Shabbat Word
16/04/2020
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
When we all know the good as good, there arises the recognition of evil.
When discussing seedless fruit, my wife mentioned that fruit and vegetables are being constantly modified. What about ‘easy-peel’ oranges, straight cucumbers, bright orange carrots? These and many others have been modified to be more attractive to the consumer. If a modified carrot (straight, conical and bright orange) was placed along-side an un-modified carrot (twisted, brownish and sometimes even having two roots), the consumer invariably chooses the modified vegetable. The modified fruit and veg. are made to appear ‘perfect’.
However, it is more serious than that. The perfect are promoted as being the ‘norm’ and anything less than perfection is considered worthy of only being discarded. Why do you think that there is such a big industry in ‘touching up’ or ‘air-brushing’ celebrities in glossy society magazines? Or that most couturiers want to display their wares on stick thin, six foot plus women models? They are not trying to sell an aspiration; they are selling lies. An aspiration is something that is attainable for most people; the life style sold in advertising is not. There is nothing wrong in having a dream, but when that ‘dream’ involves serious risk to mental as well as physical health then is it a ‘dream’ or is it a nightmare?
In the late 1960’s my parents took the family on a touring holiday to Scotland, staying in various bed and breakfast hotels. Two things stand out in my memory of that holiday. The first was the fabulous breakfasts and the second was Ailsa Craig. Whilst staying in a town called Girvan, my dad asked if I thought that I could swim out to that island. To me, it looked like a mile or so out to sea. If it was in a heated swimming pool, I thought that I probably could make it. My dad laughed at this then told me that the island was ten miles out to sea! The point is, with nothing alongside to compare with, the island looked much closer than it really was. It is easy to be deceived.
In making any comparison, there has to be something else to compare with or a standard to measure it by. I have great admiration for judges in dog shows. Sometimes they compare dogs within a given breed; which dog is the best representation of the breed. Sometimes though, they judge for best in show. How can you judge if a pug is better than a great dane? The judge has to visualize the ideal pug and compare the contestant against this ideal standard. Similarly the great dane is judged against the ideal standard for a great dane. The dog coming closer to its ideal standard is deemed the better dog.
“Do not judge, so that you will not be judged. For with whatever judgement you judge, you will be judged and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you.” (Matt. 7:1, 2). It is only when we have the ideal standard can a true comparison be made. Few people could judge a dog show because they do not have the knowledge or experience to do so. Yet, when it comes to judging people, we are ever ready to make judgements. Unfortunately we tend to us our own standard by which to make the comparison. How can perfection be gauged by an imperfect standard? It cannot be. The Master goes on to call those making the comparisons as hypocrites.
How often are judgements made by church-goers to strangers coming in that do not fit the mould of the ‘normal’ church-goer. A couple of quick examples will highlight what I mean.
A well-known evangelist held a meeting in a church. The meeting was well advertised in the local churches so that, on the day, the church was full. It was attended by regular church-goers in their nice suits and dresses. When a man, obviously the worse for worse with drink tried to gain access brandishing a can of strong larger, the ushers refused him entry. Out of everyone there, he was probably more in need of hearing the evangelist than all the rest.
When my wife and I first came to faith, we had the pleasure of meeting Derek an evangelist. He was an ex-convict who was led to faith by what turned out to be his future wife Iris. Derek was a big man who filled the ideal standard of a convict, tattoos and all. Virtually every church I have been to would not have let Derek in their door. Yet he has led more people to faith than most people. I wish that ever church had a ‘Derek’.
So if our standard is deficient, what then constitutes perfection in a person? Surprisingly, it has nothing to do with outward appearances.
“For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers.” (Rom. 8:29). Halleluyah for the Word of Yahuah. We have the ideal standard set before us in Messiah Yeshua. In all things He was perfect. That is, compared to Yahuah’s standard, Messiah Yeshua was complete, lacking nothing. Even at His trial, His staunchest enemies could find no wrong in Him.
Therefore Beloved, instead of judging others, we should be always comparing ourselves (our attitudes, our behaviour, our lifestyles) to the standard of perfection found only in Messiah Yeshua. In doing so, how do we compare? What in our lives detracts from the completeness? What must be done to make us whole and at peace?
“Every writing inspired by Yahuah is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for instruction which is in righteousness, that every man of Yahuah may be made complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:16, 17). Let the Spirit guide you by the Word of Yahua and let Him who is both willing and able to mould you into His image.
“Yahuah `Elohiym created Man in His own image. In Yahuah `Elohiym’s image He created him; male and female He created them.” (Gen. 1:27). Who is to say what is perfect and what is not? Surely this must be left to the One who wrote the Standard in the first place.
When compared to this Standard we all fall short. Unfortunately, many people look at other who have a disability or impairment of some description and think that these people are not ‘perfect’. They do not fit into society’s idea of the ‘norm’ because they lack sight or hearing or voice. My wife used to support a man who was non-speaking and deaf. She is a competent signer and spent many long hours translating for and to him. He would be considered by society to be ‘disabled’. However, in the many times that I have been in the company of signers, I have been the one who was ‘disabled’. Disability is a social construct and with a group of signers, I am the one who is not ‘normal’. I could not be part of their conversation. There are vast numbers of anecdotes of people with so called ‘disabilities’ having skills way above the norm.
“Yahuah said to him, ‘Who made man’s mouth? Or who makes one mute or deaf or seeing or blind? Is it not I, Yahuah?” (Exod. 4:11). “Yahuah `Elohiym saw everything that He had made and, behold, it was very good…(Gen. 1:31a). “Which things also we speak, not in words which man’s teaches, but which the Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual things.” (1 Cor. 2:13). Every human being has been made by a loving and caring Father and whatsoever He makes, it is perfect.
“Therefore, as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin; and so death passed to all men, because all sinned.” (Rom. 5:12). The single biggest factor in stealing away the wholeness that Father wants for us is sin. This is disobedience to the will of Father in our lives. Unfortunately, this, in itself, is one of the major reasons that people do not come to Faith. It is not that they do not believe there is an Almighty Creator, or that there exists such a thing as sin. It is not that they do not know that His Son, Messiah Yeshua was born, crucified and resurrected in order to pay for their sins, just the opposite. Their thought is that how can a person be good enough to come into the Presence of the Almighty? They acknowledge the sin but it is this sin that prevents them approaching the Throne of Grace.
If this is you, I have got some Good News for you. This is the most grotesque of lies that haSatan has propagated and the vilest of all evils. No one has, is or ever will be ‘good enough’ to approach the Throne; on our own behalf. Nevertheless, there is One who holds out His hand, waiting to take hold of yours and lead you into that Presence. Even while you are reading these words, His hand is there, waiting. He will not grasp it or force you to take it; but it is there, waiting for you.
The Spirit of Yahuah is there to guide you in repenting of your sinful disobedience and showing you what the Saviour has done for you. It is He that has made you ‘good enough’. The Father, Son and Spirit are their holding out the hand; if only you would believe and accept the hand.
Why wait any longer? Do you not want wholeness, completeness or peace in your life?
Come to Him that alone is perfect so that He can remake you like Him again and be perfect in His sight.
Ameyn
Father, we thank you for the power of your Word and that Word was made flesh in 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 Messiah Yeshua, 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. 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.
“He who is truly righteous gets life.
He who pursues evil gets death.” (Prov. 11:19).
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.
23/06/2020 – Rosh Chodesh 4th. 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 