Sabbath, May 31, 2003 Shabbat Shalom, Tonight (May 31, 2003 at sunset) or tomorrow at sunset the third new moon of the scriptural year will be visible. The calculated time from the conjunction to the sunset tonight is approximately 20 hours and 41 minutes. As the time points out the new moon if seen will be only negligibly illuminated. Please take time to look for this sign of Yahweh and send your reports to New Moon. When sighted, this new moon marks the beginning of Sivan and is the start of the month in which the Feast of Weeks is celebrated. The Feast of Weeks celebrates the pouring out of the spirit of Yahweh (Acts 2) on all who will receive it and marks the ending wheat harvest and the beginning of summer drought. Deuteronomy 16:9 Let seven weeks be numbered from the first day when the grain is cut. 10 Then keep the feast of weeks to Yahweh your Elohim, with an offering freely given to him from the wealth he has given you: 11 Then you are to be glad before Yahweh your Elohim, you and your son and your daughter, your man-servant and your woman-servant, and the Levite who is with you, and the man from a strange country, and the child without a father, and the widow, who are living among you, in the place marked out by Yahweh your Elohim as a resting-place for his name. Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith Elohim, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: 19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of Yahweh come: 21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of Yahweh shall be saved. Sivan is also the month in which the law of Yahweh was given to the children of Israel after leaving bondage in Egypt. In the third month on the third day the people had to sanctify themselves to receive Yahweh's presence on the mountain. Exodus 19:1 In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai. 2 For they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the desert of Sinai, and had pitched in the wilderness; and there Israel camped before the mount. 3 And Moses went up unto Elohim, and Yahweh called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; 4 Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself. 5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: Israel was given many signs of Yahweh's strength but perhaps more importantly they were given the laws by which they were to sanctify themselves before Yahweh. This sanctification speaks to the love of Yahweh for His children and the honoring of the promises made to Abraham and Jacob. This binds us with Acts 2 in which Yahweh's Spirit indwells those Brethren who follow (call upon) Yahweh. Surely it can be said today that people of all walks of life know Yahweh yet not all people know Yahweh. The brethren are given an advantage through the calling and we pray that Yahshua selects the faithful and that we might also be of the first selection. The spirit of Yahweh is obedience to Yahweh's will. The life of the brethren is to be an example because the follower of Yahweh knows right from wrong beyond what the written word dictates. Yahshua spoke of this in Matthew chapter 5 through chapter 7. An example would be to think evil against a brother is on par with murder not just because it might lead to murder. Hatred doesn't usually destroy the one who is hated rather it destroys the hater. A sanctified person cannot hate his brother or even speak evil against them. This isn't a change from the law not to murder but without the spirit one's whole demeanor might be violation of the law. The Sabbath for example means to cease but the cessation of labor is not the only benefit of the Sabbath. Consider that if you work six days a week you might have little time to be with your family. On the Sabbath there is great reason to spend the whole day with the faithful, encouraging them through the word of Yahweh and your love. The benefit of the Sabbath is beyond measure in my life a burden I happily bare. The truth of this matter is that if Yahweh didn't restrict what we can do on a Sabbath men would eventually make it like just any other day. The diluting of Yahweh's spirit, the quenching of it, is why there has to be 613 laws. With Yahweh's spirit the will of Yahweh can be emulated perfectly as seen through Yahshua the Messiah. This statement is often diluted saying that we are just human. We hope for Yahweh's mercy but should not do wrong and expect that mercy will absolve our responsibility. Our goal has to be set high! The Feast of Weeks represented by the pouring out of the spirit upon Yahweh's people is a magnification of the giving of the law. The Feast of Weeks as all of Yahweh's feasts marks a time of rejoicing. The study of Yahweh's word and the example of Yahshua gives a small taste of what is coming. Psalms 147:11 Yahweh taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy. Please remember the following brethren in your daily prayers. These brethren seek the healing of Yahweh-Rapha in their lives. Al and Marie Dupus, Andre Gale and Family, Andres Lopez Jr. and Sr., Andrew King, Andrew Matthews, Anna I. Velez, Anthony D. Leone - suffers from panic attacks., Barry & Margie Moore - Barry has chronic back pain, degenitive disk disease and hepatitis C; Margie has fibromyalgia PTSD., Barry Weaver, Brian Espinola - Brian is a young man who is separated from his dad by others and reunification is a sore need., Bruce McCall Family - Bruce's great grandson is in desperate need of prayer., Carmen Alicea - seeks salvation and healing, Chloe S. Kurzon, Chris Nelson, Dan Hoskins, David Rosa - looking for employment, Deborah Ogletree - financial and emotional help., Delbert Ellis, Derrick Holmes, Ernestine Walls, Garardo Perez, Gary Guenther, Gladys Joyce, Henry Ruiz - liver problems, Holly S. Forster, Jaime H. Reyes - gastro-intestinal disorder, James Fauth, Jason Kissee, Jeffrey Thomas, Jerry Cornwell, Jesika Espinola - Jesika has been recently diagnosed with diabetes. She and her husband Mark, both Jewish believers in Messiah Yahshua live in NYC where they assist in the aliyah process, helping others immigrate to Israel and helping the poor already in Israel. Pray for Jesika's recovery and their safety., Julie A. Oakman, Justin Cain, Karen Bordzuk - Karen needs spiritual and financial help., Keith Espinola - Keith is in the US military (a Jewish brother in Messiah) is awaiting action in Iraq. Please pray for his safety and protection. , Langford Luster and Family - asking for Yahweh inspiration in the family's life., Linda Dupree, Linda Lopez - My son and myself need prayer for physical healing and my husband myself and family are in need of prayer to become closer to Yahweh's truth., Mayra Luisa Vega, Michael and Marie Fegans - Marie has a viral infection for which she needs healing. Michael needs prayer for freedom from incarceration so that he can take his rightful place with his family., Nichole Maxwell - asking for unification of family towards Yahweh's word and healing., Pendlebury Family, Rushing Family - family problems, Samuel Ndoumbe, Sherri Hester, Shirley Reopelle - Shirley has a virus and other health problems., Tad Bennethum - Emily, Tad's daughter is doing much better., Timothy Dingman, Tom (Mordecai) Mitchell, Twanda Luster, Virginia Rivera, Walt Hoffman, and the many other brethren searching for the kingdom. Yahweh Bless, James A. Meyer |
