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Rabbi Brian Bileci

As a Messianic [Sicilian] Jewish Rabbi [simchatyeshua.com] at a Messianic Synagogue, & Executive Pastor at [DestinyChurch.tv], I embrace the Torah, Jewish Feasts, customs of my forefathers & the Messiah of Israel. I teach Hebrew for beginning levels and love teaching the Hebraic roots of our faith.

Rabbi Brian Bileci
Psalm 121:1 [A SONG OF ASCENTS] I will lift up my eyes to the hills [around Jerusalem, to sacred Mount Zion and Mount Moriah]—From whence shall my help come? 2 My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.. AMPC Deuteronomy 1:1 These are the words that Moses spoke to all Israel across the Jordan—in the WILDERNESS…2 It is eleven days’ JOURNEY from Horeb by way of Mount Seir to Kadesh-barnea… 5...Moses began to explain this Torah saying, 6 “Adonai our God spoke to us at Horeb saying: ‘You have stayed long enough at this MOUNTAIN. 7 Turn, journey on…TLV “Everyone Wants To Live On Top Of The Mountain, But All The Happiness And Growth Occurs While You’re Climbing It.” ~ Andy Rooney 1. WE MUST ASCEND HIGHER TO CLIMB THE MOUNTAIN OF GOD Psalm 121:1 A song for pilgrims ASCENDING to Jerusalem. I look up to the MOUNTAINS— does my help come from there? NLT “Songs of Ascent” Shir HaMa’alot שיר למעלות - Many scholars believe the title indicates that these psalms were sung by worshippers as they ascended the road to Jerusalem to attend the three pilgrim festivals...correspondence between the fifteen songs and the Temple's fifteen steps between the Israelite's court and the women's court. Psalm 122:1 [A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. A psalm of David] 1 I rejoiced with those who said to me, “LET US GO TO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD.” 2 Our feet are standing in your gates, Jerusalem... NLT Isaiah 2:3 Many nations [peoples] will come and say, “Come, LET US GO UP TO THE MOUNTAIN of the Lord, to the TEMPLE [or HOUSE] of the God of Jacob. Then He will teach us His ways [standards; path], and we will obey His teachings [walk in His paths].” His teachings [The Law; Instruction; Torah] will go out from Jerusalem; the message [word] of the Lord will go out from Jerusalem. EXB Psalm 24:3 Who may ASCEND the MOUNTAIN of the Lord? Who may stand in His holy place? 4 The one who has clean hands and a pure heart… AMP Isaiah 55:9 “For as the heavens are HIGHER than earth, so are My ways HIGHER than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts…12...The MOUNTAINS and the HILLS will break forth before you singing, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands! • To CLIMB the mountain, you must PREPARE for the JOURNEY by studying the Torah • To ASCEND the mountain, you must have CLEAN HANDS, a PURE HEART, and a RENEWED MIND with HIGHER THOUGHTS. • Know that there will always be RESISTANCE in the INCLINE to ASCEND up the mountain. • The RESISTANCE makes you more RESILIENT to withstand and overcome obstacles and trials. 2. WE MUST STUDY AND MEDITATE ON THE TORAH TO OVERCOME THE TESTS AND TRIALS OF THE WILDERNESS Deuteronomy 4:1 “Now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and ordinances that I am TEACHING you to do, so that you may live and go in and POSSESS the land that Adonai the God of your fathers is giving you…5 “See, just as Adonai my God commanded me, I have TAUGHT you statutes and ordinances to do in the land that you are about to enter to POSSESS…TLV James 1:2...the TESTING of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect work, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. TLV Psalm 95:6 Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before Adonai our Maker...9 when your fathers TESTED Me...TLV Joshua 1:7 Only be very strong, and resolute to observe diligently the Torah which Moses, My servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so you may be SUCCESSFUL wherever you go. 8 This book of the Torah should not depart from your mouth—you are to meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will make your ways PROSPEROUS and then you will be SUCCESSFUL. 9 Have I not commanded you? Chazak! Be strong! Do not be terrified or dismayed, for Adonai your God is with you wherever you go.” TLV 3. WE MUST ENTER GOD’S REST TO POSSESS THE PROMISES OF GOD THROUGH MESSIAH Deuteronomy 1:11 “‘May Adonai, God of your fathers, increase you a thousand times as many as you are, and may He bless you just as He has PROMISED you! 2 Corinthians 1:20 For in Him all the PROMISES of God are “Yes.” Therefore also through Him is the “Amen” by us, to the glory of God. TLV Hebrews 4:1 Let us fear then! Though a PROMISE of entering His rest is left open, some of you would seem to have fallen short..8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. 9 So there remains a Shabbat REST for the people of God. 10 For the one who has entered God’s rest has also ceased from his own work, just as God did from His. TLV
Deuteronomy 27:3 Then you are to write on them all the words of this Torah when you cross over—so that you may enter the land that Adonai your God is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey just as Adonai, the God of your fathers, promised you. TLV<br /><br />Psalm 78:5 For He established a testimony in Jacob and ordained Torah in Israel,...7 Then they will put their trust in God, not forgetting the works of God, but keeping His mitzvot. 8 So they will not be like their fathers—a stubborn and rebellious generation, a GENERATION that did not PREPARE its heart, whose spirit was not loyal to God. TLV<br /><br />Numbers 33:1 These are the stages in the JOURNEY of the people of Isra’el as they left the land of Egypt... CJB<br /><br />1. WE MUST MEDITATE ON THE WORD DAILY TO RENEW OUR MINDS<br />Psalm 1:2 But his DELIGHT is in the Law of the Lord, and on His Law [His precepts and teachings] he [habitually] MEDITATES DAY and NIGHT. AMP<br /><br />Romans 7:22 For I DELIGHT in the Torah of God with respect to the inner man. TLV<br /><br />Joshua 1:8 This book of the Torah should not depart from your mouth—you are to MEDITATE on it day and night...then you will make your ways PROSPEROUS and then you will be SUCCESSFUL. TLV<br /><br />“RENEWING THE MIND is a little like refinishing furniture...The NEW is the truth. To RENEW THE MIND is to involve yourself in the process of allowing God to bring to the surface the lies you have mistakenly accepted and replace them with truth. To the degree that you do this, your behavior will be transformed.” ~ Charles Stanley <br /><br />RONIM / Romans 12:2 Do not be shaped by [conformed to; pressed into a mold by] this world [age]; instead be changed within [transformed] by a new way of thinking [or changing the way you think; by the RENEWING OF YOUR MIND]... EXB<br /><br />2. WE MUST BE FIRMLY PLANTED AND STAY FOCUSED ON OUR SPIRITUAL GROWTH<br />Psalm 1:2 But his DELIGHT is in the Law of the Lord, and on His Law [His precepts and teachings] he [habitually] MEDITATES DAY and NIGHT. 3 And he will be like a TREE FIRMLY PLANTED [and FED] by streams of WATER, which yields its FRUIT in its season; Its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he PROSPERS [and comes to MATURITY]. AMP<br /><br />Psalm 104:16 The Lord’s TREES have plenty of WATER [and FLOURISH]; they are the cedars of Lebanon [the most majestic trees known], which He PLANTED. EXB<br /><br />Psalm 92:12 The righteous will FLOURISH like the date palm [long-lived, upright and useful]; They will GROW like a cedar in Lebanon [majestic and stable]. 13 PLANTED in the house of the Lord, they will FLOURISH in the courts of our God. 14 [Growing in grace] they will still thrive and BEAR FRUIT and PROSPER in old age; They will FLOURISH and be vital and fresh [rich in trust and love and contentment]. AMP<br /><br />“Everybody wants to reach the peak, but there is no GROWTH on the top of a MOUNTAIN. It is in the VALLEY that we slog through, the lush grass and RICH SOIL, learning and becoming what enables us to summit life’s next peak.” ~ Andy Andrews<br /><br />Ephesians 3:17...May love be the RICH SOIL where their lives take ROOT. May it be the bedrock where their lives are founded so that together. VOICE<br /><br />1 Corinthians 3:6 My job was to PLANT the seed, and Apollos was called to WATER it. Any GROWTH comes from God. VOICE<br /><br />Philippians 3:13..this one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the GOAL for the reward of the upward calling of God in Messiah Yeshua. TLV<br /><br />Philippians 3:15 So let’s KEEP FOCUSED on that GOAL, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than TOTAL COMMITMENT, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! 16 Now that we’re on the right track, let’s STAY ON IT. MSG<br /><br />3. WE MUST STAY COMMITTED TO THE LORD TO PROSPER ON OUR JOURNEY<br />3 TRUST in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and FEED on His faithfulness. 4 DELIGHT yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. 5 COMMIT your way to the Lord, TRUST also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. – Psalm 37:3-5 (NKJV)<br /><br />Into your hand I COMMIT my spirit. You have rescued me, O God who keeps His promises. I worship only you. – Psalm 31:5 (TLB)<br /><br />“My life is my JOURNEY with God. It may be hard sometimes but I am assured it would be all worth it. The only impossible JOURNEY is the one you never begin!” ~ Anonymous Quote<br /><br />Psalm 1:3 And he will be like a TREE FIRMLY PLANTED [and FED] by streams of WATER, which yields its FRUIT in its season; Its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he PROSPERS [and comes to MATURITY]. AMP<br /><br />Psalm 119:101 I haven’t set my feet on any evil path so I can make sure to keep your word. 102 I haven’t deviated from any of your rules because you are the one who has taught me…104 I’m studying your precepts—that’s why I hate every false path. 105 Your word is a lamp before my feet and a light for my JOURNEY. CEB
Deuteronomy 27:3 Then you are to write on them all the words of this Torah when you cross over—so that you may enter the land that Adonai your God is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey just as Adonai, the God of your fathers, promised you. TLV Psalm 78:4 We will not hide them from their children, telling to the next generation the praises of Adonai and His strength and the wonders He has done. 5 For He established a testimony in Jacob and ordained Torah in Israel, which He commanded our fathers to teach their children, 6 so that the NEXT GENERATION might know, even the children yet to be born: they will arise and tell their children...TLV “We must PREPARE the hearts and spirits of the NEXT GENERATION to be loyal to God!” Numbers 27:18 Adonai said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the Ruach, and lay your hand on him. TLV Numbers 27:5 So Moses brought their issue before Adonai, 6 and Adonai spoke to Moses saying, 7 “The daughters of Zelophehad are right in saying you should give them property by inheritance among their father’s relatives. You are to turn over the inheritance of their father to them.” TLV FOUR LESSONS FOR FATHERING: 1. Keep Sons & Daughters Under Your Wing & Close To Your Heart 2. Give Them Constructive Criticism With Empowering Encouragement 3. Give Them Room To Fail Forward And Reach Toward Success 4. Model Empowerment Before Them & Eradicate Entitlement From Them 2 Timothy 2:1 So then, you, my SON, be EMPOWERED by the grace that comes from the Messiah Yeshua. 2 And the things you heard from me, which were supported by many witnesses, these things COMMIT to faithful people, such as will be competent to TEACH others also. CJB 1. WE MUST RAISE UP SONS AND DAUGHTERS TO KNOW THEIR INHERITANCE 2 CORINTHIANS 6:18 I will be a father to you, and you shall be My SONS and DAUGHTERS, says Adonai-Tzva’ot.” TLV Acts 2:17 ‘And it shall be in the last days,’ says God, ‘that I will pour out My Ruach [“Spirit”] on all flesh. Your SONS and your DAUGHTERS shall prophesy...TLV Isaiah 43:6... Bring My SONS from far and My DAUGHTERS from the ends of the earth. 7 Everyone who is called by My Name, whom I created for My glory. I formed him—yes, I made him!” TLV 2. WE MUST TEACH THEM THE BLESSINGS OF BEING GOD’S CHILDREN Hosea 2:1 “Yet the number of Bnei-Yisrael will be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or counted. Instead of ‘You are not My people’ being said to them, they will be called CHILDREN of the living God.’ TLV Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Messiah. 4 He chose us in the Messiah before the foundation of the world..13b…you were sealed with the promised Ruach HaKodesh. 14 He is the guarantee of our INHERITANCE, until the redemption of His possession—to His glorious praise! NLT • Blessed - with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places • Chosen - before the foundation of the world to be set-apart as holy • Set-Apart as Holy - to be before Him in love • Predestined - according to God’s plan in Messiah to bring all things or people together • Adopted - predestined for sonship or “daughtership” to fulfill God’s good pleasure • Planned - to bring all things or people together • Purposed - for the fulfillment of God’s will • Sealed - with the Ruach [“Spirit”] as a guarantee of our inheritance • Redeemed - with a great price as God’s possession Ephesians 2:1 You were dead in your trespasses and sins. 2 At that time, you walked in the way of this world, in conformity to the ruler of the domain of the air—the ruler of the spirit who is now operating in the SONS of disobedience. 3 We too all lived among them in the cravings of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and the mind. By nature we were CHILDREN of wrath...TLV Ephesians 5:8 For once you were darkness, but now in union with the Lord you are light. Walk as CHILDREN of light! TLV 3. WE MAKE SURE THAT THEY KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SONSHIP AND SLAVERY Exodus 20:2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt— from the house of SLAVERY. TLV Romans 8:14 All who are led by the spirit of God, you see, are God’s children. 15 You didn’t receive a spirit of SLAVERY, did you, to go back again into a state of fear? But you received the spirit of SONSHIP, in whom we call out ‘Abba, father!’ 16...we are God’s CHILDREN. NTE Galatians 4:24 Now these things are being treated allegorically, for these are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, giving birth to SLAVERY—this is Hagar. ...30 But what does the Scripture say? “Drive out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not INHERIT with the son” of the free woman. 31 So then, brothers and sisters, we are not CHILDREN of the slave woman but of the free woman. TLV
Deuteronomy 27:3 Then you are to write on them all the words of this Torah when you cross over—so that you may enter the land that Adonai your God is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey just as Adonai, the God of your fathers, promised you. TLV Psalm 78:5 For He established a testimony in Jacob and ordained Torah in Israel...8 So they will not be like their fathers—a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that did not PREPARE its heart, whose spirit was not loyal to God. TLV Numbers 20:2 Now there was no water for the community, so they assembled against Moses and Aaron...5...there’s no water to drink!” TLV Numbers 20:6 So Moses and Aaron went from before the assembly to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting and fell on their faces. Then the glory of Adonai appeared to them. 8...Speak to the rock...TLV Numbers 20:12 But Adonai said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust in Me so as to esteem Me as holy in the eyes of Bnei-Yisrael... 1. WE MUST TRUST AS A FOUNDATION OF FAITH TO POSSESS GOD’S PROMISES Numbers 14:11 Adonai said to Moses, “How long will these people treat Me contemptibly? How long will they neglect to TRUST in Me...TLV Hebrews 3:15 As it is said, “Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” 16 Now which ones heard and rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt with Moses? TLV Hebrews 4:1 Let us fear then! Though a PROMISE of entering His rest is left open, some of you would seem to have fallen short. 2...they were not unified with those who listened in FAITH. 3 For we who have TRUSTED are entering into that rest... TLV Proverbs 3:5 TRUST in Adonai with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. TLV Psalm 37:3 TRUST in Adonai and do good. Dwell in the land, feed on faithfulness. 4 Delight yourself in Adonai, and He will give you the requests of your heart. TLV Jeremiah 17:7 Blessed is the one who trusts in Adonai, whose confidence is in Adonai. 8 For he will be like a tree planted by the waters, spreading out its roots by a stream. It has no fear when heat comes, but its leaves will be green. It does not worry in a year of drought, nor depart from yielding fruit. TLV Psalm 1:1 How blessed are those who reject the advice of the wicked, don’t stand on the way of sinners or sit where scoffers sit! 2 Their delight is in Adonai’s Torah; on his Torah they meditate day and night.3...everything they do succeeds. CJB Joshua 1:7... Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so you may be SUCCESSFUL wherever you go. 8 This book of the Torah should not depart from your mouth—you are to meditate on it day...For then you will make your ways prosperous and then you will be successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Chazak! Be strong! Do not be terrified or dismayed, for Adonai your God is with you wherever you go.” TLV 2. WE MUST ENTER GOD’S REST TO ENTER GOD’S PROMISED LAND SH’MOT / Exodus 33:12 One day Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Take these people up to the Promised Land.... NLT Deuteronomy 1:29 “Then I said to you, ‘Don’t tremble or be afraid of them...35 ‘Not one of these men of this evil generation will see the good land that I swore to give your fathers— 36 except Caleb the son of Jephunneh. He will see it—yet to him and his children I will give the land that he has walked on, because he has followed Adonai wholeheartedly.’ TLV Psalm 95:6 Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before Adonai our Maker. ...11 Therefore I swore in My anger, ‘They shall never enter into My REST.’” TLV Matthew 11:29 Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you REST. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and ‘you will find REST for your souls.’ 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” TLV Hebrews 4:3 For we who have TRUSTED are entering into that REST....4 ...“And God rested on the seventh day from all His works,” 5 and again in this passage: “They shall never enter My REST.”...8 For if Joshua had given them REST, God would not have spoken of another day later on. 9 So there remains a Shabbat REST for the people of God. 10 For the one who has entered God’s REST has also ceased from his own work, just as God did from His. TLV 3. WE MUST OBEY GOD’S VOICE TO INHERIT ALL OF GOD’S PROMISES Numbers 14:11 Adonai said to Moses, “How long will these people treat Me contemptibly? How long will they neglect to TRUST in Me... TLV Numbers 14:21 ...yet tested Me these ten times and did not obey My VOICE— 23 not one of them will see the land I promised to their forefathers...TLV REVELATION 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My VOICE and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. TLV
Deut. 27:3 Then you are to write on them all the words of this Torah when you cross over—so that you may enter the land that Adonai your God is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey just as Adonai, the God of your fathers, promised you. TLV Num. 16:1 “Now Korah, son of Izhar son of Kohath son of Levi, and sons of Reuben—Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth— 2 rose up against Moses and took 250 men from Bnei-Yisrael, men of renown who had been appointed to the council. 3 They assembled against Moses and Aaron. They said to them, “You’ve gone too far! All the community is holy—all of them—and Adonai is with them! Then why do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of Adonai?” TLV 1. WORDS HAVE POWER, SO USE THEM WISELY B’MIDBAR / Numbers 16:3 They assembled against Moses and Aaron. They said to them, “You’ve gone too far! All the community is holy—all of them—and Adonai is with them! Then why do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of Adonai?” TLV LASHON HARA: 1. Miryam spoke evil of Moshe. 2. The 10 spies spoke evil of the Land: A Negative Report 3. Korach and Associates spoke evil about Moshe. Prov. 18:6 When a fool’s lips move, a fight breaks out; it’s as if his mouth is begging for a beating. 7 The mouths of fools are their destruction, and their lips entrap their very souls. 8 Whispered gossip is like a delicious first course: it is devoured with pleasure and penetrates deeply…21 Words have power... VOICE 2. BE UNITED IN YOUR EFFORTS TO REACH YOUR GOAL Numbers 16:3 They ASSEMBLED against Moses and Aaron. They said to them, “You’ve gone too far! All the community is holy—all of them—and Adonai is with them! Then why do you exalt yourselves above the ASSEMBLY of Adonai?” TLV Psalm 106:13 They soon forgot His works and would not wait for His counsel. 14 They were seized with craving in the wilderness and tested God in the desert. 15 He gave them what they asked for, but sent a wasting disease among them. 16 In the camp they were envious of Moses and of Aaron, the Lord’s holy one. 17 The earth opened up and swallowed Dathan; it covered the ASSEMBLY of Abiram. 18 Fire blazed throughout their assembly; flames consumed the wicked. HCSB Matthew 18:19 Again I say to you, that if two of you AGREE on earth about anything they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there I am in their midst.” TLV Amos 3:3 Can two people walk together without AGREEING on the direction? HCSB 1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, through the name of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, that you all speak the same thing [CJB: “to AGREE, all of you, in what you say”] and that there be no DIVISIONS among you, but that you be UNITED in the same mind and in the same purpose. TLV 1 Timothy 1:5 Now the GOAL of this command is love from of a pure heart and a clear conscience and a genuine faith. 6 Some, having missed the mark, have turned away to fruitless discussion— 7 wanting to be teachers of Torah, even though they do not understand what they keep saying or what they so dogmatically assert. 8 But we know that the Torah is good if one uses it legitimately. TLV 3. ALLOW PRAYER TO POINT YOU IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AS YOU PURSUE GOD’S PROMISE Psalm 141:1 A psalm of David. Adonai, I call to You—come quickly to me! Hear my voice when I call to You. 2 May my PRAYER be set before You like INCENSE. May the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice. 3 Set a guard, Adonai, over my mouth. Keep watch over the door of my lips. 4 Let not my heart turn to any evil thing…TLV Num. 16:4 When Moses heard this, he fell on his face. 5 Then he said to Korah and all his following saying, “In the morning Adonai will reveal who is His and who is holy. The one whom He will let come near to Him will be the one He chooses to come near to Him. 6 Do this, Korah and your whole following! Take for yourselves CENSERS. 7 Put fire and INCENSE into them in the presence of Adonai. Tomorrow the man that Adonai chooses will be the holy one! You sons of Levi are the ones who have gone too far!” TLV Revelation 8:3 Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden INCENSE burner [“CENSER”]. He was given much INCENSE to offer up along with the PRAYERS of all the kedoshim [“saints” or “holy, set apart ones”] upon the golden altar before the throne... TLV Phil. 4:6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. NLT Romans 14:19 So then let us PURSUE what makes for shalom and for the building up of one another. TLV Heb. 10:36 For you have need of PATIENT ENDURANCE [to bear up under difficult circumstances without compromising], so that when you have carried out the will of God, you may receive and enjoy to the full what is PROMISED. AMP
Deuteronomy 27:3 Then you are to write on them all the words of this Torah when you cross over—so that you may enter the land that Adonai your God is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey just as Adonai, the God of your fathers, promised you. TLV Numbers 13:1 “Adonai spoke to Moses saying, 2 “Send some men on your behalf to investigate the land of Canaan, which I am giving to Bnei-Yisrael. Each man you are to send will be a prince of the tribe of his fathers, a man from each tribe.” 3 So according to the word of Adonai, Moses sent them from the wilderness of Paran. All the men were princes of Bnei-Yisrael...16 These are the names of the men Moses sent to investigate the land. (Now he gave Hoshea son of Nun, the name Joshua.) 17 As he sent them to explore the land of Canaan, he said to them, “Go up there through the Negev, then go up into the hill country. 18 See what the land is like and the people living there, whether they might be strong or weak, few or many. 19 In what kind of land are they living? Is it good or bad? Also, what about the cities in which they are living? Are they unwalled or do they have fortifications? 20 How is the soil—fertile or poor? Are there trees on it or not? Do your best to bring back some of the fruit of the land.” (It was the season for the first ripe grapes.) TLV 1. ALWAYS ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS Deuteronomy 1:21 See, Adonai your God has set the land before you—go up, take possession, as Adonai God of your fathers has promised you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.’ 22 “Then all of you came near to me and said: ‘Let’s send men ahead of us to explore the land for us and bring us back word about the way we should go up and the cities we will enter.’ 23 “The idea seemed good to me, so I took twelve men from among you—one man for each tribe. TLV SURVEY OF THE SPIES: 1. What kind of land is it? 2. What kind of people live there? 3. What strengths and weaknesses do they have? 4. What is the number or quantity of the people? 5. What is the quality of the land like? 6. Do they have fortified or open camps? 7. What is the fertility of the soil like? 8. Does the land have forests for wood? Luke 2:46 After three days they found Him [Yeshua] in the Temple, sitting in the center of the teachers, LISTENING to them and ASKING THEM QUESTIONS. 47 And all those hearing Him were astonished at His understanding and His ANSWERS. TLV 2. ALWAYS SURROUND YOURSELF WITH THE RIGHT PEOPLE Numbers 13:30 Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “We should definitely go up and capture the land, for we can certainly do it!” 31 But the men who had gone up with him said, “We cannot attack these people, because they are stronger than we.” 32 They spread among Bnei-Yisrael a bad report about the land they had explored, saying, “The land through which we passed to explore devours its residents. All the people we saw there are men of great size! TLV Job 6:14 “Friends should be loyal to you in times of trouble, even if you turn away from God All-Powerful. 15 But I cannot depend on you, my brothers…25 Honest words are powerful, but your arguments prove nothing. 26 Do you plan to criticize me? Will you speak more tiring words?…29 You need to start over and stop being so unfair! Think again, because I am innocent. 30 I am not lying. I know right from wrong. ERV 3. ALWAYS BELIEVE AND PREPARE YOURSELF TO POSSESS THE RIGHT PROMISES Joshua 1:10 Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, 11 “PASS THROUGH the camp and command the people, saying, ‘PREPARE PROVISIONS for yourselves, for within three days you will CROSS OVER this Jordan, to go in to POSSESS the land which the Lord your God is giving you to POSSESS.” CEV Joshua 21:43 So the Lord gave Israel all the land he had PROMISED to give to ABRAHAM, Isaac and Jacob. And Israel took it over. Then they made their homes there. 44 The Lord gave them peace and REST on every side. He had PROMISED their people of long ago that He would do that. Not one of Israel’s enemies was able to fight against them and win. The Lord handed all their enemies over to them. 45 The Lord kept all the GOOD PROMISES he had made to the Israelites. Every one of them came true. - NIRV Psalm 37:8 Don't give in to worry or anger; it only leads to trouble. 9 Those who TRUST in the Lord will POSSESS the land, but the wicked will be driven out….22a Those who are BLESSED by the Lord will POSSESS the land... GNT One needs a VISION of the PROMISED LAND in order to have the STRENGTH to MOVE.” ~ Leo Tolstoy
Isaiah 61:1 1. THE CLOUD OR SHEKINAH GLORY WAS A MANIFESTATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT Numbers 9:15 On the day the Tabernacle was erected, the CLOUD covered the Tabernacle. By evening until morning, the CLOUD above the Tent of Testimony had an appearance like fire. 16 It was that way continually. The CLOUD covered it, and by night it appeared like fire. 17 Whenever the CLOUD lifted up from above the Tent, then Bnei-Yisrael would set out, and at the place where the CLOUD settled, there Bnei-Yisrael would encamp. 18 At the mouth of Adonai, Bnei-Yisrael would set out, and at the mouth of Adonai they would encamp. All the days that the CLOUD remained over the Tabernacle, they would remain in camp. 19 When the CLOUD would remain over the Tabernacle many days, Bnei-Yisrael would obey the command of Adonai and not set out. 20 At times the CLOUD stayed over the Tabernacle only a few days. At Adonai’s word they would encamp, and at Adonai’s word they would set out. 21 At times the CLOUD remained only from evening until morning. When the CLOUD would lift, they would set out. Whether by day or by night, when the CLOUD lifted, they would set out. 22 Whether for two days or a month or a year, while the CLOUD remained over the Tabernacle, Bnei-Yisrael remained camped and would not set out. But when it would lift, they would set out. 23 At Adonai’s word they would encamp, and at the mouth of Adonai they set out. They obeyed Adonai’s order by Moses’s hand. TLV 1 Corinthians 10:1 For I do not want you to be ignorant, brothers and sisters, that our fathers were all under the CLOUD and all passed through the sea. 2 They all were immersed into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. TLV 2. THE CLOUD GUIDED ISRAEL THROUGH THE WILDERNESS JUST LIKE WE ARE LED BY HOLY SPIRIT Numbers 10:11 On the twentieth day of the second month of the second year, the CLOUD lifted up from above the Tabernacle of the Testimony. 12 Then Bnei-Yisrael set out on their travels in the Sinai wilderness. The CLOUD came to REST in the wilderness of Paran. 13 So they set out the first time by the mouth of Adonai by Moses’s hand. TLV Isaiah 63:10 But they rebelled, and grieved His Ruach HaKodesh [“Holy Spirit”]...11 Then His people remembered the days of old, the days of Moses: “Where is He who brought them through the sea with the shepherd of His flock? Where is He who put among them His Ruach HaKodesh [“Holy Spirit”]? 12 Who caused His glorious arm to go at the right hand of Moses? Who divided the waters before them—to make Himself a Name forever? 13 Who LED them through the depths? Like a horse in the desert, they did not stumble. 14 Like cattle that go down into a valley, the Ruach Adonai [“Spirit of the LORD”] gave them rest. So You LED Your people, to make Yourself a glorious Name. TLV Matthew 4:11 Then Yeshua was led by the Ruach [“Spirit”] into the WILDERNESS to be tempted by the devil. TLV Matthew 17:5 While He was still speaking, suddenly a bright CLOUD overshadowed them; and behold, a voice from out of the CLOUD, saying, “This is My Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased. Listen to Him!” TLV Romans 8:14 For all who are LED by the Ruach Elohim [“Spirit of God”], these are sons of God...16 The Ruach [“Spirit”] Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. TLV 3. THE GLORY CLOUD CONNECTED TO MOSES FORESHADOWS OUR TRANSFORMATION FROM THE GLORY WE HAVE IN MESSIAH Numbers 10:34 The CLOUD of Adonai was over them by day when they advanced from the camp. TLV Rabbi Menach finds an allusion in it to the Shechinah Numbers 11:16 Adonai said to Moses, “Bring me 70 of the elders of Israel whom you know to be elders of the people and their leaders. Take them to the Tent of Meeting, so they may stand with you there. 17 Then I will come down and speak with you there, and, I will take some of the Ruach [“Spirit”] that is on you and will place it on them. TLV Numbers 11:25 Adonai descended in the CLOUD and spoke with him. He took some of the Ruach [“Spirit”] that was on him and placed it on each of the 70 elders. It so happened that when the Ruach [“Spirit”] first rested on them, they prophesied—but never again. TLV Exodus 34:34 ... Then Moses would come out and tell the people of Israel the things the Lord had commanded. 35 The Israelites would see that Moses’ face was SHINING... ICB 2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Ruach Adonai [“Spirit of the LORD”] is, there is freedom. 18 But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being TRANSFORMED into the same image from glory to glory—just as from the Lord, who is the Spirit. TLV
Our Heavenly Father desired to create a people who would love and worship Him voluntarily, within a covenant relationship. Once we become a LOVER of God, we naturally transform into WorshiperS of God, who experience His love daily as we acknowlwdge His presence in our lives. BECOMING A WORSHIPER should invoke deep affection and devotion for God, but also can inspire great discussion to answer difficult questions. Let’s go beyond man’s interpretation of Worship and its different expressions within certain denominations and establish a biblical foundation for this powerful spiritual discipline. We want a pure understanding that predates any modern expression or misunderstanding. Looking a the “law of first mention,” will take us back to the Torah so that we can become a disciple of Yeshua who unstands Worship. There are several Hebrew verb roots that reveal the true essence of worship. We will investigate the two primary roots, that are translated “worship” in the Bible. 5 And Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you.” - Genesis 22:5 (NKJV) Worship in this text comes from a Hebrew root that means to bow down or lay prostrate on the ground. This is the posture of surrender and a symbol of humility, that is connected to the “Burnt Offering,” used for consecration. Here’s our first Hebrew root to study: Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary #7812 Worship: shachah שָׁחָה - to bow down; lay prostrate on the ground; to do homage or obeisance to or before someone with great authority; especially to honor God. 6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. 7 For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand. - Psalm 95:6-7 (NKJV) Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary #5647 Worship: avad עָבַד - to labor or work as a servant; serve God, like a levitical priest. The noun derived from this verb root is avodah עֲבֹדָה, and can be translated “Divine Service.” Greek equivalent is latreia λατρεία in reference to the divine service of the priests who offered sacrifices in the Temple. 1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. - Romans 12:1-2 (NASV) Yeshua has a remarkable encounter with a Samaritan woman that teaches us how to BECOME A WORSHIPER of God. As He traveled with His disciples down a dusty road from Jerusalem to Galilee, He chose a route through Samaria. The disciples went into a particular city to buy food, and Yeshua was left alone, thirsty from his journey. At the famous well of His forefather Jacob, He asked this Samaritan woman to give Him a drink of water. As the conversation revealed political and racial tensions between Jews and Samaritans, Yeshua began to speak into this woman’s life, giving her the solution to her problems as “living water” to her thirsty soul. This scenario is the setting for Yeshua’s famous words about WORSHIP: 23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”– John 4:21-24 (NKJV) • God is SEEKING for TRUE WORSHIPERS. • We worship Him in SPIRIT and in TRUTH. • We present our BODIES as a LIVING SACRIFICE. • TRUE WORSHIP is HOLY and PLEASING to God. Mary in Hebrew is Miriam or Miryam [מִרְיָם], which comes from the root “mara,” which means to be bitter. As a female disciple who was delivered from seven demons, she is famously mentioned more often than most of the other disciples. A Parable for the Worshiper : What Defiles A Man - Matthew 15:1-20 • God wants our HEARTS in worship for an intimate connection. • Our hearts can stay UNDEFILED through WORSHIP. • Worship gives us access to DRAW CLOSE to God . • TRUE WORSHIP empowers our whole life to HONOR God. 1. SPIRITUAL: WORSHIPERS must spiritually seek God as their Father as they worship so that their spirit can commune with Him. 2. AUTHENTIC: WORSHIPERS must remain true in intention and authentic in expression as they dedicate themselves to God. 3. TRANSPARENT: WORSHIPERS must keep their hearts pure and open to God in transparency and truthfulness. 4. SINCERE: WORSHIPERS must stay true and genuine in their devotion and undefiled in their character. “I AM” STATEMENTS: • I AM A WORSHIPER OF GOD • I AM A SERVANT OF GOD • I AM SUBMITTED • I AM SURRENDERED • I AM SINCERE • I AM DEDICATED • I AM DEVOTED CORE VALUE : HOLINESS IS OUR LIFESTYLE “We live to glorify God in all that we do”
Our Creator is a God who loves His children unconditionally. Even greater, He is LOVE! He doesn’t just possess or have LOVE for us, He is the essence of LOVE! Therefore, God, as our Heavenly Father, is the source of all LOVE! Every commandment in the Bible is given to us to express love and to protect our relationship with Him. 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have LOVED you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have LOVE for one another.” - John 13:34-35 (ESV) 28 One of the Torah scholars came and heard them debating. Seeing that Yeshua had answered them well, he asked Him, “Which commandment is first of all?” 29 Yeshua answered, “The first is, ‘Shema Yisrael, Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai echad. Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. 30 And you shall love Adonai your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” - Mark 12:28-31 (TLV) 4 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! 5 You shall LOVE the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” - Deuteronomy 6:4-7 (NKJV) God revealed His covenant of love at Sinai to Israel through the Prophet Moses as they traveled through the wilderness in preparation of entering the Promised Land. This passage known in Hebrew as the “Shema” (translated “hear”) defines three levels of love that Yeshua taught His disciples to express: 1. SPIRIT - love the LORD your God with all your heart 2. SOUL - love the LORD your God with all your soul 3. BODY - love the LORD your God with all your strength [might, resources] A Parable for the Lover: The Good Samaritan Yeshua was questioned by a scribe concerning how to inherit eternal life, to test His knowledge of the Torah. He replied with the famous “Shema” [“Hear, O Israel...”] of Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and the “V’ahavta” [“And you shall love...”] found in Leviticus 19:18. hese verses are two of the most important passages, prayers, and principles within the Jewish world of Yeshua’s day, present-day Judaism, and among Christians around the world. This parable practically puts His LOVE in perspective, as it frees us to show His love to everyone we meet. 25 Now a certain Torah lawyer stood up to entrap Yeshua, saying, “Teacher, what should I do to gain eternal life?” 26 Then Yeshua said to him, “What has been written in the Torah? How do you read it?” 27 And he replied, “You shall love Adonai your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 Yeshua said to him, “You have answered correctly. Do this and you will live.” 29 But wanting to vindicate himself, he said to Yeshua, “Then who is my neighbor?” - Luke 10:25-29 (TLV) These divine expressions of LOVE teach us how to affectionately LOVE God, LOVE and care for ourselves, and how to LOVE others in a genuine way. 30 Yeshua replied, “A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho. He was attacked by robbers, who stripped him and beat him. Then they left, abandoning him as half dead. 31 And by chance, a kohen was going down that road; but when he saw the man, he passed by on the opposite side. 32 Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the opposite side. 33 But a Samaritan who was traveling came upon him; and when he noticed the man, he felt compassion. 34 He went up to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on olive oil and wine. Then setting him on his own animal, he brought him to a lodge for travelers and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him. And whatever else you spend, upon my return I will repay you myself.’ 36 Which of these three seems to you a neighbor to the one attacked by robbers?”37 And he said, “The one who showed mercy to him.” - Luke 10:30-37 (TLV) • Love doesn’t OVERLOOK those in need. • Love will help someone who is HURT and try to HEAL them. • Love shows genuine CARE for those who are WOUNDED. • Love will pay the PRICE for the broken to be RESTORED. • God is the SOURCE of LOVE because He is LOVE. • Jesus gave His LIFE to FREE us from SIN to demonstrate and teach us how to WALK in God’s LOVE. • LOVE is the EXPRESSION of our new NATURE as His CHILDREN. • As born again BELIEVERS we show and share this kind of love to OTHERS so they can EXPERIENCE God’s LOVE too!
BECOMING A DISCIPLE of Yeshua requires us to start as a FOLLOWER and then be instructed as a LEARNER. Ultimately the most important lesson to learn in life is to become a giver of one’s TIME, TALENT, and TREASURE! Parents provide whatever is needed for their children’s success, hoping they will learn how to become GIVERS and not just receivers. In the same way, Yeshua wanted His disciples to GIVE themselves entirely to God, as they became generous in GIVING to those around them. Yeshua said, ‘It is more blessed to GIVE than to receive.” He came into the world to GIVE Himself so that we all could receive eternal life. You could say that living requires giving. Of course, we are not just talking about monetary rewards or physical resources since giving is not just about money! GIVING IS LIVING, and God gave us life so that we could give to others from the abundance of our new life in Messiah. When a disciple decides to follow a leader, the most challenging discipline to learn is to GIVE of yourself in total dedication and devotion. The disciples who followed Yeshua dropped their nets, tax-collecting occupation, and other earthly endeavors to fulfill this Great Commission. It will take real focus, dedicated concentration, and sincere commitment. The disciples had to make following Yeshua their priority, not just a luxury. It was a privilege to be hand-selected by the master teacher of all rabbis of that day. 24 Then Yeshua said to His disciples, “If anyone wants to follow after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world but forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? - Matthew 16:24-26 (TLV) 30 GIVE to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. 31 And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise...35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful...38 GIVE, and it will be GIVEN to you: GOOD MEASURE, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” - Luke 6:30-31,35-36,38 (NKJV) • GENEROSITY gives to EVERYONE who’s in need. • The MEASURE you GIVE will be MEASURED back to you. • If we are GENEROUS it reflects our Heavenly FATHER. • GENEROSITY sets us up for OVERFLOW. Yeshua uses Hebrew imagery of measuring grain to describe the outcome of generosity. Harvesters would press the wheat down and then shake it to make room for more. Female harvesters would often carry the wheat close to their bosom or chest, or in the pockets or folds of their dresses. Generosity does not produce scarcity, instead, it makes more room for increase and abundance. If we become a GIVER and live a life of GENEROSITY our blessings will be RUNNING OVER on OVERFLOW. A Parable for the Giver: Hidden Treasure 25 Now a certain Torah lawyer stood up to entrap Yeshua, saying, “Teacher, what should I do to gain eternal life?” 26 Then Yeshua said to him, “What has been written in the Torah? How do you read it?” 27 And he replied, “You shall love Adonai your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 Yeshua said to him, “You have answered correctly. Do this and you will live.” 29 But wanting to vindicate himself, he said to Yeshua, “Then who is my neighbor?” - Luke 10:25-29 (TLV) Yeshua taught His disciples that whatever is valued or cherished as our most precious commodity, becomes our treasure. The Word of God is our treasure map to find hidden, buried, or lost treasure. When we discover its truth and wisdom found in God’s kingdom, we must be willing to GIVE whatever it takes to acquire it. 19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven...- Matthew 6:19-20(TLV) “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like TREASURE HIDDEN in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. - Matthew 13:44 (NKJV) Then He said to them, “Therefore every Torah scholar DISCIPLED for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his TREASURE both new things and old.” - Matthew 13:52 (TLV) TALK DIFFERENTLY: Seven days of Declaration “I AM” STATEMENTS: • I AM A GIVER • I AM GENEROUS • I AM GRATEFUL • I AM RESOURCEFUL • I AM RESPONSIVE • I AM PROSPEROUS • I AM BLESSED GENEROSITY IS OUR PRIVILEGE “Giving our time, talent and treasure is a blessing, not a burden”
Have you ever thought about what it means to be like Yeshua? What would it be like to be one of His followers and walk in His footsteps? FOLLOWERS must become LEARNERS to be dedicated disciples of Yeshua. The process often requires a sacrifice from the student who desires to learn from the unique teaching style of their teacher. Developing disciples must strive to learn with excellence as they focus on becoming what they are learning. If a teacher embodies the vision or expected goal of what they are teaching, the student can emulate their actions, as they become conformed to the image and lifestyle they see in their mentor. As a master teacher, the rabbi’s job was not just to be great himself or to desire to be called “great” by others but also to train great students who would be great teachers themselves. So when Yeshua told the disciples to do the commandments and then teach others to do them, He said that people would call them “great,” the very meaning of the term “rabbi.” Yeshua encouraged them that they would do even “greater works” than Himself [John 14:12]. Since Yeshua was a rabbi who taught the Torah or Law of Moses, the interpretation and application of Moses’ teaching was the focus of His instruction and the “YOKE” He equipped His disciples to bear and skillfully use, like oxen that plow a field. Look at the “yoke” that Yeshua placed on His disciples: 29 Take My YOKE upon you and LEARN from Me [following Me as My disciple], for I am gentle and HUMBLE in heart, and you will find rest (renewal, blessed quiet) for your souls. 30 For My yoke is EASY [to bear] and My burden is LIGHT.” - Matthew 11:29-30 (AMP) A Parable for the Learner: The Sower and the Seed FOUR SOILS - FOUR TYPES OF LISTENERS: 1. WAYSIDE SOIL: Surface / Non-Listener 2. ROCKY SOIL: Shallow Listener 3. THORNY SOIL: Distracted Listener 4. GOOD SOIL: Good Listener TALK DIFFERENTLY: Seven days of Declaration “I AM” STATEMENTS: • IAMALEARNER • I AM TEACHABLE • I AM UNIQUELY MADE • I AM GIFTED • I AM READY • I AM FOCUSED • I AM DETERMINED • I AM COMMITTED HUMILITY IS OUR POSTURE “Humility is posture of a learner who wants to become dusty from the dust of the rabbi” As we humble ourselves like Yeshua, who is humble as a teacher, we will learn from Him and allow the seed of God’s word to become deeply planted in our hearts. Our Messiah is ready to train LEARNERS, who are zealous to become “dusty” with the “dust of their rabbi”.
Have you ever thought about what it means to be like Yeshua? What would it be like to be one of His followers and walk in His footsteps? This study will teach you that Yeshua was the quintessential teacher of His Jewish Community. He picked twelve underqualified men to mold into His image through discipleship who would ultimately change the world. Jewish writings from Israel’s wisest teachers describe this journey with the imagery of dust coming up from the ground, which was the dust sprinkled on the disciples of a rabbi from the sandals of his feet. So, Peter, James, and John became his “Inner Circle” disciples out of twelve who didn’t mind walking in His footsteps on the dusty roads of Israel, from Galilee to Jerusalem. They knew that if they followed Him closely, their mundane and routine lives would become transformed from fishermen to “fishers of men.” As we learn how to follow the Messiah the way they did, with the same intimacy and intentionality, we will naturally become dusty from the dust of His feet and become thirsty from the words of His mouth. “Let your house be a house of meeting for the sages [Torah scholars], become DUSTY yourself with the very DUST of their feet, and drink in their words with thirst.” ~ Yose ben Yoezer; Mishnah 1:4; Pirke Avot - “Ethics of the Fathers” THREE STAGES OF A DISCIPLE’S JOURNEY: 1. FOLLOWER - is a “submissive one” who is willing to be guided into their next steps 2. DISCIPLE - is a “disciplined one” who is willing to be fully trained in spiritual growth and life 3. APOSTLE - is a “sent one” who is willing to be released into their purpose and mission THREE STEPS OF DISCIPLESHIP IN THE MESSIAH: “.....Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” - Matthew 4:19 (NKJV) 1. MODELING THE MESSIAH - “Follow me” I COMMIT TO BE DISCIPLED 2. MENTORED BY MESSIAH - “I will make you” JESUS COMMITS TO DISCIPLE US 3. MOLDED INTO A MAKER - “fishers of men” I COMMIT TO DISCIPLE OTHERS Yeshua and the angels in heaven are rejoicing over you because you have been found! Now we will rejoice and celebrate with you because you’re ready to follow Him, like sheep who willingly follow their shepherd! 18 Now as Yeshua was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter and Andrew his brother. They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And He said to them, “FOLLOW ME, AND I WILL MAKE YOU FISHERS OF MEN.” 20 Immediately they left their NETS and followed Him. - Matthew 4:18-20 (TLV) Andrew was the first follower and disciple of Yeshua found in the Gospel of John. Andrew or Andreas in Greek, which means “manly or brave,” and he is known as the “Protokletos,” meaning “first called” in Greek. His full name is Andrew bar-Jonah. Parables for the Follower: The Good Shepherd and the Lost Sheep 4 “And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep FOLLOW him, for they know his voice. 5 “Yet they will by no means FOLLOW a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” .... 27 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they FOLLOW Me. - John 10:4-5, 27 (NKJV) 3 So He told this parable to them, saying, 4 “Which man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, will not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until he finds it? 5 When he has found it, he puts it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says, ‘Rejoice with me, for I’ve found my sheep that was lost!’ 7 I tell you, in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one repenting sinner than over the ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.” - Luke 15:3-7 (TLV) • Yeshua is the GOOD SHEPHERD and loves His sheep. • He knows us and calls us by NAME to FOLLOW Him. • We are His SHEEP and we know His VOICE. • As His sheep, we are LOYAL to Him, and will not LISTEN to a foreign or strange voice. TODAY’S TAKEAWAY: FOUR PRINCIPLES FOR FOLLOWERS: 1. VOLUNTARY: FOLLOWERS make a voluntary choice to be led by their leader, like sheep follow their shepherd. 2. PRIORITY: FOLLOWERS make it a priority to pursue their purpose with proper guidance. 3. LOYALTY: FOLLOWERS make a decision to deny selfish pleasure to please their God. 4. ACCOUNTABILITY: FOLLOWERS make themselves accountable to their master’s voice, like sheep who know the voice of their shepherd. TALK DIFFERENTLY: Seven days of Declaration “I AM” STATEMENTS: • I AM A FOLLOWER OF JESUS • I AM CHOSEN • I AM WILLING TO BE LED • I AM RESPONSIBLE • I AM LOYAL • I AM ACCOUNTABLE • I AM COMMITTED EXCELLENCE IS OUR EXPRESSION “A Lifestyle of Excellence expresses a Life without excuses” To follow Yeshua, we must renounce all EXCUSES to pursue a lifestyle of EXCELLENCE.
THEME VERSE: TEHILLIM / Psalm 78:4 We will not hide them from their children, telling to the next generation the praises of Adonai and His strength and the wonders He has done. 5 For He established a testimony in Jacob and ordained Torah in Israel, which He commanded our fathers to teach their children, 6 so that the next generation might know, even the children yet to be born: they will arise and tell their children. 7 Then they will put their trust in God, not forgetting the works of God, but keeping His mitzvot. 8 So they will not be like their fathers—a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that did not PREPARE its heart, whose spirit was not loyal to God. TLV B’MIDBAR / Numbers 6:22 Again Adonai spoke to Moses saying, 23 “Speak to Aaron and to his sons saying: Thus you are to bless Bnei-Yisrael, by saying to them: 24 ‘Adonai bless you and keep you! 25 Adonai make His face to shine on you and be gracious to you! 26 Adonai turn His face toward you and grant you shalom!’ 27 In this way they are to place My Name over Bnei-Yisrael, and so I will bless them.” TLV 1. HASHEM PROMISES TO BLESS AND KEEP US D’VARIM / Deuteronomy 1:11 “‘May Adonai, God of your fathers, increase you a thousand times as many as you are, and may He BLESS you just as He has PROMISED you. TLV TEHILLIM / Psalm 34:8 Taste and see that the Lord is good; BLESSED is the one who takes refuge in him. 9 Fear the Lord, you His Holy People, for those who fear him LACK NOTHING. 10 The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord LACK NO GOOD THING. NIV TEHILLIM / Psalm 37:3 TRUST in Adonai and do good. DWELL in the LAND, FEED on FAITHFULNESS. 4 Delight yourself in Adonai, and He will give you the requests of your heart. TLV TEHILLIM / Psalm 41:3 Adonai will PROTECT him and KEEP him alive. He will be made BLESSED in the LAND. TLV MISHLEI / Proverbs 8:32 “So now, children, listen to me! BLESSED are those who keep my ways. 33 Heed discipline and be wise, and do not neglect it. 34 BLESSED is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my doorposts. 35 For whoever finds me finds life and obtains FAVOR from Adonai. TLV 2. HASHEM SHINES UPON US TO FAVOR US WITH GRACE TEHILLIM / Psalm 80:1 For the music director, with stringed instruments, a psalm, a song. 2 May God be gracious to us and BLESS us. May He cause His face to SHINE upon us—Selah TLV YESHAYAHU / Isaiah 60:1 Arise, SHINE, for your light has come! The glory of Adonai has risen on you. TLV EFESIM / Ephesians 5:14 For everything made visible is LIGHT. This is why it says, “Wake up, O sleeper! Rise from the dead, and MESSIAH will SHINE on you.” TLV 3. HASHEM TURN HIS FACE TOWARD US TO ESTABLISH SHALOM FOR US THROUGH MESSIAH TEHILLIM / Psalm 4:7 Many are asking, “Who will show us some good?” May the LIGHT of Your FACE SHINE upon us, Adonai! 8 You have put joy in my heart—more joy than when their grain and new wine overflow. 9 I will lie down and sleep in SHALOM. For You alone, Adonai, make me live securely. TLV TEHILLIM / Psalm 44:4(3) For it was not by their own sword that they took POSSESSION of the LAND, nor did their own arm save them. But it was Your right hand, Your arm, and the LIGHT of Your FACE— for You favored them. 5(4) You are my King, O God—command victories for Jacob! TLV
Deuteronomy 27:3 Then you are to write on them all the words of this Torah when you cross over—so that you may enter the land that Adonai your God is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey just as Adonai, the God of your fathers, promised you. TLV Psalm 78:5 For He established a testimony in Jacob and ordained Torah in Israel, which He commanded our fathers to teach their children, 6 so that the next generation might know, even the children yet to be born: they will arise and tell their children....8 So they will not be like their fathers—a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that did not PREPARE its heart, whose spirit was not loyal to God. TLV 1. WE MUST BE PREPARED FOR THE TORAH Psalm 68:5 Sing to God, sing praises to His Name. PREPARE the road for Him who rides through the DESERTS, whose Name is Adonai—and rejoice before Him....8 O God, when You went out before Your people, when You marched through the desert—Selah—9 the earth shook, the heavens rained at the presence of God—the One of Sinai—at the presence of God, God of Israel. TLV Psalm 1:2 But his delight is in the Torah of Adonai, and on His Torah he meditates day and night. TLV Proverbs 7:1 My son, keep my words and treasure my mitzvot [commands] within you. 2 Keep my mitzvot and live, my teaching as the apple of your eye. 3 Bind them on your fingers, write them on the tablet of your heart. TLV Psalm 10:17 Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will PREPARE their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear. NKJV JEWISH JEWELS: There are two aspects to the PREPARATION of the heart. The first is the preparation that God does. The second is the PREPARATION that we do. Psalm 10:17 is a key verse of Scripture concerning God’s role: “LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will PREPARE (ta-KEEN) their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear.” The Amplified Bible says that God will “PREPARE and strengthen and direct” our hearts. God does this work of preparation in our hearts when we humble ourselves before Him, confess our great need of Him, and desire to do His will. PREPARATION of the heart is an ongoing process. It involves holding our heart out before the Lord, with an attitude of desiring to please Him in all areas of our life. It also involves accepting the inevitability of change in our lives, saying to God: “PREPARE my heart, Lord, for what You have in store for me. 2. WE MUST ALLOW THE SPIRIT TO INSCRIBE THE TORAH IN OUR HEARTS 2 Corinthians 3:3 It is clear that you are a letter from Messiah delivered by us—written not with ink but with the Ruach of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. TLV Psalm 40:8 (9) I delight to do Thy will, O Elohai; yea, Thy Torah is within my HEART [VOICE: “Your law is etched into my heart and my soul.”]. OJB Deuteronomy 32:45 When Moses finished speaking all these words to all Israel, 46 he said to them, “Put in your hearts all the words that I call as witness against you today—that you may command your children to keep and do all the words of this Torah. 47 For it is not an empty thing for you, because it is your life! By this word you will prolong your days on the land, which you are crossing over the Jordan to possess.” TLV Ezekiel 36:26 Moreover I will give you a new heart. I will put a new spirit within you. I will remove the stony heart from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Ruach within you. Then I will cause you to walk in My laws, so you will keep My rulings and do them. 28 Then you will live in the land that I gave to your fathers. You will be My people and I will be your God. TLV 3. WE FOLLOW THE COMMANDMENTS TO FOLLOW THE MESSIAH John 14:15 “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. 16 I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper so He may be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth...TLV John 15:9 “Just as the Father has loved Me, I also have loved you. Abide in My love! 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. 11 These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and your joy may be full. 12 “This is My commandment, that you love one another just as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than this: that he lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do what I command you. TLV 1 John 5:1 Everyone who believes that Yeshua is the Messiah is born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves the one born of Him. 2 We know that we love God’s children by this—when we love God and obey His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God—that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome... TLV 2 John 6:1 This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it. NKJV
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