Parasha Tazria-Metzora & Sermon: Strongholds

Shalom and Blessings:

I am sure everyone has heard that we finally have a government in Israel; PRAISE GOD! There are so many political factions in this country so it is amazing that two of the largest were able to finally agree to put the people and country ahead of their political aspirations. Only God could have done this and Ellen and I believe that He gave us a government for just such a time as this. We would also like to point out that if we were not in the midst of a pandemic this Unity Government would probably never have happened; GOD IS SO GOOD! 

Over the past weeks we have not been saying much about our ministry to Kenya, but by the grace of God we continue to teach, preach and help. I have been recording sermons and sending them via WhatsApp to the group. During Passover I did a special three part Passover series and I have been continuing to send Torah commentaries and sermons every Shabbat. Ellen and I did a Passover cooking video on how to make Matzo Brei, which we sent them. Matzo Brei is to Passover as Jelly Donuts (Sufgonyot) are to Hanukah. We are also ministering one on one over WhatsApp whenever someone needs counsel or prayer. Very few of the congregants have computers so Zoom and Skype are not an option for us. 

The Migori orphanage is still one of our important projects. The winter floods destroyed most of their crops and there was a serious shortage of food in the camp. We still have not been able to set up a way to receive donations so Ellen and I have been digging into our savings to help. We are also in constant contact with them, as we are with Nairobi; teaching, preaching and of course helping. If there were a congregation in Canada and the United States that could collect donations for us, withhold the appropriate tax, and support us as missionaries to Africa, we could solve two problems. Those donating could receive tax deductible receipts from their country of residence and we could receive the funds to support and minister in Africa.

Hi Ellen here…praying and hoping all is well with you and your families! We continually pray for our siblings and their siblings and their siblings…yes we are all entering late 60's and 70's but our sandals have not worn out and our eyes have not dimmed (LOL). Jack and I are still in isolation except for a grocery run here and there. Israel is great in delivering all that we need but sometimes you just need a different environment, if only for an hour. Yes we wear masks and gloves and large sunglasses and take all necessary precautions in fact we both look like the first "Invisible Man" film…now I'm really dating myself. Please know that we are praying for all of you, you are our "Drash List Mishpocha" (Commentary List Family) and we appreciate and care for each of you. Please pray for our wonderful groups in Kenya. We are planning to change the name of the congregations and that takes some extra funds and extra time as well, as the Kenyan government is not functioning on full staff and hours. We like "Tree of Life Kenya" A Messianic Fellowship …do you? Be blessed and be a blessing.

Visit our blog for more teaching and to view previous Torah commentaries: https://weeklyparasha02.blogspot.com/

Yours in Messiah Yeshua, our Lord, our God, our soon coming King.

Rabbi Jack & Ellen

Read Parasha

Listen to Sermon: Strongholds

Parasha Shemini & Sermons

Shalom and Blessings;

This was definitely the most interesting Passover Ellen and I have ever experienced and yes, the most inspiring. Israelis have come together as a family worshiping together and singing together from their balconies. We are looking forward to the end of this terrible pandemic and we would never like to experience another one like it but it has shown us that despite the disunity of our government and the differences of our political personal loyalties, Israelis can join together in loving and helping each other. 

The pandemic has also caused another abnormality; we have become the zoo and the wild animals have become the visitors. Yes, the deserted streets have brought out creatures that we normally do not see within our cities. Ellen and I have seen, from our balcony, and entire family of foxes and a mongoose or two. Tel Aviv has seen jackals roaming the streets, and a wild boar was spotted wandering in Haifa. 

Politics have not changed much here, still no agreement between the political parties, at least at the time of this writing. I do not know how others feel but Ellen and I are disgusted by the disregard and hatred our politicians have for each other to the point that they would rather force a fourth round of elections than agree to come together in unity for the benefit of the people and the country. Bad enough our enemies want to destroy us from without; we also have selfish, proud, self-serving politicians destroying us from within. This shows us the depravity of the unsaved human spirit. COME QUICKLY LORD YESHUA REDEEM US AND REDEEM ISRAEL FROM ALL HER TROUBLES. 

Hi Ellen here…yes our lives have become more spiritual, insightful and aware of our heavenly Abba and our earthly surroundings. With that being said I would like to share some of the "stuff" we are going through. I'm somewhat of a clean freak so I now have to become meek in spirit and throw the trash out only two times a week! As one day transcends into the next I have watched my gel manicure grow out without being able to visit my once a month friend to renew and feel complete again; we won't even talk about a hair trim but oddly enough I'm OK with it…so I guess I've become humble in spirit! Rabbi and I continually pray to be transformed into the children and servants God wants us to be…so I am two steps closer…meek and humble…

Let us take one day at a time and ask Abba to remove and refine our spirits…we all desire victory. This week I pray for victory for ALL of us in Messiah Yeshua!!!

Visit our blog for more teaching and to view previous Torah commentaries: https://weeklyparasha02.blogspot.com/

Yours in Messiah Yeshua, our Lord, our God, our soon coming King.

Rabbi Jack & Ellen

Read Parasha

Sermon: Ready to be Used by God

Sermon: Saved by the Blood

Sermon: His Mercy Endures Forever

Parasha Pesach Kol Moed & Sermon: The Interrogator

Shalom and Blessings;

This year's Passover Seder was a special treat and a true blessing. Even though it was not like any other Passover we have ever celebrated, with friends and family sitting around the table with us, it was still a very special time. Imagine, not since the first Passover have we had the opportunity to celebrate the way our ancestors did thousands of years ago, just before leaving Egypt. 

Exodus 21 Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and said to them, "Go at once and select the animals for your families and slaughter the Passover lamb. 22 Take a bunch of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin and put some of the blood on the top and on both sides of the doorframe. None of you shall go out of the door of your house until morning. 23 When the LORD goes through the land to strike down the Egyptians, he will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway, and he will not permit the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down.

Our Lamb had already been selected; Yeshua the Messiah, He was already acceptable and unblemished, His blood had already been applied to the doorposts of our hearts. This Passover night we symbolically applied it to the doorframe of our apartment's entrance and remained secluded in our home as the angel of death passed us by! 

Come quickly Lord Yeshua, redeem us and redeem Israel from all her troubles.

Ellen here…As I stand in agreement with all that Rabbi has written I would like to add the following. Before sundown we received an SMS from a secular Israeli ministry asking all the people of Israel to go out on their balconies at 8.30 pm to recite the Ma Nishtana…the four questions together. What a joyous time as our neighbors here in Ashkelon emerged onto their balconies and we recited in unison the four questions followed by hag Pesach sameach to each other…ONLY IN ISRAEL!!! We wish you all blessings and breakthroughs as we persevere in this time. Come back Yeshua and redeem us…

Visit our blog for more teaching and to view previous Torah commentaries: https://weeklyparasha02.blogspot.com/

Yours in Messiah Yeshua, our Lord, our God, our soon coming King.

Rabbi Jack & Ellen

Read Parasha

Listen to sermon: The Interrogator 

Parasha Tzav

Shalom and Blessings;

There is nothing much we can add about what is going on here with COVID-19 because you are all experiencing the same things we are, minus the rockets from Gaza, of course! Yes they are still firing rockets and the IDF is still retaliating (tit for tat). What kind of hate and disregard for their own people do these Arabs have, that during a health crisis they think of attacking the country that is willing to help them and is helping them. Prime Minister Golda Meir of blessed memory said; "Peace will come when the Arabs will love their children more than they hate us." Nothing can be truer!!

Ellen and I have proved that you can teach old dogs new tricks. We have learned, with the help of Google, to navigate through the online supermarket sites which are completely in Hebrew, and we received our first to the door delivery; Glory to God! 

We are doing well, the isolation has not gotten to us yet, however, we have gotten to the point where we are thinking of moving our Mezuzah to our refrigerator door because it is the only one we have been opening and closing. We also did something that I recommend we all do. In preparation for the Passover we anointed and pleaded the Blood of Yeshua on the doorpost of our apartment entrance door so that the angel of death would see the Blood and pass us over. 

I can understand the disappointment and frustration we are experiencing at not being able to have family and or congregational Passover Seders. But let us look at it this way; for the first time in history, like the first Passover the children of Israel experienced in Egypt, every family will be alone and there will be a Lamb (Yeshua), for a household (lamb is not served anymore on Passover, Yeshua is the Lamb). So do not neglect having your Passover Seder; this may be a very significant year. If anyone needs assistance in preparing for or running a Seder, please let us know. 

Hi …Ellen here, just want to encourage you with God's Word in Yeshayahu 43.19, "Behold I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." Thank You Lord for your Word! 

Visit our blog for more teaching and to view previous Torah commentaries: https://weeklyparasha02.blogspot.com/

Yours in Messiah Yeshua, our Lord, our God, our soon coming King.

Rabbi Jack & Ellen

Read Parasha

Listen to sermon: "Do not give up"