Weekly Parasha

Parasha Terumah (Offering)

Posted by Weeklikse Oordenkings at February 23, 2023

From Rabbi Jack… Bible link
Hosea 3:1 “Then the Lord said to me, "Go again, love a woman who is loved by her husband, yet an adulteress, even as the Lord loves the sons of Israel, though they turn to other gods and love raisin cakes." This verse begins with “Then” which reminds us that this took place after Hosea had taken the following steps as outlined in chapter 2:1-13. First, he confronted Gomer with her infidelity. Second, He gave her an ultimatum to give up her affairs or get out. Then he backed up his ultimatum by letting her go, cutting off his financial and emotional support. It is important to remember that Hosea did not take these steps in anger, or as an act of getting even. It was his loving, confident response to a serious problem in his relationship with his wife. Hosea did not try to hold on to Gomer by overlooking the fact that she was having affairs, or by manipulating her with guilt, or making empty threats. He simply said to her, “If you want to stay, I want you to stay – but with the understanding that you take whatever steps are necessary to end your affairs. If you want to go, you are free to go, but things cannot continue as they are. I want you to know that I am not giving up on you, but I am willing to give you up if that is what you want.” As a society, we have come to believe that in a marriage when the romance is over, and the love has cooled, and the passion has turned to indifference, the relationship is over. However, what most people, even Believers, fail to remember is that relationships are built upon a promise, not upon passion. Then, should the love fade and the passion die, the relationship can continue because the promise continues, it never ends, it never wears-out or fades away. In other words: it is not our love that sustains our commitment, it is our commitment that sustains our love. Romans 8:32 “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?” How is your commitment to your spouse, is it the same as God’s commitment to you? Take a look at your marriage, is it based on passion and feelings or is it based on the promise you made in the sight of God when you got married?
From Ellen… Bible link
Did you ever wake up singing a song? For the past couple of days, I have been waking to L’chu N’ran’na. This song is part of our Shabbat liturgy and I really like it but now I am singing it upon rising and during daytime chores. So, I looked up the entire translation and am totally blessed! At first it says to come and let us sing and lift up our voice in jubilation! This is easy and wonderful because our God is a great King and the Rock of our deliverance. We are to approach Him with thanksgiving always. For any of you that celebrate Shabbat and enjoy the liturgy as Jack and I do, being acquainted with L’chu N’ran’na is a blessing. As I meditated on this song it became clear to me why the Lord placed it in my spirit - so that I would awake with it and sing and hum it throughout the day. Praise chases the devil away; he hates when we praise the Lord and are jubilant in God’s presence. My prayer always is to be in the presence of the Lord so Satan will be defeated. Praise brings peace. Praise brings joy. Praise brings fortified protection and deliverance from God. Praise brings healing. Praise brings answers as we praise Him, we also communicate with Him…praise brings us closer to our Abba in Heaven and that is where we belong. Praise the Lord!
Yours in Messiah Yeshua, "…while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Messiah Yeshua." (Titus 2:13) Rabbi Jack & Ellen
Links
Read parasha	Parasha commentary	Sermon of the week “Battleground of the Mind”
If you are being blessed by the teachings and commentaries we share, please consider supporting the ministry to Kenya and Israel. We support the needy, the hungry, the elderly and new immigrants (Olim). Most of all we teach and preach the Word of God in both countries and throughout the world. Contact us for more information: daatbina@gmail.com To Donate using PayPal click this link: https://paypal.me/kenyamission If you do not have PayPal and would prefer using another donation method, please contact me and I will send you other donation options.
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Mishpatim (Judgements)

Posted by Weeklikse Oordenkings at February 17, 2023

From Rabbi Jack… Bible link
John 15: 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. We have all seen dead looking plants. Yet, as bad as they look, some could still have life in them and if properly cared for, they could be revived. However, if there was one word that could describe the state of a dead looking plant it would be - withering. What would you do if you had a withering plant? Would you try to revive it or would you just toss it in the trash? Did you know that there is such a thing as withering Believers, Believers that are half dead? What do you think God does with withering Believers? According to our Scripture, He gathers them and throws them into the fire (hell). You know you are withering when: You are too comfortable with sin and allow weeds of life to choke all that is good from God. You are too worldly minded and there is no substance in you to grow in the Lord. You are too judgmental and the Holy Spirit rain bounces off your hard critical heart. You are too lazy to soak in the Word and the Holy Spirit rain simply drains off you. You are too busy and preoccupied with yourself to allow the Holy Spirit rain to even affect you. Are you drinking in the rain that God is showering upon you and enjoying the blessings of God and a meaningful and exciting relationship with Messiah Yeshua? Or, are you like a withering plant and have forgotten who is providing the reviving rain. If you are withering, look-out because you are probably beginning to die spiritually! It is a sad truth, but for many Believers their relationship with Yeshua is withering. Many who first receive Yeshua as their Lord and Savior held on to what they received for a time. They changed a bit for the better from who they were, but over time they began to wither and started going backwards in their relationship with God. If you are one of them, maybe you need to stop withering and start growing!!
From Ellen… Bible link
See you next week. Blessings and love from above!
Yours in Messiah Yeshua, "…while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Messiah Yeshua." (Titus 2:13) Rabbi Jack & Ellen
Links
Read parasha	Parasha commentary	Sermon of the week “Great Expectations”
If you are being blessed by the teachings and commentaries we share, please consider supporting the ministry to Kenya and Israel. We support the needy, the hungry, the elderly and new immigrants (Olim). Most of all we teach and preach the Word of God in both countries and throughout the world. Contact us for more information: daatbina@gmail.com To Donate using PayPal click this link: https://paypal.me/kenyamission If you do not have PayPal and would prefer using another donation method, please contact me and I will send you other donation options.
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Parasha Yetro (Jethro)

Posted by Weeklikse Oordenkings at February 09, 2023

From Rabbi Jack...

Exodus {20:12} "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you."

It is obvious from this fifth commandment that God places special emphasis and importance on honoring parents. However, I want to suggest that honor needs to go beyond just parents. One of the things that impresses us in Kenya is the honor given to older people. In giving this commandment God is telling us that honoring someone, giving honor, is a good thing.

Bestowing honor is not something we are born with; it is something which is taught and learned and parents have the responsibility to teach this trait to their children. One of the ways I honored my father is by never calling him by his first name. I honored the elderly by offering them my seat on the bus, holding a door open for them, or giving them priority in a queue.

Often when I counseled a person about honoring their parents they would tell me, "If you knew my dad and how he treated me and my mother, you wouldn't be telling me to honor him!" My answer was twofold. First, I would point out that the commandment to honor your father or mother said nothing about doing it only if they were model parents. Second, I would ask, when they got up to offer an elderly person a seat on the bus, how do they know if that person was a model parent, that they did not beat their wife and abandon their children?

Honor is right and will eventually be repaid with honor; in fact, it is more than right it is a command of the Lord that we all need to keep.

Hi Ellen here…

Jack and I are so blessed!!! We know God is working because the older we grow in years the more He gives us to do. Sometimes when we are ministering to some, we think that there is nothing happening, only God knows!

I believe we have mentioned it before but I will reiterate…many in Kenya live together without getting married, whether it be tribal or just complacency. Jack and I share that when one is born again, he remains Kenyan but his or her life changes dramatically. Culture and tradition are no longer the norm but following Yeshua and obeying the commandments becomes second to none.

So here we are with just three Shabbats left and we have officiated at a Brit Milah, many house blessings, many salvations, many immersions, and probably two couples will be married soon. We have found a home for the congregation but have not received confirmation yet so we may no longer have to dwell in a temporary place, hallelujah! In addition, we are leaving for Western Kenya, Migori, this Sunday for a visit to the orphanage compound, we are so excited. God is so good, all of the time. Please pray that we will not look with natural eyes but strive to see with our Father's eyes. More next week. Our love to you all!

Yours in Messiah Yeshua, "…while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Messiah Yeshua." (Titus 2:13)

Rabbi Jack & Ellen

Read Parasha

Parasha commentary (coming soon)

Sermon of the week "Taking God for Granted?"

SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel. Click the link below:

https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCcAk53Y89oRQS0yxoiSbtgg/videos

If you are being blessed by the teachings and commentaries we share, please consider supporting the ministry to Kenya and Israel. We support the needy, the hungry, the elderly and new immigrants (Olim). Most of all we teach and preach the Word of God in both countries and throughout the world. Contact us for more information: daatbina@gmail.com

To Donate using PayPal click this link: https://paypal.me/kenyamission

If you do not have PayPal and would prefer using another donation method, please contact me and I will send you other donation options.

Parasha Beshalach (When He Let Go)

Posted by Weeklikse Oordenkings at February 02, 2023

From Rabbi Jack...

Romans {7:23} "but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. {7:24} What a wretched man I am!...

Satan's utmost desire is to desensitize us to sin. He does it in many ways. One such way is Relativism. Relativism teaches that morality is relative to the morals of what society finds acceptable at a specific time in history. It says that morality, like civil laws, change. Take for instance laws that applied to horses and carriages. These laws no longer have application in the age of automobiles and have been replaced and updated to apply to a car society.

Therefore, Satan uses relativism to say that what may have been immoral 2000 years ago is not necessarily immoral today in our progressive, modern, liberated society. It is because of Satan's use of relativism that we are now seeing the rise of homosexuality, and transgenderism and other morally objectionable immoral standards. We must recognize that relativism is not from God and is a tactical lie from Satan, the father of lies. Biblical morality is as valid today as it was 6000 years ago.

Another of Satan's pet sin desensitizing tactics is materialism. Sadly, much of the church today has fallen hook-line and sinker for this one. Satan uses materialism to take our minds and the emphasis off our relationship with God and place it on objects. Money, finances, getting and spending become more important to us than serving the Lord. I do not think I have to tell you that he is very successful with this one. However, a faith in Messiah Yeshua that is properly functioning will have the ability to resist these tactics of Satan.

Romans {7:24} "…Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? {7:25} Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Messiah Yeshua our Lord!"

Hi Ellen here…

Do you always have to have a project? Do you always need to have a plan? Do you always need to be needed? Do you feel guilty when you are just sitting down without a clue what to do?

No, this is not another Mary and Martha message but I do think it is worth sharing…so let us talk about the above questions.

Being in Kenya for the last month and a half has been somewhat challenging in that I just cannot grab my car keys and dash out for some groceries. Each outing has to be planned so we are able to, not only achieve the things we need to do but also to be aware of how the Holy Spirit is leading us. We have discovered in this new neighborhood where we are residing that some of our familiar destinations are not as far as we thought, hence lots of walking exercise and we say AMEN to that! On the flipside walking to is great but then walking back needs to be planned. On the off days that we are not scheduled or invited somewhere we have the need to feel needed so we make ourselves busy…Jack with creating and researching for sermons and other written material and me, well I will cook or clean. As I was doing and witnessing all the above, I believe that the Ruach, the Holy Spirit said; "STOP!" But I thought the trash still needs to go out and dinner has to be refined and oh-my, the floor can be cleaner and…but then I heard; "Be still and know that I am God!" Then as I thought of creating a new and tasty dessert I heard; "Take My yoke, it is easy and My burden is light." Do we really listen to that sweet, small voice or do we leap ahead and get busy? Today I will not take on a project. Today if anyone needs me, just text or call. Today I will sit back and rest awhile. Why not join me…?

Yours in Messiah Yeshua, "…while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Messiah Yeshua." (Titus 2:13)

Rabbi Jack & Ellen

Read Parasha

Parasha commentary (coming soon)

Sermon of the week "Why Baptism?"

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Parasha Bo (Enter)

Posted by Weeklikse Oordenkings at January 26, 2023

From Rabbi Jack...

Romans {12:18} "If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men."

Ellen and I have been experiencing so many marriages in conflict. Right now, we are praying for no less than seven marriages. Perhaps when Paul wrote this passage, he was not thinking about it applying to husbands and wives, but it does. It takes two to start an argument, whether it be between strangers or between spouses but it takes only one to end it. So many times I have heard husbands praying for God to change their wives and wives praying for God to change their husbands. Change for the better in anyone's life is good. However, when a husband or wife comes to me to ask for prayer for their spouse, I inevitably pray for the person asking. Why? Because it takes two to argue and if one earnestly seeks for God to change their spouse it starts with them, then God will heal and change the marriage relationship. Self-will, selfishness, pride and stubbornness are a destructive force in all marriage conflicts and the negative traits we are seeing in our spouse is most certainly in us as well.

James {4:1} "Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?"

Before you start accusing your spouse, take a good look at our own life and start praying for God to change you! It takes two to tangle, but only one to bring peace. If you are in conflict with your spouse, start praying for God to change you.

Matthew {7:3}-And why do you look at the speck in your brother's (spouse's) eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? {7:4} Or how can you say to your brother (spouse), 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye? {7:5} Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's (spouse's) eye. (Bracketed additions are mine).

Reconciliation only takes one!

Hi Ellen here…

1 Samuel 3: The lamp of God had not yet gone out and Samuel was lying down in the temple where the Ark of God was. God called out "Samuel" and he answered "Here I am." Then he ran to Eli and said "here I am" but Eli said "I did not call you; go back and lie down." So, he went back, and lay down. God called a second time, "Samuel!" Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am – you called me." Eli answered, "I did not call, my son; lie down again." Now Samuel did not know God yet and the Word had not yet been revealed to him... God called a third time, "Samuel!" He got up and went over to Eli and said, "Here I am – you called me." Eli then realized that God was calling the child. So, Eli said to Samuel, "Go lie down. If you are called again, say, "Speak Lord, your servant is listening."

Would it not be wonderful if the Lord called out your name and then proceeded to tell you what He will do and how He will use you? I am sure it does happen. As Believers in Messiah, we have all heard the audible voice of the Lord at one time. If it has happened to you and God spoke to you concerning your calling…hallelujah! But I think many Believers are searching and asking the same question, "What is my calling?" What I have learned of the many years of serving the Lord is that your calling may be right there, in front you. It may not look like what you expect and it may even be contrary to what you desire. What I am saying is do not look to foreign lands before you look in your own backyard. Your calling may be calling you from your husband, your children, your neighbors, your friends…God works in mysterious ways and His ways are higher than ours. You may not hear your name but listen for that small, still voice. Blessings to you and yours.

Yours in Messiah Yeshua, "…while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Messiah Yeshua." (Titus 2:13)

Rabbi Jack & Ellen

Read Parasha

Parasha commentary (coming soon)

Sermon of the week: "What Is Holiness"

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https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCcAk53Y89oRQS0yxoiSbtgg/videos

Parasha Va'era (And I Appreared)

Posted by Weeklikse Oordenkings at January 22, 2023

Rabbi Jack...

Deuteronomy 30:6 "Moreover The Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love The Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, in order that you may live."

The purpose of T.V. Reality shows are to do one of two things; either to reveal what a person is truly like on the inside or to change something about them on the outside. In other words, these shows are designed to expose the flaws on the inside and outside, but they do nothing to change the person on the inside. Now exposing flaws or changing someone externally is not a bad thing. Sometimes we need our flaws exposed so that we can correct them. But if God had a reality show, do you think He would be interested in exposing our flaws to the world or do you think His priority would be to change our external appearance? God already knows our flaws, they do not need to be exposed to Him and second, God is really not interested in changing only our external appearance. What God is interested in is making us over on the inside which will ultimately change everything about us on the outside. When God wants to give us a makeover He starts with the heart.

Jeremiah 17:9 "The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?"

Yeshua is the Messiah, the Son of God - God in the flesh. You receive a new heart by understanding and accepting what Yeshua did for you; He died for your sins, was buried and rose from the dead so that you may have eternal life with Him in heaven. And when you confess your sin and receive Him as your Lord and Savior and accept His free gift of salvation, you instantly receive a new heart. This new heart gives you the ability to love God, love people and become a new creation in Messiah Yeshua.

If you have already had a heart makeover and received Yeshua as your Lord and Savior but you have not been loving God with all your heart, nor been loving other people especially your enemies as you are commanded to do, then maybe your body has rejected your new heart. I think then you need to come before the Great Physician for a heart bypass. In either case, if you have never received Yeshua as Lord and Savior, or if you need a heart bypass to get you past your sin and into God's righteousness, allow God to do a makeover on your heart today.

Hi Ellen here…

Do you have any regrets? I mean big regrets!!! I did but they have diminished since working out my own salvation through fear and trembling. I continue to have little pesky regrets like wearing the wrong outfit to an event or not putting on sneakers when journeying on rocky terrain (like here in Kenya) and there are so many I cannot list them but I am sure you know what I mean. As I was pondering on the subject of regrets I went to our heavenly Father and asked Him what He thought on this subject…

One very significant event came immediately to mind, Noah and the Ark. In Genesis 6 God said that He saw wickedness and evil in humankind and He regretted that he made man on the earth and that He was deeply grieved and we all know what happened after that. The other event that comes to mind is when Samuel regretted that he made Saul king. There are so many more in the Bible with David, Jeremiah and Peter and the rooster crowing three times. Maybe our regrets are not as earth shattering as these but still shaking our world. Rabbi spoke on opportunities versus excuses last Shabbat. If you were not there to hear the sermon, I suggest that you tune in to our YouTube channel. Why, because it may help with not passing up opportunities so that you will not suffer regret. I remember what my husband says… "The only thing I regret in life is not receiving Yeshua sooner." If you have not made this most important decision in your life, do it now! With Yeshua you will have no regrets, Amen!

Yours in Messiah Yeshua, "…while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Messiah Yeshua." (Titus 2:13)

Rabbi Jack & Ellen