Shavu’ot (part 2)

 5.24.09–Many in the body are crying out for power and anointing from God yet fail to receive it because they are not yet on God’s calendar. In the past, the adversary has tried to remove the Hebraic roots from the church with a doctrine called “Replacement Theology.” It states that the Christians replaced God’s beloved Jews. Many others believe that the Old Testament was replaced with the New Testament and feel it is not important to read the Old Testament. As Paul says, there will be a time when “people will not have the patience for sound teaching, but will cater to their passions and gather around themselves teachers who say whatever their itching ears want to hear (2 Timothy 4:3).”

In this hour, God is awakening the church to her lost Hebraic roots. The roots that birthed and grew Yeshua the Messiah. The roots that the disciples and Paul the Apostle walked in. These are the roots that bring life and reveal His calendar. Praise Adonai for His chosen people and for his plan that grafted us into the olive tree (Romans 11).

Shavu’ot, or Pentecost is a festival that God mandated in the Torah (first 5 books of The Bible). He describes the feast in Leviticus 23:15-16, Numbers 28:26-31, and Deuteronomy 16:9-12. for the festival, God says to bring an offering and have a holy gathering. According to Dr. Robert Heidler’s book titled, The Messianic Church Arising!, there are three dimensions to Pentecost. The first is receiving God’s blessing of abundant provision as well as bringing Him an offering that would open our hearts to Him. Secondly, we must remember to celebrate God giving the Torah. When He gave his commandments, Adonai was giving the revelation of His will and His character. On Shavu’ot, we should be thankful for His wisdom and revelation, expecting fresh revelation as we study His word. The third dimension is the outpouring of the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) and the power from God that healed the sick, raised the dead, and added 3,000 people to their numbers, daily.

I pray that we would give ourselves to the study of God’s feasts and come into the knowledge of the covenant and blessings that He has fashioned for those who seek His word like treasure.

If you are interested in celebrating Shavu’ot with a holy gathering, join us at the Tabernacle on May 28th at 7pm.

Just Do As Your Told - By Junyah Quemado

5.22.09 - This song has been on my mind and heart the past few weeks. It is a song that is simple in words yet difficult in application. The song is titled “Where You Go I’ll Go” by Brian Johnson of Bethel Chapel in Redding, CA. The lyrics go like this:

Where you go, I go

What you say, I say

What you pray, I pray

What you pray, I pray

Jesus only did what He saw you do

He would only say what He heard you speak

He would only move when He felt you lead

Following your heart, following your spirit

How could I expect to walk without you?

When every move that Jesus made was in surrender

I will not begin to live without you

For you alone are worthy

And you are always good

Though the world sees and soon forgets

We will not forget who you are and what you’ve done for us

How does the phrase, “Do as your told” strike you? If you are like most people that doesn’t sit well with you. We are taught independence and to make our own decisions. But did we learn that from Jesus? No! It’s quite the opposite. Take a look at these two verses in John:

“I don’t speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me gave me his own instructions as to what I should say. And I know his instructions lead to eternal life; so I say whatever the Father tells me to say!” (John 12:49-50)

“But the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me.” (John 14:31)

Jesus teaches us that He does what the Father tells Him to do and He says what the Father tells Him to say! If we are not careful, we can fall under this attitude that was captured in another well-known song. “I DID IT MY WAY!”

I’m not saying that it’s easy to have the same attitude of Jesus but it is the example we should want to follow.

If we truly are to believe that this year is a year of transformation, we NEED to check our attitudes towards what it means to be a Christian – A Follower of Christ. Not just a BELIEVER but also a FOLLOWER.

Romans 12:2 clearly instructs us on how to be TRANSFORMED:

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is”

As a church we are called to live differently than the world and take on the pattern of hearing God and doing what He says. We can’t just settle for gathering together – sing some songs, hear a message, give our offering and then leave and expect to be Transformed. The Lord has something for us to do not only as individuals but also as a CHURCH!

My prayer for myself and my brothers and sisters is that we can say “Lord I will do what You want me to do and say what You want me to say” The world teaches us to think we are in control and we know what’s best for us – REALLY???

Shavu’ot - By Kelli Tarner

4.21.09–After Passover, God told His people to count 50 days to celebrate the festival Shavu’ot, or Pentecost. This is the festival of the First Fruits, but also is significant to the Jews because it celebrates the giving of the Torah, or first 5 books of the Old Testament to Moshe (Moses) on Mt. Sinai.

After He arose from the dead, Yeshua spent 40 days with His disciples speaking with them about the Kingdom of God. During that time He told His disciples to “wait for what the Father promised, which you heard about from me. For Yochanan (John the Baptist) used to immerse in water; but in a few days, you will be immersed in the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit)!” Acts 1:4-5 After this, the disciples devoted themselves to prayer. They tarried. They waited. They prayed.

10 days later, on the festival of Shavu’ot, “the believers all gathered together in one place. Suddenly there came a sound from the sky like the roar of a violent wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then they saw what looked like tongues of fire, which separated and came to rest on each one of them. They were all filled with the Ruach HaKodesh and began to talk in different languages, as the Spirit enabled them to speak.”

I am convinced that now is the time to tarry in the secret place. To wait for the power from God. There is a higher calling awaiting us. It is a calling to walk in the power of Yeshua just as the disciples did. When the body comes into the fullness of her calling, we will be His witnesses with the power of the Ruach HaKodesh and the baptism of fire. That fire—the witness of the Ruach HaKodesh—caused 3,000 people to be added to their numbers in the first day (Acts 2:41).

Currently there are few in the body operating in the fullness of Isaiah 61. This is a call to allow Him to burn away all dross so that only Yeshua remains. With that will come the beauty of Isaiah 61, “The Spirit of Adonai Elohim is upon me, because Adonai has anointed me to announce good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted; to proclaim freedom to the captives, to let out into light those bound in the dark; to proclaim the year of the favor of Adonai and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who morn, yes, provide for those in Tziyon (Zion) who morn, giving them garlands instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of morning, a cloak of praise instead of a heavy spirit, so that they will be called oaks of righteousness planted by Adonai, in which he takes pride. They will rebuild the ancient ruins, restore sites long destroyed; they will renew the ruined cities, destroyed many generations ago. Strangers will stand and feed your flocks, foreigners plow your land and tend your vines; but you will be called the cohanim (priests) of Adonai, spoken of as ministers to our God. You will feed on the wealth of the nations, and revel in their riches…”

This year, Pentecost will be on the eve of May 28 through the 30th. The Tabernacle of David will be having a special service on the eve of May 28th from 7-9pm. All are welcome.

Adonai, I pray that we would ask You for the higher calling that You desire to bring us into. That we would tarry in the secret place, and wait for power from You. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.