ISSUE: #17

MEM

Message

The First

I am encouraging my son to write an article for our web page. You can find our web page at www.seekingthetruth.com. It was his comments that got me to thinking about the two great commandments.

"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" And He said to him, "‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND. This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 22:36-40) Yeshua (Jesus) quoted these from the Torah (Law) see Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18.

Are we sure we understand this? The churches today typically have all types of programs to reach out to those in need, to help the poor, to minister to the community and contribute to missions. When one joins a large church you can find some place to serve, to be a part of a small group, to contribute in some way. In most cases these are all good if done with a pure heart.

But what about the first and foremost command? How much do we really put the Creator first in our life? Do we really believe every word that proceeds out of His mouth? We are quick to snatch a verse or two from the writings prior to the Apostles but only when it is supporting something to our liking.

To really love the LORD God with all your heart requires one to know the LORD your God. You can say you love the poor because you give some change to a beggar or to the missions but have missed the intent of the law. When we take time to listen, to serve, to pray for those in need; then we begin to love our neighbor as ourself.

Until we begin to drink in all of the Word of God and to listen to what it says, to call upon His name, until we long to remain in His loving kindness by observing His commands, we will never be putting Him first and foremost in our lives.

There is a price to pay:

Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me." Matthew 16:24

"He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me." Matthew 10:37

May you truly come to know the Almighty One as your Father and Yeshua, His Son, as your Savior.

Proverb

Proverbs 7:1-4

My son, keep my words And treasure my commandments within you. Keep my commandments and live, And my teaching as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; Write them on the tablet of your heart. Say to wisdom, "You are my sister," And call understanding your intimate friend;

Saying

I do not know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know; the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve.

Dr. Albert Schweitzer

Bible Quiz

1. Who conspired with the chief priests to betray Yeshua (Jesus)?
2. For whom was the Gospel of Luke primarily written?
3. What was the name of the desert place where Philip was sent?
4. What was the sin of Ananias and Sapphira?
5. What relationship was Laban to Rebekah?
6. Who was the harpist that played for King Saul?
7. Who said, "Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people"?

The Little, Brown Book of Anecdotes

Spurgeon, Charles Haddon (1834-92), British Baptist minister. While still in his early twenties, Spurgeon became famous as a preacher and continued for many years to command a vast audience for his oratory and writings, which had a pronounced Calvinist character.

1. When Spurgeon was involved in one of the many controversies that marked his career, a friend remarked jocularly, "I hear you are in hot water again."

"I’m not the one in hot water," retorted Spurgeon. "The other fellows are. I’m the man who makes the water boil."

2. "Oh, Mr. Spurgeon, that was wonderful" cried an admirer after one of Spurgeon’s sermons.

Hebraic Lesson

Fall Feasts of the Lord

It’s not too soon to begin thinking about the fall feasts; Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement and Feast of Tabernacles, culminating with the Last Great Day. Today we will consider the Feast of Trumpets.

Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah – Day of blowing the Shofar)

In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a Sabbath, a rehearsal of blowing the trumpets, a sacred assembly. You shall do no laborious work on it. Leviticus 23:24

Now in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall also have a holy convocation; you shall do no laborious work. It will be to you a day for blowing trumpets. Numbers 29:1

We believe the Feast of Trumpets pictures the return of Messiah. "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first." I Thessalonians 4:16

In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed. I Corinthians 15:52

We do not know the day when the Feast of Trumpets will begin because it depends on the sighting of the New Moon, likewise we do not know the day when Messiah will return. No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Matthew 24:36

So let no one judge you in food or in drink or regarding a festival or a new moon or Sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. Colossians 2:16,17 Here we read the festivals and new moons and Sabbaths are a shadow of things to come. All of the Feast Days picture prominent activities of our Savior. All of the spring Holy Days have already been fulfilled by our Savior. We are anxiously awaiting the fulfillment of the Fall Feast days.

Humor

"Hello, is this the FBI?"

"Yes. What do you want?"

"I'm calling to report about my neighbor Billy Bob Smith. He – is -- hiding marijuana inside his firewood!"

"Thank you very much for the call, sir."

The next day, the FBI agents descend on Billy Bob's house. They search the shed where the firewood is kept. Using axes, they bust open every piece of wood, but find no marijuana. They sneer at Billy Bob and leave.

The phone rings at Billy Bob's house. "Hey, Billy Bob! Did the FBI come?"

"Yeah!"

"Did they chop your firewood?"

"Yep."

"Happy Birthday, buddy."

1. Ratio of an igloo's circumference to its diameter? = Eskimo Pi
.
2. 2000 pounds of Chinese soup? = Won ton
.
3. 1 millionth of a mouthwash? = 1 microscope
.
4. Time between slipping on a peel and smacking the pavement? = 1 bananosecond
.
5. Weight an evangelist carries with God? = 1 billigram

Children’s Story

Chapter fourteen - Time for Bed

(The continuing story of one man and his family during the time of Moses. Look for the back issues on our WEB page to get the earlier chapters.)

As night was beginning to fall, the last of the northern tribes were settling into place. The cloud was again turning to a fiery glow. The long lines of cattle, goats and sheep could be seen flowing around the camp area. Father Jeremiah sent fresh young men from Ephraim to assist the shepherds and cattle drivers. While most of the Israelites would sleep in their tents tonight, some would still be helping with the returning flocks and herds. There was yet another group still busy. They were what you might call the clean up crew. The group was composed of a team of members from each tribe that would be picking up lost items and cleaning up any area that might be damaged by the traveling Israelites.

Benjamin had helped with setting up of the tent and unloaded the most important items necessary for house keeping. Knowing what to do because of all the other travels, he un-hooked the oxen and donkey then headed them out to night pasture. Sara was busy sorting bedding and making the tent livable. Elisabeth helped her mother get the cooking items arranged. The last of the manna was being made into a thick cereal over an open fire. This would then be put into bowls, and a bit of honey added to make it as a sweet desert. A nutritious salad was made of the herbs Elisabeth had gathered along the trail.

Joseph, leading the family sheep, could see the growing number of camp fires as he came over the eastern rise toward the camp. All the animals had to be taken on specially marked paths to keep the main part of the camp area clean, because YHVH would not tolerate an unclean camp. Joseph knew it would be another 8 hours before he could get the sheep on the west side to pasture, then he could finally go to the tent. He was surprised to see his cousin, Elah (the 16 year old son of his uncle Josiah and aunt Rebecca) coming to meet him. "Joseph," Elah greeted, "I have come to give you a break. I have already eaten and our animals are safe in pasture, I will shepherd your flock so you can go home to eat. After you have rested a bit meet with me on the west side, then you can take the flock to pasture." With great joy Joseph gave him a hug and trotted off with a hearty "Thanks, Elah".

By the time Joseph arrived at their tent site Benjamin was back from the night pasture and father Jeremiah was returning with a big smile; all the western tribes were now settled. For the first time in days everyone was able to eat together. As they sat around the campfire by the open door of their tent they talked about the events of the past four days. They all thanked YHVH for another safe journey. Oil was put in the night lamp, placed in the tent as Tamah prepared to turn in with the girls for the night. By the light of YHVH, Jeremiah and Benjamin would make a final round of those in their clan, then they would also turn in for the night. Joseph headed out to meet Elah, he would shepherd the flock to pasture, and would not be back before morning.

Blessed are You YHVH. You have brought us to this new campsite without incident. We thank you for your blessings which prepare us for our entry into the promised land.

Quiz Answers

1. Judas Iscariot Luke 23:3-4

2. The Greeks (non-Jews) (Theophilus) Luke 1:1-4

3. Gaza Acts 8:26

4. They lied to the Holy Spirit Acts 5:3

5. Her brother Genesis 24:29

6. David 1 Samuel 16:23

7. An angel of the Lord Luke 2:9-10