שבת שלום!

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All of creation cries out for the revealing of the sons of God. May He quickly restore His Shabbat to all creation!

http://bible.com/100/exo.20.8-10.NASB

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Our Baby is Alive and Well!!!

BYNA Banner

Our Baby is Alive and Well!

A Report on the Progress of B’ney Yosef North America

Summit crowd

Great celebration attended the birth of B’ney Yosef North America on March 6, 2016

Parents know very well that the excitement of a child’s birth fades very quickly as reality of life with a newborn infant sets in. After the ordeal of labor and delivery, the rapid passage of news by phone calls and Facebook posts, and the welcome of a seemingly endless stream of family and friends, a rather dull routine sets in. Much to the frustration of older siblings, the baby does very little except sleep, eat, cry, and . . . well, you know. It will be quite some time before the child gains controls of its limbs, and still more time before it can sit up on its own and even begin to think about crawling. Only after that can the child progress toward walking, talking, feeding itself, and learning how to be polite in public.

A newborn organization goes through these same growth stages. Whether it is a company, a ministry, or a nation, the newborn still requires time and nurture before it can stand on its own.

Such is the case with our newborn, B’ney Yosef North America. BYNA is barely one month old, and although there is not much visible to the public, this child is healthy and growing just as it should.


Elders after signing

B’ney Yosef North America Elders with the Articles of Declaration at the signing ceremony, March 6, 2016.

Getting Organized

The task consuming much of the attention of BYNA’s leadership is organizing this continental structure. Our two governing bodies, the Council of Elders and the Executive Council, are meeting regularly and taking on the kind of issues one might expect. As our spiritual oversight, the Elders are weighing BYNA’s identity, mission, and actions against the standards of Torah as taught by Moses, explained by the prophets and apostles, and lived by Messiah Yeshua. This includes prayerfully considering the correct response to criticism leveled at BYNA from various sources. Much of the criticism of such things as the Articles of Declaration, our leadership structure, and even BYNA’s existence, has come from well-meaning fellow Ephraimites who are expressing an understandable skepticism. Answering their concerns is a high priority, and our Elders are the ones charged with that responsibility. What they do now will set precedents and lay foundations on which BYNA will stand or fall, and for that reason they require time, space, and much prayer support.

The Executive Council is also laying foundations in the areas of organization and administration. The first major item of business is the expansion of the Council with the addition of Cindy Wyant as our Commerce Director. This expansion had been suggested before the BYNA Summit in St. Petersburg, but it was not possible to move forward with it until afterward. Cindy will oversee the efforts of BYNA at establishing chambers of commerce and other mechanisms by which our people can begin doing business with one another and build out national identity through economic activity.

[Aside:  If you would like these periodic updates directly in your inbox, please go to bneyyosefna.com and sign up for the ‘Update List.’]

To continue reading this update….

My quick notes:  Just like a baby, you can’t see much growth on the outside, but we have been working very hard…  Long hours after normal work days.  My family has been most patient and I bless them!!  Much, much is happening, though!  Time will reveal much  that we are very excited about as things are developing!

 

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Does some Christian theology invoke a curse?

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Moses, Jeremiah and Paul all agree, those who do not obey the Torah are cursed.  Does your pastor teach you to obey the Torah?  Or, does he teach you to ignore the Law and walk as you want to, thus invoking a curse?

Conversely, from the quoted verses, Psalm 1 (among dozens of references) clearly says, ‘Blessed is the man who DELIGHTS in the Law.’   Heard that from the pulpit lately??

Might want to look into Scripture and stop listening to false shepherds who lead you away from the Torah.  (See Ezekiel 20 & 34)

http://bible.com/100/jer.11.3.NASB

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Revival? Here’s how…

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According to God’s Word, He revives us when we remember His precepts!!  Do you know what His precepts are?  Do you know that remembering’ Biblically involves obedience?  I.e., doing!! 

Want revival? 

The answer is to learn and walk in Torah!  At least, that’s what the Scriptures say here and elsewhere!

Bet you won’t hear that from most pulpits….

http://bible.com/100/psa.119.93.NASB

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Stumbling Toward Jerusalem

Our home fellowship had a rousing discussion yesterday as we dug into the Torah portion (Lev. 9-11) and the Haftarah (Ez. 36:16-38).  In the midst of the Haftarah, I had an ‘a ha!’ moment.  Walk with me as we consider something very important in the restoration of Israel.

Ezekiel 36:22 Therefore say unto the house of Israel, thus saith the Lord God; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name’s sake, which ye have profaned among the jerusalemmtolivesdescent3-800heathen, whither ye went.

23 And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the Lord, saith the Lord God, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.

24 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.

25 THEN will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.

26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

28 And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.

While I have often focused on the knowledge that God is going to do this for HIS name’s sake and this closely parallels the New Covenant of Jeremiah 31, which we’ll discuss in a minute, this time as we read Continue reading

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Anne Elliott’s FREE Biblical Feasts Ebook!!

ebook-The-Biblical-Feasts-A-Study-of-the-Times-of-the-Worship-of-Our-Creator-188x300This morning while cruising a few blogs, I found Anne Elliott’s post for a new ebook, simply titled, The Biblical Feasts(And, the printable cover.)

Having just yesterday reviewed the need to complete my page, How to: Messianic, this was a welcome find that I can add as a resource to that page.  Upon reviewing it, I especially like the way it is layed out to draw the reader into interactive learning.  Anne doesn’t tell you what to think or how to think.  Rather, she simply lists and takes the reader/participant through Scripture so they can come to their own conclusion!

I LOVE it!!  Simply, ‘What does Scripture say?’

The overwhelming conclusion one comes to is that the feasts are forever and are for everyone who claims the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel.  This is a great printable/shareable resource for anyone asking questions.  Instead of answering all their questions, you can say, ‘Here.  Study out what Scripture says with this nice little guided booklet.’

Enjoy and use this resource!!

 

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Multiple Torah portion updates, today.

I have gotten behind on some of my additions to the Torah Portions study page.  Ray Gardner has faithfully been updating his notes and I replaced his latest two updates with this and last week’s study notes.  Also, with Ephraim and Rimona currently traveling, I have not been getting weekly updates/reminders, but was aware of them placing their Insights on their Hebrew Insights website, which I have permission to copy on this blog.

Well, I finally had time to catch up, even get ahead, on the Torah Portion notes that so many of you enjoy.  My apologies for not keeping up better…  Now to get back to other areas that I need to catch up on, like finishing How to: Messianic and Apologetics.

Whew!!  😉

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Stu Lowndes’ newest release!! Enjoy!

Those who have been with me a long time know that I am a big fan of Stu Lowndes’ videos.  My only complaint is that I have to wait for the next one…  He always provides cool insights and connects so many Scriptures and concepts.  It is like bubble gum for the brain!!  Each time I watch one of his videos, I experience fireworks in my head as other verses that he might not have tied together explode into view.

Thank you Stu for this newest addition!!  And, for all of you out there, visit his YouTube channel for a plethora of previous releases that are wonderful!!  (My favorites deal with Ephraim and Elijah!)

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Prophecy Wrap-up and Sacrifice on the Temple Mount??

It is Spring Break and I have ben feverishly working to accomplish some tasks around our our little farm during this much needed break from bus driving and training.  While I haven’t done much writing on the blog, it has been active and I have been catching up on reading and listening to various items I had bookmarked in recent weeks.

Korban PesachWell this morning I received an early text from sis Loammi with some electrifying news from The Temple Institute…  More on that in a minute!

There is no question that we are living in very interesting times if not THE times spoken of by the prophets.  To paraphrase a line from good friend Al McCarn, ‘there are a number of data points‘ piling up that seem to point to Sukkot 2016!

Personally, I have believed for nearly 40 years that 2017 is a significant year, not because I’ll be 50, but because Jerusalem will have its Jubilee, and Jewish history the last 1500 years seems to have favored 17s and 67s as the Jubilee years.  Amazingly, Rabbi Judah ben Samuels allegedly made some very specific and accurate predictions that lead to 2017!  Now in recent weeks there seems an escalation of pointers to this Fall and next Spring.

A recent data point that cannot be ignored by any serious student of prophecy is the video I recently posted by Steve Moutria.  We MUST continually reevaluate our perspective of prophecy to insure we are not trapped in a box.  Further, Daniel promises that many of the words of prophecy will be locked up until the time of the end, therefore, by definition, prophetic perspectives more than 50 years old need to be reevaluated and probably discarded.  Steve’s discussion as well as an amazing must-read paper on the possible shortening of the time of the end stand a number of widely held, even cherished prophetic timeline thoughts on their collective heads!!  Continue reading

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Thanks!! (and, interesting week on the blog!!)

First, a huge ‘thank you’ to the readers of this blog!!  While I could write without anybody reading, it is a blessing to hear your voices, share in your excitement of new treasures found in Scripture and be a part of the amazing prophetic work God is doing in our day!

I’m a bit of a geek/numbers guy…  okay, a lot of a geek.  Check out the pillows on our bed..

IMG_20160205_214945840This past week was a very interesting week on the blog.  I had more views in one week that I have had in any month over the last 6-8 months.  And, this month has already exceeded the total hits my first year!   (This blog is a little over three years old.)  For some reason or another, a post I wrote more than two years ago got picked up in a few Facebook circles and in two days it doubled the total number of hits, all-time.  Before that quelled, an article I wrote last month took off like a shot with a couple thousand Facebook shares.  Amazing!

The end result was a week like none I have ever had, and it reminded me of several very important lessons: Continue reading

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Update on Kelly’s tallit…

Ms. Anita sent me a few more pics of the progress on Kelly’s handwoven non-traditional tallit.  I spoke with Anita last night, and we shared a few thoughts from the Torah portion.  Kelly.clothpathMy questions to Anita had to do with all of the woven garments the High Priest and priests wore.  One point I specifically remembering her making is how incredibly difficult it is to scour the linen to remove the tannic acid.    Continue reading

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Best part of last National Shabbat in SC!!

Last weekend’s National Shabbat in SC, organized by Tommy and Dorothy Wilson, was terrific.  I loved the dancing and worship as well as the abundant fellowship with Messianics from across the state.  The highlight, though, was corporately declaring God’s Word concerning HIS regathering of His people from the nations.

Sarah Washburn posted a video on her YouTube channel of this special portion of the gathering.  May it bless you!!

If you would like to learn more about the National Shabbat concept, desire to find out about one in your area, or would like to help organize/host one, please visit http://nationalshabbat.com/ and then login to register for more info or to participate.

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Blood on NEW garment…

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Rereading Leviticus 8 this morning and pondering the pageantry of the consecration and ordination of the priests, but especially struck by Aaron. 

I have shared that Anita Heist is hand weaving a tallit for Kelly.  I am amazed at how much work and time goes into a simple garment.  Here, Aaron is dressed in a multilayer garment fit for a king, complete with jewels, inlay, etc.  I bet it was stunningly beautiful, the result of a ton of work by those who were Spirit filled.  Exactly what is required to stand in the Presence.

Yet, it still lacked something….

Imagine, this beauty, probably the most stunning garment any of the former Egyptian slaves had ever seen, being sprinkled with blood before it is ready to approach the Elohim of heaven and earth!!

There’s a lesson in here…

http://bible.com/12/lev.8.30.ASV

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National Shabbat in Mesa, AZ this weekend!!

Details at the link below!!  I know the organizers well and recommend attending if you are w/in a 3-4 hour drive!!

Enjoying Shabbat in the Desert! – http://wp.me/p4cMjG-15J

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Yeshua, on traditions…

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Little has changed in 2000 years.  Man following tradition and setting aside God’s Word….

http://bible.com/303/mrk.7.8-9.CEVDCUS06

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