ISSUE: #1

MEM

Message

Admonished to Pray

The importance of prayer cannot be overemphasized. At this time the nations are divided about war with Iraq, even within our own nation. We need to be alert to what is going on, to watch and pray. We are admonished to pray for our leaders. (1 Timothy 2:1-4) First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Paul offered up many prayers in his letters. Note the one here in –

Ephesians 1:15-23 (NAS, underlines added) For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

It is our desire that all those who seek Him might come to know Him (V-17). Let us call on the One Who has authority over all (V-21), the head of the church Yeshua Ha Mashiach (Hebrew for Jesus the Christ or Messiah).

Proverb

Saying

Proverbs 1: 7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge;

The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.
(Chinese proverb)

Youth Quiz

1. In Jesus' (Yeshua's) parable, who helped the man who had been beaten and robbed?
2. In dry measure, the ephahs (one homer) equaled how many bushels?
3. Where did Paul leave his cloak?

Readers Comments

Please send us your comments. We will select those of interest and include them in this area. We would also like to include outstanding answers to prayer or angelic protection.

Hebraic Lesson

We worship the God of the whole Bible. The forefathers are Hebrews, and the First Covenant was given to them. By looking at some of the articles mentioned in this covenant we can learn much, as they are full of meaning.

For example; the Menorah. This was an item the LORD (YHVH - Yahweh) commanded to be a part of the Tabernacle. The Menorah (the lamp stand of Exodus 25) has many symbolic meanings.

One meaning represents the Tree of Life. Not only does it look similar to a tree with its branches extending upward from a central trunk, the Jewish people believe that the menorah originally represented the tree of life.

The lamp stand in the temple was to be kept burning continually. We know light represents good, life, Messiah and God's way. The Psalmist writes, (Psalm 119:105) the Word of God is "a lamp unto my feet". So the Word of God, Messiah, (John 1:1-5,14) as the tree of life, should be evident as we understand Messiah is wisdom and wisdom is a tree of life (Proverbs 3:18).

There is much more about the menorah (lamp stand) we will mention in future issues.

Article/Website/Book/Audio Spotlight

For those that are new to the Holy Bible, or have not read the Old Testament. We recommend you start a reading through the Bible. See our Weekly Reading / Torah Schedule. It was Yeshua (Jesus) that told Satan "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'"(Matthew 4:4) He quoted this from Deuteronomy 8:3, it would be good to be familiar with all the first covenant writings.

Did you know:

The olive tree, its fruit, oil and wood are the most mentioned of all the trees in the Bible.

Humor

I thought it was humorous when Manoah realizing he had seen, "the angel of the LORD" (Yahweh) thought he was going to die. Until his wife said, in essence, 'too late now,' if we were going to die He would not have accepted our sacrifice and given us this task. (Judges 13:2-23)

Ok maybe I have a dry sense of humor. Send in your submittals.

Bible Software/Links/Hints

We recommend you have a Bible software program on your computer. The one we use most is free and we will be giving helpful tips on its use from time to time in this column.

See our Online Bible Software review.

A friend asked me for the scripture about the mixed multitude leaving Egypt with Israel. Thumbing through Exodus I could not readily pick it out but as soon as I searched for 'mixed multitude,' in the Online Bible program it came up in a second.

Rotating Articles

In this place we will put an article of interest. One that is timely, one of the season or something appropriate for focus.

Quiz Answers

1. The good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37)
2. Six bushels.
3. At Troas (II Timothy 4:13)