Prison Weekly Sept. 4,2004

Ki Tavo For the week of September 4, 2004 / 18 Elul 5764 Torah: Devarim / Deuteronomy 26:1 - 29:8 Haftarah: Isaiah 60:1-22 It's Time To Shine Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn (Isaiah 60:3).Israel is not one of the more popular nations in the world today. We get the impression sometimes that the whole world is against her. This is expressed through the statements of world leaders, media writers and broadcasters, and the general uneasiness of people. We also see this in the Land of Israel itself through the great decline in tourism over the past couple of years.The people of Israel have lived through severe criticism, violent persecution, and general indifference for much of its history. Concepts like "the Jewish Problem" and "Zionism is racism" are evidences of the negative feelings the rest of the world have had towards this relatively small group of people.And yet the promise of God is that one day things will be very different. The attention of the world will still be upon Israel, but the attitude of the nations will no longer be negative. In fact the nations will come to Israel with an overwhelming desire to receive spiritual benefit. The nations will no longer curse Israel, but will abundantly bless her. What is the reason for this great change? First Israel herself will undergo a dramatic change. See, darkness covers the earth, and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you (Isaiah 60:2). In contrast to the dismal condition of the rest of the world, we are told that a great spiritual experience will be imparted to Israel. When this happens, the nations will recognize it and turn to Israel in order to share in its blessings. At the time when Isaiah spoke these words, this was not the experience of Israel. And as I have already mentioned, this is not Israel's experience today. But in anticipation of this, God, through Isaiah, calls for a response: Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you (Isaiah 60:1). The people of Israel are being called to live as if the promised future reality is theirs now. In anticipation of what God will do, they need to live as if it is already happening. If you were playing a game, and were losing badly, yet for some reason knew for certain that you would win, how would that affect the way you would play? You certainly wouldn't be discouraged. On the contrary, you would play with confidence and with a very positive attitude. Others may wonder why you are behaving that way. But when you know you are going to win, you act as if you are going to win. Currently things don't look good for Israel. God seems far away. The nation is hurting and confused. Antagonism toward Israel is increasing. There is not too much reason to shine. But there is, because of the bright future promised to us by God. The more we begin to anticipate God's light, the more we will shine with that light now. We don't have to wait for the end of the game, so to speak. The future reality can live in our hearts now even while things are not so good. As we do we may just find that others will begin to look to us for God's blessings now, just like Israel will experience in fullness one day. TorahBytes Fun - Part 2 "And you and the Levites and the aliens among you shall rejoice in all the good things the LORD your God has given to you and your household" (Devarim / Deuteronomy 26:11). Last week I looked at how fun is a priority for many people today. For them life without fun isn't worth living. Others are willing to do without fun in order to accomplish goals more important to them. In discussing this subject I may have given the impression that I think that fun may be a bad thing. In response to this, I received an e-mail from someone named Ray, who wrote, "The Torah states: "Thou shalt rejoice in every good thing the L-rd thy G-d giveth thee." If that isn't fun, what is? - Ray." Ray is referring to the verse I quoted at the beginning of my message: "And you and the Levites and the aliens among you shall rejoice in all the good things the LORD your God has given to you and your household" (Devarim / Deuteronomy 26:11). I don't know if Ray is aware of this, but this verse is part of this week's parsha. A parsha is the weekly scheduled Scripture portion read as part of the synagogue service. This week's parsha (Devarim / Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8) includes directions for how the people were to respond to each year's gathering of produce at the beginning of the harvest. This was known as first fruits. When harvesting the first fruits the people were to take time to remember their early history. They were to remember how they began as a small clan in an alien land, grew to be many in another foreign country which eventually enslaved them, and how God delivered them from oppression and brought them back to the Promised Land. As they did this, they were to rejoice. To rejoice is to be glad and to celebrate with joy. According to Ray, "If this isn't fun, what is?" Some may not think this is fun. My guess is that most people equate fun with what used to be called a diversion. A diversion is an activity that serves to distract from the regular routines of life. After a hard day at work, many people seek to have fun, looking for an activity from which they can derive pleasure and that tends to lack any sense of obligation or responsibility. Fun often serves to dull the pain we experience from the regular routine of life. What the Torah is calling for is more rightly called joy. To experience joy is to have a deep sense of satisfaction. When we rejoice we celebrate something of the goodness of life. Fun and joy are similar in that both are pleasurable experiences. The difference is that fun is often something we need to create outside of the normal routine of life, while joy is a possibility in most things. I think what Ray was saying is that if we did what God was directing in the Torah, and rejoice in our provision, we would experience the sense of well being that many of us are seeking through our pursuit of fun. To take this further, if we can see our lives as part of the great plan of God in the world, we may begin to derive a sense of satisfaction that we never dreamed possible. In that sense even the more mundane events of life can become fun. Fun in the sense that our activities bring us pleasure due to the sense of satisfaction we derive from them. This week is also the 28th anniversary of my coming to believe in Yeshua as the Messiah. I can remember so clearly that one of my most common complaints prior to then was that I was bored. I remember the profound experience of going out, whether it be to school, to a party, or whatever, and coming back home feeling as if I had accomplished absolutely nothing as the emptiness of life consumed me. All that changed on September 3, 1976. Coming to know Yeshua began an adventure of a kind I thought was only possible in books and movies. The life journey I have been on since hasn't been easy. In fact I have experienced all sorts of difficulties and challenges. And yet, I have reason to rejoice. God is with me and I have seen him work in and through me and others. For that I am so grateful. So I rejoice. If that is not fun, what is? Thanks, Ray, for the reminder! Truah/TorahBytes Ki Tavo (Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8) Family Parsha Ki Tavo 5764 Tithing - the practice of passing along a percentage of whatever we earn or receive to a worthy charitable cause - is an ancient and time-tested Jewish spiritual practice. This week's portion (Deut. 26:12) guides us to separate tithes to help support those in need. Tithing, and giving charity in general, is a great way of spreading goodness in the world, and showing our appreciation to God Who is the ultimate source of all the good we receive. In our story, a kid finds out the secret of her friend's silent partner and learns a lesson in giving. "THE TEN PERCENT SOLUTION" "Keep on squeezing, Sue, I'm going to run to the store and buy some more oranges," smiled the exhausted but happy redhead. When Jackie and her friend first thought of the idea of selling freshly-squeezed orange juice to the people passing by on their way to work at the busy office park nearby their home, they figured it would be a fun way to wind down the last couple of weeks of summer vacation. If they were lucky, they would make a little bit of money. Little did they realize just how many of these commuters must skip their breakfast in the morning and how they would jump at the chance for a quick pick-me-up before going to work. Before they knew it, the girls couldn't squeeze oranges fast enough - and at a dollar a glass, they were making what was for them some serious money. Finally, around mid-morning, things started to slow down and the two partners got ready to go home. They rinsed off their equipment and their sticky hands and started to divide the day's profits. "One for you, one for me..." chirped Jackie cheerfully as she stacked up two growing piles of dollar bills. Jackie's head was spinning with ideas about how she was going to spend her windfall - maybe that beautiful sweater she saw at the mall - but then she noticed her friend doing something strange. She saw how Sue would every once in a while separate a dollar from her pile and tuck it into a small manila envelope she held in her hand. If Jackie was one thing, she was curious, and she just had to know. "Hey Sue, why are you doing that?" she asked, after finishing counting out all the money. "Doing what?" Sue replied innocently. You know what I mean - why did you turn your pile of money into two?" Sue felt a little funny to explain, but also knew Jackie well enough to know that there would be no moving on until she got an answer. She hemmed and hawed, and finally blurted out, "Well, if you really want to know, I'm putting aside some of the money for my ... partner." "What? I'm your partner," Jackie retorted. "Well I have an, um, another partner, but I don't have time to explain, and really have to run now." And with that she took her two piles of money and started down the street. Who could this other partner be? Jackie realized she had a full-blown mystery on her hands, and she was determined to solve it. Waiting for Sue to get about a half a block ahead, she stealthily followed behind. Funny, if her friend was in such a rush to get home, why was she heading in the opposite direction? Soon enough she got her answer, as she saw Sue make a sharp turn down an alley with a sign in front of it that said "Mount Sinai Jewish Orphanage." Jackie peeked her head around the corner, and saw her friend take the envelope stuffed with bills, and stick it into what seemed to be a hole in the wall! Jackie hadn't planned to let Sue see her, but this was just too wild. "Sue! What in the world are you doing?" Sue nearly jumped out of her skin, but seemed to relax when she saw it was just her friend. "Jackie, why did you sneak up on me like that?" "And who are you to talk about sneaking? I want some answers and I want them now. Who is this silent partner of yours, and tell me the truth. I just saw you sticking money into the wall. Are you in some kind of trouble or something?" The last thing Jackie expected was to see her friend burst out laughing. "Oh Jackie, you've been reading too many spy novels. Come closer and take a closer look, you silly thing." Jackie slowly edged closer, and saw the hole in the wall was really a slot, and it had a small sign over it that said: "Orphanage Charity Fund. Thank you for your donation." "Okay, I'm glad you're only giving charity, but I still don't get it. Why did you say that money was for your 'partner'?" Because it is. My other partner is God." Sue noticed her friend's eyebrows shoot up and went on to explain. "I mean, you know how we learned in school about tithing, how we can give back some of the good that God does for us by passing along some of it to the needy? So I decided that our unexpected profits were the perfect place to start and set aside ten percent of all the money and use it to help these poor orphans - as God's partner." This was certainly not the solution to the mystery Jackie expected to hear, but it really did sound pretty good. Why not pass along some of what God gives us good to others? Surely those kids could use it. And anyways, even with that she'd still have 90% left over, and more than enough for the sweater. Jackie opened her wallet, counted out some bills, and asked her friend to drop them in the box for her. "If you don't mind, I think at least for now, I'd like to join up with your 'other partner' too." Aish.com Mission Updates:Greetings Saints in His Perfect Peace, We had a good day today. We were very packed as it gets more so like this towards the end of the month. I was able to print the Newsletter out ( we had printing money set aside ) and mail as some very kind saint donated $200 last night. When this newsletter gets out more support will come in. After today I have about $40 I can use for gas....for Friday. I offered prayers when asked today and gave first aid to someone who came in with his face beat up. We got some clothing in also but we have not had a chance to go through it all. We really need coats, blankets etc as the winter will come fast and soon.By the way I believe all should be ready in the spirit and listen to see if the Father wishes you to do anything else. We are supposed to keep our lights shinning to the world....not placed under a bucket... I will let you all know what this weeks radio will be about. Be sure and tune in.... Pray for the Mission! Remember any kind of donation will help.... We need KJV Bibles badly but our biggest need of course is prayers!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 we were packed elbow to elbow it was very hot with all the body heat and the running in and out. The building temperature started out to be at 68 degrees when they opened at 1pm. By 4:30 when the children and I arrived it was 85 in the building. Kathy made 12 dozen egg-n- cheese sandwiches. Richard set out dozens of donuts served with many gals of ice tea, ice water an coffee. He told me I couldn't keep up by the time I got the table full of donuts it was time to make tea, then the coffee was empty by the time I did that the donuts needed replenished then the water, then tea more donuts you get the picture it is hard for one person to keep everything full when we are this packed. Kathy finished up the chicken and noodles I sent with the help of Jennifer and April. They put fresh carrots Pastor Dan picked up Tuesday from someone on freecycle in the chicken-n-noodles then she heated greenbeans mixed with blackeyed peas and corn, made bread-n- butter and I made mashed potatoes when I got there. No food was left we made 48 plates and 2 go plates. Then Kathy fed a late comer 4 beef hotdogs while I was gone Sams for supplies. Thanks to all who sent support I was able to pay all the bills stock the Mission and get some needed foods no meat yet I am still prayin for a sale. We have 20 pounds of chicken in the freezer that's it. I do have 300 in the food account for meat I'm just waiting for a meat sale if nothings goes on sale this week I will be forced to pay 1.59 or more per pound for hamburger. The September Newsletter is now due to go out so we need the funding for that and it cost 200 to print and 111 to mail. The Holy Days are begining this month starting with the Feast of Trumpets which begins Sept. 14th at dark I will have a four day break from work for this Holiday. The next will be the following weekend Yom Kippur beginning Sept. 24th at dark. Then I will get 10 days off for The feast of Tabernacles that begins Sept the 29th at dark. More on these Holy days as they draw nearer. We need coats,blankets,sleeping bags,warm gloves,hats anything to keep you warm, socks of all sizes, men and women's underwear, personal items such as razors, deodorants, soaps etc..... We also need gas for the trips and if nothing else send me stamps for the Weekly Prison mailings. More on the Mission next update Blessings and Shalom sisterlinda/Messiah's Branch Last weeks answer:John 15:1- 8 1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.Find This Passage: And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren. And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them. But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the LORD Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them. with much love sisterlinda Mark 9:23,10:27 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible

Prison Weekly August 28th

Ki-teze For the week of August 28, 2004 / 11 Elul 5764 Torah: Devarim / Deuteronomy 21:10 - 25:19 Haftarah: Isaiah 54:1-10 Forgetting the Shame You will forget the shame of your youth (Isaiah 54:4). In this week's Haftarah, we read words of encouragement and hope given to the nation of Israel. Very strong relational language is used. Israel is pictured here as a woman who married young, only to be quickly abandoned by her husband who is God. Without husband and children, she is left to live like a widow the rest of her life. In those days to be a childless widow was to be at the very bottom of society. With no sense of purpose and no hope for the future, childless widows were completely dependant on others for survival. It would have been better for them not to marry than to be in this condition. Now, of course, God is not really a husband and Israel is not really a childless widow. But this word picture was chosen, because it so accurately describes the condition of Israel and the nation's relationship with God. Israel had been chosen as the object of God's great love and compassion. As his closest companion, Israel was to be a light to the nations of the world, a channel of blessing to all. But as it turned out, and as it is the nature of human kind, Israel turned to its own way, thus distancing itself from God, and falling from a place of privilege and blessing. But that is not the end of the story. Even in the midst of their dismal condition, they are told to sing and shout for joy (54:1), because God's kindness and compassion will be theirs (54:8). The plans and purposes of God for Israel will be fulfilled no matter how things might look. The blessings of the future will be so great, that Israel will forget the shame of the past. All the years of desperation will seem like nothing once the people experience God's compassion in its fullness. Note that they are not to wait until life gets better before celebrating - they are to celebrate now, because of what is coming. And this is as true for the nation today as much as it was true in Isaiah's time. And what is true for the nation is also true for the individuals. So many people today live with a sense of shame since youth. We struggle day after day because of situations of the past or choices made during the early days of our lives. But with God there is hope. Difficult situations and bad choices need not control our lives forever. If we would cooperate with God and his purposes for our lives, he will cause us to forget the shame of the past. Sometimes we think we owe it to the past to carry its pain. But while we need to deal with the painful events of the past, there comes a time when we need to look ahead to our glorious future that God has purposed for us – because that is our destiny. TorahBytes Fun The country I live in has not been doing too well in the Olympics this year. At the time of my writing this, Canada is tied for 17th place in the medal standings with only four medals: one gold, two silvers and one bronze. The impression I have is that Canadians in general are pretty disappointed with our country's performance. Someone commented to one of my older children that the reason why Canada is doing so poorly is that our athletes' highest priority in the Olympics is having fun, while the top nations are there to work. I don't know if that is true, but I do get the impression that some of the other countries take the Olympics far more seriously than many of us do. I saw a short feature on one of the Eastern European women's gymnastic teams. These young ladies are in intensive training for most of the year, much of that time away from home and family. Their extreme dedication is clearly seen on their faces. I don't really believe that our Canadian athletes are more interested in the fun of the Olympics than they are in the events themselves. Still, I think many of us have an aversion to what appears to be a very somber approach to athletics. I could be wrong, but I get the impression that countries that embrace lifestyles similar to Canada tend to think that if we are not having fun, then it is not worth the effort. As the saying goes, "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." Perhaps the real issue here has to do with how badly one wants to achieve whatever it is he or she is striving for. If Jack, in the saying quoted above, was in a life or death situation, then it wouldn't matter how much fun he was having. Then again, I imagine there are people whose own slogan might be, "Have fun or die." Those who think that way, fail to see the seriousness of their lives. We might look at the dedication of some athletes and wonder why anyone would be so dedicated to the winning of a sporting event. If that is the case we most likely don't understand how much it means to them and to those around them. It is amazing what a human being can do when they want something badly enough. Even the most common of human desires can be forgotten when a person is intensely focused on a particular goal. That's what I saw in the faces of the gymnasts I mentioned. Could you imagine what our lives would be like if we were that committed to the things that are most important to us? While it is not a bad thing to have fun, I wonder if we are more committed to fun than we are prepared to admit. Truah/TorahBytes Family Parsha Ki Tetzei 5764(Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19) We all know how important it is to care about others. God wants us to be kind and caring, and He has filled the Torah with many mitzvot and guidelines to help us become as caring as possible. One of the ways to care about someone is by caring about his property as much as if it were our own, and doing what we can to prevent it from getting lost or ruined. This week's portion (22:1-4) teaches us how to care for other people by caring about what is theirs. In our story, a kid takes kite flying, and caring, to new heights. "KITE TALES" Where I live it's normal to see a squirrel up in a tree, and even seeing a cat up on a branch isn't that unusual. But I admit I was more than a little surprised when I was walking through the park the other day and saw my friend, Richard swinging on the branches of one of the old oak trees like he was a chimpanzee. Well, he wasn't actually swinging, but he was pretty high up there, and while some people I know, myself included, are the more adventurous types who you might expect to find up a tree, Richard is much more the serious book-worm type, and seeing him up there was about as funny as seeing me in a library after school hours. "Hey, whatcha doin' up there?" I asked him. "Oh, hi Steve." Rich looked a little embarrassed to be caught among the branches. "This kite got stuck and I thought I could get it, but it seems to be a little more complicated than I expected..." Well I hadn't expected to do any tree climbing that day, but I felt sorry for Richard. For someone like him to climb a tree, he must really want to get his kite back. "You want some help?" I offered, rolling up my sleeves. "Well," he smiled, "I don't want to bother you, but I have to admit I'm a bit over my head in more ways than one." I laughed - at least the guy still had his sense of humor. I rolled up my sleeves, shimmied up the tree, and soon we were both hard at work. It takes a lot of patience to get a kite down; if you just tug on it, either the string breaks and the kite becomes a permanent tree-decoration, or the kite tears to shreds. But after a lot of untwisting and untangling, we finally got it. I helped Richard get down, and now back on solid ground I could see why he was working so hard. His kite was really nice - one of those expensive Japanese kinds. "Richard, I never knew you were so into kite flying," I said. "Where did you buy this beauty?" He gave me a funny look, like I had just asked him a tough question or something. "I, um, didn't actually buy it anywhere. I just saw it stuck up there, and..." You mean it wasn't his? Now I was even more surprised. Richard did not strike me as the type of kid to go climbing trees just to get a free kite. "Well should we give your new kite for a spin? The wind is perfect." Now he looked at me like I had lost it. "Oh, I see you didn't understand ... this kite isn't mine. And we can't use it." I just didn't get it. For a smart kid, Richard wasn't making much sense. "If the kite doesn't belong to you, and you don't even want to use it, so why were you halfway up in the clouds, trying to get it out of the tree?" He smiled and said, "Because the kite belongs to somebody." Huh? "What do you mean 'somebody'?" "Well just because it wasn't my kite stuck in the tree doesn't mean I could just ignore it like it wasn't there. Don't you remember how we learned the other day in Torah studies that God wants us to care about the other person's property as much as our own?" "Yeah, sure, but..." "So I figured that if it was my kite up in the tree, I'd try to get it back, so why not do the same thing for whoever the kite belonged to?" Wow, as crazy as it seemed, he was starting to make sense. Richard started looking at the kite very closely. "I only hope it has the owner's name on it... Bingo! Not only the name, but a phone number too! Steve, you have your cell-phone on you? I want to call right away." He really cared. My mouth hung wide open, as I silently handed him my cell phone and watched him call up the surprised 'somebody' and arrange to return their kite. I may have flown a lot of kites in my time, but I don't think, until I ran into Richard that day, I had ever seen one soar so high - without even leaving the ground. Aish.com Mission Updates:Greetings Saints in His Perfect Peace, Now I want to talk about the tree. Tree you say? Well it happened like this.. Benjamin Baruch emailed me and said maybe 7 weeks before things fell apart. We had been talking on radio about how the Day of the Lord seemed at hand and terrible things are coming to the USA. So that night as I was praying in bed before sleep I asked the Father in the son's name " If things are really going to get bad fast give me a sign!" The next morning as I got up to go care for the poor, there were no lights on...mom work me up not the alarm. I went out side. Next to our garage is this huge tree. It stretches way up into the sky over the telephone poles. The tree is green and in very good health....At about 17 feet up it splits into several branches. These are ranging from two to three foot around or about 1 and a half feet strait across. Big branches reaching way up into the sky. One of these branches fell cracked right off the tree and landed on my power line and the one next door, even breaking an electric pole over and crunching the side of the roof on the garage. Now there was no storm that night when I went to sleep about 5 AM...Mom got home at about 7:30 AM.. Sunday it was taken off the roof and off the tree upon getting it to the ground you could see it had been struck my lightning! I asked Mom if I should ask the Father if this was His sign to me and she very firmly said no I should not...... I do feel much is coming and real soon so we need to be prayed up about it. You know other people than the ones that write books etc hear from the Lord. I would like to have some people willing to share their dreams and how they feel on the radio. So if I get at least three people willing to share I will do a special program this week on the radio. I need to here from you by tomorrow night or wed afternoon in order to plan the program.......Yes there is an 800 number so it will cost you nothing! Welcome to new comers on our various lists. In brief we have a ministry in Wichita caring for the very poor, the homeless and sinners. We have a small storefront Mission where we feed them, cloth them, give out food, first aid, prayers Bibles, you know just like missionaries overseas but right here to our own fellow Americans, well any who walk in the door. We have seen many miracles happen here at the mission at 803 west Maple. Some might say we are trying to earn our way to heaven, that is a laugh. We are producing fruits just as Messiah said a saved person should and would or if they did not produce fruit they would be broken off and cast into the fire.. Anyway we are called to do as we are doing. I am obedient to the Father and He kept me up all one night convincing me to do what we do now. So I know what I am doing is what he wants. We do not loose sight of the Father as He is in this. We support the Father's ministry in several ways. One we pay the rent, which is well over our monthly tithes. Rent is $375 a month. We also spend other monies from our family we do not keep track of on the ministry. The people that read The Prophetic News Service PNS ( I spend countless hours reading news and Biblical articles to get this out to you the latest of what is going on.) and that are on our Mission updates list are the people the Father uses to help fund the ministry. They are major to the Work. Then we have a mail out newsletter that has been going monthly for 112 months. I am working now on issue 112. It goes all over the world and in many prisons. Here we get much support. These people donate when they receive their monthly issue. We need to get this out now, it is overdue..So if we do not get it out soon next months donations will be down also..The newsletter by the way is free...Need to raise $200 to get it out. So a mission update deals with many things. Saints as You know we have to drive a 120 mile round trip to the mission every week, twice in fact. We need help right now ( I mean like for tomorrow's trip! )with any kind of donation for gas and any other way you can help. Pray about supporting this mission and the radio has one more week paid before going into our deposit. The radio is starting to gain people we have never heard from before write to our ministry and getting on our list. Yes we have even had a donation from radio...... We need to raise airtime. I was asked if the radio archives or programs are available on Cd or tape...yes they are CD donation is $11 playable on any CD player and a tape is the same...get these and share with others...We ARE LOOKING FOR SPEAKERS! Prisoners none of the above applies for we send to you all free of charge and expect nothing back from you Shalom 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 Kathy made six dozen egg-n- cheese sandwiches and now that school has started she has a lot more work to do. I can not be there until 4:30 pm so she has to also prepare everything for dinner and have it ready to serve when the children and I arrive. I made meatloafs Friday morning and sent cans of diced tomatoes and tomatoe sause for her to make mac-n-tomatoes, Well the tomatoes were diced alright but they were Rotale woe.......Pastor Dan said that when she tried them she went runnin for the crackers LOL. It turned out that I also used cans of tomatoes from the same case in the meatloafs so we had a VERY SPICEY dinner Friday. She frosted the Birthday cake I made for one of our babies who turned one Friday but she didn't show up..... We had meatloaf, mac-n-tomatoes, green beans, bread-n- butter and chocolate cake surprised NO LEFT overs I made 38 plates and twelve go-plates. The Mission is in desparate need of support we just can not pay the bills from our family budget we pay the rent, insurance and buy odds and ends when needed but we just can not afford to pay all the bills too. WE NEED YOUR HELP NOW the electric that was on shut-off has been paid but the new bill is in and due by Sept. 2nd 130.59, the phone is due the 28th at 48 something , the water that already doubled is due the 26th at 38 something, the storage eletric that already doubled due August 30 is around 40 something. I quote approximates because I am at work and the bills are at home. The internet bill is also due by the 10th at 19.95 we would like to cancel the dial up and get SBC high speed internet but I believe Dan said he has to have twenty up front then it will be 29.95 a month but we won't have all the server problems we have now. Please pray about supporting these works all we ask is that you pray about it for Yahweh will provide the needs He just needs His people to supply them. August newsletter has still not gone out and Sept. newsletter will be due to go next week we will be printing August tomorrow but still need the 111.00 it takes to mail out. Then we will need 311.00 to print and mail Septembers. Thanks to all who have helped in one way or another and Please Pray for us more on the Mission next update and as Sarina would say HAVE A BLESSED DAY Blessings and Shalom sisterlinda/Messiah's Branch Last week Passage Found: Judges 13:15-24 15 And Manoah said unto the angel of the LORD, I pray thee, let us detain thee, until we shall have made ready a kid for thee. 16 And the angel of the LORD said unto Manoah, Though thou detain me, I will not eat of thy bread: and if thou wilt offer a burnt offering, thou must offer it unto the LORD. For Manoah knew not that he was an angel of the LORD. 17 And Manoah said unto the angel of the LORD, What is thy name, that when thy sayings come to pass we may do thee honour? 18 And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it is secret? 19 So Manoah took a kid with a meat offering, and offered it upon a rock unto the LORD: and the angel did wonderously; and Manoah and his wife looked on. 20 For it came to pass, when the flame went up toward heaven from off the altar, that the angel of the LORD ascended in the flame of the altar. And Manoah and his wife looked on it, and fell on their faces to the ground. 21 But the angel of the LORD did no more appear to Manoah and to his wife. Then Manoah knew that he was an angel of the LORD. 22 And Manoah said unto his wife, We shall surely die, because we have seen God. 23 But his wife said unto him, If the LORD were pleased to kill us, he would not have received a burnt offering and a meat offering at our hands, neither would he have shewed us all these things, nor would as at this time have told us such things as these. 24 And the woman bare a son, and called his name Samson: and the child grew, and the LORD blessed him. Find this Passage: I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. With Much Love Messiah's Branch/sisterlinda Mark 9:23,10:27 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible

Prison Weekly August 21 2004

Shoftim For the week of August 21, 2004 / 4 Elul 5764 Torah: Devarim / Deuteronomy 16:18 - 21:9 Haftarah: Isaiah 51:12 - 52:12 A Time for Wisdom Otherwise they will teach you to follow all the detestable things they do in worshiping their gods, and you will sin against the Lord your God (Devarim / Deuteronomy 20:18).Last week we looked at the modern version of the value of tolerance. The need for tolerance towards others and their opinions does not mean that we should accept all opinions as equally valid. There is a lot of confusion today regarding how to deal with differing viewpoints. One of the reasons for that confusion, I believe, is that there is a tendency to take what might be an appropriate course of action in one situation and misapply it in another situation. Knowing the right thing to do in a given situation is called wisdom. Value-driven people often hold their values in such a way that in their concern to do the right thing, they can miss what the most appropriate and effective course of action might be. When these types of people hear this kind of language they might feel that their commitment to absolutes is being threatened. But I believe in absolutes. The God of the Torah has established a system of right and wrong, but how that system is applied in each situation can be different. That's where wisdom comes in. In this week's portion we read of how the people of Israel were told to follow a different course of action depending on the situation. The issue addressed here is about how they were to deal with people of other nations and religions. The measures they were to take were to be different if the people were living outside of the Land of Israel in contrast to those who lived in the Land. We see therefore that there was not one course of action with regard to all foreigners. In fact in other passages we learn that there are also exceptions to these rules. We see this in the case of Rahab, whose family was spared in the destruction of Jericho (see Joshua 2 – 6). Exceptions don't negate the rule, but they should help us realize that we need to take care in how we apply God's instructions in life. Today many of our societies are undergoing major moral changes. Those of us who cherish biblical values are deeply troubled. But what are we to do? The issues at hand are complex and far reaching. Those of us who live in countries that in the past have upheld biblical values seem to live in a state of shock that many of these values are almost completely lost. As we look at what is going on, we feel overwhelmed, being slow to accept that this is really happening. Others are calling for various courses of action. Still others, having no hope in societal change, prefer to do nothing about it. Yet something needs to be done. There will be many suggestions coming forth. But before taking action, we need to discern exactly what God wants us to do, and how he wants us to do it. He will give us the wisdom, if we ask. Torah Bytes "The Passion" Revisited "I speak the truth in the Messiah - I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit - I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from the Messiah for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race…" (Romans 9:1-3). Mel Gibson's highly acclaimed movie on the final hours of Jesus will soon be released on DVD and video tape. It would not be surprising if sales of this product break records worldwide. Few films have aroused such interest as this one has. By the way, I usually prefer to use "Yeshua" instead of "Jesus" in my writing. But the greco-anglo form seemed to be more fitting than the Hebrew one, given the week's topic. Months after its initial release there is an aspect of the movie that still greatly concerns me and should concern all people who care for the Scriptures and for the truth. Before I share that concern, my experience has been that many people who love Jesus and appreciate how his sufferings are depicted in Gibson's rendition get immediately defensive when they anticipate any form of criticism of the movie. Please note that I am not attempting a general review of the film here. I want to address one crucial issue. If the movie has had a positive impact on your life, that's wonderful. I don't want to distract you or others from the blessings you or they may have received as a result of this movie. At the same time, I hope you can accept that quality movies and stories, whether or not they be based on real-life events have many layers and facets to them. It is possible to address one aspect without necessarily dealing with other aspects. The aspect of "The Passion" that I wish to address is how Jewish people are portrayed. I went to see the film having been encouraged by the reports I had heard that the movie was not anti-Semitic in any way. It was said that the message given by the movie was that we are all responsible for Jesus' death. That is why I was so surprised when I saw how Jewish people were depicted in the film. I know that many would respond to this comment by pointing our that Jesus, Mary, and Peter are also Jewish. But because they are seen on the part of most viewers as members of the Christian camp, they don't count. For most viewers the Jewish people in the movie include the leaders, the mob at his trial before Pilate, Judas and the devilish children who taunt him. I could list the other ways Jewish people are negatively portrayed, but I won't do that here. What most concerns me is how most people haven't noticed these things. The only possible reason that I can think of as to why most people don't notice is that they simply accept the portrayal of Jews in the movie as the way it really was. The negative caricature of Jewish people is so ingrained in the hearts of most people, that they accept it as normal. I have met many Christians in the past few years who have a deep love for Israel and the Jewish people. Because of their love and commitment, I expected an outcry over how Gibson portrays Jesus’ own people. But very little has been said. Some people are excited by how the film has been received in countries where the message of Jesus is not readily heard. These same countries tend to have a very low regard for the Jewish people. Therefore I don't share this excitement. Do we really think that it pleases God for people to encounter his Son while his Son's own kinsmen continue to be depicted in such a negative way? The kind of sentiment toward the Jewish people that God requires is the one expressed by Paul in the first few verses of his letter to the Romans, chapter 9. I was surprised many years ago when I encountered a commentary on Romans by the Scottish scholar C.E.B. Cranfield. He explains how the intensity of Paul's language in this passage demonstrates that the love he had for his people was not the product of his own heart but of God's. According to Cranfield, Paul's extreme love for his own people is that same love that should be in the heart of every follower of the Messiah. Caring about Jesus necessitates caring about the people from whom he came. That means that the Church needs to look at how it continues to marginalize Jewish people through prejudiced characterization, instead of through an attitude of humility in keeping with the heart of the One we profess to follow. Truah/TorahBytes Shoftim (Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9) Family Parsha Shoftim 5764 God gave us a beautiful planet to live on, and He wants us to take good care of it. In this week's Torah portion we learn about how even an army in the middle of a war should not be unnecessarily destructive and cut down fruit trees without a good reason. The Torah is teaching us to be aware of and respectful to our natural environment and careful not to needlessly harm or waste the precious resources God has given us. In our story a couple of kids go on an environmental rescue mission. "SAVING THE BIG APPLE" For a city kid like me, one of the nicest things about being away at Camp Wallabee is the quiet. Instead of the usual symphony of car alarms, busses, and sirens, the noisiest thing around here are the crickets chirping at night and an occasional mosquito buzzing in your ear. So you can understand why I was so surprised to hear what sounded like a construction site one morning as I was eating breakfast. Me and my best friend, Jerry, ran over to investigate, and we couldn't believe what we saw. Sure enough, there was a big bulldozer parked across the road, and Mr. Allen, the camp director, standing with a man wearing a hard hat and carrying a chainsaw right in front of 'Big Apple.' Now Big Apple, besides being the nickname of my home town, is what all we kids called the tall, sprawling apple tree by the camp entrance. It had been there longer than any of us, even the counselors, could remember, and it was part of the Camp Wallabee tradition. And now if I was seeing right, it looked like it was about to turn into firewood! Jerry and I looked at each other, and started to run. We headed off the director and the tree executioner at the pass. "Hey, Mr. Allen, what's going on?!" I yelled out in panic. He must have seen how upset we were because he didn't get mad or anything, but smiled and said, "Don't worry guys, we're just improving Camp Wallabee. We're going to make a great camp even better by building you kids some great new playground equipment and even put up a great new snack bar." Maybe I didn't understand him or he didn't understand me. What did all this have to do with killing 'Big Apple?' "But why is that man about to chop down this beautiful tree for no reason?" He frowned for a moment and then smiled. "It's not for no reason," he explained. "We have to put the new equipment and snack bar somewhere, don't we? Now could you boys please move away from the work area. It could be dangerous, you know." Well there was some reason, but was it really worth chopping down this magnificent tree for some dumb snack bar? Jerry and I begged and pleaded to Mr. Allen not to cut down the tree, but he wouldn't budge, and although he's a nice guy and tries to keep us 'happy campers,' I could see that even he was starting to lose his patience. The big, mean-looking worker, who had lost his patience long ago, started up his chainsaw and it looked like Big Apple was about to turn into Big Applesauce, like it or not, when I got an idea. "Mr. Allen, what if we kids took a vote, and decided we'd rather keep the tree alive than all that new stuff... Would you be willing to change your mind?" Mr. Allen scratched his chin and thought, and I prayed the answer would be 'yes'. Finally he agreed, and gave the workers some other jobs to do. He said he needed the answer within an hour, or the tree was coming down, and that was that. I was sure all the kids would agree, but when I ran back to the dining hall where everyone was still eating and told them the story, I saw it wasn't going to be as easy as I thought. "A snack bar sounds pretty good to me!" said Big Ed, munching on a donut. "And what's wrong with having some new equipment?" added another kid. A big debate (maybe you could call it an argument) started up between the 'tree people' and the 'playground people', and as the minutes ticked away things were looking pretty bad. Suddenly Jerry winked at me, jumped up and said, "Why do we need a new playground, when God already gave us one?" Everyone quieted down to hear what he had to say. "Think about it," he said, "What's a better playground than a tree? You can climb on it, it gives you a lot of shade to sit under, and with just a couple of ropes we can hang some swings! We even get free background music from the singing of all the birds that make the tree their home." The kids nodded their heads, and it looked like we were gonna win, when Big Ed, still chewing, piped up. "Yeah, but what about the snack bar?" We were stumped. Nobody said anything for a minute, and then I got an idea. "What's a better snack bar than an apple tree? God gives us tons of fresh, delicious apples all summer long, for free, and," I said, turning to big Ed, "they're even a little bit healthier than donuts." Ed let out a big laugh and threw his hands up in the air. I knew we had won him over to our side. After a quick vote, we ran back to Mr. Allen just in time to save the tree! By the next day, things were quite again as usual at Camp Wallabee. And as Jerry and I sat munching on a couple of the 'snack bar's' apples, it felt good knowing we had helped protect part of God's environment, and helped people to understand why it was worth protecting. Aish.com Mision Updates: Greetings Saints in His Perfect Peace, We have started have donations come in the mail and the net today. I can see most of what we need has reached a halfway point so keep praying saints and we will be caught up and the newsletter will go out, a little late but will go out....Thanks so mcuh to all whom donated and are praying for us. We still need to raise, well the Lord knows how much...... 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 Kathy made three dozen and seven egg-n- cheese sandwiches served with donuts, coffee, ice tea and ice water throughout the day. For dinner grandma made turkey pot pies and we topped them with cream of chicken soup, heated hominey yellow and white mixed with butter, and apricots. Everything was very good and we had no left overs. The Mission electric was due on August 4th and that still remains unpaid. We recieved a shut off in the mail on Friday giving us til August 19th to pay 133.something or risk being shut off the 24th. The water bill remains unpaid as does the storage electric I believe it is around 40 because it doubled. The newsletter for August has still not been printed or mailed that is 311 to do both and the gas for Tuesday isn't in. I did get 200 in the food account which was badly needed as we only have 10 dozen eggs, 30 pounds of chicken and 20 pounds of hambruger left. Now I pray for meat sales this week.I can still purchase eggs for .79 cents a dozen so I will stock those for sure. Please pray about helping as we need you all even the littlest gift helps. Thank you all who have helped for without Yahweh's people to supply the needs we just can not operate. Blessings and Shalom more on the Mission next update Messiah's Branch/sisterlinda Last weeks Passage Found :Romans 3:1-10 1 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? 2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God. 3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? 4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. 5 But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man) 6 God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world? 7 For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner? 8 And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just. 9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; 10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: Find This Passage:15 And Manoah said unto the angel of the LORD, I pray thee, let us detain thee, until we shall have made ready a kid for thee. 16 And the angel of the LORD said unto Manoah, Though thou detain me, I will not eat of thy bread: and if thou wilt offer a burnt offering, thou must offer it unto the LORD. For Manoah knew not that he was an angel of the LORD. 17 And Manoah said unto the angel of the LORD, What is thy name, that when thy sayings come to pass we may do thee honour? 18 And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it is secret? 19 So Manoah took a kid with a meat offering, and offered it upon a rock unto the LORD: and the angel did wonderously; and Manoah and his wife looked on. 20 For it came to pass, when the flame went up toward heaven from off the altar, that the angel of the LORD ascended in the flame of the altar. And Manoah and his wife looked on it, and fell on their faces to the ground. 21 But the angel of the LORD did no more appear to Manoah and to his wife. Then Manoah knew that he was an angel of the LORD. 22 And Manoah said unto his wife, We shall surely die, because we have seen God. 23 But his wife said unto him, If the LORD were pleased to kill us, he would not have received a burnt offering and a meat offering at our hands, neither would he have shewed us all these things, nor would as at this time have told us such things as these. 24 And the woman bare a son, and called his name Samson: and the child grew, and the LORD blessed him. With Much Love Messiah's Branch/sisterlinda Mark 9:23,10:27 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

Prison Weekly August 14th 2004

Re'eh For the week of August 14, 2004 / 27 Av 5764 Torah: Devarim / Deuteronomy 11:26 - 16:17 Haftarah: Isaiah 54:11 - 55:5 TOLERANCE Destroy completely all the places on the high mountains and on the hills and under every spreading tree where the nations you are dispossessing worship their gods. Break down their altars, smash their sacred stones and burn their Asherah poles in the fire; cut down the idols of their gods and wipe out their names from those places (Devarim / Deuteronomy 12:2,3). Today I was listening to a phone-in radio program. The discussion at hand was in answer to the question, "Do you think religion should play a part in politics?" This has become a hot topic in Canada, where I live, due to proposed legislation regarding the definition of marriage. During the 55-minute broadcast many opinions were expressed. The guest on the show was a university religion professor. Several times his response to what the callers were saying was that he or she had expressed a common opinion in our country. The show was a good example of what tolerance is all about. This radio station had given people the opportunity to express their views without being criticized or ridiculed. Some of the callers were themselves not very tolerant, but each one was equally respected. It was then left to the listening audience to draw their own conclusions. Apart from the issue being discussed, a program like the one I heard today is actually itself promoting a value. It is a version of tolerance that claims that all opinions are equally valid. There is some good in that. People should not be in fear of negative reprisals simply because of an opinion they have or express. Sadly there are still countries in the world where people suffer for their opinions. But it’s not only in repressive regimes that this kind of intolerance exists. Even in so-called free societies, many have experienced various levels of persecution within their companies, schools, congregations, and even within their own families. Yet tolerance as a value in and of itself brings along its own problems. The fact is not all opinions are equally valid. Just because someone believes something doesn't mean that it is true or good. While people need to have the freedom to express their views without fear, that doesn't mean that those views must be accepted by everyone as correct. True tolerance must also include the freedom to disagree with someone else's opinion. It is this freedom that is in danger of being lost. There are people among us who correctly perceive that there are opinions being expressed today that are destructive. These people are warning the rest of us that if we continue down the path being mapped out by some, our society is in great danger. Yet there are others who, while claiming to be tolerant, wish to silence those who disagree with them. In this week's Torah portion we read how the people of Israel were to be absolutely intolerant of evil worship practices in their midst. They needed to learn that to tolerate these things would mean the destruction of their society. They had to be radical, swift, and extensive in dealing with evil. The people of Israel needed to learn that the practices of the nations around them were incompatible with the true worship of God. What was true then is still true now. While I am not proposing we resort to the violent means utilized by the people of Israel centuries ago, we mustn't allow our commitment to God's truth to be watered down in the name of so-called tolerance. TorahBytes Do You Matter? "Therefore say to the house of Israel, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone'" (Ezekiel 36:22). Do you think you matter? I am referring to your relationship to the grand scheme of things. You may not think there is a grand scheme of things to be a part of. But maybe you are one of those people that does believe there is purpose in the universe. You may or may not believe in God – an intelligent being who he himself is involved in life. You may believe in fate or something else that guides or influences life. However life works, what do you think about your role and place? There are two ways that we can "matter" in the world. The first has to do with our effect upon others and history. We may think of ourselves as just a small drop in a very large bucket or like one grain of sand by the ocean's shore. If we think of ourselves that way, then our existence makes no difference at all. On the other hand we may see ourselves like a pebble dropped upon the pond of life, making ever increasing ripples constantly expanding and growing. The smallest things we do may have a great profound effect on life. Another way we may "matter" has to do with our own personal worth. I don't think that this is something that atheists would or could even consider, since to them the universe is simply an impersonal, random combination of energy and material stuff. But for those of us who believe in some sort of Superior Being, it is an important question. Does God care about me? There are many people who, if I asked them that question, would quickly answer, "Yes!" But do those same people (myself included) really believe that deep down in our hearts? This is where the two aspects of the question, "Do I matter?" come into play. We often hear the words, "God loves you," but do not think that we have any true significance in the grand scheme of things. If we believe we are truly insignificant in the universe, can we also at the same time believe that the Master of that Universe truly cares about us as individuals? The verse I quoted above might give us the impression that God's blessings don't really have us personally in mind at all, but rather are only significant insofar as they support his eternal plan. This then means that God is a goal-oriented taskmaster, who is pleased to sometimes give trinkets to those who buy into his agenda and doesn't really have time for his children and their true needs. Have you ever felt like that? I have heard statements from people both in conversation and in formal talks, as well as concepts in songs, stating things such as "It's not about you! It's all about God." This kind of spirituality tends to teach that we must completely forget about ourselves and our human concerns and focus solely on God as if we ourselves don't matter. But we do! As we read in the Psalms: "The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles" (Tehillim / Psalms 34:18 [English: 34:17]). While God does have a grand scheme, he deals with people at many levels. God is able to have long term goals for the universe and possess great love for each and every one of his creatures at the same time. It is true that we can lose perspective and begin to focus on ourselves to the extent that we lose sight of the grand scheme of things. None of us is the center of the universe. Only God is God, King and Master. But he is also our loving Father, who cares for us with an infinite eternal love. We matter to him. Truah/TorahBytes Re'eh (Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17) Family Parsha Re'eh 576 4 There are different ways of being close to someone else. One way is to be physically near him, but another, more spiritual way to be close is to try to learn from and emulate his good qualities. When in this week's portion the Torah instructs us to make ourselves close to, or cleave to God, it doesn't mean by trying to get to heaven in a space ship. Rather, it means to think about and emulate God's qualities such as kindness, patience, fairness, etc. This is the true measure of how close a person is to God. In our story, a kid learns how to be close to someone far away."NEXT BEST THING TO BEING THERE" Janet waved the seashell in front her like a treasure as she ran over to her mother's beach chair. "Mom, look at this beauty. I can't wait to bring this home and show Grandma..." Janet felt a lump in her throat as she stopped herself in mid-sentence. She wasn't going show this to her grandmother. In fact, she wasn't going to see her at all any more. Although it had been several months since her grandmother had passed away, Janet still couldn't get used to the fact that the person she felt closer to than anyone else in the world just wasn't there anymore. Her parents had tried everything, including this special trip to the beach to cheer her daughter up, but nothing helped. The girl angrily threw the seashell down and hid her face behind her hands. Who needed any dumb shells now that she couldn't show them to Grandma any more? "Hey Janet," said her mom, "Let's you and I take a walk along the beach and watch the waves." She knew this was one of Janet's favorite things to do, and hoped it would make her feel better. The girl shrugged and half-heartedly went along. The two of them walked along the edge of the water, cool waves licking their feet from time to time. Janet began to pour out her heart to her mom, telling her about how hard it was for her now that Grandma was so far away. Suddenly a big red, white and blue beach ball came bounding their way, with a small crying child frantically chasing after it. Janet noticed that all the people walking in front of them were looking on and shaking their heads in pity, but nobody was doing anything to help. Acting fast, and mustering all of her talents as goalie on her school soccer team, Janet quickly moved to her right and pounced on the runaway ball. She handed it with a smile to the still crying toddler. "It's, okay. It's okay now," she said with a warm, reassuring smile that immediately calmed down the little girl, who gratefully took her ball and walked away. "Good job!" smiled her mom. "You really jumped in to save the day." Brushing off the sand she had managed to acquire on her dive, Janet said, "Well, didn't Grandma always say that someone else's problem is our problem too?" "That's right," said her mom, pausing a moment in thought, then going on with a smile. "Janet, you said that Grandma's far away, but from what I can see, your Grandmother is right next to you." The girl didn't understand. "Mom, what do you mean? Isn't Grandma..." "I mean, the way you cared enough to get yourself dirty to help that little kid, just like Grandma would have. Also the way you knew just how to calm her down - just like your grandmother gently used to calm you when you were little. You learned so many good things from her, and they'll always be a part of you. And that means that Grandma will always be a part of you too, close as can be." Janet smiled. Maybe her mom was right. She was always thinking about Grandma and trying to be like her. Maybe they weren't so far away after all. Mother and daughter walked on, enjoying the sparkling reflection of the sun on the ocean as it began to set behind the horizon. Janet felt close to her beloved Grandma once more, and knew that that though she would always miss her, perhaps the sun was finally beginning to rise again. Aish.com Mission Updates:Messiah's Branch Ecclesiastes 9:13 This wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it seemed great unto me: 14There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it: 15Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man. 16Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.Greetings Saints in His Perfect Peace, One I ask that you all pray about the recent programs we have had. They are messages of warning. I just heard the Author of Osama's Revenge say that all the military experts say that a Nuclear weapon will be used within the Untied States before 2005. You can here these warnings on the PC (Prophecy Club) broadcast. So we must be right with the Father. Benjamin Baruch said as his parting words to us last week he was going into his place of hiding! He wanted last weeks program to be a warning to the World. Saints we must keep on as lights to the World until we here from the Father to do different. Get ready yes by asking the Father what you should do. This is serious. We are going to keep feeding and caring for the people as long as we can. I know this is the work the Father put me our family in. So We need everyone of you to pray about supporting this ministry. So many people come to us for help. This is about getting help for others and not for us. We need a real Miracle this months and we need it soon. We have a $130 electric bill at the Mission to pay, the food account is now zero, we believe by Faith the Father will use some of you or one of you to help us at this time. There are some big ministries that get our news and information. They use it in their programs and in their newsletters. I pray that at this time they will even search their hearts about helping us..... We also need KJV Bibles for the Mission! New York, Washington, LA, LasVegas, and other cities are named by Paul Williams Author of Osama's Revenge...Go here to listen.... Oh yes we want you to be warned...I will give a copy of the book " The Day Of the Lord is at Hand" for a $5 donation for postage. Our heart is to warn we could sell the donated books for $19.95 plus postage and it would bring over $1000 to our ministry but we sell nothing we only wish to warn you. Yes that's about what we need to bail us out......But the Lord will use those whom He will to help us this month! We also thought we had the computer problems solved as we were supposed to get 3 donated but that seems to have fell through....Mark 10:17 And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? 18And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. 19Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. 20And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. 21Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. 22And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. 23And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 24And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! 25It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 26And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? 27And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.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,Well we only made 30 egg sandwiches Friday and we served donuts all day with hot coffee, ice tea and ice water. At the end of the day we took around eight dozen donuts to the independence center. I made salmon patties fresh right at the Mission Friday afternoon along with cheesy noodles, black eyed peas, sliced garden tomatoes, sliced garden cucumbers smothered in Italian dressing, pickled hot peppers and bread-n- butter. Nothing was left of anything and it was a very good dinner. The bills are still unpaid the electric is 130 something while the storage has now doubled it is around 48 something the water bill has also doubled it is 38 something. Next month they will be splitting the gas and electric into separate bills so I will get two bills instead of one. The internet and Mission phone were paid, the food account is empty. We still need to print and mail the newsletter that cost 200 to print and another 111 to mail. Please pray about supporting these works as Yahweh uses His people to supply the needs.The Mission is in need of supplies and we really need clothing of all sizes and gender, Our clothing minis tress Sarina is still in need of baby items as well as a baby bed. Her baby is due in November so pray about helping in these areas also. More on the Mission Next update Blessings and Shalom with much love Messiah's Branch/sisterlinda Last weeks Passage Found : Acts 3:12-26 KJV 12 And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? 13 The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. 14 But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; 15 And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. 16 And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. 17 And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers. 18 But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled. 19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. 20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: 21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. 22 For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. 23 And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. 24 Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days. 25 Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. 26 Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities. Find This Passage: What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God. For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man) God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world? For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner? And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just. What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
With much love Messiah's Branch/sisterlinda Mark 9:23,10:27 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

Prison Weekly August 7th 2004

Ekev For the week of August 7, 2004 / 20 Av 5764 Torah: Devarim / Deuteronomy 7:12 - 11:25 Haftarah: Isaiah 49:14 - 51:3 Hungry? He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD (Devarim / Deuteronomy 8:3). Have you ever been hungry? I know you have. But have you been really hungry? You probably think you have. In this part of Devarim (Deuteronomy) Moses reminds the people about the time not too long after leaving Egypt when they were really hungry (Shemot / Exodus 16). We don't know how long they went without food, but they were really hungry. It was at that time that God began to provide the miraculous manna. In Moses' recounting of this incident, he explains that God was teaching the people an important lesson through this difficult circumstance. It is not so much the lesson that I want to focus on, but how God prepared the people to learn the lesson. The Torah says that God caused them to hunger. It is not that he allowed it or simply noticed their predicament and thought it would be a good time for a lesson. God was actively involved in this whole thing. He created the problem and provided the solution. For them to learn the lesson, God purposely put them in a difficult place - he made them very hungry. God kept back basic provisions and allowed them to hurt inside. Picture a community of two million people in the middle of nowhere having no food to eat. Picture them having to listen to their children's cries for food and being helpless to do anything about it. It was a terrible situation! You may think then that God is cruel. Certainly this is harsh, but not cruel. It might be cruel if God had no purpose in it. We might think this is cruel if we fail to understand how crucial it was for the people to learn this lesson. God was seeking to radically change their understanding of how life really worked. They needed to get in touch with a most basic human need (food in this case), before they could learn that their lives didn't really depend on it as they thought. As the people of God, they needed to be equipped to live as the people of God. Our natural human disposition to be motivated by physical needs had to be radically transformed. The separation from God the human family experienced after the Garden of Eden resulted in our thinking that we are truly alone in the universe. We tend to believe that unless we take care of ourselves, we will not survive. This had to be radically eradicated from the people of Israel if they were to live as God's people. They had to learn that their lives were not dependant on human ability, but on God and his word. This lesson required a harsh confrontation with our natural inclinations. It could not be learned any other way. This doesn't mean that every difficult situation we face is due to a purposeful act of God, but it often is. That is why the Brit Hadasha (New Covenant) teaches: Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4). James understood that it is through difficult circumstances that we grow in God. Are you hungry? TorahBytes Where Are You? "But the LORD God called to the man, 'Where are you?' He answered, 'I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.'" (Bereshit / Genesis 3:9,10). Last week I wrote about how we often speculate from what is not clearly stated in the Bible instead of focusing on what is really there. This topic was fueled by a conversation I had with a friend of mine. A few days after that message was published, I got an e-mail from that person. He was excited that he was part of the process of what I wrote. He explained that he basically agreed with my message, but also brought up some interesting points. He wrote that while the passage in Genesis after Adam and Eve sinned, which mentions God walking in the garden of Eden, does not explicitly say that it was God's custom to hang out with our first parents, there are some possible clues in the text that give the impression that this was not the first time God desired to spend time with them. I fully agree that there is a big difference between speculation and what may be called inference (my apologies to semantic philosophers, if I am not being technically accurate in my use of terms). To speculate is the attempt to draw conclusions based on a lack of evidence. Inference is when we draw a logical conclusion from something that is clearly stated. For example if one person says to another, "Long time no see!" even if we have absolutely no knowledge of either person's history, we can reasonable infer that these people know each other to some extent, and that a considerable amount of time has gone by between meetings. But that's about all we can accurately infer. To attempt to draw any further conclusions about their relationship would be speculation. My friend pointed out something else that is relevant to this discussion. His actual concern had been about the issue of our relationship to God. He had some ideas about that and referred to the scene in the Garden of Eden to back up his idea. I reacted to his use of this passage. In my friend's e-mail he pointed out that whether or not this passage was relevant to the discussion, there are other passages in the Bible that back up the notions he had. Again I agree with him. We spent too much time (my fault!) dealing with his use of the passage and failed to adequately focus on what the Bible teaches on the issue he was grappling with. However God's relationship with Adam and Eve played out between the time of their creation and their disobedience, God’s intent for us is to walk with him. Going back to my illustration of observing the two people greeting each other. If we knew about each individual and their past interactions, then we could more accurately infer things from their current meeting. Since the Bible has more to say on the subject of relationship with God, there may be more to infer from his interaction with Adam and Eve in the Garden. God desires intimate relationship with us. From the moment of our first parents' sin, his intent was to remove the barrier which has arisen between him and us. We see glimpses of the kind of relationship he desires in the life of Enoch, who walked with God (Bereshit / Genesis 5:24); in Abraham, whom God commanded to walk before him (Bereshit / Genesis 17:1) and was called God's friend (Isaiah 41:8); in God's intent to dwell with his people (Shemot / Exodus 25:8); and in his determination to be fully restored to us as our God forever (Jeremiah 31:33). None of this makes the Genesis passage about the Garden say what it does not say. But knowing about these other passages helps us to understand the tragedy behind the interaction between God and the first people. However the relationship looked like at the time, God's question, "Where are you?" cries out from a deep desire of relationship. It is the question he is asking us still.Truah/TorahBytes Family Parsha Ekev 5764 Torah Portion: Ekev (Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25) by Nesanel Safran This week's Torah portion speaks about the greatness of the Land of Israel and how special it is. In one of its praises, it compares the Land of Israel to Egypt. In Egypt, the farmers automatically get all the water they need each year when the Nile flows over its banks. But Israel depends upon God to send it its yearly rain. We might wonder why this is considered praise. Doesn't Egypt have the better deal, since they automatically get whatever they need, while the Jews in Israel have to constantly hope and pray that the rain comes on time? By forcing the people in Israel to rely on God constantly for rain and turn to Him for their needs, they gain a special connection in their relationship with God. True relationships don't thrive on convenience, but rather on connection. In out story, a kid discovers that what he thought was a burden is really a benefit. "BEST DEAL IN TOWN" I felt excited and a little annoyed as I put down the phone. Excited by the news I just heard from my buddy Brandon that there was a one-day-only 40% off sale at the music store in the mall. Annoyed because it meant that if I was going to be able to buy anything there, I would have to ask my Dad for my allowance two days in advance. Now don't get me wrong - my Dad isn't mean or anything. Just the opposite; he's a great dad, and we're really close. It's just that I knew that asking him for the money early meant that we'd have to have our 'Weekly Meeting' early too. What's that, you may ask? Well my Dad says it's really important for us to touch base in a serious way at least once every week, so before he gives me my weekly allowance we have to sit and have a meeting. I have to tell him all about my week; how things went in school, with friends, and even about soccer league. Most weeks I tell him almost exactly the same things, and you'd think he would be bored of it by now, but nope. Each week it's the same thing - no meeting, no allowance. Usually I can handle the 'Weekly Meeting,' but today I was really in no mood. I wished for once I could 'take the money and run' to the store with Brandon. Who knew how long before the really good CD's sold out? I told my friend over the phone to go ahead, and meet me in the store since I knew it would take me a while before I could get out. I thought about Brandon, and felt jealous. He had once told me he gets his whole allowance for the year in one shot! And from what I can see, it's a nice, big 'shot' too. His Dad's a major executive for a huge company, and let's just say the way they live is much more than 'comfortable.' Finally I got to the store. Like I had predicted, my Dad was willing to advance my allowance, but only after we had our meeting. I was relieved to see Brandon was still there after all this time. "Anything good left?" I asked, out of breath from my dash through the mall. "Yeah, plenty. But what took you so long, Jay? I was about to give up on you." I felt myself turning red. It would be embarrassing to explain about my 'Weekly Meetings', and I was sure my friend was going to laugh when he heard how much better he had it than I did. But I'm the kind of guy that when you ask me a question I give an answer, so I told him the whole story about the weekly meeting and what a hassle it could sometimes be. As I spoke, I noticed my friend starting to kind of shake. Boy was he getting ready for a big belly laugh. But surprise of surprises, the kid didn't start laughing but actually started to cry! It was a good thing we were by ourselves in the back of the store where no one could see us. I just didn't get it. After a minute or so, he pulled himself together. "You are so lucky..." I was? "I would give anything to be able to meet with my father every week." Brandon told me how his Dad was so busy that not only did they hardly ever talk, but weeks and even months could go by when they wouldn't even see each other, and the worst part, he said, was that when they finally did get to together, he felt like his dad was almost a stranger. It turned out that was why his Dad gave him all the money at once, because he never knew when they would see each other next! I felt terrible for him, but it was hard to relate. I would never admit it, but a lot of times I felt like my Dad was one of my closest friends in the world. And whether I liked it or not, I had to also admit that the talks we had during our weekly allowance meetings were probably a big reason why. I got some good deals that day in the store, but none of them could compare to how good a deal I discovered I already had - at home. Mission Updates: Greetings Saints in His Perfect Peace, Friday we was packed. It amazes me how the Lord sends so many people to us for various kinds of helps. We do so much on so little. But that is one of the Miracles of Messiah's Branch. I had one fellow with a terrible burn to his hand. It had two very huge blisters. Clearly these were almost to the third degree. I took and lanced them and cut away the dead skin. Used burn spray on them and gave him band-aids to place on them when he slept. We are almost out of various medical supplies. We need band-aids, ointments, burn spray, gloves and a very sharp pair of scissors for cutting away dead skin. I really could use one of those medical military surgeon's kits that are sold at army surplus and various places on the net. Mom made chicken and rice for the people and it was great! She put cream of chicken soup on top and we loved it. We also had fresh tomatoes and greens with carrots! The woman who drops in from com care the city agency for mental health was buy. She agreed that we are need because we help those in the gap in services. She does not see all but who is just there when she comes in. The Father helps so many others...women, men, children, grandma's and grandpa's....all he brings to us. We had a box come with about 10 various KJV Bibles in it. These are needed very badly we just cannot keep them. I have very mixed feelings about the Radio programs we just went through, the radio program this week will add confirmation to these programs. I am reading through the Book of our next guest and it will Floor you just as his video tape. Saints be sure and listen into the very next program... Well it is a new month and we are praying that all consider a donation that can or rather pray about it and see if the Father wishes you to help out as this is a dire time for us. Half of our funding for the ministry comes from the net and support from the net ahs been down the last two months. The newsletter people took up the slack but right now the August newsletter has not went out and so we need the net to take up the slack until the newsletter goes out and donations come in. We really even need gas for tomorrow's trip. Remember I drive a full size van as it is needed to pick the people up.....the Trip is roughly 120 miles round trip without the in town miles in Wichita... So please consider donating at this time if you can...it is a real need. 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, Sorry I am late getting this out it just seems that time is flying faster and faster. Friday was a little different day at the Mission we made six dozen egg sandwiches. There were no donuts but we served popcorn, cookies, garden tomatoes , fresh off the vine grapes, coffee, ice tea and ice water through out the day. I made chicken -n- rice smothered in cream of chicken soup that was made as a gravy, sliced fresh tomatoes, carrots -n- greens and bread-n- butter served with kool-aide, coffee, tea, and water. (not a drop of anything left we had to make Matthew canned beef stew and Kevin open face sloppy joes out of some left over spaghetti sauce we had in the fridge. He eats to no end and it would have taken several cans to even get him started.He is homeless and has split personality so I think he only comes to MB cause he eats enough at one setting to last a person a week, he never seems to get full.) Service was slow to start but turned out to be very informative and we are all growing in Spirit. Grandma and my sister stopped in for a few minutes they were headed to my baby brothers who lives in Pratt Kansas. She looked good other than being very tired they didn't stay long. The only bill I have been able to pay was the Rent and phone all the others are due this week as is the Newsletter. The internet bill is due by the 10th which means I need to have it in the mail by Friday latest. The electric came it was 130 something and is also due this week not sure of exact date but I believe around the 6th. Pray about Helping as we know the needs are met and our Father will not let us down he never has and never will. Desperate for gas money there is none for tomorrow but Dan will go and by faith he will have gas by the time he comes home. Sarina will be getting her car this Saturday it is a 1985 Buick Skylark four door and it only has 74000 miles on it Thank you Yahweh for showing us a way for Sarina to have transportation other than her feet and the bus. She will be having her baby in November and we will be having a shower in October for her at the Mission it will be on a Saturday and probable around 3pm more details later. Our missing daughter has been found she was living in a tent city in Arizona but has now been reunited with her baby and her biological mother. Please hold them up in prayer as they endure the things of this world. Please stand in faith with me that it be within Yahweh's will to draw them both unto Yeshua so that they might be saved. Blessings and Shalom more on the Mission next update sisterlinda Last weeks Passage found: Joshua 23:1-16 KJV1 And it came to pass a long time after that the LORD had given rest unto Israel from all their enemies round about, that Joshua waxed old and stricken in age. 2 And Joshua called for all Israel, and for their elders, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers, and said unto them, I am old and stricken in age: 3 And ye have seen all that the LORD your God hath done unto all these nations because of you; for the LORD your God is he that hath fought for you. 4 Behold, I have divided unto you by lot these nations that remain, to be an inheritance for your tribes, from Jordan, with all the nations that I have cut off, even unto the great sea westward. 5 And the LORD your God, he shall expel them from before you, and drive them from out of your sight; and ye shall possess their land, as the LORD your God hath promised unto you. 6 Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left; 7 That ye come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them: 8 But cleave unto the LORD your God, as ye have done unto this day. 9 For the LORD hath driven out from before you great nations and strong: but as for you, no man hath been able to stand before you unto this day. 10 One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the LORD your God, he it is that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you. 11 Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the LORD your God. 12 Else if ye do in any wise go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, even these that remain among you, and shall make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you: 13 Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you. 14 And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof. 15 Therefore it shall come to pass, that as all good things are come upon you, which the LORD your God promised you; so shall the LORD bring upon you all evil things, until he have destroyed you from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you. 16 When ye have transgressed the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed yourselves to them; then shall the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and ye shall perish quickly from off the good land which he hath given unto you. Find This Passage: And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers. But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled. Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days. Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities. With much Love Messiah's Branch/sisterlinda Mark 9:23,10:27 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believ, all things are possible to him that believeth.And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.