Shabbat Word
30/01/2021
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 22:1-19
22:1) For the Chief Musician; set to “The Doe of the Morning”.
A Psalm by David.
22:2) Me `El, my `El, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning?
22:3) My `Elohiym, I cry in the daytime, but you do not answer;
In the night season, and am not silent.
22:4) But you are set apart,
You who inhabit the praises of Yisra’el.
22:5) Our fathers trusted in you.
They trusted, and you delivered them.
22:6) They cried to you, and were delivered.
They trusted in you, and were not disappointed.
22:7) But I am a worm, and no man;
A reproach of men, and despised by the people.
22:8) All those who see me mock me.
They insult me with their lips.
They shake their heads, saying,
22:9) “He trusts in Yahuah;
Let him deliver Him;
Let Him rescue Him, since He delights in Him.”
22:10) But you brought me out of the womb.
You made me trust at my mother’s breasts.
22:11) I was thrown on you from my mother’s womb.
You are my God since my mother bore me.
22:12) Do not be far from me, for trouble is near.
For there is none to help.
22:13) Many bulls have surrounded me.
Strong bulls of Bashan have encircled me.
22:14) They open their mouths wide against me,
Lions tearing prey and roaring.
22:15) I am poured out like water.
All my bones are out of joint.
My heart is like wax; It is melted within me.
22:16) My strength is dried up like a potsherd.
My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth.
You have brought me into the dust of death.
22:17) For dogs have surrounded me.
A company of evil-doers have enclosed me.
They pierced my hands and my feet.
22:18) I can count all of my bones.
They look and stare at me.
22:19) They divide my garments among them.
They cast lots for my clothing.
22:20) But do not be far off, Yahuah.
You are my help: hurry to help me. contd.)
A Word
He Who Lies With Dogs Rises With Fleas
At the beginning of November 1605, an assassination plot was discovered that was to blow up the English Houses of Parliament, King James I (who, incidentally caused the Authorised Bible to be translated, to be known as the King James Version) and his family. The terrorist plot was conducted by a close circle of Roman Catholics. Unfortunately, after the plot was discovered and the main perpetrators caught, there were many people falsely arrested. These were fellow Roman Catholic family members, staff and priests. They were arrested because of their association with the plotters, many tortured, tried and falsely executed. After the plot was discovered, celebration fires were lit and it is that which is now remembered on November 5th. the Gunpowder Plot, Gunpowder Treason or Jesuit Plot. Although Robert Catesby was the leader, it is Guido (Guy) Fawkes effigy that is normally put on the bonfires.
It may seem harsh that so many people were persecuted, but from King James point of view, all dissidents had to be eradicated to ensure his, his family and Parliament’s safety.
“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the way of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers;” (Psa. 1:1). On 16th. January 2017 the first First Generation Assembly Shabbat Word was delivered. The Psalm was Psalm 1. The above verse is the very first verse in the Book of Psalms. Such a prominent verse needs to be specially heeded. A blessing is made upon the person who does not seek or take advice from the wicked.
The second part of the verse seems to say that a blessing is made upon the person who does not stop, hinder or interfere with the work of the wicked. However, this is not what is meant. On the contrary, Believers are called to warn sinners that their lifestyle can only lead to destruction. What it is really saying is that a person must not act or have a lifestyle as that of sinners.
My wife and I used to love to watch boxing. We even used to set the alarm clock to wake us up in the middle of the night to watch boxing matches from America. However, one day the Spirit convicted my wife that it was not right for Believers to be watching two men trying to knock the other man’s head off. It is not a sin to watch boxing as such, but once Father has told us not to watch, to disobey would be a sin. We have never watched another fight since.
“But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of Yahuah, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from Yahuah, the Spirit.” (2 Cor. 3:18). There are many other such warnings that the Spirit has issued to us so that we do not walk in the way of the world. Not warning to turn away from sin, but to encourage us to walk closer to the Master. What Father allows Believers to do today may not be acceptable tomorrow. Believers are called constantly to look at their lifestyle and see how this may be amended to be more Messiah-like.
I was given a vision many years ago of an anchor chain and how it shows what a Believer has to do. A large ship is not held fast by the anchor gripping the sea bed but rather by the weight of the chain. The ship was the Believer; the chain was the different areas of our lifestyle as contrasted to Torah; the anchor was Messiah and the sea bed Father’s Kingdom. The chain was attached to the ship (known as the bitter end) and this was Father’s Spirit. The chain was only as strong as the weakest link. As Believers amend their lifestyle, part of the weakness of one link is made stronger so that the whole chain is made stronger but is now as weak as the next weakest link and so and so forth. That is why it is imperative that Believers do not stand still in their faith. The connection between man and Torah is the Spirit of Father and the end of Torah and our connection to Father’s Kingdom is Messiah.
What I am not saying is that all life’s pleasures should be done away with in one fell swoop. There is nothing wrong with having a drink in a pub. What is wrong is being involved in drunken activity, riotous behaviour and foul language as one of ‘the boys’. This is the meaning of the third part of Psa. 1:1. The Master was criticised on many occasions for being associated with sinners. In fact, in order to reach sinners, Believers must, of necessity, be associated with them.
“To the weak I became as weak, that I might gain the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some.” (1 Cor. 9:22). Rav Sha`ul (Paul) is not saying that he resorted to any means to save people, even if it meant being involved in bad behaviour. He was saying that there was no legitimate means he would not follow in order to reach the lost.
Now if this fine tuning of lifestyle is imperative to Believers, how much more so is the non-Believer to look at their way of living. “I tell you, keep asking, and it will be given you. Keep seeking, and you will find. Keep knocking, and it will be opened to you.” (Luke 11:9). In Luke’s Good News account, the Master welcomes all men to Him. Non-Believers are called to look at their lifestyle and see how it measures up to Father’s standard for us all. By continually asking themselves how they can change and by asking Father to help them by His Spirit, nothing is impossible. By asking Messiah Yeshua into their lives and accepting Him as their personal Saviour, permanent change will happen, the first of many. Messiah calls men to Him as they are in their sinful state. He does not wait for people to be good before He calls them as no-one can be good in Father’s eyes. That is why He is calling sinners; it is His job to make them good. Messiah Yeshua died in order that every one of us, in our sinful state, could come before Father, the Creator of us all, and be made good.
In seeking a better way to live and ultimately in seeking eternal life, the Master tells us in Luke that all will find it. The final depository of sinners, Hell, was never made for any person but for the Satan and its demons. However, if a person does not accept Messiah Yeshua as their personal Saviour and that His death paid for the punishment due to us all, then a just Father has no other choice but to condemn sinners to eternal punishment.
I urge all who have not yet accepted Messiah Yeshua as their Saviour to knock upon the Door that is Messiah and He will open His heart and accept you. The knocking is to know that as sinners we are all bound for Hell and we cannot do anything for ourselves. The knocking is to cry out to Father, repent and turn away from the sinful lifestyle. The knocking is to know what Messiah Yeshua has done for us and know that only His death can take away the condemnation. Then will the door to eternal life in Heaven be opened and the ex-sinner allowed entry.
How does your lifestyle measure up to Father’s standard? Do you even know what that standard is? Open up any Bible, talk to any Believer and find out. By seeking you will find. How will you rise up? Will it be with the fleas of sin or will you rise up cleansed by the Blood of Messiah Yeshua? Scripture clearly warns that at the end of time all will rise up; some to eternal peace with Father in Heaven; some to eternal punishment in Hell.
Which will it be for you?
Act now!
Ameyn.
HalleluYah
Father, we thank you for the power of your Word and that Word was made flesh in the 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 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.
“Deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil,
But joy comes to the promoters of shalom.” (Prov. 12:20).
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
11/02/2021 – Rosh Chodesh 12th. 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 