Prison Weekly July 9th 2005

Hukkat For the week of July 9, 2005 / 2 Tammuz 5765 Torah: Bemidbar / Numbers 19:1 - 22:1 Haftarah: Shoftim / Judges 11:1-33 God's Methodology "The LORD said to Moses, 'Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.'" (Bemidbar / Numbers 21:8) This week's portion contains a story that remarkably foreshadows the coming of the Messiah and the salvation that can be ours through him. The people of Israel had criticized God and Moses yet again. As a result, God sent poisonous snakes among them. When the people confessed their sin and asked Moses to pray to God that he would remove the snakes, God prescribed an unusual solution: He told Moses to make a bronze snake and put it on a pole. Anyone bitten by a snake who then looked at the bronze snake on the pole would live and not die. God could have, of course, made the snakes go away and heal the people who had been bitten apart from this method, but this was his chosen method. Why he did it this way is not as important as the fact that this is what he did. Some may find this method offensive. Snakes don't represent healing and life in the Scriptures. It was a snake that tempted Eve in the Garden, and in this story it was snakes that were killing the people. Yet how tragic it would have been for those who were offended, if they would have not looked to the bronze snake and be healed. Many years later Yeshua used this story to illustrate what he would do for us. He said, "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life." (John 3:14, 15) In the garden of Eden our first parents were figuratively bitten by a snake. Having succumbed to his temptation, the poison of evil has flowed in the veins of every human being since, and has been the cause of suffering and death. Yeshua took upon himself the consequences of what the snake did in the Garden by dieing in our place on a Roman cross. If we look to him, meaning put our trust in what he did, we, just like the people of Israel who looked to the bronze snake, can experience healing � a greater healing - eternal salvation. The concept of the Messiah dieing on a cross is very offensive to some people. Yet the incident of the bronze serpent shows us that God does indeed use offensive methods at times. No matter how offensive his death on the cross may seem to us, it is still God's chosen method for our salvation. Therefore let us look to him and live. TorahBytes

Chukat (Numbers 19:1-22:1) Family Parsha Chukat 5765 We learn in this week's Torah portion not to be overly particular and possessive about our things. When the Jewish people asked for permission to pass through their territories on their way to the land of Israel, promising to do no damage and offering to pay, the Edomites and Amorites angrily refused and threatened to attack them if they tried. While we certainly have the right to share or not to as we please, when we choose to share, we connect with others and make the world a better and kinder place. In our story, a kid learns that giving does not mean getting taken advantage of. "FAIR SHARE" Warren looked nervously at each item as he unpacked it from his duffle bag. He was sure he had labeled everything before packing it, but thought it would be a good idea to double check. He started to place one of his several economy sized boxes of Kleenex on the shelf at the foot of his bed.Hey, how did I miss that one? he asked himself. Grabbing the indelible marker he had brought just for the occasion, he wrote 'PRIVATE-DO NOT USE!' in big bright letters.Much better. He had heard about how everybody used each other's things at camp, and wanted to make sure all his stuff was protected."Hey, how're you doing?" came a cheerful voice from behind him. Warren, who had been making his bed, turned around. "My name is Jonnie. Nice to meet you," smiled a friendly looking boy who plopped down his heavy duffle bag. He was sweating, and Warren hoped none of it was going to drip on his nice clean sheets."You know, I just got here, and I'm a little worn out from dragging my luggage across the camp," the kid went on.Why is he telling me this? Warren wondered."And I happened to notice you had a couple of pitchers of cold water in the bunk's refrigerator..."Oh, there it is, Warren thought to himself, he wants to mooch some of my water."Well, you probably also noticed that it said 'private,' didn't you?" Warren snapped.The boy's face fell. "Yeah, that's why I'm asking. But I just thought since you had so much, maybe I could have a little and I'll replace it..."Warren shifted nervously. "I'm sorry, but no. I'm really going to need it later, but there's plenty of good water from the faucet over there." He said, trying to put on a friendly smile.Jonnie shuffled off. Warren noticed him going up to someone else and shake his hand, and then he saw the other kid take out a bottle of Pepsi from the fridge and pour Jonnie a cup. Seems like a sucker is born every minute - but not me, Warren thought, proud of himself that he hadn't let himself get taken advantage of the way the other kid had.The summer got going, and all the kids in the bunk got to know each other. Soon they were sharing their snacks, books, and CD's. Everyone, that is, except for Warren. The guys quickly learned that Warren didn't share, and when he said 'Do not touch,' he meant it.Warren liked camp, more or less. He liked the scheduled sports program especially the horseback riding. But the one thing that bothered him was that he just didn't feel like one of the gang. While Jonnie and the others seemed to have become best friends and would always hang out together during breaks, Warren always seemed to be by himself.One evening Warren walked into the bunk after dinner and saw Jonnie and some of the other guys sitting around the table munching on some treats, laughing and having a good time together. It looked like fun, and he edged over, hoping to join them. Suddenly they all went silent, almost like they were waiting for him to pass by.He felt his face go red, and quickly turned and went over to his locker, pulled out a package of his choco-chunk cookies, marked 'Private!' of course, and sadly sat down by himself with a book in the corner of the room."Mind if I join you?"Warren looked up, surprised to see Jonnie. "Sure," Warren shrugged.Jonnie pulled over a chair and sat down. "I couldn't help noticing your feelings were hurt just now," he said softly."Well wouldn't you be hurt if nobody liked you?" came the angry reply.Jonnie shook his head. "It's not true. The guys don't dislike you, it's just that..." he paused, "it's just you kind of keep yourself apart.""What do you mean by that?""Well, you ... you don't like to share your stuff, or even let anyone touch it, you know."Warren was confused. "Why should I let everybody take advantage of me and use up and mess up my stuff? Anyway, what does that have to do with anything?" he asked."Well, nobody says you have to share. But sharing is just part of being friends. It kind of pulls everybody together, you know what I mean? Take just now, for instance. We're all having a 'snack party.' Everybody's passing around stuff from each of the care packages they got from home. Nobody ends up giving away that much, and it's a lot of fun."The guys began calling Jonnie to come back. He gave Warren a smile. "You're really welcome to join us, and you don't have to even contribute anything - unless you want to, that is."With that, he went back to the laughing group.Warren, still sitting alone, munched another cookie. The thought of other people using his things went against his grain, but had to admit Jonnie had made a point he hadn't thought of. And he had to admit it was pretty boring to be eating the same cookies by himself all of the time too.The snack party was winding down. Not because the guys' appetites were, but because the snacks were. Suddenly a big package of yummy looking choco-chunk cookies landed on the table. Everybody stared. As usual, it had a label on it, but with one difference - this time the label said "PLEASE HAVE SOME!"The guys looked up at the smiling Warren and smiled back as they dug in. From that day on the kid who never shared became one of the guys, and began to learn how to enjoy sharing his things with the people around him.Aish.com

Mission Update: Shalom In Yeshua Our Messiah, Sorry this is late things haven't been normal for the past few weeks. I am currently on medical leave because of stress caused from the treatment I have recieved from my new GM. I won't go into details but I ask you all to hold me up for comfort,strenght and guidence to do Yahweh's will in all of this. Kathy made nine and a half dozen sandwiches Friday and together we made chicken-n-noodles,greens and garlic toast. For Sabbath dinner we had chicken-noodles ,corn and instant potatoes. Today Daniel and I went and when we arrived there were twenty three people waiting to get in out of the heat. We didn't have donuts today but we served seven and a half dozen sandwiches and made 72 beef hotdogs served with BBQ chips. The newsletter went out last Wednesday and the bills got paid however we will need gas for this Friday. I had a nice time with the people and it helped to take my mind off the things going on with my job. The prison weekly has grown and I really could use stamps to help in getting this out weekly. The food account is still doing ok I believe it is right at about 300. We ask you all to pray about supporting these works and be lead by Yahweh. Thank you all who have supported these works if you could only see the faces of the many who are being feed, clothed and most of all OVED. KEEP us in Prayer WE LOVE YOU more on the Mission Next Update

Last weeks Answer:Revalations 3:1-22 ^{1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. 3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. 4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. 5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. 6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. 7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; 8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. 9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. 10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. 11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. 12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. 13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. 14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Find This Passags:32 And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda. 33 And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy. 34 And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately. 35 And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord. 36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. 37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. 38 And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. 39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. 40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 41 And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive. 42 And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord. 43 And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.}

Mark 9:23,10:27

 THE Truth will set you FREE

    Shalom sisterlinda Messiah's Branch