08/02/2020

Shabbat Word

08/02/2020

Shabbat Shalom!

Psalm 12:1-9

12:1) For the Chief Musician, upon the sheminit.

A Psalm of David.

12:2) Help, Yahuah;

For the godly man ceases.

For the faithful fail from among the children of men.

12:3) Everyone lies to his neighbour.

They speak with flattering lips, and with a double heart.

12:4) May Yahuah cut off all flattering lips,

And the tongue that boasts,

12:5) Who have said,

“With our tongue we will prevail.

Our lips are our own.

Who is lord over us?”

12:6) “Because of the oppression of the weak and because of the groaning of the needy,

I will now arise,” says Yahuah;

“I will set him in safety from those who malign him.”

12:7) The words of Yahuah are flawless words,

As silver refined in a clay furnace, purified seven times.

12:8) You will keep them, Yahuah,

You will preserve them from this generation forever.

12:9) The wicked walk on every side,

When what is vile is exalted among the sons of men.

 

A Word

Ask not for a lighter load but for a broader back.

The old shepherd woke up, stood up, stretched and yawned. Dawn had not yet broken but was not long in coming. Where he lay, was across the gateway to the sheep fold. It was time to lead the sheep to pasture. Over in the distance he saw what looked like a fire. As he took his flock towards the flames, he noticed that it was not dying down. Moshe’s life was soon to be turned upside down for a second time.

It was at the burning bush that Moshe finally learnt of his mission (ministry) in life but he had to wait until he was eighty years old. Although this was when Moshe received his call, it was not when Yahua decided to use him.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Messiah Yahusha for good works, which Yahuah prepared before that we would walk in them.” (Eph. 2:10).

When was this work prepared for Moshe?

“Then the King will tell those on His right hand, ‘Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;” (Matt. 25:34).

All those that Father call have a job to do. It may be that one is called to fill stadia with evangelical meetings; or to be a good friend or parent; or to host a house group. This work was assigned at the moment Father calls a person and this is at the foundation of the world.

However, in order to carry out his calling, Moshe had to lay down his occupation as a shepherd.

“Come to me, all you who labour and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matt. 11:28).

Messiah calls Believers to His side in order to carry out Father’s work. A person may be burdened down with the cares of living; family, finances, health. Although everyone needs to be employed in order to pay the bills, all the cares and woes of life can leave no room for any ministry. It is these troubles that Messiah can alleviate if only Believers go to Him for rest. However, Messiah does not lift these burdens of Believers so that an easy time can be had. He does so that Believers can be released to carry out His work. He wants Believers to exchange one load that weighs down for another load that builds up.

It has been said that the Master was a carpenter who specialised in making yokes. Although the Aramaic description of the Master is of a craftsman in general, Messiah’s yoke is indeed easy.

There is one load that is totally unbearable; one that so weighs a person down that the day to day cares pale into insignificance. This is the burden of sin. No amount of trying or effort on a person’s part can do anything about it. Cares about the family can be worked through; about finances more hours can be worked or loans taken out to spread out the repayment time; most health problems can be seen to by doctors and medicine. At the worst, breakdown of family leaves broken hearts; too great a debt can lead to bankruptcy; even in health a person may die.

With the burden of sin, this leads to an eternity without Father, an eternity in condemnation and punishment. It is no wonder that as a person gets older, they become more aware of their mortality. This is part of the Father’s grace in warning of impending and imminent doom. Another part of His grace is the provision of a Saviour. Indeed, Messiah Yahusha, through the Father’s Spirit calls all sinners to Him. His perfect sinless life and selfless death has made it possible for a person to unship their load. Messiah Yahusha, and He alone, is both able and willing to take up this burden on our behalf.

The only effort of a sinner is to seek Messiah Yahusha, ask forgiveness of all sins committed (laying down the burden) and ask Him into their life (taking up our burden). By His resurrection, this has been assured. This is what is known as the Good News or Gospel and the result is being ‘saved’ or ‘born again’.

“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).

“I said therefore to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” (John 8:24).

“and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of `Elohiym is at hand! Repent, and believe in the Good News.’” (Mark 1:15).

Halleluyah

Ameyn

 

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.

 

“A stone is heavy, And sand is a burden;

But a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.” (Prov. 27:3).

 

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.

25/02/2020 – Rosh Chodesh 12^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.).