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2013
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The Fall Festivals
Isaiah 62
6I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night:
ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence,
7And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.Psalm 122:6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: may they prosper who love you.
As we experienced Teshuvah and anticipated the Fall Biblical Festivals of the LORD, we were blessed to have a visiting minister from Eretz Yisrael (The Land of Israel) in the area. On Friday, August 23, 2013, Highway To Zion, in Charlotte, NC, hosted Shmuel Suran of Chazon Yerushalayim Ministries in Israel at the Raintree Country Club in Charlotte, NC. Beit Yeshua dropped their Erev Shabba meeting in order to join Highway To Zion. Members from both groups first met Shmuel when they joined Cathy Hargett and Highway To Zion for a 2011 trip to Israel - where Shmuel's wife, Pamela, had been their tour guide. Steve & Laurie Martin, of Love For His People, led the Ahava Praise Band, with musicians and singers from all three groups. The Highway To Zion Dancers led dance for the evening. Cathy Hargett introduces Shmuel Suran
Shmuel gave his testimony about coming to Messiah Yeshua. Key points from his testimony included: *He grew up thinking that Jesus was the God of the church and had nothing to do with Jews
*No one ever "personally" shared about Jesus with him when he was growing up in thy US
*He went to the university in the 1960s
*He saw DaVinci's painting "The Last Supper" and wondered why this Christian Jesus was celebrating the Jewish Passover
*He bought a New Testament and started reading Matthew 1:1 which gave the genealogy of Jesus
*He discovers that Jesus, called Yeshua, was Jewish - He was stunned!
*He read Jesus' Sermon on the Mount - He had never heard words like these before
*He wondered, who was this Jesus?
*As he read on, he found out Jesus celebrated Passover, was betrayed and crucified
*He was amazed to learn that the sign above Jesus' head, stating his crime, said "King of the Jews"
*In his mind, heart and soul, he had a Jewish identity crisis
*How could the God of Christianity be the King of the Jews? This was impossible!
*In a moment of time, the Holy Spirit came upon him and "began to lift the veil" to his eyes
*He said, "Oh, my God, It's You!" and fell on his face weeping
*After that encounter, he read about Jesus' resurrection and he gave his life to Him
*He's followed Jesus from that day
*God tells him to go to Israel
*He arrives in Israel as a "2-year-old" in the LordHe also talked about the Restoration of Israel before Jesus/Yeshua returns and said it would encompass three things:
(1) A Restoration to the Land - which has already happened - in 1948
(2) A Restoration of Jerusalem to the Jews - which happened in 1967
(3) The Full-Redemption of Israel - which is yet to comeScriptures for his message came from Ezekiel 36 & 37 as well as Zechariah 10
On Friday, September 6th, 2013, Beit Yeshua gathered at Chuck & Janice's home to celebrate the Biblical Festival of Yom Tereah ("The Feast of Trumpets" or "The Day of the Awakening Blast"). Israel has two calendars: (1) a Civil Calendar that begins with the month of Tishri and the holiday of Rosh Hashanah, "The Head of the Year", and (2) a Religious Calendar that begins with the month of Nisan, of which Pesach/Passover is a part. The Feast of Yom Teruah is the 5th of the Biblical Feasts on the Religious Calendar and usually occurs in September. Tishri is the 1st month on the Civil Calendar and the 7th month on the Religious Calendar. The only specific command in scripture is to blow the shofar.
Leviticus 23:23-
And the LORD spoke to Moshe/Moses saying, "Speak to the children of Israel saying, 'In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you will have a Sabbath, a memorial announced with a blowing of horns (shofarot - making a call to repentance), a holy convocation, You will do no servile work on this day; but you will make an offering made by fire to the LORD.'"Shofarot are sounded at the evening begins
To hear Chuck sound the shofar and explain the various sounds
CLICK HEREJanice lights Shabbat/Festival candles & Chuck says the blessing over the bread & wine
There were 40+ in attendance at the Yom Teruah home-group meeting
Doug did a teaching on the prophetic significance of the festival
As part of Beit Yeshua's festival celebration last year, we shared the drama, "The Ancient Jewish Wedding Parallels", which compares the relationship of a young Jewish couple in ancient times to that of Yeshua and his Bride, with themes of Yom Teruah. Yeshua frequently talked about his marriage relationship with us. The Prophet Isaiah, the Apostle John and Apostle Paul also talked about the marriage relationship between Yeshua and His Bride.
Isaiah 61:10
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful (Guwl) in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.Isaiah 62:1-5
For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name. Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God. Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married. For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.Matthew 9:15
And Jesus said unto them, can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.Matthew 25:1-6,10
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them; But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. When the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. And while the foolish went to buy, the bridegroom came, and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.John 3:27-29
John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I (John) said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.2 Corinthians 11:2
For I am jealous over you with Godly jealousy, for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chat virgin to Christ.Revelation 19:7-9
Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white; for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are thy which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true saying of God.In the Ancient Jewish Wedding: (1) The Bride was chosen,
(2) The Betrothal was arranged,
(3) The Bride Price was paid,
(4) The Ketuba - Marriage Contract - was agreed upon,
(5) The Bride's Consent was given,
(6) The First Cup of Wine Seals the Agreement,
(7) Betrothal Gifts were given to the Bride,
(8) The Bridegroom departed,
(9) The Chuppa is prepared, a room was added on to the Father's house and only the Father knew when it was finished,
(10) The Bride's Mikvah - baptism occured,
(11) The Bride anxiously waits for his return,
(12) The Bridegroom Cometh,
(13) The Catching Away of the Bride,
(14) Seven Days Alone in the Wedding Chamber.Scripture tells us, concerning our own marriage relationship with Yeshua: (1) THE BRIDE WAS CHOSEN: John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you...
(2) The BETROTHAL: Hosea 2:19-20 I will betroth you to me forever ....
(3) The BRIDE PRICE: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 You are not your own; You were bought at a price.
(4) The KETUBAH, Marriage Contract: Hebrews 8:10 This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord, I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts.
(5) The BRIDE'S CONSENT: Romans 10:9-10 ...If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thy heart ...
(6) 1st CUP OF WINE: Matthew 26:27-29 Yeshua took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many...
(7) BETROTHAL GIFTS: 1 Corinthians 12:1,4,8-10 Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.
(8) DEPARTURE OF THE BRIDEGROOM: John 14: 2 In my Father's house are many dwelling places ... I am going to prepare a place for you
(9) The CHUPPA, Wedding Chamber Prepared: John 14:3 And if I would go, then I shall prepare a place for you. I am coming again and I shall take you along with me so that where I AM you would be also.
(10) The BRIDE'S MIKVAH: Mark 16:16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved.
(11) The BRIDE WAITS: Matthew 25:1-13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of Man cometh.
(12) The BRIDEGROOM COMETH: Joel 2:16 Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children & those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth from his chamber and the bride out of her closet.
(13) The CATCHING AWAY: 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; so shall we ever be with the Lord.The Ancient Jewish Wedding
(Left to Right) Chuck, Doug, Gideon and Myrl
For more photos and information from our "Ancient Jewish Wedding Parallels" drama:
CLICK HERE"Repentance"
from Pastor Mike Devine, Senior Pastor at Covenant Bible ChurchRepentance is one of the hardest things to embrace in the whole world. THe reason it is so hard is because "being wrong" just isn't something we are comfortable with. We live in a culture where taking responsibility for one's own actions is somewhat diminishing. Everybody wants to blame something or someone for all that's wrong, even in them. Repentance requires ownership. Repentance requires humility. Repentance happens whn I determine that I am to blam. 1. Repentance says, "I'm wrong!" 2. Repentance says, "I am responsible!" 3. Repentance is about having a heart of humility 4. Repentance isn't your list of failures, it's a heart attitude Repentance is more than saying, "I am sorry." Repentance has other requirements. It says, "Not only am I sorry, but I also want to change." It says, "I was wrong and now I want to do it right." Repentance requires both courage and responsibility. Repentance is a necessary part of beginning a walk with Messiah. Repentance has at least 5 steps and we must learn to embrace them all. They are:
1. I was wrong. 2. I am sorry. 3. I own my mistake. 4. I accept the consequences for my mistake. 5. I want "real" change to happen in me. When we are willing to walk through real REPENTANCE, we open the door for GOD's sovereign intervention. We open the door for real change. We open the door to a new life in Him.
Beit Yeshua gathered of Friday, September 13th, at Chuck & Janice's home, to observe the Feast of Yom Kippur, "The Day of Atonement".
There are several commandments concerning Yom Kippur. (1) It is a Sabbath and you are to do no work, and (2) you will "afflict" yourselves - which is a Hebrew idiom indicating that the individual was to fast for the festival - usually a 25-hour fast.
Leviticus 23:26-32
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Surely, on the tenth of this seventh month will be a Day of Atonement: it will be a holy convocation for you, and you will afflict yourselves and offer an offering made by fire to the LORD. And you will do no work on that same day, for it is a day of atonement, to make atonement for you before the LORD your God. For whoever will not be afflicted in that same day, he will be cut off from among his people. And whoever does any work on that same day, I will destroy the same one from among his people. You will do no manner of work: it will be a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. It will be a Sabbath of rest for you and you will afflict yourselves: on the ninth of the month at evening, from evening to evening, you will celebrate your Sabbath."Our focus for the evening was prayer - (1) Individual Repentance, (2) Prayer & Repentance for the Body of Messiah - the Church, (3) Prayer for the U.S., (4) Prayer for Israel, and (5) Prayer for the Nations. I. Individual Repentance Proverbs 6:16-21
There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers. My son, keep your father's commands and do not forsake your mother's teaching. Bind them upon your heart forever; fasten them around your neck.Psalms 24:3-6
Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication for God his Savior. Such is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob.* Pray that God will forgive us of all unrighteousness * Pray for God to create in us a pure heart, mind, will and emotions * Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to us all stumbling blocks * Pray God will protect us from the temptations of the enemy II. Prayer & Repentance for the Body Of Messiah - the Church Ephesians 2:14-16
For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in the flesh the law with its ordinances and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death the enmity.* Pray that racism, religious spirits and the traditions of men will be vanquished * Pray for God to restore the Church - a restoration of His Presence to the body * Pray that the church will be a place of forgiveness, grace, mercy, love and healing * Pray that the church will be a place for the refuge and the stranger * Pray for unity in the Body of Messiah III. Prayer for the U.S. Ephesians 5:6
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are sons of disobedience.Matthew 24:7
Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.* Pray that the spirit of slumber be broken and America awakens * Pray that God would restore and protect the land * Pray for all elected officials * Repent for idolarity, immorality, perversions of all kinds and abortion IV. Prayer for Israel Psalms 122:6-7
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May those who love you prosper. May there be peace within your walls and prosperity within your palaces.Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans that I have for you (Israel)," declares the LORD, "plans for welfare and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope.* Pray that the scales will fall from the eyes of Gods chosen people * Pray that all plans of the enemy and terrorists will be revealed * Pray that Jeremiah 27:11 will become a fresh vision and alive in all people in the land * Pray for the leaders of the land - the Prime Minister and the Knesset V. Prayer for the Nations Genesis 22:15-18
The angel of the LORD called to Abraham from heaven a second time and said, "I swear by myself," declares the LORD, "that because you have done this and have not withheld your son (Isaac), your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendant will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me."* Pray for salvation of the lost * Pray that s spirit of love will invade the peoples of the earth * Pray that all leaders will develop a servants heart for the peoples they have authority over * Pray that God's name will be proclaimed over all the earth * Pray that we will connect to a lost and dying world and do a better job of allowing people to see Yeshua in and through us * Pray that the scales be removed from the eyes of the Arab and Muslim nations
Beit Yeshua met on Friday, September 20th, in the Family Life Center of Covenant Bible Church, to celebrate the Biblical Festival of Sukkot (or "The Feast of Booths/Tabernacles").
Leviticus 23:39-42
"... on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered the fruit of the land, you will keep a feast to the LORD seven days: the first day will be a Sabbath and the eighth day will be a Sabbath. And on the first day you will take the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees and the boughs of thick trees and willows of the brook and you will rejoice before the LORD your God seven days. And you will keep it a Feast to the LORD seven days in the seventh month. You will dwell in booths seven days."
The seventh month of the Jewish Religious Calendar is the month of Tishri - falling in September or October. The 1st day of the feast is a Sabbath. You are not allowed to do any "servile" work - the type of work you do as an occupation - although you can cook, clean, etc. Sukkot is a seven-day festival but the 8th day is added as an additional Sabbath. The branches of 4 trees (the citron/etrog, the palm/lulav, the willow and the myrtle) are used to rejoice before the LORD. There is also a command to live in "booths" (temporary dwelling) for seven days.
Ten members of Beit Yeshua gathered on Thursday
to set up the Family Life Center for SukkotThanks to Jonathan & Andi, Paul & Susan, Doug & Lynda, Grady, Myrl & Carolyn
for giving of your time and efforts to make Beit Yeshua's Sukkot Celebration a successShofarot were sounded as the evening begins -
as is seen in this compilation of three photosCurtis welcomes everyone
Blessings are said over Shabbat/Festival Candles -
as well as blessings over the bread and wine
Everyone gathers around the sukkah so that they can see
The Machol Dancers dance to "Who Is Like You"
from Paul Wilbur's CD "Your Great Name"
The see the entire dance, CLICK HERE The dance performance was followed by a time of
praise, worship, dance and pageantryThe first song, "Latter Days", by Barry & Batya Segal, speaks of all the
nations going up to Jerusalem in the Latter Days to worship the LORDThe Hear the song "Latter Days", CLICK HERE
Paul sounds the shofar
Gloria dances with flags
Everyone enjoyed the traditional Sukkot favorite, "Mayim Mayim"
Based on the scripture from Isaiah 12:3
"Therefore with joy shall you draw water from the wells of salvation"Mayim, mayim, mayim, mayim,
Mayim, mayim b'sasonThe see the dancers practice the dance - CLICK HERE
Carolee on the tambourine, Jonathan & Bill on drums
To see our praise, worship & dance to "We Will Run" by Paul Wilbur, CLICK HERE Thanks to Steve Martin for the YouTube Videos The LORD gives us so very much daily
One of the few things we can actually give to Him is our praise & worship
But then He turns back around and blesses us through itWorshipping to the song, "At Your Name - Yahweh Yahweh" by Phil Wickham
Lord of all the earth
We shout Your Name, shout Your Name
Filling up the skies
With endless praise, endless praise
Yahweh, Yahweh
We love to shout Your Name, oh LordTo see the video, CLICK HERE Thanks to Steve Martin for the YouTube Videos Ken worships with the Lion of Judah banner
The hear the song, CLICK HERE Paul introduces our guest speaker, Warren Marcus, of Sid Roth Ministries,
Messianic Pastor at Steel Creek Church in Charlotte, and leader
of the "One-New-Man Group"
Warren shared a wonderful Sukkot message
To hear Warren's message, Part 1 (Festivals & the Church) CLICK HERE (49:45)
To hear Warren's message, Part 2 (Sukkot) CLICK HERE (13:59) Thanks to Steve Martin for providing the YouTube Videos
After Warren's message, Doug leads us in a prayer for Israel The dancers dance as an offering for Israel is received To see the dance "Peace of Jerusalem" by Kirk Dearman, CLICK HERE (3:19) Thanks to Steve Martin for providing the YouTube Videos A Time of Fellowship at the End of the Evening ... Cathy Hargett of Highway To Zion and some of our Charlotte friends Carmela, Dolores, Ginger, Sheila, Cathy, Susan Patty & Robbie Alex enjoys his first Sukkot
with a children's Lulav & EtrogCurtis chats with Warren Carolyn with Sheila, Carmela and Dolores Carolyn and Angel with John Wayne and Doris David, Peter, Sam and Sean Mary, Bianca, Allie and Cayla Warren with Iline, Myrl, Lynda, Ken, Gloria and Doug Mark, Virgil, Angel and Connie Susan, Debbie, Grady, Jonathan and Rita Andy and Jane
Patty with Carolee and Wane Ginger with Susan, Steve & Laurie Martin of "Love For His People" Paul and Alex with Rose and Candy (Left) Netasha & Clark, (Right) Laura & Kirk 
Rita hugging Andi Susan & Carolyn Thanks to Andi for all the wonderful photos.
Thanks to Carolyn for overhead projection and Susan for sound.
Thanks to Steve for providing all the YouTube links.
Several families from Beit Yeshua built their own family sukkah for Sukkot in 2013. It wonderful to celebrate Sukkot corporately, but there is an individual aspect of the festival that can't be ignored. Jonathan, Andi & Cayla This was the second year for Jonathan, Andi & Cayla to celebrate Sukkot.
Part of their observance of the festival was to build their own sukkah on the deck of their homeJonathan, Andi & Cayla share a meal with Paul & Susan Andi & Cayla pose while Jonathan snaps a photo of the family Andi & Cayla rejoice with Lulav & Etrog Richard & Melody
Richard Jr, Seth, Benjamin, Ethan, Isaac and SarahWe first met Richard, Melody, Richard Jr, Seth, Benjamin, Ethan, Isaac and Sarah at Beit Yeshua's 2013 Pesach Seder. They built their first sukkah this year. "We've been studying and observing the Biblical Festivals for 25 years.
As the years have passed, our knowledge has increased and our times of meeting
with the LORD at His 'appointed times' have grown sweeter and sweeter."Curtis & Carolyn's sukkah
YouTube Video Link: CLICK HERE Eating dinner in the sukkah on the first night of Sukkkot
"After dinner, it was nice to spend the evening reading, praying and just talking to the LORD" Reading David Dolan's book, "Millennium - The Lord Reigns"
Lights among the tree branches on the roof provide evening light
When they're calling for rain, you're gonna get wet in your sukkah
unless you add a covering on top of the branchesThis inexpensive tarp ($10) from Wal-Mart was just what we needed
We're always pleased to have our children and grandchildren share our sukkah
Savanna, Beth, Brad and Ali YouTube Video Link: CLICK HERE Israeli Folk Dance I've been working hard to add additional videos to the "Dances & Videos" page of the website.
We have added videos for the following Israeli Folk Dances:Hava Nagila Hine MaTov Hora - Traditional Klezmer Ma NaVu Mayim Mayim Resting Place, A Roni Bat Zion Who Is Like You
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