Many years ago an American rabbi named Harold Kushner (not a believer in Yeshua) wrote a lay theology book entitled, “When Bad Things Happen to Good People.” The book was a blockbuster, especially in secular circles. It endeavored to explain not just when, but why bad things happen to good…...
Should Christians Sit at the Feet of Rabbis Rejecting Jesus? Considerations from the Scriptures
In recent years the Holy Spirit has been graciously restoring Christians to their once lost, biblical Hebraic heritage. In the process, some believers have progressed far beyond in-depth biblical studies, to regularly researching Talmudic, Halachic and other Jewish texts. Many are being discipled in person or electronically by Israeli rabbis.…...
Love Compelling Effective Intercession: A Study of This Week’s Torah Portion (February 22, 2019)
SUMMARY: This week’s parasha, Ki Tisa, explodes with the fire of love that ignites and compels effective intercession. As we read and engage with Moses’ prayers of passion for Israel, we are escorted to the inner chambers of God’s heart. There we discover depths of friendship with Him that drive…...
Recouping a Lost Passover-Crucifixion-Resurrection Nexus
This Friday, Jewish people around the world will observe Passover. At the same time, Christians will commemorate Good Friday. On Sunday, most will celebrate the glorious Resurrection of Messiah. (Some Orthodox traditions and Messianic Jews, based on Leviticus 23:9-14, will observe Resurrection Day on April 8.) More and more, God’s…...
New Year Encouragement from this Week’s Parasha
Jewish tradition has assigned to each week of the Hebraic year a formal reading of a portion of the Torah (parasha) and other Hebrew Scriptures (haftorah). Evidence exists suggesting this practice could date back to biblical times. The relevance of the parasha to our circumstances each week is often striking.…...
THE OIL OF HANUKKAH
ARTICLE SUMMARY: Hanukkah recounts the miraculous victory of a tiny Maccabean army of warrior priests over the mighty Selucid-Greek Empire in 165 BC. A second, presumed event generally regarded as equally miraculous, celebrates that a minute amount of holy oil kept the fire of God’s lampstand burning for eight days.…...
The Intriguing and Inspirational First Intercessory Prayer in Scripture
ARTICLE SUMMARY: Abraham’s intriguing ministry of intercession, unlocked and unpacked, can invigorate your own intercessory prayer life. The traditionally read Torah portion for this week, Vayera (Genesis 18:1-22:24), shows us why. The first intercessory prayer recorded in Scripture is found in this week’s Parasha. There Abraham extends hospitality to three…...
Releasing the Joy of Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles)
Called “the season of our joy,” the Feast of Sukkot (Tabernacles) begins tonight and lasts through September 30. I’m grateful that each year the Holy Spirit infuses the biblical feasts with fresh, personal meaning to me. Annually I discover in them new and magnificent expressions of the living Word. I…...