TRUTH Shall Make You Free

Shalom to you all. I cannot be any more joyful than I am now as I reflect upon the success of this past weekend.  Understand that this weekend came about almost by accident.  Still, as we know, nothing is by accident.  Therefore, I feel it apropos to send out a blog and relay a beautiful truth that was brought forth in our Sabbath service. 

As many of you now know, I am more than half-way through my assignment at House of Israel in Charlotte.  I was looking forward to this because I knew that, by this time, I would have come to some conclusions about the law and the commandments.  I am very enthusiastic about this blog, for I am about to share a nugget with you all; one that I shared on this past Sabbath, and one that I am sure no matter what side of the fence you fall on, you cannot ignore. 

Remember, the central debate revolves around whether or not we are under the law. I am ready and willing to conclude that, yes, we are under the law.  And by virtue of this truth, we are under the protection of the law.  Let me explain, if I drive 54 in a 55, the law protects me against the one driving 56.  If he crashes into me driving over 55, the law is on my side. I am driving “in the Spirit,” because I am under the speed limit/under the law.  There is so much more to this understanding than meets the eye.   

When we speak of the law, as Paul does, the first question that must be asked is what law is he speaking about?  Is he speaking about the Torah/Law of Moses?  Is he speaking about the Pharisaical laws, the Sadducaical laws, the laws written in the Talmud, or what about Herod’s laws (there are others)?  With an elementary look at Galatians, it is very easy to see that Paul (in Chapter 1) is directing his statements against his Pharisaical upbringing.  This short blog does not allow me to go through each chapter to make that clear.  But, from the inception of his letter, Paul speaks of how he profited greatly “in the religion of the Jews” or what we know as “Judaism.” 

On the Sabbath, I went through each chapter of Galatians; you might do well to do the same and see the progression as Paul dismantles aspects of Judaism, which can be found in the Talmud.  Namely, a Pharisaical circumcision, as well as Sadducaical circumcision which brought those that were seeking to follow the Law of Moses, as instructed by Yeshua, to be under subjection to the respective “ordinances” of religious circumcision, and therefore making of none affect the law of YeHoVaH.  That truly is a law I do not want to be under. Be a good Berean and search out the different methods of circumcision, especially under Judaism, and most of Galatians (and I mean most) will begin to line up with the rest of the New Testament concerning the adherence to the Law of YeHoVaH, not of the law of the religious order of the day.

Enough of that - let us go to a particular verse that I think would be somewhat amusing to you all.  Look at 1 Peter 1:22 and let’s break it down.  “Seeing ye have purified your souls:” The profound declaration of this particular phrase is how we can have anything to do with purifying our own soul.  As it is written, Peter is stating to his audience his acknowledgement that somehow they purified their own soul.  Wow!  Would it not be beneficial to us to know how to do that?  How can I purify my soul?  I’m glad you asked.

The next phrase in this verse says, “In obeying the truth:” Peter again explains that by obeying the truth, these people have purified their souls.  It would behoove us to obey the truth.  How can I obey the truth?  I’m glad you asked.  Peter goes on to say, “Through the Spirit.” (More about that to follow.) And then he finishes by acknowledging that because of their obedience, the love of the brethren is the evidence that they have obeyed the truth. 

At this point, would it not be beneficial to know what the truth is so that we can obey it through the Spirit and have that same evidence of love toward the brethren?  What is truth?  I’m glad you asked.  Go to Psalm 119:142.  It says, “Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is truth.  Now, jump a few verses later to verse 151: Thou art near, O YeHoVaH; and all thy commandments are truth.  Do not think for one moment that Peter did not know these two scriptures. Psalm 119 is one of the most prolific champions that David wrote in his love of the law and commandments of YeHoVaH. 

This is just one of many, many examples of New Testament writing that is unmistakably linked to Old Testament truth.  Now, there are those that might say that Peter was simply talking about “walking in the spirit.”  On this, we are somewhat in agreement; you cannot obey the truth (the law and commandments) of Torah without “walking in the spirit.”  Where we do not agree is, that the Spirit is somehow disconnected from the law and commands. I emphatically state that Torah and Ruach HaKodesh (The Holy Spirit) are one.

See if you can follow this: the Torah (the law and commandments) was given to Moses on the Day of Pentecost.  The Feast of Pentecost (Shavuot) was to celebrate and commemorate the giving of Torah.  Now “when the Day of Pentecost had fully come,” (Acts 2) YeHoVaH chose to fulfill the prophetic word of the Prophet Joel and reveal His Holy Spirit.  Torah, the truth, the law, the commands, and the Holy Spirit were inextricably linked on that day.  You cannot have one without the other.  And, it is only by YeHoVaH’s true grace that you have been able to walk in a measure of the Spirit without the fullness that comes with your obedience to the truth.  But, now, my brothers and sisters, you know the truth, because I have just showed it to you.  What will you do with this? 

2 Corinthians 13:1 says, “…Out of the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established…”  So, let us allow Brother John to prove what Peter just said.  1 John 5:2-3 says, “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.”

John writes, “By this we know that we love the children of God.” By what? By keeping HIS commands. Peter also says that the evidence of obeying the truth was their “unfeigned love of the brethren.”  Peter and John both state that loving one another, as Yeshua commanded, was proof that they were obeying the truth/keeping the commands of YeHoVaH! Folks, these are New Testament verses. There are so so so many more. Study for yourself and you will find that, when you know the TRUTH (Law and Commands), the TRUTH will certainly make you free (John 8:32).

A Step In The Right Direction

Shalom my brothers and sisters.  I am glad to be sharing with you once again.  I had an experience on Sunday morning that compelled me to write to you all.  As you all know, I have an apartment in Fort Mills, SC.  Mind you, I really didn’t know much about this area.  Apostle Bailey lives nearby and House of Israel, where I’m ministering, is not too far away as well.  That’s why I chose this area. 

There is a minister that some of you are familiar with who goes by the name of Mahesh Chavda.  Understand that I have desired to meet and even minister with this particular man of Yah for many years.  Well, while I was exploring the area when I first moved here, I happened to see a sign for a church, and passed by several times, before I realized the pastor’s name at the bottom of that sign was a man named Mahesh Chavda.  Can you imagine my astonishment to know that someone that I have respected for many years had his congregation literally a bike ride away from my apartment? 

I have endeavored to visit his congregation since I moved here and finally was able to do so this past Sunday.  What you must understand is the teachings that I have now been under since moving here have caused me to be very aware of what’s coming forth from the platform of any congregation and this experience was no different.  I began to hear things that I knew were somewhat erroneous, as well as things that I absolutely agree with.  To my chagrin, the mixture was very evident.  But, I must be completely transparent in what did take place. 

As I stood in the back, during the worship time, I noticed a woman walking around speaking to different people.  As she drew closer, I recognized it was the wife of Mahesh, Bonnie Chavda.  She finally approached me and the love of Yeshua simply flowed from her countenance.  As she introduced herself, we shared a couple of sentences.  Then, without warning, she placed her hands on the sides of my head and began to give a word of knowledge. 

The gist of her word for me was that there was a “yes” over my life, and that I was going in the right direction, even though there was some confusion.  She said that every direction begins with taking a step and that I had taken the right step in the right direction.  She said that my willingness to follow after the Spirit of God was the “yes” in my heart and life.  I was very encouraged by this. 

At the same time, I was somewhat perplexed as I left the building.  Knowing now what I have learned about Torah, and hearing some of the same rhetoric that I’ve heard for many years come from this man that I respect highly, I sat in my truck contemplating what had just transpired. 

I said to myself, “There have to be verses that would seem to contradict each other.  Paul, in Galatians, seems to berate the law.  Yet, I know there are other verses in which he seems to admonish us to follow the law.  But, where are those verses?”  It was at that moment that I looked over at my Bible, and I had placed the VIP card for being a visitor in the Bible.  Being curious, I opened it to where I just happened to place the VIP card.  Sure enough, it was in the place of 1 Timothy, chapter 1, and I was immediately drawn to verse numbers 7 and 8, "Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.  But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully."  WOW!

Here I was just asking in my heart for a verse that would seem to contradict what we have always believed about Galatians, and the VIP card that was given to me was placed right in a verse that would seem to do just that.

Now, we can go on and read more verses in this passage and find some way to contradict the point I’m trying to make here.  But, that verse is absolutely clear.  Paul says the law is good, and then in Galatians, he says the law is a curse.  How can they both be right?  Obviously, we need understanding, and the place that YeHoVaH has brought me to is where I’m getting that understanding.  The law is absolutely good, and we all should desire to be teachers of the good law.  As Yeshua said, we should do and teach others to do the commands of the law.  Our lack of understanding of Galatians has curtailed our walk with YeHoVaH, and while I believe strongly that YeHoVaH has used us in spite of our lack of understanding, it is time for the truth to be known. 

I encourage all of you to take a hard look at Galatians along with me and Apostle Bailey as he has been teaching a verse-by-verse series on Galatians.  Suffice it to say, that the law mentioned there by Paul is not the law that is mentioned by Yeshua.  Paul, in my limited understanding, is speaking of the rabbinical laws, not the law of YeHoVaH, and so there is no contradiction.  The law is good and the rabbinical law is a curse.  Hallelujah!

I wish I could elaborate much more, but the fact is I am still learning these truths.  But, as I learn I will endeavor as always to bring you what I have discovered. 

Let us be good Bereans.  Just as Paul admonished his audience to do as the Bereans did, they searched not the New Testament, because there was no New Testament.  They searched the Torah to see if the things that Paul had said were true.  I admonish you as well to be a good Berean and search the Torah to prove the thing that Paul had said.  

I look forward to sharing with you again as we go deeper into His truth, and always in His love.  Amen! 

Catfish Anyone?

Shalom my brothers and sisters: 

I hope you had a wonderful time studying last week’s Torah portion and I hope you take the time to study this week’s Torah portion, which was just sent to you earlier this evening.  Reflecting upon last week’s Torah portion, I was drawn to the passage pertaining to dietary laws; ie, things strangled, not eating blood, or eating unclean things, etc. 

At this point, I would like to share a very funny story.  As you all know, I am currently on assignment at House of Israel in Charlotte, NC.  The journey that I have embarked on has been filled with wonderful revelation, questions being answered, and still more questions being raised.  I cannot begin to express the excitement deep within my soul as thirst is being quenched over and over again, answering questions that I have had for years, literally years.  My resolve has been to emulate the behavior and observances that I am immersed in at this very season in my life in ministry.  What does that mean?  It simply means that I am pursuing a Torah observant life in accordance with Hebrew roots believers.  My experiences have already profoundly affected my walk with Yehovah. 

It was this Torah portion that reminded me of a humorous incident that took place a few weeks after I took residence in the apartment there in Fort Mill.  I tried a seafood restaurant (I love seafood) and in accordance with dietary laws, I chose to stay away from anything deemed unclean.  I ordered three different pieces of fish.  I was absolutely satisfied with the selection.  The service was great.  The manager happened to walk by several times.  Noticing that I was a new customer, he inquired of my well-being from time to time. 

At the end of my meal, I expressed how much I enjoyed the fish that I had ordered.  I told him that I loved a good tasting fish, and he looked at what I had ordered from earlier and said, “Oh, if you like a fishy tasting fish, you must try this other filet.”  And he said, “I’ll be right back.”  I thought to myself (oh how exciting), a free piece of fish!  I must be getting favor from Yehovah.  Then, I thought to myself, “Wait a minute.  What is he going to bring me?”  Sure enough, he proudly brought a filet of catfish and boasted of just how well their catfish is prepared and that their selection does not taste muddy like other catfish does. 

Now, me being new to this walk, I was caught off guard and did not know how to respond.  A simple, “I don’t eat catfish,” would suffice, but I was tongue twisted and did not want to offend this proud manager of his glorious catfish.  He kept on talking as I inched my fork toward the catfish, hoping he would walk away.  He was giving his catfish accolades as my fork moved another inch forward.  He continued as my fork cut off a piece of that catfish.  I was at a loss for words, if you can imagine that.  He watched as I took the morsel toward my mouth with a huge smile on his face.  Then came the fatal blow; I PUT THE CATFISH IN MY MOUTH, as he smiled on.  

Suddenly, another table called him.  The moment he walked away, I reached for a napkin and spit out that piece of catfish.  I laughed as I thought to myself, “David, what are you doing?”  Here you are wearing tzitzits, spitting catfish out of your mouth, and trying to hide the evidence.  I truly was attempting to honor Torah and was placed in a very precarious situation from my new found perspective in Hebrew roots. 

I shared this story with some of my new friends at House of Israel and they laughed right along with me, patted me on the shoulder and said, “It’s a journey, brother.”  It was then that I realized that we are all on this same journey of seeking truth wherever we may find it. 

Why does this Torah portion remind me of that situation?  Because, as I studied last week’s Torah portion, I found that one is not defiled when a morsel enters his mouth; one becomes defiled when the morsel passed the esophagus.  What a profound truth. 

Let’s look at it from a spiritual standpoint.  II Corinthians 10:5 says, “Casting down imaginations…and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” It is interesting to see that the scripture does not say that you will not have an imagination contrary to Yehovah; it does not say that you will not have an evil thought.  Quite the contrary, you will have imaginations and thoughts.  The point is when you have the imagination that you cast it down, and when you have a thought, you bring your mind into obedience.  I put the morsel of catfish in my mouth\I had the thought.  I spit it out\I did not take the thought.  There is a shift that takes place when you have “taken” the thought - or - swallowed the catfish.

This is what happens according to James 1:15, “Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin…”  The seed of lust was conceived and brought forth sin.  We need not belabor the point here.  Sin ultimately leads to death as James so eloquently put it.  The trick is learning how to recognize when the piece of catfish is just in your mouth and not allowing it to go down your throat.  When you have a thought contrary to the very Word of Yehovah, SPIT IT OUT!  Do not waste a moment dwelling on that thought, that lust, that imagination, that desire.  Do not take the thought. 

I learned a valuable lesson at that restaurant and from my study of this Torah portion.  As I am more aware of Torah, I am more aware of my thoughts.  Even a thought that might seem incidental can be a thought contrary to Torah.  So, as I learn Torah, my thoughts are aligning themselves with the very thoughts of Yehovah. 

Going forward on this journey, we will all experience these challenging circumstances.  Things that seem trivial, I am finding, mean very much to our Master.  It would behoove us to do our very best to please Him, as He has instructed us to please Him, not as we think He wants us to please Him.  If we will endeavor to please our Lord, we will find less and less pieces of catfish going down our throats.  Amen!

What? It's NOT Finished!?

Shalom my dear brothers and sisters:

I have left you all in good hands with my dear sister Libbie up to this point.  She and I are in constant communication as to the things pertaining to our walk and our assignment in this season of The Lord’s Table, David Salinas Ministries, and myself personally.  Yet now arises a very peculiar time and I feel that I must personally relay this message.

We have just finished the Passover season, also unleavened bread season, and are on our way to Pentecost.  We will forgo the Torah portion for this week, because I have an assignment for you all.  The last Sabbath, as I ministered here in Charlotte, Apostle Arthur Bailey brought forth a message that answered many questions.  And while there are many more left to be answered, I feel that this message is so profound that my assignment to you all is to watch the archive (the link is provided below) some time before this Sabbath, in preparation for the message that he will teach on this coming Sabbath.  I’ve only done this once before, where I have directed The Lord’s Table to view a video or a teaching on the Sabbath rather than one of our own, if not myself, delivering the message. 

As you can see, I was profoundly affected by what I heard on the last Sabbath from Apostle Arthur’s teaching.  So much so that I feel it necessary to provide the live link to return to this email on this coming Sabbath and click on the link to watch Apostle Arthur continue the teaching of the archived link. 

For some of you, the title of the message will give you reason to pause (It’s NOT Finished), but trust me as I attempt to lend my own credibility to this profound message that I believe is extremely relevant; especially in our time.

I know that you will be blessed and may not even agree completely with everything you hear, but I am positive that you will walk away with a deeper respect for how you personally study the very Word of YHVH. 

In my short time here at House of Israel in Charlotte, I can attest to the fact that our little congregation in Dallas is becoming more and more studious simply because of what we are hearing.  With these messages, I believe that you will be sent straight to the Word to study for yourself just as we have been convicted to do in such a manner.  So, come along with us on this journey and catch a small glimpse of what we have been exposed to that has caused us to re-examine even the very foundations of our beliefs, our convictions, our discipline and especially our faith.

Let me be clear, the conviction that we have been feeling is a kin to what the Bareans experienced when Paul raised many issues concerning Torah and its interpretation.   We have excitedly and meticulously been drawn to scripture to search out the very things that we are learning in this season of The Lord’s Table.  My prayer is that you will sense the same conviction and be drawn into a more fulfilling understanding of Torah and your walk with YHVH.

Archive Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmiMDhpxzt8

(For David Salinas Worship: 1:02)

(For Apostle Bailey Teaching: 1:27)

Live Link: https://www.arthurbaileyministries.com/tv (04/18/15, 10:30 am CT)

The Wrestling Season

Shalom, my dear friends and family.  Some of you are aware that we, as a congregation, have been through a season of warfare prayer.  Suffice it to say, it has been a transformable season.  We have experienced massive breakthroughs and sensational battles, sometimes from one day to the next.  It is with this that we come to the significance of the Aliyah that we just studied on this last Shabbat.

Jacob is in great anxiety as he is about to face whom he believes to be his arch nemesis, mainly his brother, Esau, whom he stole the blessing of the first born by deceiving their father, Isaac.  He stumbles upon a place in which he seems to be exasperated at the trial that he thinks he’s about to face.  In the midst of this, he is confronted by a most peculiar situation.  He finds himself in a wrestling match with Elohim himself.  I don’t have time to go into why some of your translations say an angel, but with some study you will see that he is wrestling with Elohim.  You know the story, on and on they wrestled throughout the night, trading advantages as wrestlers do on the mat; one grapples and the other struggles to get out, then he makes a move, and submits the other into some type of hold.  The other escapes that hold and gains an advantage from another position.  The night goes on like this until finally Elohim said, “The new day is about to dawn.  Let me go. (I’m paraphrasing).”  The famous words of Jacob are now uttered, “I will not let you go until you bless me!” 

Question, do you recognize your season of wrestling?  Do you understand that it has been a test the whole time – of your endurance, of your strength, of your tenacity, of your full-doggedness if you will?  This test of wills is for our example, to let us know that the Lord watches to see if we will persist, if we will press on, if we will simply not give up until we receive His promise.  Will you be one who gives in this wrestling season that you are in right now? 

If you will look closely at the scriptures, you will see that when Elohim leaves him, Jacob recognizes that he has just seen God face to face.  In the previous Aliyah, Elohim changes Jacob’s name to Israel.  And, in so doing, makes him a candidate for the blessings that he was promised.  Jacob names that place “Peniel” in verse 31 of the Humash, which means “Panin,” (face) of El (God), or literally face to face with God.  What is most interesting about the next verse is that it now reads, “Penuel.”  In your King James Version it reads in verse 31, "And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh."  How profound that they used the word “pass” and “over.”  Your “pass over” season is upon you now.  You are about to “pass over” from the promise you received from Elohim, face to face, into the receiving of that promise as you “pass over” that wrestling season. 

The two Hebrew letters that change in the Torah are these: the Yod is written in the middle of “Peniel” and the Vav is used in the middle of “Penuel.”   Why the difference?  The Yod, in ancient Hebrew, is a picture of an arm, almost as if it is extended, offering you something, “your promise perhaps?”  Then comes the wrestling, “…after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you in your promise (1 Peter 5:10). 

You must understand that the Vav is very significant in the sense that its meaning is exemplified in that its purpose is to connect heaven and earth through liquid light.  It also connects your future and your past.  The Vav is a tangible, revelatory entity, in that its ancient pictograph is a tent peg or a stake.   All that you have been promised in your future and all that you have wrestled with in your past shall be staked together in that you will be able to receive your future because of your past.  

Stay the course, my brothers and sisters.  Do whatever it takes to make it in life as you gain advantages, as you move and turn, and navigate the turns and mazes of this life.  I promise you, a new day is dawning, and with it comes the fulfillment of the very promise that you have been struggling over for years and even decades!  Hallelujah!

On Assignment

Shalom to all. 

It has been a restful couple weeks and I so enjoyed the pastor’s appreciation lunch.  It was good to see several of our people that I hadn’t seen in a while come fellowship with us.  It was very encouraging as others I’d hoped to see were not there. 

Now to a little nugget on our Torah, verse #15 says that Abraham’s servant had not yet finished speaking or praying before the answer to his prayer was right before his eyes.  What an encouraging verse of scripture.  May I submit to you, that our prayers, while very important, are symbolic in nature as opposed to the central reason for our answer?  Let me explain; here was the servant sent on an assignment by his master.  To be sure, he desperately wanted to fulfill the wishes of his master.  His entire life was predicated on fulfilling every desire to please his master.  How much more this profound task of finding a wife for his master’s son?

Can you imagine his anxiousness and possibly even his distress in the hopes of completing his master’s desire?  We find him languishing in prayer for some kind of sign, a signal, a hope, even, that may be given him for the completion of his task.  Yet, unbeknownst to him, even before he uttered his first word in prayer, the answer was nigh him.  Hallelujah!

What can we say to this?  Are our prayers in vain?  Can it be that just the desire of our heart is necessary?  The answer is twofold.  No, our prayers are not in vain and yes, the desire of our heart is necessary. 

In the call of our lives we must be aware of the fact that our call and purpose was ordained before the foundation of the earth.  And so while we languish in prayer over circumstances and situations in the tasks of our lives, we must continue to be cognizant of the fact that the purpose of our lives is concrete.  The Ruach Hakodesh had set things in motion that are timeless; as I have said before, time is the launching and the landing pad for eternal purposes. 

It was foreordained for Rebecca to be at that place at that time in eternity.  All that was necessary was for a willing heart of obedience to manifest at that place and at that time.  Be encouraged in your walk with the Almighty, knowing, again, that nothing has or ever will take your master by surprise.  Be fervent in your prayers.  Be steadfast in your walk.  Be diligent in your service and watch the manifested promises of the Lord coincide with His purpose for the Kingdom.  You see, Rebecca was on a task.  Abraham’s servant was on an assignment.  Never underestimate the significance of the task you are on.  For the task could very well be an assignment.  And, eternal purposes are at stake in everything that you say and do.  Hallelujah!

Now read the rest of this Aliyah and see the servant giving honor to God in thanksgiving for a prayer answered even before it was finished.  Amen!

Our sincerest condolences from David Salinas Ministries & The Lord’s Table go out to the multitudes of friends and family of Dr Myles Munroe.  The lives that he touched, including my own, will only be known in heaven.  While we have said farewell to a general in the Kingdom, still his impact will reverberate throughout the generations.

Parashat: Chayei Sarah ("The Life Of Sarah")

Genesis 23:1-25:18

3rd Aliyah: Genesis 24:10-26

Chapter 24

10. And the servant took ten camels of his master's camels, and he went, and all the best of his master was in his hand; and he arose, and he went to Aram naharaim, to the city of Nahor.		י. וַיִּקַּח הָעֶבֶד עֲשָׂרָה גְמַלִּים מִגְּמַלֵּי אֲדֹנָיו וַיֵּלֶךְ וְכָל טוּב אֲדֹנָיו בְּיָדוֹ וַיָּקָם וַיֵּלֶךְ אֶל אֲרַם נַהֲרַיִם אֶל עִיר נָחוֹר:
11. And he made the camels kneel outside the city beside the well of water, at eventide, at the time the maidens go out to draw water.		יא. וַיַּבְרֵךְ הַגְּמַלִּים מִחוּץ לָעִיר אֶל בְּאֵר הַמָּיִם לְעֵת עֶרֶב לְעֵת צֵאת הַשֹּׁאֲבֹת:
12. And he said, "O Lord, the God of my master Abraham, please cause to happen to me today, and perform loving kindness with my master, Abraham.		יב. וַיֹּאמַר | יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵי אֲדֹנִי אַבְרָהָם הַקְרֵה נָא לְפָנַי הַיּוֹם וַעֲשֵׂה חֶסֶד עִם אֲדֹנִי אַבְרָהָם:
13. Behold, I am standing by the water fountain, and the daughters of the people of the city are coming out to draw water.		יג. הִנֵּה אָנֹכִי נִצָּב עַל עֵין הַמָּיִם וּבְנוֹת אַנְשֵׁי הָעִיר יֹצְאֹת לִשְׁאֹב מָיִם:
14. And it will be, [that] the maiden to whom I will say, 'Lower your pitcher and I will drink,' and she will say, 'Drink, and I will also water your camels,' her have You designated for Your servant, for Isaac, and through her may I know that You have performed loving kindness with my master."		יד. וְהָיָה הַנַּעֲרָה אֲשֶׁר אֹמַר אֵלֶיהָ הַטִּי נָא כַדֵּךְ וְאֶשְׁתֶּה וְאָמְרָה שְׁתֵה וְגַם גְּמַלֶּיךָ אַשְׁקֶה אֹתָהּ הֹכַחְתָּ לְעַבְדְּךָ לְיִצְחָק וּבָהּ אֵדַע כִּי עָשִׂיתָ חֶסֶד עִם אֲדֹנִי:
15. Now he had not yet finished speaking, and behold, Rebecca came out, who had been born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, and her pitcher was on her shoulder.		טו. וַיְהִי הוּא טֶרֶם כִּלָּה לְדַבֵּר וְהִנֵּה רִבְקָה יֹצֵאת אֲשֶׁר יֻלְּדָה לִבְתוּאֵל בֶּן מִלְכָּה אֵשֶׁת נָחוֹר אֲחִי אַבְרָהָם וְכַדָּהּ עַל שִׁכְמָהּ:
16. Now the maiden was of very comely appearance, a virgin, and no man had been intimate with her, and she went down to the fountain, and she filled her pitcher and went up.		טז. וְהַנַּעֲרָה טֹבַת מַרְאֶה מְאֹד בְּתוּלָה וְאִישׁ לֹא יְדָעָהּ וַתֵּרֶד הָעַיְנָה וַתְּמַלֵּא כַדָּהּ וַתָּעַל:
17. And the servant ran toward her, and he said, "Please let me sip a little water from your pitcher."		יז. וַיָּרָץ הָעֶבֶד לִקְרָאתָהּ וַיֹּאמֶר הַגְמִיאִינִי נָא מְעַט מַיִם מִכַּדֵּךְ:
18. And she said, "Drink, my lord." And she hastened and lowered her pitcher to her hand, and she gave him to drink.		יח. וַתֹּאמֶר שְׁתֵה אֲדֹנִי וַתְּמַהֵר וַתֹּרֶד כַּדָּהּ עַל יָדָהּ וַתַּשְׁקֵהוּ:
19. And she finished giving him to drink, and she said, "I will also draw for your camels, until they will have finished drinking."		יט. וַתְּכַל לְהַשְׁקֹתוֹ וַתֹּאמֶר גַּם לִגְמַלֶּיךָ אֶשְׁאָב עַד אִם כִּלּוּ לִשְׁתֹּת:
20. And she hastened, and she emptied her pitcher into the trough, and she ran again to the well to draw water, and she drew for all his camels.		כ. וַתְּמַהֵר וַתְּעַר כַּדָּהּ אֶל הַשֹּׁקֶת וַתָּרָץ עוֹד אֶל הַבְּאֵר לִשְׁאֹב וַתִּשְׁאַב לְכָל גְּמַלָּיו:
21. And the man was astonished at her, standing silent, [waiting] to know whether the Lord had caused his way to prosper or not.		כא. וְהָאִישׁ מִשְׁתָּאֵה לָהּ מַחֲרִישׁ לָדַעַת הַהִצְלִיחַ יְהֹוָה דַּרְכּוֹ אִם לֹא:
22. Now it came about, when the camels had finished drinking, [that] the man took a golden nose ring, weighing half [a shekel], and two bracelets for her hands, weighing ten gold [shekels].		כב. וַיְהִי כַּאֲשֶׁר כִּלּוּ הַגְּמַלִּים לִשְׁתּוֹת וַיִּקַּח הָאִישׁ נֶזֶם זָהָב בֶּקַע מִשְׁקָלוֹ וּשְׁנֵי צְמִידִים עַל יָדֶיהָ עֲשָׂרָה זָהָב מִשְׁקָלָם:
23. And he said, "Whose daughter are you? Please tell me. Is there place for us for lodging in your father's house?"		כג. וַיֹּאמֶר בַּת מִי אַתְּ הַגִּידִי נָא לִי הֲיֵשׁ בֵּית אָבִיךְ מָקוֹם לָנוּ לָלִין:
24. And she said to him, "I am the daughter of Bethuel, the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor."		כד. וַתֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו בַּת בְּתוּאֵל אָנֹכִי בֶּן מִלְכָּה אֲשֶׁר יָלְדָה לְנָחוֹר:
25. And she said to him, "Both straw and fodder are plentiful with us; [there is] also a place to lodge."		כה. וַתֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו גַּם תֶּבֶן גַּם מִסְפּוֹא רַב עִמָּנוּ גַּם מָקוֹם לָלוּן:
26. And the man kneeled and prostrated himself to the Lord.		כו. וַיִּקֹּד הָאִישׁ וַיִּשְׁתַּחוּ לַיהֹוָה:

Haftarah: 1 Kings 1:1-31

“The Best Of All Is…”

Shalom in the name of Yeshua. 

As many of you know, I am on a road trip that will take me from Texas to Chicago to California, Las Vegas, back to Chicago, and then home to Texas.  I am making this entire trip in my truck.  It is also noteworthy that I am traveling during the Feast of Sukkot just as the Israelites did when they wondered through the wilderness, dwelling in their tents or tabernacles or Sukkahs.  As I am dictating this, I am traveling through Colorado, about 140 miles away from Denver.  The sun is brightly shining and the plains are absolutely beautiful.  I am literally wandering through a desert, it seems. 

I was able to minister a short message on the Feast of Tabernacles during the first leg of this tour in Des Plaines, a suburb of Chicago.  We were at the Historic Methodist Campground, where the revivalist, John Wesley, established a profound work, one in which signs, wonders and miracles were manifested.  Just perform a web search and you will see the different historic houses that were preserved to this day to catch a glimpse of just how significant this time was. 

So, I found myself there a few nights ago teaching the significance of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and how the Feast of Tabernacles is one of the most profound revelations of this age.  It is a wonderful “coincidence” that I was teaching this in the building called the “Wesley Tabernacle.”  There is no way to comprehend all of the history that has been handed down through the years in this wonderful place. 

My message was one of self discovery, if you will.  And, understanding the significance of tabernacles as Paul said, “What, know ye not that ye are the temple of the Holy Ghost?”  Temple…tabernacle…tent… Sukkah, DWELLING PLACE, hallelujah!  The Holy Spirit has chosen to reside within our “dwelling place,” to reside within the tabernacle of our heart.  Do you realize the immense power and authority that you have?  Can you even begin to comprehend the unfathomable spiritual awakening that can take place when you come to the realization that all of the power of the Godhead dwells within you.  Wow!  We should settle for nothing less than the fullness of His indwelling.  The blood of Yeshua made it possible for us to house the Shekinah glory of the living God.  Hold your head up high.  Know that you are a child of the living God and nothing will be withheld from a child of the creator of heaven and earth. 

How can this be?  There are no words or explanations that would suffice in attempting to understand or grasp exactly what you hold in your hands.  So, it is left for us to simply come into agreement with that reality.  Every place that the sole of your foot treads becomes holy because your foot has been placed there.  Do not cheapen the price that was paid with any doubt or disbelief of your rights and privilege and honor to become the Sukkah for the Ruach Hakodesh. 

As I gathered my thoughts for the message that I taught in the Wesley Tabernacle, I came across a most interesting story about the Reverend John Wesley.  It was documented that on his death bed John Wesley grasped the hands of those closest to him and gripped them tightly, each one, while saying, “Farewell.  Farewell.  Farewell.“  With his last breath, he encouraged those around him with these words, “The best of all is, God is with us.”    Then, he said it again, "The best of all is, God is with us.”

How profound is it that here I am centuries later standing in his place during the Feast of “In-dwelling” repeating his words that God is with us.  For you see, the explicit point of the Feast of Tabernacles is the beautiful realization that God is with us.  The same God that stood with David on the battlefield as he faced Goliath is within you, the same God that was with Moses as he lifted up his staff and parted the red sea is within you, the same God that was with Yeshua as he miraculously fed the multitude, healed the sick, and raised the dead, is within you.  Truly, the best thing of all is that God is with us.  Hallelujah! 

It is my joy and my desire that each of you have a wonderful Sukkot celebration.  Amen!

What Is Your Objective?

Shalom my friends.  This blog entry is somewhat personal to me.  I hope you receive it with the same respect as I have taken to personalize it.  I was out with two of my leaders having lunch, discussing our plans for our new home groups and the implications of such an endeavor. 

I readily admit I was somewhat excited at the prospect of supernatural growth as I had been studying about the ramifications of such a ministry.  Towards the end of our conversation, one of my leaders asked a profound question, “David, what is your objective in all this?”  I looked puzzled and he asked again, “What do you want to get out of this?”  I attempted to answer his question to the best of my ability.  I forget what I said exactly, but was more intrigued by the fact that I could not answer him succinctly.  We went on with our conversation, but his question haunted me the rest of the day.  What exactly did I want from this?  What was my objective?  I thought I knew, but had never been asked directly in such a manner. 

I had to go back to the beginning to ascertain why I even started a congregation, especially, knowing that it is something that I have never really looked forward to.  That is when I realized that this was not my idea.  The inception of The Lord’s Table actually began when the pastor I was under at the time asked me to lead a Messianic congregation within his church.  After much prayer and seeking the Lord, I knew that it was God’s will for me to pastor.  I am still doing what God has instructed me to do to this very day.

When Yeshua was 12 years old, He was separated from his parents for three days (interesting, huh).  The Sages and Rabbis marveled and were amazed at His wisdom, as well as His questions, as He spent those three days with them in the temple.  What was Yeshua doing?  What we do know is that He had questions that needed to be answered and answers to questions that left all who heard amazed.  But, what exactly was Yeshua doing?  Well, He said as much to his mother and father when they found Him.  “Did you not know that I must be about my father’s business?”  I submit to you all that this should be our answer whenever we are asked such a question as was posed to me on that day.  If your answer is anything else, then you must question your own motives.  Yeshua is our example.  He received His instruction even before He was placed in Mary’s womb.  His task, according to Luke 19:10, was to seek and to save that which was lost.  Like a good son handling His father’s affairs, He was gathering deeper understanding of what He had to do to accomplish the task that He was sent to complete. 

I cannot articulate all of the points that came forth on that last Sabbath message.  But, one thing stands sure, I now know what my objective is, and that is to be about my Father’s affairs, nothing more, nothing less.  Yeshua understood what we all must come to understand.  We have a job to do.  We are commissioned to carry out the plan that our Lord and Savior set in motion.  By His blood, we have the authority to seek and to save that which was lost, and, thereby, attending to the affairs of our Father.

I issue you a mandate in whatever capacity that you find yourself in today, whatever you think your motive might be, to arrest that motive and yield it over to the plan of your Father.  I earnestly beseech you to repent of any false motive that has led you to this message and in so doing from this day forward be about His business and not your own.  As I taught on that Shabbat, my dear brother and leader had tears rolling down his face as I was able to answer his question once and for all. What is my objective in this?  I am to be about my Father’s business.  And if this is your objective as well, then we are united in this endeavor and are joined in the hopes that we will hear those beautiful words, “Well done, thy good and faithful servant.”  Amen.

 

Fire Works

Shalom to you all,

I hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July. I had a bitter sweet one. I was watching a magnificent fireworks display and was overcome by the pride I had for my country and the sorrow I had for its likely demise. Don't get me wrong, I do believe in miracles as beautiful as fireworks in the night sky, but, like fireworks, there is an explosion that causes the beauty to shine forth.

It is somewhat like our lives. It seems that the beauty of our faith is most evident when our faith is tried. I feel as if this country is being pushed to its breaking point and I am not sure of the outcome. Do we need an explosion to understand just how beautiful we are or are we in a season of misfire?

I am sure we can all remember the fateful day of 9/11. The world stood still as the greatest country in the world was literally brought to its knees, as even the most casual of believers shed tears of anger and sorrow as we collectively looked to the sky and asked our Lord for comfort and grace. It took that kind of tragedy to to bring out the best in us. As I recall, crime in those few days following the attack was almost nil. Parents took their children home early from school that day (I included) to reveal the most breathtaking event in our country's history.

Churches were flooded, families united, we, as a country turned to God on a massive scale. Again, as I looked up in the sky at the breathtaking fireworks display, it seems my faith was challenged. Where are we? Who are we? Will we make it through these dark times when the only thing that can see us through is the bright shining light of our Lord"s glory!? I heard Dinesh D'Souza make a statement that shook me. He brought back to my memory the last line of our national anthem. He brought attention to the fact that the greatest country on the face of the earth has, as its anthem, a verse that ends with a question! Wow. what a revelation!

"Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave, over the land of the free and the home of the brave?" 

Well, does it? We have been trusted with an awesome responsibility and it is left for us to defend it... even against our own selves. The word is clear; our faith will be tried, by fire, if need be. We are works of fire- we are fireworks. If it takes me coming to the breaking point to be free, then light the fuse and watch me soar and all of the splendor of the faith that I adhere to, will light the night sky and all the darkness that surrounds will see the beauty of my faith! I am committed to the ways of my Lord and savior Yeshua, Jesus the Christ! We must continue to ask ourselves that question. Does Old Glory still wave over a land that is free and a home to those whom are brave? Let Old Glory shine in your smile and in your faith, let the New Glory of the Lord's countenance shine upon your face!

During the display, one of the fireworks actually exploded on the ground. If you were watching from a distance, you did not see it go off. All we saw was emptiness in the sky and we were left to wonder if that was the end of the show... no finale... no breathtaking splendor... no nothing. Are we headed for a misfire? I pray not. I must continue to believe that we will see the best days of our country ahead. And if that means we are pushed to the breaking point, then let it come and let it be swift for all the world to see the display of absolute beauty of a country that is still the land of the free and the home of the brave!

I love you all and I hope you enjoy the one thing that we must hold dearly to through every test and trial of our faith, the living Word of our Lord!

... again I say, rejoice!

Shalom,

Praise the Lord, my brothers and sisters. This is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24) I have not blogged in awhile, but as I was sending out the weekly Torah portion to our congregation and friends, this sentiment bubbled up from within. I felt it apropos to encourage those whom may be struggling with the issues of life. Take comfort in the realization that the devil did not create this day. Your Father in Heaven is the creator and no matter what comes your way, realize that He created today and because of that, we will rejoice.

You must understand that our Father is not sitting up there nervous about about your situation. He is not wringing His hands wondering what's going to happen to you. He is not mulling over all of the different scenarios that could happen as a result of your dilemma. NO! He is as calm as the day He rested from His work on that glorious first Sabbath. He saw this day because He created it and knew you would be in the predicament you are in before you got in it.

If He is not distressed, then you have no reason to be distressed. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying you have to act as if you are not going through whatever it is you are going through; like on Ostrich sticking his head in the sand. What I mean is this; do not let your situation rob you of the Shalom that has been provided for you by our Lord and Saviour Yeshua!

The difficulties of life are inevitable. Still, we must rejoice IN all things. Notice that I said, "IN" and not "FOR" all things; there is a profound difference. Our Lord does not take pleasure in the things that disparage us, no, He, too, is not pleased when His child is hurt or offended by the wiles of the enemy. But, as a child of royalty, you have access to immense spiritual authority and power!

No matter what the enemy brought your way, know that our reaction should be to rejoice in any circumstance you find yourself in. You need money? Rejoice because He is the supplier of all our needs! You need healing? Rejoice because He is the Great Physician! You need a companion? Rejoice because He is the Lover of your soul! You need faith? Again, I say rejoice because He is the author and finisher of YOUR faith!!! Again and again and again I say REJOICE!

How do you rejoice in the midst of anything you face? A good place to start is to rejoice in His word. Read it, study it, let it rise up within you and bring peace to your very soul. That is what we are about to do right now. (If you desire the weekly Torah portion, respond to this blog with your email. I will include you on our weekly Torah list to study along with us.) 

Lastly, remember, He has a name  that will cover anything you are facing- pick one. The Wonderful counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince Of Peace- pick a name, any name! What do you need? In any of those names you can find the name above all names; that is Yeshua!!! He says this in His everlasting Word, "...call upon Me in the DAY of trouble and I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me." Psalm 50:15. Hallelujah, again, I say, rejoice!