ISSUE: #23

MEM

Message

The Church

The Church or congregation – the called out ones – has a purpose. We read in Hebrews 10: 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; 24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

1 Corinthians 14:26 What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.

Ephesians 4 gives the purpose and our place in the body. Read it again and ask Elohim to reveal to you your place in the body (Church) and be sure we need one another.

Proverb

Proverbs 1:10 My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent.

Proverbs 1:15 My son, do not walk in the way with them. Keep your feet from their path,

Proverbs 1:23 "Turn to my reproof, Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.

Saying

When we’re interdependent, we work cooperatively with other people. We seek their welfare as well as our own. We discover that people working together multiply their abilities in ways that aren’t explained by simple mathematics. We experience both the emotional richness of close interpersonal relationships, and practical rewards of teamwork.

Stephen Covey

Bible Quiz

1. What did Yeshua teach regarding false prophets?
2. Which book deals with the Levites and the Priest?
3. What nationality was the woman who told Yeshua that dogs ate the children’s crumbs?
4. To the churches of what place was Paul personally unknown?
5. What remedy for snakebite did Moses make at YHVH’s direction?
6. Who threatened Elijah’s life after the contest on Mount Carmel?
7. Who said, "If anyone of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her"?

Hebraic Lesson

"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy" (Exodus 20:8)

"Observe (guard) the Sabbath day to keep it holy, as the LORD you God commanded you." (Deuteronomy 5:12)

"So the sons of Israel shall observe the Sabbath, to celebrate the Sabbath throughout their generation as a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between Me and the sons of Israel forever; for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, but on the seventh day He ceased from labor, and was refreshed." (Exodus 31:16-17) (Here YHVH links the Sabbath with creation)

…You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out of there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm; therefore the Lord you God commanded you to observe the Sabbath day. (Deuteronomy 5:15) (Here YHVH links the Sabbath with Redemption)

Messiah said "…I am the Light of the world" (John 8:12)

Messiah told us "…You are the light of the world" (Matthew 5:14)

Did you know:

Robert Lee Frost – (1874-1963) US poet. Much of his work reflects the New England countryside, where he spent a large part of his life.

Frost had just recited one of his poems, and was asked to explain it. "What do you want me to do?" he replied, "Say it over again in worser English?"

A journalist once called at Frost’s house for an interview. "Do you have one of those machines – those tape recorders?’ asked the poet suspiciously as he opened the door. "No, sir," replied the journalist. Frost’s manner changed instantly. "Well, come on in!" he cried. "Those people who take down every word never get anything right."

The Little, Brown Book of Anecdotes - Clifton Fadiman

Humor

Maybe this is not really funny but you know you're living in the computer age when...

-You accidentally enter your password on the microwave.

-You haven't played solitaire with real cards in years.

-You e-mail the person who works at the desk next to you.

-Your reason for not staying in touch with friends and family is that they don't have e-mail addresses.

-You make phone calls from home, you accidentally dial "9" to get an outside line.

-You pull up in your own driveway and use your cell phone to see if anyone is home.

-Leaving the house without your cell phone, is now cause for panic and you turn around to go and get it.

-You get up in the morning and go online before getting your coffee.
 

Short Story

Clearance Plants

When I was a child, my mom would buy the clearance plants at the grocery store. The ones that were mostly brown and all the flowers long gone. However, she would see one or two leaves that were still green and decide that it could be saved. Granted, having eight children on just my father’s small income, meant that if she wanted to buy plants, the clearance section was all she could afford. Yet my mom brought those plants back to life seemingly miraculously. She definitely had what is commonly called a green thumb.

I took it for granted growing up that every plant would live no matter what state they began in. Since I have learned to be economical, or in less flattering terms – cheap, I follow her example and buy the discounted, ugly plants. I know what it is supposed to look like and can see the potential in two little green leaves surrounded by a clump of brown sticks. I have learned to have faith in the power of life.

It wasn’t until I lived with my mother-in-law that I met someone who was convinced she could not grow indoor plants. The problem was not that she had a black thumb; it was merely she did not know how to care for plants properly. By the time I moved out, my mother-in-law had several plants, all of which are doing wonderful, including an olive tree.

What is the difference between my two moms? Just this, my mom had learned how to care for plants from her father. Each plant is unique and requires a different water and light amount. My mother-in-law just needed to learn how to understand a plant’s needs and act accordingly. Yes I do believe that some people have talents in certain areas, but everyone can grow a plant.

That was the first job in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve walked and talked with YHVH and took care of the garden. I am sure it was a phenomenal place to be, and weeds in our definition of the word, did not exist. However, taking care of the land and plants was Adam’s first job description. Perhaps many of the conversations Adam had with YHVH were about the garden. That makes me envision YHVH as a gardener.

He plants His seed in our lives and teaches us to help it grow by watering it with prayer and fertilizing it with the Word. Of course the dirt of your life should be replaced with rich and clean soil. Cigarette butts, broken bottles, and bitter earth do not promote the lush green growth that mark healthy plants.

I believe that YHVH looks at us the same way my mom looked at the clearance plants. To the impatient person who wants instant beauty and perfection, those plants are passed over as unworthy. To YHVH, who looks at our broken lives struggling in sin; He sees the potential and picks up that pot, takes it home, and gives it love.

Quiz Answers

1. Watch out for them (by their fruit you will know them) Matthew 7: 15-19
2. Leviticus
3. Syrian Phoenician Mark 7: 26-28
4. Judea Galatians 1:22
5. A bronze snake on a pole to be looked at Numbers 21:8-9
6. Jezebel 1 Kings 19:1-2
7. Yeshua John 8:7