Shabbat Word
12/06/2021
Shabbat Shalom!
Covid-19 continues to ravage the world. Every night, I pray this Psalm for the continued well-being, security and prosperity of Yahuah’s people, Yisra`el, His land, Yisra`el, His set apart city Yerushalayim and my family spiritual and physical.
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).”
Psalm 35:1-24
35:1) By David.
35:2) Contend, Yahuah, with those who contend with me.
Fight against those who fight against me.
35:3) Take hold of shield and buckler,
And stand up for my help.
35:4) Brandish the spear and block those who pursue me.
Tell my soul, “I am your yeshu`ah.”
35:5) Let those who seek after my soul be disappointed and brought to dishonour.
Let those who plot my ruin be turned back and confounded.
35:6) Let them be as chaff before the wind,
Yahuah’s angel driving them on.
35:7) Let their way be dark and slippery,
Yahuah’s angel pursuing them.
35:8) For without cause they have hidden their net in a pit for me.
Without cause they have dug a pit for my soul.
35:9) Let destruction come on him unawares.
Let his net that he has hidden catch himself.
Let him fall into that destruction.
35:10) My soul shall be joyful in Yahuah.
It shall rejoice in His yeshu`ah.
35:11) All my bones shall say, “Yahuah, who is like you,
Who delivers the poor from him who is too strong for him,
Yes, the poor and the needy from him who robs him?”
35:12) Unrighteous witnesses rise up.
They ask me about things that I do not know about.
35:13) They reward me evil for good,
To the bereaving of my soul.
35:14) But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth.
I afflicted my soul with fasting.
My prayer returned into my own bosom. (…contd.
.A Word
No Yahusha, No Peace: Know Yahusha, Know Peace
At the top of FGA’s Home Page there is the greeting of “Grace, shalom and joy”. These are greetings that start most of the Letters in the Renewed Covenant (New Testament). Although they only seem to be three short words, the meaning behind each one is immense. Such words are known as concept words as they convey a much wider, deeper meaning.
The Hebrew word ‘shalom’ is usually translated as ‘peace’ in the English versions of the Bible. However, this does the Hebrew a great injustice. The concept behind ‘shalom’ is the idea of wholeness, completeness, nothing lacking and nothing taken away. It is the state Father made Adam and it is His intention for all to return to that state. It is not the absence of trials but rather the lack of anxiety knowing that, “We know that all things work together for good for those who love Yahuah, to those who are called according to his purpose.” (Rom. 8:28).
I served my time as a Marine Engineer. I was good at my work and was promoted quickly through the ranks until I sailed as Chief Engineer, first on small ships (aged twenty four) then on large ships (aged twenty seven). I was quite focused on my career and was driven by the desire to reach my next promotion. So, at twenty seven, I had ‘made it’ to the top; or so I thought.
After a serious incident on board a ship that I was Chief Engineer on, and that I was ultimately responsible for, I left the sea to look for something else to do. My wife and I started our own shop up but this was not successful and after three years I had to go back to sea to pay off bills and debtors. During this time, we started to go to church to get our daughters into a good school. On a Sunday, we would all go to our local Methodist Church and became active in many of the social events. Yet we never realized that there was more to ‘church’ than merely attending meetings.
The time I spent at sea now took on a different meaning. No longer was I driven by the thoughts of promotion (been there, got the tee-shirt etc.) but as a means of supporting my family. However, I was away from them for most of the year and I was stuck in a Catch 22 situation. During one leave, a colleague from a previous ship contacted me and through this my family and I emigrated to Canada.
It was while we were in Canada that my wife and I came to know and accept Messiah Yahusha as Master and Saviour. It was this Salvation that turned my drive from serving myself to serving my Saviour. I eventually ended up as a Marine Surveyor with the Canadian Government, a position that was unthinkable when I was at sea. Although this was a fantastic job, Father called me back to the UK. So I gave it all up and we moved back to England. I had no job to go to and no home to live in, but we were faithful to His calling.
Looking back, I can clearly see how Father used events to put me in a position of needing to rely totally upon Him. What I thought was my own skill and knowledge were gifts from Father. What was my drive and ambition were seen to be symptoms of a lack of contentment. I am not saying that these things are wrong; far from it. What I am saying is that there are some things that we search for and not really know for what it is that we are looking.
“Be free from the love of money, content with such things as you have, for he has said, ‘I will in no way leave you, neither will I in any way forsake you.’” (Heb. 13:5). Rav Sha`ul grew up in a prosperous household, being able to afford to travel to Yerushalayim (Jerusalem) to study under the leading Rabbis of the time. Yet, after his encounter with the Messiah, his whole outlook on life changed. Not that he was adverse to wealth as he well knew its importance and the necessity to earn a living. However, it was not the aim of his life, but merely a means to an end: the propagation of the Good News of salvation through Messiah Yahusha.
“Are they servants of Messiah? (I speak as one beside himself) I am more so; in labours more abundantly, in prisons more abundantly, in stripes above measure, in deaths often. Five times from Yehudim (Jews) I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I suffered shipwreck. I have been a night and a day in the deep. I have been in travels often, perils of rivers, perils of robbers, perils from my countrymen, perils from the Goyim, perils in the city, perils in the wilderness, perils at sea, perils among false brothers; in labour and travail, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, and in cold and nakedness.” (“2 Cor. 11:23-27). This is a brief summary of Sha’ul’s life since his salvation. How come he says that he is content in whatever state he is in (Phil. 4:11)? It is to do with him completely trusting in all that the Scriptures have to say about his sin, his need of a Saviour and Messiah Yahusha is that Saviour, sent by a loving Father for His wayward children.
What is the state of your life? Can you honestly say that in all circumstances you are content? I can. My salvation was nothing as dramatic as Sha’ul’s but the outcome was identical. I no longer strive to reach an ever receding goal but am content in that Father has given me work to do and has equipped me with everything that is necessary to accomplish His will in my life. “I have told you these things, that in me you may have shalom. In the world you have oppression; but cheer up! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33). Some times this means having to pass through trials to strengthen me. My goal is now to obey and please Father and it is His will that I come to know my Saviour, Messiah Yahusha, more intimately and through Him, my Father.
What is your goal in life; to get richer? Have more bigger and better ‘stuff’?
Or would you prefer to be content with what you have knowing that you can trust Messiah Yahusha with everything that is really dear to you; your eternal life and that of your family?
“Shalom I leave with you. My shalom I give to you; not as the world gives, give I to you. Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.” (John 14:27). Here is an invitation from Messiah Himself.
Try it; you will not be disappointed.
Ameyn
HalleluYah
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.
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.
“My son, do not forget my teaching;
But let your heart keep my commandments:
For length of days, and years of life,
And peace, will they add to you.” (Prov. 3:1, 2).
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.
Dates to remember
10/07/2021 – Rosh Chodesh 5th. 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.).
First Generation Assembly 