ISSUE: #9

MEM

Message

With all the talk of homosexuals in recent newscasts, we grow weary. Many Christians who disagree with the direction we seem to be moving as a nation (with regard to homosexual issues), are quick to point out (and rightly so) that our opinion should not matter, but that of the Creator. This then affords opportunity to present the scripture in text speaking against homosexual activity. An example of such a scripture could be.

Leviticus 18:22  You will not lie with a man, as with a woman. It is an abomination.

So what is an abomination? A dictionary definition goes as follows.

Noun: Abomination

A person who is loathsome or disgusting

Hate coupled with disgust

An action that is vicious or vile; an action that arouses disgust or abhorrence.

A foul thing, a detestable thing.

The person pointing out the above scripture is rightly judging how God still views homosexual activity.  But in so doing, we immediately point a sort of superior finger at those who succumb to such abominations. However, one must remove the beam from his own eye in order to see clearly to remove the speck from his brother’s eye. Might we be involved with anything else that God calls an abomination?

Let’s look at other areas God calls an abomination.

Deuteronomy 14:3 You shall not eat any abominable thing.

Proverbs 15:26  The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to YHWH. But the words of the pure are words of pleasantness.

Proverbs 12:22  Lying lips are an abomination to YHWH. But those who deal truly are His delight.

Proverbs 28:9 He who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer will be an abomination.

Proverbs 16:5 Every one who is proud in heart is an abomination to YHWH. Though hand join in hand, he will not be innocent.

So as we strive, as commanded, to watch what is happening around us and wisely discern right from wrong, may we also be diligently and humbly examining ourselves.

The above scriptures should be humbling, Are we eating things that God says not to? Are we telling lies? Have we turned our ear from God’s law? Do we have a proud heart?

In the last book of the Bible, Revelation chapter 21, it talks about the new Jerusalem. Verse 27 says that no one who works abomination will enter into it.

Revelation 21:27  And there will in no wise enter into it any thing that defiles, nor works abomination, or makes a lie. But those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

God makes no distinction between one who is an homosexual, and one who turns from His law, He makes no distinction between one who has lying lips, and one who is proud in heart; all are an abomination to God!

Hebraic Lesson

Torah Reading...

What does "torah" mean?

Torah is a Hebrew transliteration which means teachings, instructions or direction. It is used many times in the Bible and you will usually find it translated as "law".

What is the torah reading?

The torah reading is from the first five books of the Bible, also called the books of Moses. These five books may also collectively be referred to as "the torah". These five books and their Hebrew transliterated equivalents, which you may run into from time to time, are: Genesis (Bereisheet); Exodus (Shemot); Leviticus (Vayikra); Numbers (Bamidbar); and Deuteronomy (Devarim). Each week a portion of scripture is read from the torah. Typically there are also portions read from the rest of the Bible as well. These are referred to as "haftarah" (prophets) and "brit chadashah" (new covenant). Although the torah section is the same within different groups, you may find some variances in the other scripture readings. (To see a typical torah reading schedule click here.)

Who follows the torah readings?

Among others you will most typically find the torah readings read in Messianic and Jewish groups.

What is the torah cycle?

The reading has mainly been broken down into a yearly cycle. There is significance to the timing of the torah cycle. The beginning coincides with completion of Yahweh’s fall festivals. These final feasts show what we have to look forward to with Messiah’s reign and future end time events. (Click here to read Eddie Chumney’s book "THE SEVEN FESTIVALS OF THE MESSIAH" online.)

Why start over with the readings from year to year? Besides just simply being humans who tend to forget, you can be confident that you will learn new things each year if you put your heart into it and study our Creator’s instructions for us.

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

Bible Quiz

1) When Joseph and Mary presented Jesus at the temple, what was the evidence of their poverty? Luke 2:24

2) Which book describes the exaltation of the Edomites over Judah at the time of the fall of Jerusalem in 586 B.C.?

3) Where were the people from who fought against Gideon? Judges 7:15

4) How many people were added to the believers on the day of Pentecost? Acts 2:41

5) What did Lot’s wife become? Gen. 19:26

6) Which disciple went into Jesus’ tomb? Luke 24:12

7) Who said, "Forty more days and Ninevah will be overturned?" Jonah 3:4

Saying

Success is simply a matter of luck. Ask any failure.

Progress always involves risk; you can’t steal second & keep your foot on first. Fredrick Wilcox

Did You Know

Daniel Boone (1734-1820) US pioneer, He led settlers into Kentucky in 1775 and later moved on into Missouri.

The American artist Chester Harding, painting Daniel Boone’s portrait, asked the old frontiersman, then in his eighties, if he had ever been lost. Boone replied, "No, I can’t say I was ever lost, but I was bewildered once for three days."

Humor

Tommy Bolt, US golfer known for his graceful swing and terrible temper. One time, trying to enliven a group, he asked his fourteen-year old son to "show the nice folks what I taught you." The son obediently hurled a nine-iron into the blue sky.

Grace

We must be cognizant that only by the grace of God am I being kept from sin daily. Without the daily presence and power of the indwelling Christ, the power of sin can overtake me. From Andrew Murray’s book "Humility The Journey Toward Holiness"

Quiz Answers

Word Puzzle

Something for those who like puzzles. Have fun.

This is a most remarkable puzzle. It was found by a gentleman in an airplane seat pocket, on a flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu, keeping him occupied for hours. He enjoyed it so much he passed it on to some friends. One friend from Illinois worked on this while fishing from his john boat. Another friend studied it while playing his banjo. Elaine Tayle, a columnist friend, was so intrigued by it she mentioned it in her weekly newspaper column. Another friend judges the job of solving the puzzle so involved she brews a cup of tea to help her nerves. There will be some names that are really easy to spot. That's a fact. Some people, however, will soon find themselves in a jam, especially since the book names are not necessarily capitalized. Truthfully, from answers we get, we are forced to admit it usually takes a minister or scholar to see some of them at the worst. Research has show that something in our genes is responsible for the difficulty we have in seeing the books in this paragraph. During a recent fund raising event, which featured this puzzle, the Alpha Delta Phi lemonade booth set a new sales record. The local paper, The Chronicle, surveyed over 200 patrons who reported that his puzzle was one of the most difficult they had ever seen. As Daniel Humana humbly puts it, "The books are right here in plain view hidden from sight." Those able to find all of them will hear great lamentations from those who have to be shown. One revelation that may help is that books like Timothy and Samuel may occur without their numbers. Also, keep in mind, that punctuation and spaces in the middle are normal. A chipper attitude will help you compete really well against those who claim to know the answers. Remember, there is no need for mad exodus, there really are 30 books of the Bible lurking somewhere in this paragraph waiting to be found.

(The answer to this word puzzle will be in the next issue.)