Images
Something to Think About
Hag Sameach
& SHAVUOT
by Cathy Hargett
Messianic
Gentiles
by Cathy Hargett
Messianic Jews &
Highway to Zion
by Cathy Hargett
Cowboy-Up
& Quit Whining
by Cathy Hargett
Israel
by Curtis Loftin
Hanukkah
by Curtis Loftin
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.
The following are thought provoking articles written by friends of Beit Yeshua.
They were too good not to make them available to others.TTeshuvah
The following is an article is a compilation of several Teshuvah daily devotionals written by Curtis Loftin
On the Jewish Calendar Elul 1 is the beginning of a period of time called "Teshuvah". Teshuvah is a 30-day period for repentance before Yom Teruah/Rosh Hashanah/Feast of Trumpets on Tishri 1 (and 40 days before Yom Kippur on Tishri 10). “Teshuvah” is a Hebrew word that means “Return”. Yeshua/Jesus is coming back for a Bride that is without spot, blemish or wrinkle. Only Yeshua can do in reality in our lives what the Mikvah (Baptism in water) did symbolically - cause us to die to self and be reborn a new, spotless before Him. Teshuvah is an opportunity for us to search out the corners and crevices of our heart and see if there is anything that would be unpleasing to our heavenly Bridegroom.
1 John 1
9If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.This prayer (Psalm 51) was written by King David, who scripture calls a "man after God's heart". David was a Psalmist, Worshipper, King – as well as an Adulterer and Murderer. He was also a "Repent-er". How wonderful that when we have sin, iniquity & transgression in our lives, Yahweh provides ATONEMENT (At - One - Ment, or restoration) for us through the blood of His son Yeshua.
Psalm 51
(Red - From Strong’s Concordance)1Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy, blot out my transgressions (rebellion/sin).
2Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my (sometimes habitual) sin.
3For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
4Against you, you alone, have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are justified in your sentence and blameless when you pass judgment.
5Indeed, I was born guilty, a sinner when my mother conceived me.
6You desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.
7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have crushed rejoice.
9Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.
10Create in me a clean (pure) heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.
11Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me.
12Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit.The season of Teshuvah is always special to me – each year even more so as we anticipate the return of Yeshua. This past year however has involved some very unique personal and family struggles. There were times when all I could do was just be on my face before the Lord – times when a miracle from the Lord was desperately needed – times when I had absolutely no strength on my own and had to totally lean on Him. But you know what, His hand was never too short to provide just what was needed – the encouragement – the miracle – the strength – the forgiveness. Perhaps you’ve had similar struggles this year, yet what a loving Abba (Heavenly “Daddy”) we have. Part of our continued walk with the Lord is that “purging” that He CONTINUALLY does in our lives. If He’s coming back for a bride that is without spot, wrinkle or blemish, we have to welcome His work within the various aspects of our lives. We live in a carnal world, and we have to keep our eyes, ears and hearts on Him to keep that carnal world from “rubbing off on us”
According to Judaism, confession is an important part of the repentance process. It is simply not enough to feel remorse and forsake sin (although such feelings would indeed be a commendable first step). The Talmud asks the question, "Who is the person whose repentance ascends until the Throne of Glory? — (he is the) one who is tested (again) and emerges guiltless". A person should not simply renounce sin in general, but rather be specific about the sin. The penitent person must literally put his or her feelings into words and essentially say, "Lord, I did ‘such-and-such’ and for that, I am sorry." Excuses for sin and rationalizations of the sin are not accepted at any stage of the repentance process. Verbal confession does not necessarily need to be a confession to another person. Confessing alone usually allows us to be more honest with ourselves and with God. However, confession is slightly different for sins committed against God or one's self than they are for sins committed against another person. True repentance requires the repentant person to approach the offended brother or sister and correct the sin however possible.
Matthew 5:23-24
Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.Ephesians 4
31Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, 32and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you. 5:1Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, 5:2and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.This scripture is so important to our Teshuvah experience. Have you ever noticed how quickly we are to share the “latest news” with others about a brother or sister or to let them know when we don’t like someone? Ephesians says we're not to allow bitterness, wrath, anger, wrangling, slander or malice to exist in our lives. We're suppose to "put it away". That's sometimes hard to do with those who have hurt us, said things about us that aren't true, or talked about us out of jealousy behind our backs. Yet Paul is explicit in his inspired writings to the Ephesians - we're suppose to live in love - even as Messiah loved us. WOW! That's sometimes hard to do, but it should definitely be our goal.
The summer has been a long hot one with temperatures hovering in the upper 90s, but before long we’ll start to feel a change in the outside temperatures. We’ll notice a coolness in the air as leaves begin to fall off of the trees in our front yards. As the first signs of the Fall season approach we are reminded that seasons change in our walk with God, too. Just as we need to prepare for the fall and winter seasons on a physical level, we need to prepare our hearts for the change of spiritual seasons which provide us with wonderful opportunities to draw closer to the Lord – and grow in Him.
I’ve been a worshipper from the time I was a young man. Carolyn & I had been accustomed to setting aside “special” days for the Lord even when we were in college, but it was hard to find a place where we could get together and yet be alone with the Lord. We’d call them our “date” nights with the Lord. We’d pick a time and place and several of us would gather and spend hours in praise, worship and prayer. Frequently it would be the Episcopal Church – which was one of the few churches in our college town that they actually left unlocked on campus for student use. It wasn’t unusual to start praying with one group of people and a different group be there when the evening was over. One of our favorite places was the chapel at First Baptist Church. We’d actually “slip” into the chapel before it was locked up, carrying our Bibles, a record-player and some records (does that date our age?) and for the next few hours we’d get alone with the Lord. We’d sit, or lay, on the floor and talk to Him about EVERYTHING. We were in love with Him and loved to just sit and talk with Him.
These intimate times continued even after we were married. Surprisingly enough, we set aside Friday evenings as our “date night” with the Lord. We’d minimize the lights and put on some Hosanna Integrity cassette (obviously a different season – from records to cassettes) and spend the next few hours in the Lord’s presence – worshipping, praising, dancing, lifting our hands, praying. The kids were small but when the music started and the lights went dim, they came from their bedrooms into the den where we were to be with us. It was as if they were drawn – we didn’t require it – they just came. I’m reminded of the scripture, “train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he’ll not depart from it” – thankfully both of ours love and serve the Lord today and still share a wonderful relationship with us. When I learned that the Biblical Sabbath was from Friday evening till Saturday evening, my mind instantly went back to those “date nights” that Carolyn and I had with the Lord in college – and after we were married. It seems that the Lord had been directing our paths all along – even without our knowing it. Seasons of preparing our hearts. Seasons of teaching us to hear and follow His voice. Seasons to learn how to love and trust Him. Seasons to be intimate with Him.
Carolyn and I would frequently meet at the Episcopal Church in our college town to spend time with the Lord. We used the Episcopal Church because they never locked the doors. Even after someone stole some implements & decorations, they still refused to lock the door and simply put a written request on the door that the items be returned.
The Lord’s voice was always clear and recognizable to us when we met at the Episcopal church. We’d usually start off praying together but would eventually move to a solitary corner or pew to spend more intimate time with Him by ourselves. I’d pour out my heart to Him about my cares, concerns, wishes and dreams. Sometimes I’d talk to him about teaching school and about the students I was teaching in my 6th grade internship at the local elementary school. Once I remember telling Him how much I enjoyed it when the students came up to me at school and would talk to me personally about themselves and what was happening in their lives. His response to me was, “Then you know how I feel. I feel the very same way. I, too, enjoy it when you take the time to talk to me – spend time with me – share what’s happening in your life – and ask for my guidance and direction.”
It wasn’t unusual to spend 2 or 3 hours in His presence – praying, listening to records and worshipping, just resting in Him.
It was also in this same Episcopal church that Carolyn asked the Lord if she’d be getting married before the Rapture – and if so, to who! On this particular occasion she had gone to the church to pray and spend some time with the Lord – all by herself. After asking Him if it was in her future to marry before the Rapture, she opened her Bible to Psalm 19:5 and her eyes fell on the portion that said, “Which is as a Bridegroom coming out of his chamber…” – not knowing that I had just left my dorm room and was headed to the Episcopal Church (not knowing that she was there).
He’s so very faithful – caring about EVERY area of our lives – wanting us to seek His face and trust Him for everything – not because He needs it, but because we do.
It’s difficult to walk in worldly sin when you’re deeply in love with Him. It’s only when we take our eyes off of Him for too long that we begin to stray, wander and even drift away. Why would we ever do that – but we do.
The wonderful think about Teshuvah is that it reminds us that He still loves us. He still wants to spend time with us if we’ll repent and turn to Him.
Have you ever been so hungry for the Lord that you would do anything (regardless of how foolish) just to spend time with Him?
My college roommate, Bill, and I had tried praying in our dorm room on campus, but the walls were thin and the sound carried easily. I was already Baptized in the Holy Spirit, so prayers were not always “quiet”. There were times when we just want to SHOUT and bless the Lord. We sometimes prayed quietly, but there were times when we were loud, too, especially when we’d crank up the music (listening to LAMB or one of Maranatha’s PRAISE Albums). That didn’t make us real popular with all of our dorm mates.
The Episcopal Church was a great place to pray, BUT you seldom had the space to yourself. You’d start with one group of people and 2 hours later there would be another group that you didn’t even know. Sometimes that was good, but other times it just made us desire a place to be alone with Him.
We eventually learned that the chapel of the 1st Baptist Church was unlocked during the day and that afforded us some great times alone with the Lord. Carolyn, Bill and I would go there in an attempt to spend some more intimate time in prayer.
On one occasion Carolyn, Bill and I decided we wanted a “date night” with the Lord. We agreed to meet in the 1st Baptist Church Chapel just before they locked the doors for the evening. Carolyn was the first to arrive in the chapel and waited on Bill and me. Shortly after she arrived, she realized that someone was coming into the chapel and that it wasn’t Bill or myself. It was the church janitor! Her first reaction – lie down on the church pew and lift her feet. She did – and WASN’T discovered. She also didn’t sit up right away – fearing he’d turn around and return to the chapel.
At the very same time, I was just starting down the long hall connecting the various corridors and Sunday School room behind the large sanctuary and smaller chapel. Suddenly I was aware that someone from the other end of the hall was beginning to turn off the lights. I knew if I was discovered, that I’d be asked to leave – so I took off in the other direction. Every time I turned down one hall, it seemed the janitor was coming in the very same direction – turning off light after light.
I eventually found myself in the stairwell, but was determined NOT to leave without spending time with the Lord. Instead of exiting the building, I headed up the winding stairs to the 2nd floor landing – only to discover the door to the 2nd floor hallway was locked! Suddenly I heard his steps starting up the stairs, so up I went to the 3rd floor landing. To my regret, the doors to the 3rd floor hall were also locked!
I heard the janitor try the doors to the 2nd floor hall to be sure they were locked and knew it was only minutes before I’d be discovered. What was I suppose to do when he rounded the corner of that final flight of steps to the 3rd floor? … say “Hi! How you doing!”
I said, “Lord, he’ll never believe my motives were innocent and that all I wanted to do was pray in the chapel. I had visions of jail & the police – but to my amazement, he stopped after checking the doors on the 2nd floor hall and went back down the steps and exited the building!
Phew! I couldn’t believe the janitor had heard the sound of my pounding heart! I EVENTUALLY left the safety of the 3rd floor landing and headed to the chapel where Carolyn was waiting. I let Bill in through the side door and the three of us spent several hours in His presence – at first together – but eventually by ourselves – just us and Him!
Have we lost that desire of intimacy with the Lord and settled for an hour on Sunday or Wednesday? Have we become so involved with work – or even family and church – that we don’t have time for intimacy with HIM? Dennis Jernigan describes “intimacy” with the Lord as “into me see.
After college and marriage, the Lord gave us an Interdenominational Spirit-Filled Church to raise our children in. Leaders in the church just assumed (as did I) that since I was a school teacher, my calling was to lead Vacation Bible School and work with the Youth in the church. Even though I was a school teacher by trade, my heart was in a different location when it came to church ministry. Surprisingly, the Lord moved me into leading praise and worship at the church Carolyn & I attended in Catawba County. We had attended a Charismatic Bible Study in college and knew more scripture songs than anyone – and we loved to share them with friends from church when they came to our home to visit. We began studying the Tabernacle of David and learning what it truly meant to worship the Lord as David did – sometimes singing a known chorus or hymn and at other times a “spontaneous” or “new” song. It was during those years that the Lord began to direct our paths toward the Jewish Roots of our Christian Faith. The only “Messianic” music group at the time was LAMB (with Joel Chernoff & Rick Levi Coghill) and we had been collecting their records ever since we were in college. (Isn’t it interesting how the Lord directs your path – even when you don’t realize He’s doing it?) Paul Wilbur was an unknown singer at the time and was just starting a new group called "Israel’s Hope" when we first heard them at a Festival Conference in SC. Everywhere we went it seemed the message was about “Restoration” – a restoration of David’s Tabernacle – a restoration of Praise & Worship – a restoration of “spontaneous” praise (a “New Song”) – a restoration of Davidic Dance (Israeli Folk Dance) – a restoration of the Biblical Festivals and Shabbat – a restoration of the Jewish Roots of our Christian faith – a restoration of the Jewish people and Israel - and most recently a restoration of Torah. Some saw what God was doing as bondage, yet others saw the freedom of worshipping the Lord at His appointed times and in His appointed ways. As we get closer to the time when Yeshua will return, the church will again begin to again resemble the early church – which was (for the most part) Jewish.
Carolyn & Curtis (1975)
Scripture speaks specifically about three types of sin with our lives: (1) sin, (2) iniquity and (3) transgression. Is there a difference?
(1) The word "Sin" comes from the Hebrew word CHATTA'AH, which is translated as "sin, offense, lead astray and to miss the mark". These are "accidental sins" - or sins committed without our being aware of them.
(2) The word "Iniquity" comes from the Hebrew word AVON, which is translated as "sin, mischief, iniquity, moral evil and perversity". Iniquity is "willful sin" - we knew it was sin and did it anyway. It's a willful violation of Torah - things we can't claim to have done in ignorance. It gives new meaning to the old slogan, "Avon Calling!" (Sin Calling).
(3) The word "Transgression" comes from the Hebrew word PESHA, which is translated as "sin, transgression and rebellion". It's "Rebellion" against Yahweh Himself.
And how about those (1) sins, (2) iniquities and (3) transgressions in our lives?
Isaiah 53
5 But He was wounded for our TRANSGRESSIONS, He was bruised for our INIQUITIES: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on Him the INIQUITY of us all.Lord, forgive us for our sins (even those sins we aren't aware of), wash away our iniquities (the willful sins within our lives), and blot out out transgressions (the rebellion within our hearts). Abba (Daddy/Father), teach us to seek Your face instantly when sins, iniquities and transgressions try to enter our lives. Cause us to remember our Betrothal to Yeshua. Help us keep our lamps trimmed, and dress us in wedding garments without spot or blemish (only through Your Son). B'Shem Yeshua Ha'Mashich (In the Name of Yeshua the Messiah).
To see all of the daily Teshuvah meditations
Click HereThe following is an article written by our good friend Cathy Hargett of Highway to Zion about the Feast of Shavuot - Pentecost.
Shalom, Shalom!
Chag – it’s one of the words that means festival or feast. The first time I ever saw the word it was on a stand-up card on the table in my Israeli hotel....but it was spelled "hag".....and I thought now that's an odd greeting! I'm not sure I like being greeted "hag"!!
(It actually said "Hag Sameach", which means in loose English translation "happy holidays"! A wonderful dimension of this word is that in addition to meaning feast or festival it also refers to dancing, processing, and of course intimating rejoicing. God is so good. His plan is that we will rejoice as we obey Him by celebrating His feasts – and that we would know Him better as we see Him and experience Him in the feasts.)
It was during the Feast of Tabernacles and it was my first time in Israel. Little did I know that my whole frame of spiritual reference was about to change and that understanding the feasts of the Lord would bring a dimension to my spiritual life like I never imagined and that I would begin to love the whole idea of "hag"!
Many of you have studied the biblical feasts and know what I'm talking about, especially about how our Messiah Yeshua is the fulfillment of each one of them! I'm not going to cover all the feasts with this email article, but I do want to talk a little about Shavuot....also known as the Feast of Weeks, Feast of First-fruits or Pentecost.
This feast occurs 50 days after the second day of Passover (much discussion over this timing among scholars). Background scripture for this feast – Lev. 23:15-22; Dt. 16:9-12; Num. 28:26-31.
The period between Pesach (or Passover) and Shavuot (or Pentecost) is called the “counting of the omer” (Dt. 16:9-10). The omer is actually a unit of measure, a sheaf (barley at Pesach and wheat at Shavuot). A study of ancient times, reveals that this season is when the first-fruits of the harvest are coming forth and a sheaf was brought to the temple during the time from Pesach to Shavuot as an offering to the Lord.
Another beautiful concept comes from the Talmud which relates that the farmer who rejoices to see the first-fruits coming forth would tie a ribbon around the first-fruits to designate that this sheaf belongs to the Lord. (Dt. 26:5-11) I love this concept of dedicating the first-fruits to Him.
I’m thinking of the gifts, the fruits of His life, that He’s put into each one of us, a foreshadowing of the fullness that is to come. In fact, James says we are first-fruits as believers – James 1:18.
These gifts in our lives belong to Him. Tie a spiritual ribbon around that gift that He’s given you – perhaps a red one – symbolizing the precious blood of the Lamb that purchased you as His own and gave you every gift you have.
Whatever that gift is – whether it be prophecy, serving, teaching, exhorting, giving, leading, or showing mercy – it belongs to Him now. It’s right to assess what you have been given by God (Rom. 12:3), the first-fruits of His eternal plan for you. It is just the beginning – the first-fruit of what that gift will become throughout eternity. (Eph. 2:10)
Counting the omer, spiritually speaking, could be assessing the first-fruits in your own life and consciously dedicating these to God, knowing that ultimately the fullness of Yeshua will be revealed in your life. (I Cor. 13:12). Count the omer and bring the sheaves to Him!
This counting process, from the date of Pesach until Shavuot, ties together the time commemorating the death, burial and resurrection of Yeshua (Pesach/Passover), to the time of the giving of Torah and the giving of the Spirit (Shavuot/Pentecost), symbolizing we would never have Shavuot without first realizing the sacrifice of our Holy Lamb, Yeshua ha Mashiach at Pesach.Some motifs of Shavuot – comparing Original Covenant and New Covenant
Original Covenant – Ex. 19, 20 New Covenant – Acts 2; Jer. 31
The Giving of Torah The Giving of the Spirit
Torah on tablets Torah, Yeshua, on your heart
3,000 slain (Ex. 32:1-8, 26-28) 3,000 live (Acts 2:38-41)
Evidence of God’s covenant with Israel Evidence of Yeshua’s life in Believers
(Torah on tablets) (Holy Spirit in temples of flesh)
Fire, noise, thundering Fire, noise, wind
Spiritual birthday of Israel Spiritual birthday of believers in MessiahThe significance of two loaves being waved before the Lord at Shavuot (see Lev. 23):
…“baked with fine flour, baked with leaven as first-fruits to the Lord” – the concept of “two” could represent two witnesses – throughout the Scripture this concept of needing two witnesses to confirm a truth is related – one example, Yeshua sent out disciples two by two.
The most exciting part about this concept of two loaves is that it could very well represent Jew and Gentile – study the passage in Acts 2:10-11 – this passage relates that at the time of Pentecost reaching fulfillment, those who received the fullness of the Holy Spirit were both Jew and Gentile (proselytes)!
To punctuate this passage, there is also the hint of the Gentile taking part in Shavuot – see Lev. 23:22, where the gleanings of the harvest were left for the alien (Gentile). So, these two loaves could well represent the unity of Jew and Gentile – the leaven (a type of sin) representing that though we still live in fleshly bodies, given to sin, we are still accepted by God as His first-fruits, both Jew and Gentile. (Eph. 2, 3)
Studying the Feasts of the Lord will take you to deeper and deeper realms of understanding of Yeshua Himself. You will embrace the Word for what it says about Israel and what it means literally, spiritually and personally.
There is much more to say, study, and speak concerning Shavuot and all the feasts. I so encourage you to seek Yeshua in the revelation of the feasts.
I also would say that these feasts are progressive – you must first experience Passover (salvation), then Pentecost (baptism in the Holy Spirit), and finally Tabernacles (eternal union with Yeshua) in your spiritual journey if you intend to go from strength to strength until you appear before God in Zion.
If you have not yet experienced Shavuot personally and received the filling to overflowing with the Ruach (Spirit), present yourself before the Lord and receive the Holy Ghost! Let Yeshua breathe His Spirit into you. (John 20:22; Acts 2:1-21)
Celebrate Shavuot!
Chag Sameach!
Love,
Cathy Hargett
Highway to Zion Ministries, Inc.The following is an article written by our good friend Cathy Hargett of Highway to Zion about Messianic Gentiles
Shalom, Shalom, Friends!
Who is a Messianic Gentile? A Messianic Gentile is a Gentile believer who believes in Yeshua ha Mashiach (Jesus the Messiah) and who embraces and believes the entire Tenach (the "Old Testament/Covenant") as well as the Brit Hadasha (the "New Testament/Covenant").
What makes a Messianic Gentile different from a "traditional" Christian? There is no difference in terms of believing that Jesus is the Messiah and that there is no salvation apart from Him. In this there is total agreement.
Tenach (Old Testament) is still relevant:
One of the differences between a Messianic Gentile and many traditional Christians would include that a Messianic Gentile has embraced all of the Scripture, including the Torah (five books of Moses), the Nevi'im (the prophets), and the Kethuvim (the writings, including Psalms, etc.), which is simply to say, a Messianic Gentile embraces all of the Old Testament as inspired by the Ruach ha Kodesh (the Holy Spirit) and believes that Tenach is the revelation of Yeshua.
Many believers in our modern day church culture have totally disregarded the Tenach and see it as a covenant that has ended or been replaced, but it has in fact been fulfilled in Yeshua. Without it, we will never know the richness of our Messiah and what He has fulfilled.
Yeshua made this clear that He is the fulfillment of the total Word of God, and is in fact, The Word incarnate (John 1), if you can accept this.
"And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself." Luke 24:27
"He said to them, This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms." Luke 24:44
One of the most powerful revelations that is embraced by Messianic Gentiles is that the Lord has not abolished the Tenach but He has completely fulfilled it, and in this fulfillment we are walking.
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished". Matthew 5:17-18
The "Church" has NOT replaced Israel:
A Messianic Gentile does not believe that the "Church", which usually means Gentile believers who believe in Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, has replaced Israel. This stand against what is known as "replacement theology", meaning that the church has replaced Israel, is a hallmark of belief for a Messianic Gentile.
The reason that Messianic Gentiles do not believe that the "Church" (usually meaning Gentiles and including some Jewish believers) has replaced Israel (Jewish people), is simply because the Word is very clear that Israel will not be replaced in God's plan.
"I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved. The Deliverer will come from Zion; He will turn godlessness away from Jacob. And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins.
As far as the Gospel is concerned, they are enemies on your account; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, for God's gifts and His call are irrevocable." Romans 11:25-29
Is Highway to Zion Ministries supportive of the belief system of "Messianic Gentiles" as defined above?
Absolutely.
Highway to Zion Ministries stands on the entire Word of the Lord and the revelation of fulfillment in Yeshua ha Mashiach. We are living in a season of profound prophetic fulfillment, including the re-gathering of the Jewish people to the land of Israel and the stirring of the events leading up to the return of the Lord. It is time to proclaim the truth that will set people free, Jew and Gentile.
In the coming weeks, I will be sending additional articles on this subject, which will include the Land of Israel, the re-gathering of the Jewish people to Israel, and the coming "one new man", Jew and Gentile, one in Messiah.
Bless you as you walk out the Word of the Lord in these last days.
Love and blessings in the One called Faithful and True,
Cathy Hargett
Highway to Zion Ministries, Inc.The following is an article written by our good friend Cathy Hargett of Highway to Zion. Cathy has done a wonderful job of explaining who Messianic Jews are and what our responsibility as Believers is to them.
Shalom, Shalom, Friends!
Who is a Messianic Jew and what do Messianic Jews have to do with Highway to Zion Ministries?
A Messianic Jew is a person of Jewish descent (the question of determining Jewish descent is a whole discussion in itself!) who believes that Jesus (Yeshua) is the Messiah.
With the acceptance of Yeshua as the Messiah, the Messianic Jew embraces all of Tenach (the Original Covenant a/k/a The Old Testament) plus all of the Brit hadasha (the New Covenant a/k/a The New Testament).
What is known today as the Messianic Jewish Movement is the evolution of the movement of believing Jews into a decidedly “Jewish” expression of New Testament faith. In years past when Jewish people came to faith in Jesus, they may have called themselves “Hebrew Christians”, “Completed Jews”, or “Jews for Jesus”, “Jewish Christians”….and other similar names.
So, what is the difference in all of these titles? The main difference is that up until fairly recently (circa ‘70’s-‘80’s), when a Jewish believer came to believe in Jesus as their Savior, they became assimilated into a “church”, which, of course, is made up of mostly Gentiles who live in a Gentile culture in whatever nation they live. And many Jewish believers in Jesus remain comfortable in mainstream churches.
However, the Jewish believer in a mainstream church setting most often finds that there is no place for his “Jewishness” to be expressed in the traditional church, and for all practical purposes, and to most of their Jewish family, they appear to have become Gentiles because they believe in the “Gentile God”, Jesus (Yeshua), so it can be a complex issue involving both culture and faith.
For the majority of Gentiles in the traditional church there was (and still is for the most part) a “disconnect” between the Original Covenant (Old Testament) and the New Covenant (New Testament), resulting in little to no understanding of the Hebraic roots of the Christian faith, which culminates in no understanding that a Jewish believer has a very unique role according to the Bible.
For many in the church, replacement theology (belief that the church has replaced Israel) has been accepted as the norm, prohibiting any real understanding and knowledge of the Scripture concerning the Jews and what Christians owe to them (Romans 9-11). Neither is there appreciation or sense of connection to the Jewish people and their faith and rarely, if ever, a place for any expression of the biblical feasts or other expressions of faith that a Jewish person would have been exposed throughout their life before Yeshua.
Thus, the Messianic Jewish Movement today has formulated a system of belief that clearly proclaims that it is not an oxymoron to be both Jewish and a believer in Jesus, and with this belief system, there is a still-evolving way of expression of these truths.
For the most part, a person who calls themselves a Messianic Jew chooses to express the Hebraic roots of their faith in some way and does not desire to be totally assimilated into a Gentile church, burying their heritage (and this heritage is ours as Gentiles, too, I might add – same heritage because of Yeshua)!
Many Messianic Jews will express themselves in “Jewish” ways (sometimes very biblical and sometimes cultural and sometimes rabbinical). In Messianic Jewish congregations, there will usually be some type of Jewish liturgy, music, dance or other expression of Jewish life, such as bar and bat mitzvahs. But in all of this, Yeshua is the center of worship and acknowledged as the King of the Jews and the God of all.
As you may have already imagined, there is at times conflict between those Jewish believers who call themselves “Messianic Jews” and those who call themselves by one of the other earlier used names, such as “Hebrew Christian” and “Jewish Christian”. There is a distinction between them in terms of faith expression.
Messianic Judaism is acknowledged by both traditional Christians and believing Jews as part of the community of faith of believers in Messiah Yeshua and that these expressions are in agreement in terms of basic tenets of faith. However, traditional Judaism in all its forms, such as Conservative, Orthodox, Reform, and Reconstructionist, does not accept Messianic Judaism as a sect of Judaism, regardless of familiar liturgy, etc.
Now that I’ve said all of this, I want to say that there is even very much more that could be said here, so much more that it can be complex to a detriment! We could say the same about all the differences and nuances in the faith community, couldn’t we?
The main thing is this – the salvation of Israel is coming to pass in our day! Hallelujah! And the numbers of believing Jews are growing and growing. In Israel today, it is estimated that there are as many as 15,000 Messianic Jews and 150 different locations for worship of Yeshua ha Mashiach in the land of Israel. In Israel, a believing Jew is known as a Messianic Jew, but there are still nuances among these believers even in Israel!
There are reports as high as one million for believing Jews in the world. A study in the USA in 2008 stated that there were a quarter million Messianic Jews in the USA at that time.
So, does Highway to Zion Ministries embrace and accept the “Messianic Jew”?
Absolutely!
Not only do we embrace and love Jewish believers in Yeshua, whether they call themselves Messianic Jews, Completed Jews, Hebrew Christians, or whatever, we believe that our calling is to move ahead together until the Lord, by the Ruach ha Kodesh (the Holy Spirit), reveals the full mystery of One New Man, Jew and Gentile, One in Messiah. (Eph. 2 and 3).
We are supporting Messianic Jewish believers in Israel with finances, encouragement, and by going to Israel to serve and worship with them in the land.
We do not believe that we are a “completed product” yet – we’re still a work in progress! I long for the day when all the richness of our faith comes together and we truly are in total unity, the perfect expression of the faith exemplified by Abraham!
I personally long for congregations to continue to spring up that are truly the One New Man that the Lord seeks, both Jews and Gentiles, together, loving and living in what we know will come to pass in fullness, the fulfillment of the total Word in Yeshua.
In the meantime, ministries like Highway to Zion offer places and venues for learning, encouraging and serving so that Messianic Jews and Messianic Gentiles together may express One New Man in our worship, love and unity.
This is a movement, the restoration of Israel, that is accelerating very rapidly in our day towards the final destiny of eternity coming to earth when our blessed Messiah returns. At that time, we will not be focusing on what we call ourselves – Messianic Jews, Messianic Gentiles, etc.! We will only have eyes for the One called Faithful and True!
"The Lord will be King over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and His Name the only Name." (Zech. 14:9)
Let’s please Him now by loving Him first (Dt. 6:4-5) and then each other (Matt. 22:37-40).
“How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1)
Love in Yeshua ha Mashiach,
Cathy Hargett
Highway to Zion Ministries, Inc.The following is an article written by our good friend Cathy Hargett of Highway to Zion.
Shalom, Shalom, Friends!
“Cowboy up”……that’s a phrase I heard for the first time from my spiritual brother, Dov Ben Zion Gelman of Jerusalem (from My Brother's Keeper International). If you know Dov, I’m sure you can picture him saying this and without spelling it out, you just understand what he means!
But you know me and you know that I’m going to spell it out! Basically, “cowboy up” means no whining, get over it, step up to the plate, stop feeling sorry for yourself, suck it up, do what you gotta’ do, be bold, be tough, and get on your horse and ride (get on with the program)!
It made me laugh when I heard Dov tell us that after a season of prolonged whining, his wife had said to him that he just needed to “cowboy up”. Actually those words rang so true to my spirit that I’ve thought about it ever since…maybe because of excessive whining on my part! Perhaps you can relate to seasons of whining and complaining, or just feeling down-under, maybe it’s your own fault or even somebody else’s, or just circumstances, or it’s just a pretty difficult episode in history in general.
To put the spiritual spin on it – “cowboy up” means press in, don’t grow weary in well-doing, be bold and courageous, count it all joy when the trials come, don’t be surprised about the fiery trials, don’t let satan outwit you, take up your spiritual weapons, fight the good fight, pull down strongholds, hold unswervingly to the hope you profess, stand your ground, and fight for your brothers and sisters, speak the truth, and don’t let your heart be troubled ….
Just hearing the words, “cowboy up”, emboldens me and encourages me not to be a spiritual wimp but to walk out my faith tougher and stronger and ready to do whatever God requires of me. I’ve never been a big John Wayne fan, but I’m thinking that if you are, this phrase will certainly bring up some visual imagery of a “tough guy”!!
We just have to remember “no swaggering”. It’s all about Him….about His might, His power, His Spirit, His strength, made perfect in your weakness. It’s a matter of the will. Set your face like flint.
The only thing you have to do is "cowboy up"! God does the rest.
Love in Messiah,
Cathy Hargett
Highway to Zion Ministries, Inc.Israel The following is an article written by Curtis Loftin of Beit Yeshua
Shalom Mishpocha (Family),
The US's continual push for Israel to give away land to create a Palestinian state is not in God’s plan. He gave the land to Israel as an everlasting possession and will not hold those guiltless to try to “divide His land”.
Joel 3:1-2
“In those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will enter into judgment against them concerning my inheritance, my people Israel, for they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land.
If you could see a good aerial view of Jerusalem, you’d see the Hebrew letter Shen – which is a Jewish abbreviation for one of the names of God “Shaddi” or Almighty. In Scripture says “I have put my name of Jerusalem”.
1 Kings 11:36
And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light alway before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there.
The scripture in Zechariah 12:3 is also an interesting one – and it speaks clearly about Jerusalem and those who try to control its fate – that speaks heavily of us because of our involvement. Now we’re pushing for them to even divide Jerusalem.
Zechariah 12:3
And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.
God will judge us for our ungodly living if we do not repent. The daily emails I’ve been sending out for Teshuvah (the time of repentance and returning to God) remind us that we serve a forgiving God – but is it too late for America? I don’t know. I believe that every time we lift our hand against Israel, God brings judgment against us. I believe Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana was part of that judgment.
The Biblical Festivals are prophetic and will all be filled by Yeshua. It’s the Fall Feasts that we currently watch so carefully because they point to the 2nd coming of Yeshua. I believe the Rapture will take place on Rosh Hashanah – also called the Feast of Trumpets. It is a two-day festival and if we comes on the feast day, we wouldn’t know the day or hour. Will it be US time zone or Israel?
1 Thessalonians 5:1-4
1But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
2For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
3For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
4But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
We frequently quote this scripture, but often overlook verse 4 – “We’re not in the darkness that the day will overtake us like a thief”.
The “day and hour” scripture that we frequently quote is a Hebrew Idiom that was used in reference to Rosh Hashanah.
Matthew 24:36
But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
Regardless, His coming is NEAR.
Shalom & Blessings,
CurtisThe following is an article written by Curtis Loftin of Beit Yeshua
Shalom Mishpocha (Family),
The 8-day Biblical festival of Hanukkah begins Friday night, December 11th, prior to sundown (since it’s the beginning of the Sabbath) with the lighting of the first candle (plus the Shamash – helper candle). Two candles plus the Shamash are lit Saturday evening – three candles on Sunday evening – four candles on Monday evening – and so on. Typically candles are lit from right to left – honoring (or lighting) the newest candle first (meaning, left to right). The Shamash, or helper candle, is traditionally a little taller than the others , or sitting a little higher.
HOW TO …
Blessings
This blessing is traditionally only said the first evening.
Baruch Atah Ado-nai Elo-heinu Melech Ha-olam
She-heche-yanu V'kiye-manu
Vehigi-yanu La-z'man Ha-zeh.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe
who has kept us in life, sustained us
and enabled us to reach this season.The following two blessings are recited every night.
Baruch Atah Ado-nai Elo-heinu Melech Ha-olam
Asher Kid’shanu B’mitzvotav
V’tzivanu L’hadlik Ner Shel Chanukah
Blessed are You, Lord our God
King of the Universe
who sanctified us with his commandments
and commanded us to kindle the Chanukah light.
Baruch Atah Ado-nai Elo-heinu Melech Ha-olam
She-Asah Nisim La-avoteinu Bayamim
Ha-heim Ba-zman Hazeh
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe
who performed wondrous deeds for our ancestors
in those days, at this season.You don’t have a 9-branched Hanukkah menorah but would still like to celebrate the festival? All you need to do is get 9 separate candles – we did the same thing when we started many years ago. I know you and your family will be blessed by observing the festival. The kids will have lots of questions and it’s a wonderful opportunity to tell them how Antiochus Ephiphanes had defiled the temple, but God used the Maccabees to defeat Antiochus, and the temple was cleaned and re-dedicated.
The feast of Hanukkah has traditional foods that are typically eaten during the festival – especially fried potato latkahs and doughnuts.For recipes and a little more information on Hanukkah, check out our website at http://curtis.loftinnc.com/hanukkah.htm
An early Hanukkah Sameach to you! (Joyous Hanukkah)
Ahava V’Brachot,(Love & Blessings),
Curtis
