Shabbat Word
21/03/2020
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
Covid-19
This week’s message is different from most weeks. Unprecedented times requires unprecedented measures.
As of the time of writing this Word, the world has come under the judgement of Yahuah. However, all the media have informed its listeners, readers or watches of the great peril that is amongst us. Even the way they present the information, enforces the moral panic and creating fear in the population.
In Scripture, there are two forms of fear: fear unto death and fear unto life.
“For the thing that I greatly feared has come upon me,
And what I dreaded has happened to me.” (Job 3:25).
This is fear unto death. Therefore, what is Iyov (Job) saying in this verse?
“You are of Yahuah, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than it that is in the world. (1 John 4:4). Iyov is contradicting this Scripture. What he is saying is that the object of his fear is greater than the Yahuah’s provision of His protection.
This fear draws attention away from Yahuah. When attention wavers, the Believer removes him (or her) self from the “shadow of Shaddai” (Psa.91:1) or from “under His wings” (Psa. 91:4) and thus His protection. The wavering Believer cannot say of Yahuah, “He is my Refuge and my Fortress, My `Elohiym in whom I trust.” (Psa. 91:2).
If this is fear unto death, what is fear unto life?
“Hear instruction, and be wise. Do not refuse it.” (Prov. 8:33). “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who is wise listens to counsel.” (Prov. 12:15). Nevertheless, it is important not to put oneself in position of danger.
“But when Sha’ul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. However he shook off the creature into the fire, and was not harmed.” (Acts 28:3, 5). Sha`ul was not going around sticking his hands into crevices that may contain snakes. When one did attack him, there was no lasting consequence.
“The blood (of the Lamb) shall be to you for a token on the houses where you are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and there shall no plague be on you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Mitzrayim.”(Exod. 12:13). When all the plagues hit Mitzrayim (Egypt – sinful), none affected the Yisra`elites who followed Yahuah’s commands.
I believe that this will be the case with Covid-19 that a Believer following Yahuah’s commands will not be struck by any virus. Nevertheless, we must take all reasonable precautions when out and about, carrying on the work Yahuah has called us to do.
“Yeshua said to him, ‘Again, it is written, ‘You shall not test Yahuah, your `Elohiym.'” (Matt. 4:7). Trusting in the protection of Yahuah and taking precautions when doing Yahuah’s work is not putting Him to the test. It is resting on the truth of His Word.
“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. Rather, fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehinnom…Everyone therefore who confesses me before men, him I will also confess before my Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies me before men, him I will also deny before my Father who is in heaven.” (Matt. 10:28-33). There is a very sombre warning issued by the Master. Those who deny the Master (the Word made flesh and His atonement), those will be denied by the Master before Father.
Let us take a look at some Scriptures that speak of fear.
“Do not you be afraid, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you; yes, I will help you; yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.” (Isa. 41:10).
“In righteousness shall you be established: you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not be afraid; and from terror, for it shall not come near you.” (Isa. 54:14).
“Blessed is the man who trusts in Yahuah, and whose trust Yahuah is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, who spreads out its roots by the river, and shall not fear when heat comes, but its leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.” (Jer. 17:7, 8).
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psa. 23:4).
“The fear of Yahuah prolongs days, But the years of the wicked shall be shortened.” (2Tim. 1:7).
These Scriptures clearly show that in all things, Believers must trust the promises of the Word of Yahuah.
However, all these verses tell of those who have already put their trust in the salvation of Yahuah found in the Messiah Yeshua. What about those who who have not been saved?
“It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Heb. 10:31). The one thing everyone needs to fear, is that upon death, they realise that there is a God and that there will be judgement.
“Surely his salvation is near those who fear Him, That glory may dwell in our land.” (Psa. 85:9). “The fear of Yahuah is the beginning of knowledge; But the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.” (Prov. 1:7). Only the fool ignores all the warnings and unfortunately, Hell is full of fools.
What are you? Wise or a fool?
The answer to this will determine your eternal life after you pass away.
Ameyn
Halleluyah!
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.
If you want to accept Father’s offer of salvation through Messiah Yeshua, 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 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 this way back to you.”
Ameyn.
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.
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. 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 Yeshua.
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.
“Instruct a wise man, and he will be still wiser.
Teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
The fear of Yahuah is the beginning of wisdom.
The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
For by me your days will be multiplied.
The years of your life will be increased. (Prov. 9:9-11).”
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.
25/03/2020 – Rosh Chodesh 1st. New Moon.
07/04/2020 – Pesach
07-11/04/2020 – Chag Matzot.
12/04- 29/05/2020 – Counting of the Omer
29/05/2020 – Shavuot
24/04/2020 – Rosh Chodesh 2nd. 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 