, We were recently asked by a teacher of Theology to consider that Saul as he put it was speaking for God. The response we sent to that request was quite simple. Adonai (The Lord God Most High) came in the cloud to instruct the people of Israel what he had told Moses to tell them. Jesus in these verses explains to the crowds that this is not why he has come. And further more rebukes any and all who will teach such Theology. Verse 19 the Commandments Jesus was speaking of here is the 623 Mitzvoth in Torah.
So in looking at verse 20 were Jesus said your righteousness must be that greater than the Scribes or Pharisees to enter into the kingdom what do you think that meant? What did the Scribes and Pharisees do that made them righteous men in the eyes of Jesus? To be righteousness in the eyes of Adonai (The Lord God the Most High) is to follow his will and his Mitzvoth (Commandments). They would wear Fringes Tzitzit on the corners of their garment, put Tefflin on during their prayers (Bind them for a sign upon thy hands and they shall be forefontletes before thine eyes. The problem comes in when you look at the beginning of Chapter 6, when you look at what Jesus is telling them of the acts of tzedakah (righteousness). He is speaking of the ones who come out right and make a big deal of the things they do in the name of Adonai or today in Jesus’ name. He is saying if you do these acts of Tzedakah then do them without letting others be aware of them and you will receive your reward in heaven, if you go to great lengths for a pat on the back from your fellow church members, this is also inclusive of your local Church, if they go out to minister, then they need to keep it private and not extort praise from there local community. Even for our Churches to advertise and invite others to come out and join in these efforts can be construed as an attempt to gain praise for there efforts of tzedakah.
So maybe the righteousness of a person is determined if he/she is following the directions of God in everything he/she does, if one prayers daily and when a choice is set before you seek what the Lords choice is for you. Seek him in all you do, yes we can sometimes make the wrong choice, but the important thing is seek, seek and seek his directions.
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Ritualistic and Legalistic
The first article we published was “Jesus wore a Tallis, why don’t we”, the second was “Jesus wore Tefflin (phylacteries)”. In both of the articles we explained where the requirements from scripture came from. The first the Tallis is found in Numbers 15: 38-40, the second the Tefflin is found in Deuteronomy 6:8.
We have been questioned by many Christians of late that our view points are based in Legalistic ideas. This is a fact and well founded in Jesus own words. In this article we would like to bring Jesus own words to bear witness to the reasons why we believe this is such an important issue for us to focus on.
Why the statement of Ritualistic then, we feel that it is an important part of our understanding. As we see it each religion has it’s own ritualistic practices they follow, Christians use the acts of Baptism, and taking the Sacraments of Communion, they place lit candles on there altars during there services, they follow a Liturgy of there doctrinal organizations. Not so much in our society today but some Christian Pastors will put on robes and stoles which claim there roots from the Tallis, the candles on the altar are arrived because the Jewish people Light Candles to welcome the Sabbath on Friday evening and also are representative of the Eternal Light that burns above the Ark in Jewish synagogues today. These Ritualistic acts of Wearing a Tallis and putting on Tefflin are not only one of the 613 Mitzvoth in the Torah, and a way to start your day, by being observant of God’s commandments, the ritualistic reasons are to keep Adonai foremost on your heart during your day.
Christians theologians try to paint the Jewish people for being Legalist in there practices and ritual behavior in stead of understanding them or teaching there origins, and there meaning. What comes to mind here is the first part of Matthew Chapter 7:1-12
1“Judge not, that you be not judged.
2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.
3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?
4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye?
5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
6 “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.
7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
9 Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?
10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?
11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
12 Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
So in looking at these words how many of you are making these kind of Judgments on your fellow man, Are you not trying to remove the speck from your brother’s eye before removing the plank from your own? In not trying to understand the roots of your own religion and the ritual practices of Jesus himself how then are you seeking? For one to truly seek the answers to the Kingdom of Jesus one must be seeking an understanding based on the Faith and practices of Jesus himself.
So looking at the answers and the word of Jesus thus the reason for the title Ritualistic and Legalistic and these come from the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:21-24. For if a man builds his faith on the bedrock of Gods word and ritualistic practices then he will know you if not he will turn you away.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
We have been questioned by many Christians of late that our view points are based in Legalistic ideas. This is a fact and well founded in Jesus own words. In this article we would like to bring Jesus own words to bear witness to the reasons why we believe this is such an important issue for us to focus on.
Why the statement of Ritualistic then, we feel that it is an important part of our understanding. As we see it each religion has it’s own ritualistic practices they follow, Christians use the acts of Baptism, and taking the Sacraments of Communion, they place lit candles on there altars during there services, they follow a Liturgy of there doctrinal organizations. Not so much in our society today but some Christian Pastors will put on robes and stoles which claim there roots from the Tallis, the candles on the altar are arrived because the Jewish people Light Candles to welcome the Sabbath on Friday evening and also are representative of the Eternal Light that burns above the Ark in Jewish synagogues today. These Ritualistic acts of Wearing a Tallis and putting on Tefflin are not only one of the 613 Mitzvoth in the Torah, and a way to start your day, by being observant of God’s commandments, the ritualistic reasons are to keep Adonai foremost on your heart during your day.
Christians theologians try to paint the Jewish people for being Legalist in there practices and ritual behavior in stead of understanding them or teaching there origins, and there meaning. What comes to mind here is the first part of Matthew Chapter 7:1-12
1“Judge not, that you be not judged.
2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.
3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?
4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye?
5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
6 “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.
7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
9 Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?
10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?
11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
12 Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
So in looking at these words how many of you are making these kind of Judgments on your fellow man, Are you not trying to remove the speck from your brother’s eye before removing the plank from your own? In not trying to understand the roots of your own religion and the ritual practices of Jesus himself how then are you seeking? For one to truly seek the answers to the Kingdom of Jesus one must be seeking an understanding based on the Faith and practices of Jesus himself.
So looking at the answers and the word of Jesus thus the reason for the title Ritualistic and Legalistic and these come from the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:21-24. For if a man builds his faith on the bedrock of Gods word and ritualistic practices then he will know you if not he will turn you away.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
Friday, June 26, 2009
The Game is Not Moral Monopoly and Jesus is not a get out of Hell Free Card
Why such a strange title you may ask. During these past weeks several people have questioned Brian’s acceptance of Jesus’ death on the Cross as the Sin offering for his Salvation. Both Rick and I look upon this as this modern day effort by hyper-dispensationalists without any respect towards their own behavior or personnel piety. Our Sin offering Jesus Christ is only accepted if we repent of our sins and ask that the Sacrifice of Jesus be accepted by Adonai (The Lord God Most High) as our offering for attoment of our sins there by fulfilling the commandment to offer Sacrifice to him under the requirements of Leviticus 9:1-4
1. And it came to pass on the eighth day, that Moses called Aaron and his sons, and the elders of Israel;
2. And he said unto Aaron, Take thee a young calf for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering, without blemish, and offer them before the LORD.
3. And unto the children of Israel thou shalt speak, saying, Take ye a kid of the goats for a sin offering; and a calf and a lamb, both of the first year, without blemish, for a burnt offering;
4. Also a bullock and a ram for peace offerings, to sacrifice before the LORD; and a meat offering mingled with oil: for to day the LORD will appear unto you
Many Christians are taught and some through there own Christian Cultural understanding after reading the New Testament are lead to believe that Jesus’ Death on the Cross was to absolve them of the Sin’s committed by Adam. This in fact is true but only if you understand that the word Adam in Hebrew is not just a proper name for that being created in the Garden of Eden, but literally translated the word Adam means Man. For one to believe that Jesus died on the Cross for the Sin’s of the first Man, is absurd on it’s face, why then would Adonai (The Lord God Most High) have given the people of Israel 623 Commandments to comply with?
In the past 12 weeks through the series on Saul of Tarsus we have tried to address this misconception based on Talmudic teaching that Gentiles only have to live by 7 Noahide Laws and not the 613 Commandments of the Torah given by Adonai (The Lord God Most High) and followed by Jesus Christ the Jewish Messiah.
This is a misconception of gaining salvation from Jesus’ death as our sin offering, he is the sin offering for all men, if one accepts him as such one must first acknowledge what a sin is before Adonai (The Lord God Most High) which are not only given in the 10 commandments, but the 613 additional commandments given on Mt. Sani to the people of Israel by Adonai. For one to not understand or even care that they may be continuing to commit Sins before the Lord by not following the WILL of Adonai in these 613 Mitzvoth is a misunderstanding of the Torah.
Every year on Rosh Hashanah the Jewish New Year there is a 10 day period between the New Year and the Day of Atonement Yom Kippur. This is a time that we are given to take retrospect of the Sins we committed during the previous year. It is a time when we are to ask forgiveness from Adonai. It is a time when we need to seek Jesus to intercede on our behalf, much how Aaron was directed to do when he performed the Sacrifices in the Temple for forgiveness of our sins.
One thing Christians fail to understand is that it wasn’t just about the sacrifice it is all about the repentance for the Sins you have committed before Adonai. Sin in a simple form is failing to follow any of God’s directions. We are so busy looking at or calling it Law. What it really boils down to is will you follow what I have told you to do or will you do whatever you chose.
Remember after Jesus confronted the men who were about to stone the prostitute and gaining her release by telling them let he who is without Sin cast the first stone, Jesus did not tell her go and sin all you want I have you covered, Jesus instructed her to go and sin not more.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX.
1. And it came to pass on the eighth day, that Moses called Aaron and his sons, and the elders of Israel;
2. And he said unto Aaron, Take thee a young calf for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering, without blemish, and offer them before the LORD.
3. And unto the children of Israel thou shalt speak, saying, Take ye a kid of the goats for a sin offering; and a calf and a lamb, both of the first year, without blemish, for a burnt offering;
4. Also a bullock and a ram for peace offerings, to sacrifice before the LORD; and a meat offering mingled with oil: for to day the LORD will appear unto you
Many Christians are taught and some through there own Christian Cultural understanding after reading the New Testament are lead to believe that Jesus’ Death on the Cross was to absolve them of the Sin’s committed by Adam. This in fact is true but only if you understand that the word Adam in Hebrew is not just a proper name for that being created in the Garden of Eden, but literally translated the word Adam means Man. For one to believe that Jesus died on the Cross for the Sin’s of the first Man, is absurd on it’s face, why then would Adonai (The Lord God Most High) have given the people of Israel 623 Commandments to comply with?
In the past 12 weeks through the series on Saul of Tarsus we have tried to address this misconception based on Talmudic teaching that Gentiles only have to live by 7 Noahide Laws and not the 613 Commandments of the Torah given by Adonai (The Lord God Most High) and followed by Jesus Christ the Jewish Messiah.
This is a misconception of gaining salvation from Jesus’ death as our sin offering, he is the sin offering for all men, if one accepts him as such one must first acknowledge what a sin is before Adonai (The Lord God Most High) which are not only given in the 10 commandments, but the 613 additional commandments given on Mt. Sani to the people of Israel by Adonai. For one to not understand or even care that they may be continuing to commit Sins before the Lord by not following the WILL of Adonai in these 613 Mitzvoth is a misunderstanding of the Torah.
Every year on Rosh Hashanah the Jewish New Year there is a 10 day period between the New Year and the Day of Atonement Yom Kippur. This is a time that we are given to take retrospect of the Sins we committed during the previous year. It is a time when we are to ask forgiveness from Adonai. It is a time when we need to seek Jesus to intercede on our behalf, much how Aaron was directed to do when he performed the Sacrifices in the Temple for forgiveness of our sins.
One thing Christians fail to understand is that it wasn’t just about the sacrifice it is all about the repentance for the Sins you have committed before Adonai. Sin in a simple form is failing to follow any of God’s directions. We are so busy looking at or calling it Law. What it really boils down to is will you follow what I have told you to do or will you do whatever you chose.
Remember after Jesus confronted the men who were about to stone the prostitute and gaining her release by telling them let he who is without Sin cast the first stone, Jesus did not tell her go and sin all you want I have you covered, Jesus instructed her to go and sin not more.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Saul of Tarsus, son of Benjamin Part 11
In concluding this series on Saul of Tarsus, We would like to expand on one final topic. Through out the weeks of this series we kept bringing up two very important scriptures that are in direct conflict with Saul’s teachings.
At the start of this series we addressed where Saul’s roots came from, and the facts of his life as an educated Jew in Law both the Oral (Talmud) and the written (Torah).
Saul being well versed in both tried to use the same principles of the Oral Law (Talmud) much like the Rabbi’s do to this day to claim, that Gentiles are absolved of the 613 Mitzvoth of the written Torah and only need to follow the 7 Noahide Laws. No matter how much we try to fit Gentiles into this category it still rings false. The Gentiles we can place in that category are those who live there life in righteous behavior and ones who do not accept Jesus as their Messiah.
Were we find the conflict is within these two scriptures the first one can be found in Leviticus Chapter 24:22 “Ye shall have one manner of law, as well for the stranger, as for one of your own country: for I am the LORD your God.” For further clarification of this topic Adonai expanded this in Numbers 15:15-16 “One ordinance shall be both for you of the congregation, and also for the stranger that sojourneth with you, an ordinance for ever in your generations: as ye are, so shall the stranger be before the LORD. One law and one manner shall be for you, and for the stranger that sojourneth with you.” In this to us there is no middle ground if one accepts Jesus as the Messiah and the Sacrifice for their Sins. He is the Sin offering before Adonai (The Lord God Most High) and to comply with both of these scriptures means one has accepted to follow the 613 Mitzvoth of Torah period.
Our final analysis concludes with these words spoken by Jesus the Messiah to the people of Israel. Which are found in Matthew Chapter 7:21-23 21 Not every one who is saying to me Lord, lord, shall come into the reign of the heavens; but he who is doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, lord, have we not in thy name prophesied? and in thy name cast out demons? and in thy name done many mighty things? 23 and then I will acknowledge to them, that -- I never knew you, depart from me ye who are working lawlessness. Jesus is clearly telling his Jewish followers to continue being compliant with the 613 Mitzvoth of Torah. In his death he will be there physical Sacrifice before Adonai (The Lord God Most High) for all their sins forever and ever, and that non-compliance still requires repentance and has consequences for those actions.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
At the start of this series we addressed where Saul’s roots came from, and the facts of his life as an educated Jew in Law both the Oral (Talmud) and the written (Torah).
Saul being well versed in both tried to use the same principles of the Oral Law (Talmud) much like the Rabbi’s do to this day to claim, that Gentiles are absolved of the 613 Mitzvoth of the written Torah and only need to follow the 7 Noahide Laws. No matter how much we try to fit Gentiles into this category it still rings false. The Gentiles we can place in that category are those who live there life in righteous behavior and ones who do not accept Jesus as their Messiah.
Were we find the conflict is within these two scriptures the first one can be found in Leviticus Chapter 24:22 “Ye shall have one manner of law, as well for the stranger, as for one of your own country: for I am the LORD your God.” For further clarification of this topic Adonai expanded this in Numbers 15:15-16 “One ordinance shall be both for you of the congregation, and also for the stranger that sojourneth with you, an ordinance for ever in your generations: as ye are, so shall the stranger be before the LORD. One law and one manner shall be for you, and for the stranger that sojourneth with you.” In this to us there is no middle ground if one accepts Jesus as the Messiah and the Sacrifice for their Sins. He is the Sin offering before Adonai (The Lord God Most High) and to comply with both of these scriptures means one has accepted to follow the 613 Mitzvoth of Torah period.
Our final analysis concludes with these words spoken by Jesus the Messiah to the people of Israel. Which are found in Matthew Chapter 7:21-23 21 Not every one who is saying to me Lord, lord, shall come into the reign of the heavens; but he who is doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, lord, have we not in thy name prophesied? and in thy name cast out demons? and in thy name done many mighty things? 23 and then I will acknowledge to them, that -- I never knew you, depart from me ye who are working lawlessness. Jesus is clearly telling his Jewish followers to continue being compliant with the 613 Mitzvoth of Torah. In his death he will be there physical Sacrifice before Adonai (The Lord God Most High) for all their sins forever and ever, and that non-compliance still requires repentance and has consequences for those actions.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
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