07/12/2019

Shabbat Word

07/12/2019

Shabbat Shalom!

Psalm 4:1-9

4:1) For the Chief Musician; on stringed instruments.

        A Psalm of David.

4:2) Answer me when I call,

        `Elohiym of my righteousness.

       Give me relief from my distress.

         Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.

4:3) You sons of men, how long shall my glory be turned into dishonour?

       Will you love vanity, and seek after falsehood?                                            Selah.

4:4) But know that Yahuah has set apart for Himself him who is godly:

       Yahuah will hear when I call to Him.

4:5) Stand in awe, and do not sin.

       Search your own heart on your bed, and be still.                                         Selah.

4:6) Offer the sacrifices of righteousness.

       Put your trust in Yahuah

4:7) Many say, “Who will show us any good?”

       Yahuah, let the light of your face shine on us.

4:8) You have put gladness in my heart,

       More than when their grain and their new wine are increased.

4:9) In shalom I will both lay myself down and sleep

     For you, Yahuah alone, make me live in safety.

 

The Word
Remain or Brexit

To begin with, it is important to draw your attention to the statement on this website’s Home Page:
“FGA acknowledges politics as the outworking of Biblical prophecy and how it effects the land and the people of Isra`el and the city of Yerushalayim and how it is used for social welfare of the needy in line with the Commandments but it must be stressed that FGA is apolitical.”

On 23rd. June 2016 the UK went to the polls in a referendum to either stay in the European Union or to come out of it (Brexit). On 12^th. December 2012 the U.K. will hold another General Election to break the dead-lock over Brexit. It is not FGA’s purpose to recommend or suggest one political decision over another: and it never will be. What was vitally important is the decision to go out and vote. This holds true for the E.U. Referendum or the Presidential elections in the U.S.A. or any other election. Democracy is a blessing that most of the world’s people do not enjoy. Please do not waste this blessing. I grew up in a household listening to accounts of my grandparents and how they had to struggle with injustice. Normal working people have not always had the privilege of the vote and it is everybody’s duty to do so.

I have been asked my opinion as to whether the U.K. should stay in Europe or leave. As always, my default reply is to ask back what does Scripture say on the matter? In the absence of any direct reference, can anything be inferred? Not that I can find. There are many websites that show European leadership as being, at least, ungodly. However, these sites will also ascribe this ungodly behaviour to British politicians. It is not in the scope of this message to comment upon these accusations. FGA lifts up the Good News of salvation rather than try to pull down people of other views. The Light of the Good News is more powerful than the darkness of haSatan.

“They have no root in themselves but are short-lived. When oppression or persecution arises because of the word, immediately they stumble.” (Mark 4:17). “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Messiah Yahusha will suffer persecution.” (2 Tim.3:12). In these two verses, Yahuah, through the Master and Sha`ul, promises persecution when, not if. Believers are going to be persecuted. At the moment, persecution is mostly verbal and restrictive in the West but is certainly more violent and devastating in an increasing number of countries. It will not matter whether, as a British Believer, you are in or out of Europe, increased persecution is on its way.
Never let it be said that Scripture preaches a ‘sugar-coated’ Good News message.

In the E.U. referendum campaign both the remain and Brexit leaders agreed on one thing: the decision to stay in or get out is the most important decision in a lifetime. These coming elections have now been heralded as the most important decision-making elections since the 1930’s. During some crisis in the future, they will be called the most influential.

They are not!

“I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse: therefore choose life, that you may live, you and your seed;” (Deut. 30:19). Some decisions have consequences that affect people the rest of their lives. Some decisions (like the E.U. referendum) may have consequences for our children and so must be taken with careful deliberation. Nevertheless, there is one decision that has eternal consequences.

“If it seem evil to you to serve Yahuah, choose you this day whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amori, in whose land you dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve Yahuah.” (Josh. 20:15). Yahoushua was Moshe’s successor and called upon the next generation to make the choice of whom or what to serve. This was what Moshe meant when he called upon his generation to choose between life and death.

Many generations later, a jailer asked Sha`ul and Silas the single most important question there is to ask. “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They said, “Believe in the Master Yahusha the Messiah, and you will be saved, you and your household.” (Acts 16:30b, 31).

Imagine walking into a polling booth and looking down upon the ballot paper only to see:
Choice (1): A quiet life, one that allows you to do whatever you want, when you want.
Or
Choice (2): A challenging life, one that promises trials and persecutions.
It would be easy to see why people would put their X alongside Choice (1).

However, leading up to any ballot, there is a period of canvassing. On one side, the candidate promises to give you your heart’s desire. All things are possible, permitted even promoted as being in your best interest.

“You are of your Father, haSatan, and you want to do the desires of your father. It was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in it. When it speaks a lie, it speaks on its own for it is a liar and a father of it.” (John 8:44). This ‘candidate’ has a proven record of lying and cannot be trusted. When it does not lie outright, it twists and distorts the truth adding or removing half-truths so that its lie is made more acceptable to its audience. The desires may last a lifetime, but what about afterwards? True, you may not believe that there is an afterlife, but what would happen if there is? The lifetime of pleasure and lack of persecution gives way to an eternity of punishment and torment.

“Most assuredly I tell you, he who hears my word, and believes Him who sent me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgement but has passed out of death into life.” (John 5:24). This second ‘candidate’, the Master, has already told us to expect persecution. Now here, He promises the compensation for a life of trials; eternal life with Him after death. However, the life of the Believer is not one of gloom and doom. Just the opposite. “The thief only comes to steal, kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and may have it abundantly.” (John 10:10). This life of abundance does not necessarily (but also does not exclude) continual wealth and health. It does, however, promise, “But the fruits of the Spirit is love, joy, shalom, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Gal. 5:22, 23). This life is one of contentment rather than one of satisfied lusts.

So, if the ballot was to take place tomorrow, where would you place your X? Remember the ‘candidates’ and their message: where would you place your trust, your eternal destination and status?

Tomorrow never comes; now is the time for salvation. Put your X next to Him who can deliver that which He promises.

Amey.

Halleluyah!

 

If you want to accept Father’s offer of salvation through Messiah Yahusha, you need to ask Him in prayer along these lines. Use 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 through your Son, Messiah Yahusha. Please forgive me of all my past sins as I accept that, Messiah Yahusha 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 this way back to you.” 

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

In other words, when you say a Believer’s prayer you had better mean it.

 

Father, we thank you for the power of your Word and that Word was made flesh in Messiah Yahusha so that in believing in His Life, Death and Resurrection we may have eternal life with you.

Ameyn.

If you have honestly said such a prayer as this, and truly renounced the sin in your life and accepted Father’s salvation through Messiah Yahusha, then please drop us an e-mail at FGA to let us know. This not only builds up our faith, it offers an opportunity to prayfully 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 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. No more question marks on your eternal life, only a full stop. 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 Yahusha.

All blessings to you.

 

“When calamity overtakes you like a storm,

When your disaster comes on like a whirlwind;

When distress and anguish come on you.

Then will they call on me, but I will not answer.

They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me;

Because they hated knowledge,

And did not choose the fear of Yahuah:” (Prov. 1:27-29).

 

Breaking Matzah

Our Saviour welcomes all His Family to join in this memorial. If you have accepted Messiah Yahusha 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 Yahusha, all that we will ever need. In your lovingkindness and mercy, you rebuild broken lives. You bless us, in Yahusha, with a perfect blessing. Ameyn.

 

Please note the up-and-coming special days.

27/12/2019 – Rosh Chodesh 10^th. 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.)