04/07/2020

Shabbat Word

04/07/2020

Shabbat Shalom!

Psalm 91:1-16

91:1) He who dwells in the secret place of Ha`Elyon,

Will rest in the shadow of Shaddai.

91:2) I will say of Yahuah,

“He is my refuge and my fortress; My `Elohiym, in whom I trust.”

91:3) For He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler,

And from the deadly pestilence.

91:4) He will cover you with His feathers.

Under His wings you will take refuge.

His faithfulness is your shield and rampart.

91:5) You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,

Nor of the arrow that flies by day;

91:6) Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,

Nor of the destruction that wastes at noonday.

91:7) A thousand may fall at your side,

And ten thousand at your right hand;

But it will not come near you.

91:8) You will only look with your eyes,

And see the recompense of the wicked.

91:9) Because you have made Yahuah your refuge,

And Ha`Elyon your dwelling place,

91:10) No evil shall happen to you,

Neither shall any plague come near your dwelling.

91:11) For He will give His angels charge over you,

To guard you in all your ways.

91:12) They will bear you up in their hands,

So that you will not dash your foot against a stone.

91:13) You will tread on the lion and cobra.

You will trample the young lion and the serpent underfoot.

91:14) “Because he has set his love on me, therefore I will deliver him.

I will set him on high, because he has known my name.

91:15) He will call on me, and I will answer him.

I will be with him in trouble.

I will deliver him, and honour him.

91:16) I will satisfy him with long life,

And show him my salvation (yeshu`ah).”

 

A Word

Those Not Ruled By The Rudder Will Be Ruled By the Rock

Today’s message has a distinctly nautical feeling about it.

Have you ever been panic-striken; so much so that you were frozen to the spot not knowing what to do?

One such occasion for me was when my wife got a piece of food stuck in her throat and started to cough violently, but with no relief. Everyone in the room just froze except our son who calmly moved behind his mother and did the Hiemelich procedure and out popped the offending piece of food.

It was just as well that he knew this technique. He may not have used it before, but at least he knew the principles behind it.

When I was on ships, every Wednesday at sea there would be ‘Board of Trade Games’. This involved lifeboat drill followed by fire and emergency drill. This usually was a fire but occasionally some form of mechanical breakdown scenario was enacted. The Board of Trade lays down the regulations and codes of practice for all British merchant vessels, one such code being the regular exercise of lifeboat and fire drills.

On one occasion, it was decided that the problem would be with the steering gear. The imaginary defect would lie in the connection between the helm (steering wheel) and the rudder. It was just as well that this was tested as there was found difficulty in communication between the bridge and the steering gear. Fortunately, the drill had highlighted this potentially disastrous situation so that we could try different solutions to find what worked best. Should this have happened for real near the coast, there would not have been time to rectify the problem. Thus, a potential catastrophe was averted.

Drifting in the open sea without a rudder may not seem dangerous, but without the means of steering, the vessel would never reach a safe haven.

Is this you? Do you drift aimlessly from day to day without any clear direction?

The first time that I was in a hurricane at sea, it took five days to weather the storm. If the ship lost its power or steering, we would not have lasted five minutes. As it was, there was a disaster in the engine room averted only by the brave actions of an Able Seaman nicknamed Donkey. He risked life and limb in order to secure the engine room crane, thus saving the ship’s main engine and ultimately the vessel.

Are you facing life’s storms without power or a rudder and in danger of sinking?

“On that day, when evening had come, He (the Master Yeshua) said to them (the disciples), ‘Let us go over to the other side (of the lake).’ Leaving the multitude, they took Him with them, even as He was, in the boat. Other small boats were also with Him. There arose a great wind storm, and the waves beat into the boat, so much that the boat was already filled. He Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion, and they woke Him up, and told Him, ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are dying?’ He awoke, and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Shalom! Be still!’ The wind ceased, and there was a great calm.” “Being afraid they marvelled, saying one to another, “Who is this, then, that He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him?” (Mark 4:35-39; Luke 8:25b) (cf. Psa. 107:29).

Oh to have had the Master with us during the many other storms!

Several of the disciples of the Master were seasoned fishermen and must have themselves weathered many a storm. I have worked with trawler men and they are amongst the toughest of men and are not given to fanciful panic. Yet this storm looked like it was going to cause the boats to founder.

If the Psalmist, David, had been a fisherman and not a shepherd when he wrote, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.” (Psa. 23:4), he wrote, “Even though I sail through the troughs of death,” the fishermen may not have been afraid: but he was not, he did not and they were sore afraid.

Again, is this you? Are the ravages of life threatening to capsize your life?

The disciples/fishermen knew well the Lake Gennesaret (the Sea of Galilee/Tiberias). Although sudden, violent squalls were common on the lake and they would have had experience of these many times, nevertheless when the Master ordered the wind and seas to be still AND THEY OBEYED HIM, this was anything but common.

Many people will preach and say that to become a ‘Christian’ or Believer will mean the end of trouble, persecution, trials, illness or even bereavement. However, this incident of the storm related in Mark’s and Luke’s accounts of the Good News say otherwise. On the contrary, the Master Yeshua and Scripture assure all Believers that oppression will be certain (Mark 4:17; John 15:20; 2 Tim. 3:12). Like a ship sailing on the ocean, there will be periods of sailing in calm waters, but sooner or later the ship will be hit by storms.

Rav Sha`ul (Paul), who wrote the majority of the Renewed Covenant (New Testament), gave personal testimony of beatings, stoning and shipwrecks (2 Cor. 11:25) and his ultimate sacrifice for the witness of the Good News. There will be accounts of Believers suffering in the present Covid-19 outbreak but the Master Yeshua guarantees that He will always be with you (Deut. 31:8; Heb. 13:5).

The reason for the Board of Trade Games or any form of emergency drill, is to prepare for a potential catastrophe. Many nations have earthquake drill and schools have intruder lock-down drill. Hopefully they will never have to use it in earnest, but the training is invaluable in a real incident. It is no good to encounter such an incident with no training as the only possible outcome is chaos and panic, leading to harm or even death of the victims.

Thankfully, our son knew what to do. I wonder what would have been the outcome if he had not been prepared?

If you have answered yes to any of the above questions then you need the Master Yeshua in your boat. It is of no use wondering what to do when the trials and oppression hit, for by then it will be too late. The solution to the questions above is the Master Yeshua.

In my Father’s house are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you… Yeshua said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.” (John 14:2, 6). There is only one safe destination and that is Heaven.

Heaven is the final dwelling place for all whose sins have been forgiven. The disobedience to Yahuah’s will, known as sin, causes a rift between Yahuah and Mankind. Scripture tells us that everyone has sinned, turning away from Yahuah (Rom. 3:23) and there is only one way back. “Yeshua said to him (the disciple T`oma), “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.” (John 14:6).

Sin is the rock upon which every life founders and this is because all Mankind has lost its true and effective rudder (Yeshua) and taken up the defective rudder of the desires of their bodies (cf. John 8:24; James 1:14). Without Master Yeshua in our lives, not only are we rudderless, we are powerlessThe result of sin is the eternal separation from Yahuah in the place of everlasting punishment called Hell (cf. Rom. 6:23). This is one port of call you have to miss.

In order to do this, it is first necessary to acknowledge the sin in one’s life: some are clearly exposed but many lay hidden, beneath the waves of this world. Therefore you need an accurate chart to pinpoint these dangers. This chart is called the Bible and is best studied prayerfully in times of peace. As with the Board of Trade Games, there will never be a time of peaceful study wasted before the trials of life hit, and they will hit hard.

The Bible clearly shows that as all have sinned and fallen short of Yahuah’s will (Rom. 3:23), and there is nothing that we can do for ourselves or for other people. The result of this disobedience is that the price had to be paid by the death of One who has no sin. “For Him (Yeshua) who knew no sin He (Yahuah) made to be the sin offering on our behalf; so that in Him (Yeshua) we might become the righteousness of Yahuah.” (2 Cor. 5:21).

The Messiah Yeshua was born, lived, died and His blood was shed for each and every one of us, so that our sins may be forgiven (Matt. 26:28). He was raised up by Yahuah according to Scripture on the third day (Luke 24:46) as a guarantee of sins forgiven.

However, this is only effective when a sinner acknowledges that the shed blood of Yahuah’s Son, and this alone can remove sin. “For Yahuah so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16).

What direction do you want to take?

The rock that is sin is cold and impersonal and will surely sink you and send you to eternal destruction in Hell.

Or

The Rudder that is the Messiah Yeshua who is certain to guide you safely to Heaven. He wants to have a loving relationship with all people for their eternal good. Yes, there will be the storms of persecution, trials, oppression and illness, but having Yeshua in the boat will keep you safe as He did Sha`ul (Paul) who declared, “He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of the Messiah may rest on me. Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for the Messiah’s sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong.” (2 Cor. 12:9, 10).

Are you prepared for the coming storms of life?

Will you let Yeshua into your boat, your life?

Be prepared for when disaster strikes, or your life’s journey ends, it will be too late. Only in this life can you make that decision. Only in this life can you decide what route you are going to take.

Are you heading for Heaven?

Or are you heading for the rocks that is sin?

Do you trust in yourself, that you can navigate around these disasters, these reefs, these hidden rocks under the water?

Or are you prepared to put your trust in the one true Pilot, which is the Messiah Yeshua? He alone will steer you safely all the way to Heaven

Father, we thank you for the power of your Word and that Word was made flesh in the Messiah Yeshua so that in believing in His life, death and resurrection we may have eternal life with you.

HalleluYah

Ameyn.

 

If you want to accept Father’s offer of salvation through the Messiah Yeshua, you need to ask Him in prayer along these lines. You may use these or your own words but they must be genuine as Father knows our very hearts and nothing is hidden from Him.

“Father, I am a sinner who needs forgiveness of my sins through your Son, the Messiah Yeshua. Please forgive me of all my past sins as I accept that, Messiah Yeshua my Saviour, has taken upon Himself my punishment. By your Spirit, help me to live a life worthy of His sacrifice. Thank you, Father, for making the perfect way back to you.” 

Remember, the Judge looks into your heart, mind and future.

If you have honestly said such a prayer as this, and truly renounced the sin in your life and accepted Father’s salvation through the Messiah Yeshua, then please drop us an e-mail or call us at FGA to let us know. This helps build up our faith and offers an opportunity to prayerfully support you. Even if you have Believing friends or family, we at FGA would be privileged to pray for you. Please contact us at ezra710@firstgenerationassembly.com. Having believed and prayed, now please find a local faith-based church to attend. Drop FGA an e-mail or call us so that we can rejoice with you and pray and support you over the coming weeks.

If you have sincerely called out to Father for forgiveness, then eternal life is assured. Salvation does not take away the day-to-day questions of life, nor is it a short-cut away from trials or tribulations. Nevertheless, knowing your eternal life is secure, any temporary trial can be overcome by looking at the completed work of Messiah Yeshua.

All blessings to you.

 

“The integrity of the upright shall guide them,

But the perverseness of the treacherous shall destroy them.” (Prov. 11:3).

 

Breaking Matzah

Our Saviour welcomes all His Family to join in this memorial. If you have accepted Messiah Yeshua as your Master and Saviour please take the next few moments to seek Father and to ensure that all is right between Him and you and between you and your Brothers and Sisters. If not, please put this right before continuing.

If you have not yet accepted Him into your life, then we encourage you to seek Him while it is still possible, as time is running out. When He returns or if you pass away then it will be too late. Please do not partake of the matzah and wine as in doing so, it gives thanks for the broken body (matzah) and shed blood (wine) for and a witness of salvation.

 

On the night of the Master’s betrayal, He took the matzah, blessed it and broke it saying ‘This is my Body broken for you; take and eat it as a memorial to Me.’

Bless the matzah saying: Blessed are you, O Yahuah our `Elohiym, King of the Universe, who brings forth matzah from the earth.

Break and eat the matzah (sharing it if within a group setting):

After the meal He took the Cup, blessed it saying ‘This is my Blood poured out for you for the remission of sins; take and drink it as a memorial to me.’

Bless the wine saying: Blessed are you, O Yahuah our `Elohiym, King of the Universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.

Drink the wine (sharing it if within a group setting):

Thanksgiving prayer: Blessed are you, O Yahuah our `Elohiym, King of the universe, who gives us, in Yeshua, all that we will ever need. In your lovingkindness and mercy, you rebuild broken lives. You bless us, in Yeshua, with a perfect blessing. Ameyn.

 

Please note the up-and-coming special days.

21/07/2020 – Rosh Chodesh 5^th.  New Moon.

 

Father willing, we will meet again next Shabbat.

 

“Y’varekh’kha Yahuah v’yishmerekha,

Ya’er Yahuah panav eleikha vichunekka,

Yissa Yahuah panav eleikha v’yasem l’kha shalom.”

(May Yahuah bless you and keep you)

(May Yahuah make His face to shine upon you and show you His favour)

(May Yahuah lift up His face toward you and give you peace.).