The teachings of Jesus were so compelling that they quickly spread throughout the world. It didn’t take long before there were far more Gentile followers of Jesus than Jewish ones. This should have been anticipated, as the Hebrew Scriptures teach that when the Messiah comes, the Gentiles will seek Him, too. The Jewish Messiah is for all people, and those who follow Him are united in one faith in the God of Israel.
Read MoreA skeptic once posed the following question: How do you reconcile the teachings of the Bible with the latest scientific conclusions and psychological insights?" Without hesitation, the believer replied: "I haven't seen this morning's paper. What are the latest conclusions our scientists and psychologists have come up with?"
Read MoreMental health issues are all too common, but conversations about them aren’t common enough. In fact, in many traditional communities, mental health issues are stigmatized—even shamed! But did you know that there are experiences in the Tanakh consistent with symptoms of modern mental health issues? Many biblical figures displayed signs of possible eating disorders, PTSD, anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts.
Read MoreThe fact is that there is mystery surrounding prayer. We might not always understand the nature of prayer or what God is doing behind the scenes. Yet prayer is central in the life of a believer, and I want to offer some words to orient us and encourage us as we come before the living God.
Read MoreIt's customary to offer a prayer to God before things. The most common prayer is 'grace' said before a meal. "Lord bless this food" or "Bless us oh Lord for these they gifts..." are standard.
Read MoreIt's the nature of God to be giving. We learn that in the most-quoted biblical text of all. John 3.16 says, "God loved the world so much that he gave..." It's in God's nature to give as a direct result of his love.
Read MoreThanks to those of you who have been praying for Jews for Jesus during this strange time. We are truly amazed by God’s grace in opening doors we would never have imagined during the pandemic! From Hungary, to Israel, to Sydney, and beyond, He’s at work.
Read MoreBack in the 1970s, Jews for Jesus founder Moishe Rosen said that too many churches were unintentionally “vaccinating” people against the gospel. He’d say, “Some give just enough of the gospel to ensure that others won’t catch a case of it.”
Read MoreThere’s nothing good about evil and there’s no hope in redeeming horrible things by saying that evil is good. Isaiah warned the Jewish people about this mistake which was dangerous and prevalent in his days. “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!“ (Isaiah 5.20).
Read MoreHow did the prophet Jeremiah hope even during the hardest of circumstances? And how can we find this same hope?
Read MoreWe live in a time of great uncertainty. Covid 19 has had great impact on the world and is affecting our daily life here in Australia. And yet, in the midst of all the uncertainly, we can still have a positive perspective.
Read MoreHebrew months are lunar; that is, they are based upon the appearance of the thin crescent of the new moon. The moon orbits the earth, passing through its phases to the next New Moon, approximately once every 29 1/2 days.
Read MoreI’ve said it, so I imagine you at least have thought it. You are sitting in a large congregation of fairly well-off people. There are television cameras recording the preacher, a large sound system and new carpet in the foyer. At some point a bowl or plate is gently passed down your row. It moves through the church, row by row, by row. Sometimes there is even what appears to be an entire 2nd sermon shared during the collection. They beg; they cajole; they remind; they ask. But in my mind, I think, “Why should I give money to a place that seems to have plenty already?”
Read MoreWhat is it about the unknown that is so disconcerting? The lack of control perhaps? The fear that you may find yourself in an unpleasant situation. Yet think of how many moments would be missed if we insisted on staying in our comfort zones. In the “known” zone. Life inevitably forces us to leave our comfort zone at some point.
Read MoreSolomon, the Jewish king, wrote, "He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end." (recorded in the Holy Scriptures, in Ecclesiastes 3.11) This notion of 'eternity' is recorded here in Qohelet, but is a translation of the Hebrew word "Ha-olam" which often is translated as 'the world.'
Read MoreWhen everything around you is shaky and uncertain, what you crave most is that safe place to shelter until the danger passes. But what about when there is no safe place to shelter? Everything around you is collapsing and there is no safety net for you to fall back on. No family to fly home to or savings in the bank to rely on. And yet, if you think about it, life can still be very uncertain, even for those of us in a better position. In reality, even the strongest “safety nets” can break.
Read MorePassover is the annual holiday when Jews remember the Exodus of their people from slavery in Egypt. I’m 68 years old and have celebrated Passover throughout my whole life. I grew up in Kansas City in the middle of the USA and have lived the last 22 years in Sydney. It hasn’t mattered where I was living or visiting, Passover is the most celebrated Jewish holiday for me and my family.
Read MoreThere are many moments in life when all is running smoothly and the circumstances are great. Don’t you love those times. Robert Browning perfectly captured this feeling when he penned the line, “God’s in His heaven— All’s right with the world.” But what about when life isn’t going so smoothly. What about when the news is full of scary updates on the latest country that has been infected by the coronavirus. Or that feeling of unease when you walk through your local supermarket and can’t help but notice the diminishing shelves of food. Does knowing God even make a difference? Is it possible to experience peace in the middle of such uncertainty?
Read MoreThe Jewish holiday of Tabernacles (Sukkot) which itself is a re-enactment of the history of the wandering in the wilderness by the Jewish people after they left Egypt in 1500 BCE or so. God provided for us; we were cared for; none of our shoes wore out; we had daily food, and so much more.
Read MoreLong ago when houses were made of wood and straw, and no one dreamed of growing up to be a fireman (because there was no such thing), something happened that might change how you think about Rosh Hashanah.
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