ISSUE: #11

MEM

(Messianic Email Message)
Psalms 119:97 - 104
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For His Glory!

Message

Take Joy in Trials

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials" (James 1:2 NKJV unless noted otherwise)

How can anyone find Joy in the midst of a trial? This goes against any normal human thought. But we are not talking about normal human thought. What we are talking about is thought led by God’s Spirit.

So what is this joy that we should feel? The type of joy we are supposed to have is not the typical good feeling that first comes to mind when you hear the word joy. What people usually call "happiness" or "joy" is often a selfish, inward joy, which is short lived.

Think about trials you have experienced. Many things we consider to be trials are brought on by our own foolishness, selfishness, ignorance, or stubbornness. Think about financial, marital, and relationship difficulties. Often—especially while we are in the middle of these trials— we blame God or others around us. Many times, upon careful and prayerful examination, we find we have played a role in causing the trial.

Should we take joy in self-induced trials? Yes, if we are learning and growing from them. However, James was not speaking of these types of trials. Read the very next verse.

"knowing that the TESTING OF YOUR FAITH produces patience." (James 1:3 emphasis added)

The Greek word for faith here is "pistis", (Strongs number 4102). This word is talking about your relationship with God, or your religious practices. James is referring to a testing or persecution for your belief in God.

Also Peter adds:

"but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy." (1 Peter 4:13)

God is most interested in instructing and training us to be His servants and children, living our lives in the way He desires.

"For the Lord disciplines him whom he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives." (Hebrews 12:6 RSV)

We can take joy in trials because we know it is God who is testing us to improve our spiritual state, our relationship with Him and, by extension, with others.

"And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope." (Romans 5:3-4)

Trials are used by God to develop our character and strengthen our faith. Because of trials, we know that God loves us! He is the source of our satisfaction and true joy. We must have a relationship with Him that will still be strong even if the entire world turns against us. Just remember Yeshua (Jesus) will never leave you.

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?" (Romans 8:35)

The "Joy" we are admonished to have in trials is not taking joy in the pain of the trial, but rather having true joy in the fact that our heavenly Father loves us and cares for us. The trials we are enduring are to mold, shape, and change us into the obedient children that our Father would have us be. So the next time your faith is tested, stand strong and persevere, knowing that you are being examined and prepared for the future. "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God." (Acts 14:22b)


Bible Quiz

  1. The ruler of the synagogue was angry because Jesus healed a woman on what day? Luke 13:10-14
  2. What is the Jewish confession of faith called that is found in Deuteronomy 6:4-9? (A Hebrew word)
  3. What is the name of the place where the Israelites rebelled when Moses commanded them to go into Canaan? Deuteronomy 9:23
  4. An unspiritual man is a slave to what? Romans 7:14
  5. How were Aaron and his sons and their garments consecrated? Exodus 29:21
  6. Who went to Jesus’ tomb while it was still dark? John 20:1
  7. Who said, "Let me die with the Philistines"? Judges 16:30

Scripture of the Month

Know therefore that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments; Deuteronomy 7:9

I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed and said, Alas, O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments, Daniel 9:4

If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. John 14:15


Hebraic Lesson

Last issue we talked about HANUKKAH. A recent article stressed the importance of understanding this time in the history of Judah. Below are a few excerpts from the article by Eddie Chumney, entitled "Hanukkah Lessons for Today".

THE END OF DAYS AND HANUKKAH

When speaking about what to expect in the end of days (Matthew 24) (prior to the Messianic Era), Yeshua referred to the events in Daniel and the events surrounding the story of Hanukkah to give understanding regarding those days. If you don't celebrate and understand Hanukkah, you won't understand the end-time teachings of the Messiah.

THE SPREAD OF GREEK CULTURE AND INFLUENCE

Alexander the Great believed that the Greek culture could unify the world. Alexander founded a new city in each country of his empire that would serve as a model for the furtherance of the Greek culture. Public buildings, gymnasiums, open-air theatres, the spread of Greek-names, Greek dress and a common language were all products and desires of the Greek empire. The acceptance and furtherance of Greek culture and values is known as "Hellenism".

THE WORSHIP OF HELLENISM TODAY

Today, the USA and the Western world is fighting a war of terrorism. VICTORY in the war against terrorism is the spread and acceptance of the Hellenistic culture and values of the west. The "Hellenistic" values that the west is parading as the ultimate victory in the war against terrorism is called, "Democracy and Freedom".

Meanwhile this "Democracy and Freedom" culture is trying at the same time to erode our "Judeo-Christian" values which is rooted in Torah and Yeshua the Messiah.

Today, the western world is seeking to impose the same values to the rest of the world while at the same time seeking to erode and ultimately to eliminate our religious values and freedom.

This is one of the historical lessons we learn from the rise of the Greek empire and the influence of Hellenism.

#1) It was FORBIDDEN to keep the weekly Biblical Sabbath
#2) It was FORBIDDEN to celebrate the annual Biblical Festivals
#3) It was FORBIDDEN to circumcise your sons
#4) You were ENCOURAGED to eat pig and UNCLEAN animals
#5) You were ENCOURAGED to set up idols

HANUKKAH REPEATED IN THE END OF DAYS

When studying Bible prophecy, MANY in traditional Christianity like to study the book of Daniel and Matthew 24. However, I have NEVER heard "Evangelical Christianity" explain the prophecies of Daniel and Matthew 24 through the eyes and issues of Hanukkah.


"Life’s Little Instruction Book"

These are some instructions from a father to his son.

H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Compliment three people each day.

Watch a sunrise at least once a year.

Over tip breakfast waitresses.

Look people in the eye.

Say "thank you" a lot.


Did you know:

XERXES died in 465 BC. He was King of Persia, he led the great Persian expedition against Greece in 480 BC. The Bible calls him Ahasuerus.

On his retreat from Greece, Xerxes boarded a Phoenician ship to transport him back to Asia Minor. On the way a fearful storm blew up and the ship seemed likely to founder, especially as it was overloaded with Persians who had accompanied Xerxes. The king asked the pilot if there was any hope of safety. The man replied that there was none, unless the ship’s load was substantially lightened. Xerkes then turned to the Persians on deck and said, "It is on you that my safety depends. Now let some of you show your regard for your king." A number of those who heard him made obeisance to him and then threw themselves overboard. Thus lightened, the ship came safely to harbor.

After he landed Xerkes immediately ordered that a golden crown be presented to the pilot for preserving the king’s life; however, he also commanded that the man’s head should be cut off as he had caused the loss of so many Persian lives.

[From "Anecdotes" by Little Brown]


Humor

Actual Newspaper Classifieds (collected by journalists)

Man, honest. Will take anything.

For Rent: 6 room hated apartment.

Used Cars: Why go elsewhere to be cheated. Come here first.

Wanted: Hair Cutter. Excellent growth potential.

We will oil your sewing machine and adjust tension in your home for $1.00.

Tired of cleaning yourself. Let me do it.

Great Dames for sale.

Wanted. Man to take care of cow that does not smoke or drink.


Children’s Story

Number 8

And so it was, the cloud was turning to a glowing fire when the third trumpet was sounded and the tribe of Ephraim began to move.

Numbers 10: 22-24 Next the standard of the camp of the sons of Ephraim, according to their armies, was set out, with Elishama the son of Ammihud over its army, and Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur over the tribal army of the sons of Manasseh; and Abidan the son of Gideoni over the tribal army of the sons of Benjamin.

Jeremiah and his family could see as if it were by day yet their travel was by night. They went down through the valley where the southern tribes had been, made a slight turn to the left and up the other side where the eastern tribes had been camped and then on to the northeast. It was the next day as the sun was rising, when the tribe of Ephraim was passing Oak Ridge. Father Jeremiah left the moving family in Joseph’s care and set out to find Benjamin and the sheep.

Benjamin, on the way the get the sheep, had gathered enough manna to mix with some nuts and raisins for his food yesterday, and had re-filled the goat’s skin with water at the river, which flowed through the Valley of the Eagles. A twelve-year-old can drink and eat a lot. The water from the river was never as good as that which flowed from the rock at the camp. But he would have to wait until the next camp sight to enjoy that better tasting water.

This morning the sheep were content grazing when Benjamin began gathering manna, filling his shepherd’s bag for the rest of the family as they were on the move. At the same time he kept an eye on the sheep. The sun was getting brighter when he heard his father’s call. He answered with a shrill whistle that identified him from the other shepherds. Half of the flocks had moved out as six of the tribes had passed by.

Jeremiah began helping Benjamin gather extra manna for Aunt Abigail and Ezra. Jeremiah told Benjamin to take the manna to the rest of the family and he would herd the sheep along the trail of the slow moving column. Taking the staff and rod Benjamin had, father Jeremiah began to call to the sheep and lead them along.

Benjamin did not have far to go to find their tribal standard and his family were close behind. When Tama received the manna she and Sarah walked along behind the cart. Pulling down the gate attached to the back of the cart, which they used as a moving table. Even though the cart jostled once in a while, the ladies were able to grind, mix, stir and combine ingredients to make a wholesome cereal. Joseph was sent with a container and some of this cereal mix to the goatherds along the trail. Cereal mix was traded for goats milk. Soon the Jeremiah family was enjoying bowls of cereal with milk.

Joseph went off to lead the sheep while Benjamin got to ride on the wagon while driving the oxen. Elisabeth was recruited to help clean up the dishes. Tama took over the cart driving and Sarah walked along holding on to the donkey that pulled the cart. That seemed to keep the donkey going. He seemed to enjoyed the companionship.


Web Article Spotlight

There were these Two Trees… Click here for online article.

Understand why there is no unity in the church today. Why there are problems in our own life. Learn the truth about the seeds from the two trees in the garden.


Quiz Answers

  1. The Sabbath
  2. The Shema
  3. Kadesh Barnea
  4. Sold as a slave to sin
  5. They were sprinkled with blood from the altar and with anointing oil.
  6. Mary Magdalene
  7. Samson

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