Prison Weekly April 24th

Tazri'a & Mezora For the week of April 24, 2004 / 3 Iyar 5764 Torah: Vayikra / Leviticus 12:1 - 15:33; also Bemidbar / Numbers 28:9-15 Haftarah: 2 Melachim / 2 Kings 7:3-20 Replaced by Isaiah 66:1-24 Everything Will Be O.K. I will extend peace to her like a river (Isaiah 66:12).The God of Israel is a God of promise. God's involvement in our affairs is not only about the prospect of eternal salvation. Throughout history God has spoken into particular situations. We have not been left to ourselves and our circumstances. He has given warnings and provided hope to both individuals and nations.It is difficult for us to understand how God has provided us with freedom of choice, yet still be in control. God's rule over the universe does not mean we should give ourselves over to mechanical fatalism. Far from it! The certainty we derive from God's involvement in our affairs should encourage us to be all the more active in the things he calls us to.God's promises are sure. We may not always perceive how he will fulfill his word, but we can be confident that what he says will occur.Currently the Middle East is in great turmoil. There are many reasons to believe that the situation will continue to deteriorate. Every day people are dying. Fear and confusion are on the rise. Solutions seem impossible. We face the possibility of greater involvement on the part of other nations.But God says that everything will be O.K. More than that, Jerusalem will be a place of peace and blessing to the nations of the world. Because God said it, it will happen. No matter what is going on right now, no matter how much worse it gets, this is where things are actually heading.Our portion from Isaiah gives the impression that it will happen suddenly and unexpectedly. It is something that God himself will do. While traumatic, it will be decisive and will last forever.But right now things are not O.K. Each day the people living there face death and destruction. There are few, if any, signals that what God has said will actually happen.This gives us a choice. We can base our expectations upon the current circumstances or upon God's word. But what difference does it make? Won't God do what God will do? How does that help those suffering now?Resting in the assurance of God's promises provides us with a perspective that enables us to face head on life's most difficult challenges. Because of their faith in God, Noah could overcome the flood, David could defeat Goliath, and Yeshua could conquer death. The more we trust in God and his promises, the more we will be able to participate in their fulfillment. TorahBytes It's Never Too Late to Remember Have you ever left your house and some minutes later stopped, and thought to yourself, "Oh my! I can't believe that I forgot…!" When that kind of thing happens, we often get angry with ourselves as we return home to get whatever it was we forgot. But in cases such as this, did we really forget, or did we actually remember? We could get technical and say that we had temporarily forgotten and eventually remembered. But in the end we did remember; we didn't forget. Yesterday was Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Memorial Day). Each year on this day the Jewish Community takes time to especially remember the horrific tragedy of the six million Jewish people murdered during World War II. Canada, where I live, for the first time ever yesterday, officially observed this day. By adopting Holocaust Memorial Day, the Canadian government made a decision to take the memories and lessons of the Holocaust beyond the confines of the Jewish community. Some may lament that it took too long for Canada to acknowledge this day – 59 years – but it's never too late to remember. Anti-Semitism is on the rise in Canada as it is in many other parts of the world. Just recently our two biggest cities, Toronto and Montreal, have seen disturbing anti-Jewish acts including the desecration of property with Nazi symbols and the fire bombing of a Jewish school. But it's never too late to remember. It's never too late to remember that we are all vulnerable to violence and hatred. It's never too late to remember that the Jewish community is often the first to be targeted when wickedness goes unchecked in a society. It's never too late to remember that evil exists in our own communties where we each live, and not just somewhere else that we only read about in the news. It's never too late to remember that evil flourishes when good people do nothing. When those of us who know what is good and right choose to forget to do what is right, evil will have its way. We don't usually think of forgetting as a choice. But think about the illustration I began with. How many times do we remember something that we forgot, yet due to inconvenience or some other reason, we choose to not do anything about it. It's just too much bother. We choose to forget. Yet it's never too late to remember. Since Yom Hashoah was yesterday, I thought that maybe I shouldn't bother discussing it. It's already passed – old news. But it's never too late to remember. We must not ignore the realities of the things the Holocaust seeks to teach us about ourselves, others, and God. In the busy-ness of our daily, hectic lives, the Holocaust shouts at us to remember. Have you forgotten anything? Truah/TorahBytes Family Parsha Tazria-Metzora 5764 Torah Portion: Metzora by Nesanel Safran This week's portion describes the plague of tzora'at that people would get in Biblical times. This plague would come upon someone if he slandered, or told things he shouldn't. It is appropriate that a plague would be a result of spreading rumors, because rumors themselves spread like - and should be avoided like - the plague. The Torah teaches us that the best thing we can do for ourselves and for others is to keep people's secrets secret, and not say anything bad or embarrassing about anyone, even when it's true.In our story, a girl learns about the plague of spreading rumors."GERM WARFARE"Today in Biology class, we were studying about germs and how easily they can spread from one person to another if we're not careful. It was all pretty scary stuff. But to tell you the truth, the other day, I learned the hard way about something else that spreads as easily as germs, and is just as dangerous.It started when my friend, Hilary, came over to me as we were about to go home from school. It had been a hard day; in fact, almost every day had been hard lately since Mrs. Astor, the new principal, had come onto the scene. She was so strict, not like Mrs. Green, our old principal, who knew how to get you to do what she wanted, but in a nice way.Anyway, Hilary came over to me and in a soft voice, almost a whisper, said, "Hannah, I'll tell you a secret, but you have to promise not to tell anyone." From the look in her eye I could see it was probably going to be a good one, so I readily agreed. She bent over to my ear, and said, "I'm embarrassed to admit it, but Mrs. Astor and I are related. She's my dad's second cousin." I could understand why she would want to keep that a secret. The way we felt about the new principal, it was kind of like admitting that she was cousins with Attila the Hun.Well, I tucked that interesting tidbit under my hat, and it probably never would have gone further than that ... except when a little later on I got a call from Jackie. We schmoozed about this and that, and soon enough the conversation moved on to what had been the hot topic lately - principal bashing. I don't know what made me say it, and deep down I knew it was wrong to even talk negatively about our new principal, but I just figured telling one person was no big deal, so in the middle of the conversation, I sighed, and let slip, "I don't know how someone so nasty could be cousins with a kid as nice as Hilary." I realized right away that I had let the cat out of the bag, so I quickly added on, "But that's a secret, so don't tell anybody, okay?""Of course, Hannah," Jackie assured me, promising that she wouldn't breathe a word. But I guess she had some trouble holding her breath, because on the school bus the next morning, I heard from Jessie, who had heard from Sue, the latest big rumor that she just had to share with me - although of course she added on, it was a secret. She went on to tell me 'my' secret, with a few added 'details' for good measure. I knew then that the 'germ' had spread out of control, but I had no idea what to do about it.When I got off the bus, I cringed when I saw Hilary practically hiding in the corner of the schoolyard as a big group of kids were pointing at her, and saying that they just couldn't believe Hilary was related to the new principal. She was beet-red, and I felt like two cents. I tried to quickly walk past the humiliating scene, and hoped that Hilary wouldn't notice the cause of all her troubles walking by.No such luck. She came running over to me in front of everyone. "Hannah, how dare you! How could you? I thought you were my friend, and now you've made me the laughingstock of the whole school!" I tried to mutter a reply, but before I could get two words out she stomped away, and now it was me everyone was pointing at!Boy had I blown it. I realized that my mouth - and everybody else's - had gotten way out of control. First, it was totally wrong of us to talk badly about the principal, and then, it was a big mistake to kick someone's secret around like it was a soccer ball. You could bet I would hold my tongue from now on. I hope I can patch things up with Hilary, but I have the feeling that it will be a long time, if ever, before we will be close friends again.I wish our Biology teacher, from now on when she teaches us to be careful about germs, would also mention to everyone how telling secrets and spreading rumors can create a plague at least as harmful as germs can - if not more. Aish.com Greetings Saints in His Perfect Peace, We were double blessed this last Friday. The Family brought the food brought in pans that were for us to keep. I am sure mom will tell you all about in her weekly update. I will say we had thirty people at brunch time. I am unsure how many at the 4;30 meal that was provided. It was wonderful. I'll let mom tell you about. That Biker group that said they adopted us came and brought some clothing and food items, again mom will tell you in her weekly update she will write tonight. The man looking for parts for my van ( salvages) is having a hard time finding them. I do not think he wants or is willing to buy new parts. I was soaked in sweat Friday that if I do not have it fixed by then I will have to take two sets of clothing on Friday as I need to be clean for Sabbath service....Please pray about this. They just said on TV gas prices are going to be going up again. pay pal has about $3 in it and the ministry Check book says about the same as it stands I have no gas for next week at all. I am praying the Father will show me a way to fund his ministry. We have been doing this since July 2000. I am not tired of well doing and love his work. It is just so hard having to look for funds all the time. Part of the problem is most people donate as long as I am saying or posting things they like. On wrong article and we lose support from this one or that one. Right now Net donations have not been good this month. So many people count on us. I also have a pregnant young lady to baptize! Yes she is PG from her husband. Pray for her please....Pray about supporting this ministry we need your help now...... The FATHER bless thee and keep thee;The FATHER make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee;The FATHER lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee shalom. (peace)Bemidbar (Numbers) 6:24-26 In Yeshua's Name, Bro. Dan, Pastor of Messiah's Branch Shalom In Yeshua Our Messiah Friday was a wonderful day Kathy served 6 dozen egg and cheese sandwiches along with many yummy donuts that was served with hot coffee, tea and ice water through out the day. We had a christian couple donate the dinner and boy was it a feast. First off all they bought a new 22 qt. pot, 2 very nice cake pans, three drinking pictures and they filled them all with goodies then donated them to Messiah's Branch Mission.They brought in beef stew that had everything including cabbage in it with many boxes of crackers to serve along with it. They brought cheese sticks and celery, pickles spears, sliced cheese and bread for grill cheese, cherry cobbler, apple cobbler, three chocolate cakes and vanilla ice cream. They also brought a gal of miracle whip, a big can of Folgers coffee and a jar of instant tea. They brought a large bag of big serving plates, 3 packs of large soup bowls, a box of 500 forks and sacks of sweets and candy for all the children. We were really blessed to have them bring all of this and the people were very surprised and Thankful for the feast meal. Every bit of it was eaten except the small chocolate cake that Kathy will serve Tuesday.A VERY Wonderful job this lady did everything was exceptional. She cooked everything herself with plans of coming to serve. But at the last minute was unable to come with her husband as planned. Due to a death of a co-workers family member she had to go to work. Please pray comfort for that family no names necessary Yahweh KNOWS ALL amen. As we were cleaning up the Christian Motorcycle Association came in with several big boxes of children's clothing, shoes and coats. They also brought eggs, a dozen or so large packs of individual cheese and peanut butter crackers I can not remember exactly how many about six of each I believe. They brought another case of Velveeta type cheese a case of Vienna sausages and five cases of Ramen noodles. They donated two very nice personalized leather shaving kits which also had in them a tooth brush-n-tooth paste, soap, deodorant an I am really not sure what all but everything a man would need to clean up. These folks have adopted the Mission and say they will be coming in once a month Praise YESHUA !!!!We also had the ministry we get our bread from "Friend of Man" donate fresh bread an fifteen dozen eggs. I believe Pastor Dan (my hubby) told me that he also donated a few boxes full of different kinds of sweets like cup cakes, twinkes etc.... that he was able to pass out. REALLY SPOILED ON FRIDAY AMEN.Pray for Israel and all the lost till next update Blessings & Shalom Please say a prayer for our friend who has suffered a massive heart attack a few weeks ago. Spent over a week in the hospital was released and then readmitted a few days later he remains in the hospital today. He just turned 51 Saturday Pastor Dan has been ministring to him for awhile now and he has desided he wants to live his life for the LORD that this was his wake up call. He says he is now a member of Messiah's Branch and will be attending Sabbath services. Hold him up folks he is a babe in Yeshua Praise Yahweh!!! Last weeks answers:A. The Lord devoured them in fire and they died before the LORD Leviticus 10:1-2 1 And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. 2 And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD Passage Found In: 2 Corinthians 4:1-12 1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2: But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 3But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. 6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you. This weeks Question:What beast did Yahweh say could be eaten ? Find This Passage: Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart. 13: For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.





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What beast did Yahweh say could be eaten ? A. What ever parteth the hoof is clovenfooted and cheweth the cud, Leviticus 11:2-3 2 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, These are the beasts which ye shall eat among all the beasts that are on the earth. 3: Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is clovenfooted, and cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that shall ye eat.

Passage Found In:

2 Corinthians 5:5-17

5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. 6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) 8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 11Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.12For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart. 13: For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. 14For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. 16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 17Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.