Prison Weekly Tevet 8,5770

Shalom

Tevet 8,5770

Parashat VaYigash

(Genesis 44:18 - 47:27)

This week's parashah opens with the dramatic confrontation between Judah and the inflexible Egyptian viceroy. The tension builds to a fever pitch, and reaches its stunning climax with the revelation that the viceroy is none other than the long-lost Joseph. An emotional reunion follows, but Joseph's immediate concern is to send a personal message to his father Jacob. This important message has to prove that he, the Egyptian viceroy, is indeed Joseph. Concurrently, it must also alleviate Jacob's inevitable concerns about Joseph's spiritual condition after having lived apart from his family for so many years in the Egyptian den of corruption and immorality. So what message did Joseph choose to send? He chose to remind his father that during their last meeting they had discussed the Torah laws regarding the ritual of the eglah arufah, which is performed when a wayfarer is found murdered on the open road and the assailant is unknown. The Torah (Devarim 21) commands that the elders of the city nearest to the scene of the crime come out and declare, "Our hands did not spill this blood!"

Joseph's knowledge of this private conversation was certainly clear proof of Joseph's identity, but how did it reassure Jacob that his son had maintained his high spiritual levels? Let us take a closer look at the remarkable statement the elders when they visit the scene of the tragic crime. "Our hands did not spill this blood!" Are the elders really suspects in this unsolved murder case? Of course not, says the Talmud (Sotah 45b). The elders were declaring that the wayfarer had not been turned away from their city without being offered food and a proper sendoff on his journey. But is the failure to offer a wayfarer food and a warm sendoff such a terrible thing? Why does the Torah value extending hospitality so highly that the failure to do so is considered "spilling blood"?

The commentaries explain that hospitality is not only meant to satisfy a person's physical needs. It also nourishes his very heart and soul. A wayfarer, separated from the support system of his home and family, inevitably feels forlorn and demoralized. But when he is welcomed into a home with warmth and affection, he once again feels connected and secure. And when he is given a warm sendoff, he is filled with renewed confidence and self-esteem. He holds his head a little higher, his shoulders are squared back, and there is a buoyant spring in his step. Such a person is an unlikely target for the predators that roam the highways. It is the beaten-down traveler who feels isolated and lost that is most vulnerable to attack. The restorative gifts of hospitality can fortify and sustain a person for the long road ahead to an immeasurable degree, and therefore, withholding these gifts is tantamount to "spilling his blood."

Joseph was addressing this concept between the lines of his message to his father. Do not be concerned that I have lost my spiritual bearings, that I have become an immoral Egyptian, he was saying. The spiritual gifts I received in your house during the years of my youth were my suit of armor all these years. They gave me the strength and courage to resist the corruption of Egypt and kept me on the exalted level of a future tribal patriarch of the Jewish people. Remember our discussions about the eglah arufah. Just as the wayfarer is fortified for his journey by a few hours of hospitality, I, too, was fortified for my whole life by my youth in your home. You need not worry. I am the same Joseph you once knew, only a little older.

This is a lesson of critical importance to all of us. We sometimes do not appreciate how profoundly the things we do and say can affect others. Certainly, our children deserve that we bring them up with warmth, sensitivity and strong values. If we do, they will always hold their heads a little higher, because we will have given them the confidence and self-esteem that will nourish them for the rest of their lives. But even in our myriad daily contacts with other people, we can do so much with a helping hand, a kind word, a simple smile. The smallest gesture of warmth and sincere compassion can sometimes penetrate the heart of a lonely wayfarer on the road of life and give him the restorative gifts that will enable him to reach his destination safely.

MISSION UPDATE:

Today we drove over through very harsh winds and blowing snow so we could open for the people. Many have no place to be until night with everything closed, so we are here. Mom is making them Shepard's pie one of my favorite dishes, a real treat to a poor person, and of course I grew up on food such as this. The 23rd was our 24th wedding anniversary, time just fly's when you are having fun right, really time always seemed slow until we had children now a year seems like nothing. My Oldest son is 20 and married with two children and one on the way, my daughter is just turned 18 and moving out and of course she has a fiancée… for the record mom and I got to spend two days alone, wow that was different, first time we have been that alone since we had children! The year now has come and will be gone in a few days, we saw some people that have been long-time homeless get out of the street this year about 60 some through a program called housing first. That was a real blessing, but you see for that number that got out many more came to take their place, These new homeless people are fresh to the street mostly just because of lost jobs. We are praying for a miracle this year (we have many all year long) but this one will help us expand greatly to care for the people 24/7. Really because of the economy this last year I am sure most of you noticed I had to beg all year long, in Fact October we almost had to shut down but the Father kept us open through your kind donations. This is our 11th year and the Lord Yeshua has helped thousands of people in many different ways through this Mission church. We had one of our helpers who really more than a helper I guess you would say as he has been helping us serve food and many other things since almost the first. He got the Bank where he works to sponsor Holiday gifts for the people for several years, which mostly always turned out to be shoes, coats, hats, and gloves. This year he helped fund raise for disadvantaged children which is a great thing, he got to sit in the lobby of a large church with three signs one for the children, one for the Wichita food bank, and a sign for us. People he said just donated without question, he did point out if they knew we were Messianic Jewish then more than likely we would have not gotten much in donations. And that is the reason why it takes so much to get support even on radio or online, many people are deceived into hating anything that is even remotely connected to Jews… Amazing because the Savior Yeshua was, born a Jew, died king of the Jews and will come back as the lion of the tribe of Judah which believers are grafted into….about now most people have stopped reading. We fill a large gap in services no one else fills, whenever someone comes in they really are in shock to what all we really do and the homelike way the place feels, which is the love of Yahweh as Family as this is the way it is supposed to be, Family not putting Yahweh in a box. When I want to help someone or rather the Holy Spirit tells me to I do not have to go to a board of directors to help then I just do it. A Church IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO COMMAND a pastor what to do, you see a minister is supposed to be the head congregation Under Messiah, oh well ….. I pray that any of you that can will consider a end of the year donation as mom needs to stock food, paper products (napkins, plates, toilet paper etc) I need to get radio paid also. It would be nice to start the new year with the bills and everything all caught up! No there was no new radio program with week as do to what day it fell on, it is hard for people to be on the air on the 24th as it will next week. I plan on pre recording something for next week.

I know many of you today are remembering Messiah, please remember that we are called to remember him all year long, that spirit of giving that you are doing is something we and you should do all year long as; Matthew 22:34
35 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, 36Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Yeshua said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. This does mean being our brother's keepers, not just praying for someone but trying if at all possible to go out of your way, and meet their need as;
James 2:14 14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. James was just teaching what he was taught be Messiah, that is the end of things we will be judged on how we treat others out of love, yes love, this means sacrifice for others just as Messiah died for us we are to sacrifice to serve him by serving others as: Matthew 25:31 31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Will you be in the sheep or the goats? 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. 41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 43I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. 44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. 46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. The Word tells us of these things Philippians 2:1 1If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
And remember he did not ever call us to remember His birth but to remember him in His death as Paul tells us;
1 Corinthians 11:23 23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Yeshua the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. 27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. I pray you all are safe and healthy and you are ready for what the new year will bring, Remember those that have less than you and truly if you want to serve our Father do so by helping others…Remember we are to know them by their fruits, no one in the Body of Messiah is exempt from helping others, no one in fact Paul tells us how he sold all and gave everything to the poor...
Please lift us in prayer and help if you can, In His Perfect Peace, Pastor Dan Catlin

Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

 Shalom In Yeshua our Messiah,

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I pray you all had a nice holiday and spent time with your families and loved ones. Pastor Dan and I just celebrated our 24th anniversary on the 23rd. We had a very nice two days together as we sent the two boys to thier sister's for a few days. It was very quite around the house almost to quite.

I did manage to get most all of Decembers bills paid  I have the funds to pay the rest i am just waiting for checks (I need to order before they can come LOL) so that I can write them and get them in the mail.

The mission was stocked and the newsletter went out last Tuesday. Please pray about supporting these works.

THANKS to all of you who has sent us socks, coats, cloves and warm clothing if you didn't recieve a thank you card let me know. Some of the boxes went to the Mission on the same day they came so I might not of gotten the address off the box to mail you a card.

It's time for Sabbath service so i will close for now stay in outta the cold if possible! We love you all Shalom sisterlinda/family& messiah's branch. 

LAST WEEKS TORAH: Miketz"At the end of "Genesis 41:1-44:17  Haftarah –Zechariah 2:14-4:7,Isaiah 66:1-24                & The Brit Hadasha 1Corinthians 2:1-5.

Mikeitz

Genesis 41:1 through 44:17 brings the finale to the story of Joseph and of his salvation of his family from the famine in Israel.  Pharaoh has a dream and no one can interpret it.  His cupbearer and his baker had their dreams interpreted in prison by Joseph so that tell Pharaoh about him.  Joseph is brought before the king and not only interprets the dream, but first reveals what the dream was and then gives the meaning of it.  The king of all Egypt and its possessions sees the anointing of G-d upon Joseph and enlists him to oversee the entire kingdom during the tough times predicted in the dream.  Joseph, once again, does far and above what anyone could have imagined and he is made the Viceroy or Prime Minister of the empire, second only to Pharaoh. The famine in Canaan forces Jacob to send his remaining sons to Egypt to find food.  There, they run into; you guessed it, Joseph.  Of course, they haven't seen him in years and he now looks Egyptian, so they do not recognize him, but he knows exactly who they are.  Then, in Genesis 42:6, Joseph's dreams come true.  His brothers bow to the ground before him. Then, Joseph devises a plan to force his family to be reunited.  The remaining chapters detail the plan that will not be fulfilled until next week.  This week's lesson is short but sweet.  Be aware of those who come to you in your business, and of those to whom you go.  Perhaps the connection is for a purpose beyond what either you or they have in mind.  Who knows the plans of G-d? Have a happy and blessed Chanukah as you dedicate yourselves again to the G-d of Israel and to His Messiah, Y'shua. Keep praying. Marty

Summary of The Weekly Torah Parshas Miketz

Note: The Shabbos Torah Reading is divided into 7 sections. Each section is called an Aliya [literally: Go up] since for each Aliya, one person "goes up" to make a bracha [blessing] on the Torah Reading.

1st Aliya: The year is 2229 and Yoseph has been in prison for 12 years. Pharaoh has two similar dreams and demands their interpretation. The wine steward remembers Yoseph and his gift for dream interpretation, and Yoseph is rushed into Pharaoh's presence. 2nd Aliya: Yoseph interprets Pharaoh' dream and suggests to him how to best administrate the seven years of plenty and the seven years of famine. (The extent of Yoseph's brilliance will first be revealed in next week's Parsha.) 3rd Aliya: Yoseph is appointed viceroy over Egypt, and puts into effect the plan that he had outlined to Pharaoh. He marries the daughter of Potiphar (the daughter of Dina) and has two sons, Menashe and Ephrayim. 4th Aliya: The seven years of famine begin, and the only food available is in Mitzrayim. Yoseph, unrecognized by his brothers, recognizes them when they come to buy food. He accuses them of treachery and imprisons them for three days. 5th Aliya: Yoseph demands that Binyamin be brought to Egypt and keeps Shimon as a hostage. The brothers relate their adventure to Yakov who refuses to send Binyamin. The increasing famine forces Yakov to concede to Yehuda's guarantee that Binyamin will be safe, and the brothers return to Egypt. 6th Aliya: The brothers are reunited with Shimon and invited to eat at the table of Yoseph. All appears to be forgiven and Yoseph sees Binyamin for the first time in 22 years. 7th Aliya: Yoseph hatches his final plot against his brothers. His famed chalice is planted in the Binyamin's saddlebag forcing the brothers to return to Mitzrayim and a confrontation with Yoseph. The year is 2238.  

Summary of The Haftorah: Shabbos Chanukah #2 I Kings 7:40 - 50

The Haftorah for the second Shabbos of Chanukah took place approximately 2833 years ago in the year 2928 after creation. In 2924 King Solomon ascended the throne of his father David and began his most ambitious project, the building of the first Bais Hamikdash. The building of the first Temple in Jerusalem involved artisans from all over the ancient world. Foremost among them were craftsmen from Tyre. Hiram, King of Tyre and Solomon had forged a relationship that fulfilled the blessings of Noach to his son Yefes. "And Yefes will dwell in the house of Shem." Hiram was a descendent of Yefes, and his craftsmanship and artistry graced the home that the descendents of Shem, the Jewish people, built. The Haftorah describes the decorative construction that enhanced the beauty of the first Temple as well as the various vessels designed by Hiram's artists for use in the Bais Hamikdash. The story of the construction of the first Bais Hamikdash details a ideal time of world peace and partnership. Shlomo Hamelech had captured the respect, admiration, and wonder of his contemporaries. Pilgrims from all over the ancient world flocked to Jerusalem to see the young king and witness first hand his wisdom and brilliance. Solomon forged alliances with numerous governments increasing the trade and might of Israel. It was a time of great scholarship and peacefulness, a foretaste of the messianic era. At the time of Chanukah, 693 years later, the world scene was much different. Jerusalem had been defiled with pagan worship and Israel was beneath foreign rule. The forces of Judah were miraculously victorious recapturing Jerusalem and rededicating the second Bais Hamikdash. Chanukah celebrates Jewish survival. It is our fervent hope that the light of the Menorah, reminiscent of the Menorah that once stood in the Temple, will once again illuminate the darkness of world strife and hatred with understanding and wisdom. Just as Hiram joined Shlomo in building the Bais Hamikdash and glorifying G-d's name so too will this year herald the coming of Mashiach, the building of the third Temple, and a return to world peace.
The Remez
"It came to pass at the ketz (end) of two full years.." (Miketz 41:1)   This verse introduces the story how Joseph was freed from prison, the ketz (end) to his confinement.  1) Joseph's confinement was only physical but not spiritual. Even in jail he retained and guarded his spiritual heritage, the teachings absorbed from his father, and this light overcame the darkness of prison and filled him with hope, joy and delight. The restraints of prison did not really fetter him. Those restraints, therefore, were but a temporary confinement, and immediately upon his release he rose to rule over all of Egypt. The prison-house of Joseph, "a place where the king's prisoners are bound," is an allusion to this world into which the souls of Israel - the "children of YHWH" - are made to descend to become vested in finite bodies in order to observe Torah and mitzvot.  The analogy with a prison is noted especially during the time of the galut (exile). Thus we must remember Joseph and the events of his life. We must realize that the very idea of confinement is alien to us, because Hebrew life is essentially unrestricted. The present era of restraints, therefore, is undoubtedly only temporary. It is merely a step toward the ultimate goal of illuminating the world, even in its present state of lowliness and galut, with the light of Torah and mitzvot. The fulfillment of this mission will be followed immediately by the final redemption of Moshiach .  "Pharaoh sent and summoned Joseph, and they rushed him from the dungeon .. And Pharaoh said to Joseph, See, I have set you in charge over all the land of Egypt." Joseph's early period in Egypt was filled with difficulties and hardship. First he was a slave in the house of Potiphar, and from there was thrown into a dungeon where he suffered for many years. Yet while in prison there occurred a drastic change: simultaneously with his release from prison he became a ruler!  When Joseph interpreted correctly the dreams of Pharaoh, he also solved the riddle of all his troubles to that point; for everything led progressively to his becoming the viceroy without whose permission "no man is to lift a hand or foot in all Egypt." We, too, are presently in the dungeon of a harsh and bitter galut. For many years we have been bound and fettered by the shackles of the galut. We must realize, though, that just as Joseph went from confinement to rulership, so, too, Kol Y'israel will speedily leave the prison of galut and simultaneously ascend to the status of royalty - "children of the King of all kings."  The mystery of the "dream of the galut" will be solved and explained at that point.  Yisrael Hakohein

 

Shalom B'Shem Yeshua HaMashiach

    Peace in the Name of Yeshua, the Messiah

&Mark 9:23,10:27

" THE Truth will set you FREE"  Y

 

Prission Weekly Shabbath Kislev 25, 5770

The Hebrew month is Kislev these Parashahs are for Shabbath Kislev 25, 5770

Parashahs HaShavuah: Torah Vayeshev "and he settled" Genesis 37:1-40:23                Haftarah Amos 2:6-3:8 & The Brit Hadasha Acts 7:9-16

                Next weeks Parashahs are : Miketz"At the end of "Genesis 41:1-44:17                             Haftarah –Zechariah 2:14-4:7,Isaiah 66:1-24  & The Brit Hadasha 1Corinthians 2:1-5.

WHAT IS CHANUKKAH AND HOW DO WE CELEBRATE IT?

Chanukkah is coming soon - the first night is Yom Reeshone the first day, {Sabbath December 12th.} It's a wonderful family holiday. After we light the candles, we sing Maoz Tzur, eat jelly donuts, tell stories, have quizzes about Hanukah - all in the light of the Hanukah candles. Memories are made up of a collection of precious moments. Hanukah can provide you with many wonderful memories! There are two ways which our enemies have historically sought to destroy us. The first is by physical annihilation; the most recent attempt being the Holocaust. The second is through cultural assimilation. Purim is the annual celebration of our physical survival. Hanukah is the annual celebration of our spiritual survival over the many who would have liked to destroy us through cultural assimilation. In 167 BCE the Syrian-Greek emperor, Antiochus, set out to destroy Judaism by imposing a ban on three mitzvot: The Shabbat, The Sanctifying of the New Month (establishing the first day of the month by testimony of witnesses who saw the new moon) and Brit Mila (entering the Covenant of Abraham through Torah-ordained circumcision). The Shabbat signifies that God is the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe and that His Torah is the blueprint of creation, meaning and values. Sanctifying the New Month determines the day of the Jewish holidays. Without it there would be chaos. For example, if Succot is the 15th of Tishrei, the day it occurs depends upon which day is declared the first of Tishrei. Brit Mila is a sign of our special covenant with the Almighty. All three maintain our cultural integrity and were thus threats to the Greek culture.

Matityahu and his 5 sons, known as the Maccabees, started a revolt and three years later succeeded in evicting the oppressors. The victory was a miracle - on the scale of Israel defeating the combined super-powers of today. Having regained control of the Temple in Jerusalem, they wanted to immediately rededicate it. They needed ritually pure olive oil to re-light the Menorah in the Temple. Only a single cruse of oil was found; enough to burn for just one day. However, they needed oil for eight days until new ritually pure olive oil could be produced. A miracle occurred and the oil burned for eight days. Therefore, we light Hanukah candles (or better yet, lamps with olive oil) for eight days. One the first day, two the second and so forth. The first candle is placed to the far right of the menorah with each additional night's candle being placed to the immediate left. One says three blessings the first night (two blessings each subsequent night) and then lights the candles, starting with the furthermost candle to the left. The menorah should have all candles in a straight line and at the same height. Ashkenazi tradition has each person of the household lighting his own menorah. Sefardi tradition has just one menorah lit per family. The blessings can be found on the back of the Hanukah candle box or in a Siddur, prayer book. The candles may be lit inside the home. It is preferable to light where passersby in the street can see them - to publicize the miracle of Hanukah. In Israel, people light outside in special glass boxes built for a menorah or little glasses with olive oil and wicks. The tradition to eat latkes, potato pancakes, is in memory of the miracle of the oil (latkes are fried in oil). In Israel, the tradition is to eat sufganiot, deep-fried jelly donuts. The traditional game of Hanukah uses a dreidel, a four-sided top with the Hebrew letters Nun, Gimmel, Hey, Shin (the first letters of "Nes Gadol Haya Sham - A Great Miracle Happened There." In Israel, the last letter is a Pay - for "Poh", "here.") In times of persecution when learning Torah was forbidden, Jews would learn anyway. When the soldiers would investigate, they would pull out the dreidel and pretend that they were gambling. The rules for playing dreidel: Nun -no one wins; Gimmel - spinner takes the pot; Hey - spinner get half the pot; Shin/Pay - spinner matches the pot!

Here's a question to think about: If enough oil was found to burn in the Temple menorah for one day and the oil lasted for eight days, then the miracle was really only for the seven additional days of lighting. Why then do we celebrate Chanukah for eight days and not seven?

Answer: The Baalei Mussar answer that in fact 7 days commemorates the miraculous miracle of oil burning longer than it was supposed to, but the extra day commemorates the miracle of nature – that oil burns at all! That itself is miraculous. We are typically amazed at miracles of the first kind, however there are miracles present in our every day lives. It behooves us to appreciate those miracles as well.

Parshas Vayeishev

Of Grapes and Pastries

Joseph knew he might never have another chance to get out of the dank Egyptian dungeon in which he had languished since being wrongly accused of making advances toward Potiphar's wife. Indeed, he was fortunate to have escaped with his life. One year after his incarceration, he was joined by two illustrious prisoners, the royal baker and the royal cupbearer, both of whom had fallen from favor. One night they both had dreams that called for interpretation. This was Joseph's opportunity, and he had to grasp it.

As we read in this week's Torah portion, Joseph interpreted their dreams correctly, one thing led to another, and he was released from prison. The cupbearer dreamed he saw three bunches of succulent grapes on the vine. He squeezed the grapes into Pharaoh's golden chalice and brought it to him. What did this mean? It meant, explained Joseph, that in three days he would be released and returned to his former position.

The baker had a very similar dream. He saw himself carrying three baskets of bread on his head, and in the top basket, there were also all sorts of fine pastries. Then he saw a bird swoop down and eat the pastries. What did this mean? It meant, explained Joseph, that in three days the baker would be hung from the gallows.

And indeed, both interpretations proved correct.

Why did Joseph present such radically different interpretations of two dreams that were essentially identical?

The commentators point out a subtle difference between the two dreams. The images with which the cupbearer's dream opened were of clusters of gleaming grapes hanging heavily from the vine and fairly bursting with natural juices. The cupbearer reaches out, plucks some of these exquisite grapes and squeezes them into Pharaoh's chalice. Then he offers the wine to the king.

The baker's dream, however, did not open with images of golden wheat stalks swaying in the gentle breeze on amber fields. Nor did it open with sparkling waters coursing through a mountain stream. It opened with basketfuls of the finished product, manufactured by human hands.

Where was an acknowledgment of the origin of all the ingredients that went into those breads and pastries? The cupbearer dreamed of the Almighty's pristine grapes, but the baker dreamed of his own craft, as if everything depended on him. Where was the recognition of the handiwork of the Almighty? Clearly, the baker, unlike the cupbearer, did not deserve a royal pardon.

A great sage was walking with a young disciple along the seashore in a famous and wealthy resort town.

"What do you think of this place?" the sage asked.

"I think it is spectacularly beautiful."

"Indeed? And what exactly do you find beautiful here?"

"Why, everything," the disciple responded excitedly. "The gleaming white yachts in the harbor. The magnificent villas and chateaux on the hillsides. The elegant carriages with their liveried drivers and footmen."

"Ah, my young friend," said the sage, "you are like a blind man. All this superficial beauty obscures the true beauty of this place for people like you. Don't you see the surging sea and the soaring mountains? Don't you see the green valleys, the meadows, the flowers, the butterflies, the birds that sing in the trees? Those are the work of the Creator. Let me see one of your villa builders do something like that!"

In our own lives, living in a modern, technological society, we are easily distracted from the magnificent world the Almighty created for us. We look around and all we see are buildings, cars, telephones, computers, asphalt, concrete, with a little patch of green here and there. In such an environment, it is easy to lose sight of the guiding hand of Hashem and become deluded into believing that people control their own destiny. But that is very superficial attitude. Better that we open our eyes and take a good look at the world around us and the heavens above. How can we not be dwarfed by the immensity of what Hashem has wrought on our behalf? If we engender this recognition in our hearts, we will, like the cupbearer, be worthy of divine blessings and delivery from our oppressors.

 

Mission Updates: Greetings Saints,

 Today was a good day as depending on how you look at it, my heart cried so much as I thought I would run out of money for shoes, the above picture is two pair of shoes one for a man the other for a woman. This was my second trip to wal-mart for shoes today.  AND DID THEY NEED SHOES ONE PAIR TALKED WHEN HE WALKED!

 I had no socks to give them for their shoes as I am barely going to have gas to get home and back, but the day is spent and I made it through it. Mom is going through some bags of clothing that came from out of town.

  I was supposed to try and drop the bus off today to fix the blinkers as someone said drop it off and they would pay for it, I did not get down till after the place closed so I have to drive back over tomorrow to get it done, but I am so thankful.

 This month has been so low on donations, but I will keep going as long as people keep coming.  Please pray that all the needs are met this week, we have so much on our plate.....my faith says he will use one or some of you to accomplish this.......as normal The Pastor the brokest guy on the block

In His Perfect Peace,
Pastor Dan Catlin

 

WE PRAY YOU ALL HAVE A VERY WONDERFUL & BLESSED CHANUKKAH

Shalom In Yeshua our Messiah,

Praise be to Yahweh for He is Awesome and cares for ALL the needs of His people and His works! I am going to be able to pay all the bills that are in come Monday when I have time to sit down and get them paid. I also will stock the Mission with pasta and veggies today. We will do the January newsletter and mail it out on the 29th so most of you should recieve it by the first. Can you believe it 2010 already. Wow! Thanks to all who have and will answer the call from Yahweh to provide the much needed support to care for His people. Everything looks good as we come to the close of 2009. Please pray about supporting us as we do the works of our Father. We are faithful that He will supply our needs but first we must make those needs known as the word says "you have not cause you ask not". We only want to Serve Yahweh and we only want want He intends us to have. I must close for as always I have tons of stuff to do to be ready to go feed today. We pray you all a very happy an blessed Chanukkah! shalom sisterlinda/family an Messiah's Branch

Shalom B'Shem Yeshua HaMashiach

    Peace in the Name of Yeshua, the Messiah

&Mark 9:23,10:27

" THE Truth will set you FREE"  Y

 

 

Shalom B'Shem Yeshua HaMashiach

    Peace in the Name of Yeshua, the Messiah

&Mark 9:23,10:27

" THE Truth will set you FREE"  Y

 

Prison Weekly 18 Kislev, 5770

SHALOM

The Hebrew month is Kislev these Parashahs are for Shabbath 18 Kislev, 5770

Parashahs HaShavuah: Torah Vayeshev "and he settled" Genesis 37:1-40:23 Haftarah Amos 2:6-3:8 & The Brit Hadasha Acts 7:9-16

Next weeks Parashahs are : Miketz"At the end of "Genesis 41:1-44:17 Haftarah –Zechariah 2:14-4:7,Isaiah 66:1-24 & The Brit Hadasha 1Corinthians 2:1-5.

WHAT IS CHANUKKAH AND HOW DO WE CELEBRATE IT?

Vayishlach

This week's parasha is entitled Vayishlach, which means, "And he sent."  In hebrew, its opening statement is much more startling than in the English translations with which we satisfy ourselves.  In Hebrew, it opens with these words, "And then Jacob sent angels ahead of him to Esau his brother."  We have this mindset that angels are gigantic heavenly beings who are sent only by G-d to accomplish His divine purposes.  But the letter to the Jewish believers says, in Hebrew 1:14, "Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve those who are going to inherit salvation?"   Jacob understood this and so when he encountered the angels of G-d, according to last week's portion in Genesis 32: 2 (verse 1 in most English translations), he sent them on a mission to accomplish G-d's divine plan in the life of he and his estranged brother.  In Hebrew, often times the word "angel" is translated into English as "messenger."  Sometimes this translation practice removes us from the wonders of G-d. Well, these angels returned to Jacob and told him that Esau was indeed coming toward him and that with him were 400 men.  This put fear into the heart of Jacob.  Now, consider that this man had just encountered the angels of HaShem and had boldly sent them on a mission and yet when they returned, he was frightened, not of G-d nor of His messengers, but of his brother, a mere man.  I believe that we too are often fearful of things which have little sway in our lives while ignoring the fear of the L-rd which is the beginning of all wisdom; or at least it could be if we only understood it.
Jacob took his family and sent them across the river Jabok.  He remained alone that night and there he wrestled with a man.  But just who was this man?  The Rabbis say that he was the guardian angel of Esau and that every nation has such a divine messenger., assigned to cover its charge with protection.  But I have a problem with this assignment.  You see, in the midst of the struggle, Jacob demands a blessing from this Divine Messenger and the one with whom he is fighting changes his name! And in the explanation of his new name, which is Israel, this messenger explains, ""Your name will no longer be Jacob," He said. "It will be Israel because you have struggled with G-d and with men and have prevailed."  Now, Jacob had wrestled with a man all night long, but this man identified Himself as G-d and yet as also a man.  Was this a pore-advent of the One whose birth we will soon celebrate?  Perhaps it was.  In fact, when confronted with Jewish skepticism about the divinity of Y'shua, I point to this example from the Torah in which a man is identified as G-d. Another interesting and oft overlooked little gem in this portion is found in chapter 33 where Esau and Jacob finally meet and find themselves in each others arms, reunited after many years of fear and of hatred that separated them.  Jacob gives Esau a huge gift and Esau replies in verse 9, "I Have plenty."  But Jacob, sho has wrestled with G-d and been found victorious tells him in verse 11, "'Please take my present that was brought to you, because G-d has been gracious to me and I have everything .'  So Jacob urged him until he accepted."  Esau had plenty but Israel had everything. Notice too that although his name had been changed already, the text refers to him as Jacob, not as Israel.  Interestingly, it is only when he is in the Promised Land that he is referred to as Israel, outside, he is always called Jacob.  So this gives us insight into the reason that G-d speaks of Israel and Jacob throughout scripture as He refers to the Jewish people.  He speaks to those within the Land and to those of us who are scattered in the Diaspora. There is much more to learn from this portion, but time is short and there is much to do in preparation for the next week.  So, please read the teaching about the birth of the One with whom Jacob wrestled and be blessed as you bless those whom G-d places in your path.  Perhaps you will entertain angels unaware. Keep praying Marty

Mission Updates; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

1Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 4Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 8Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 11When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 13And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Look up the word charity and you will find it means LOVE

Greetings, Today someone emailed me and told me to take the Bus to the shop that they would pay to fix the blinkers! This is a great praise report as we have been driving without, no it is not right to do that but really I felt I had no choice, so I do repent about it. On another note normally we recieve a $75 weekly donation every Wed. It comes by an automatic deduction. We count on this donation every week to get us over there on Friday if nothing else comes in. I also know I have it for shoes or it will even and does buy food ( meat) on some days, it has been our weekly bail out. I pray that the people that donate this are well as it has not came in the week. I am sure that the Father will make it up in another way but please pray for those folks finances as the economy has hit so many and I pray it has not hurt them also. This week on radio we will be talking about the Christians being persecuted around the world and even killed.......

In His Perfect Peace, Pastor Dan Catlin
Messiah's Branch "Prophecy Hour" Radio

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 6But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

Shalom In Yeshua our Messiah

Thanksgiving went really well we fed 108 plates and everyone was so full they didn't eat much desert. We recieved a total of fourteen turkeys I baked eleven, Ed smoked two and Sharon baked one, I have three bagged an ready to use in the freezer. We mailed the December newsletter out before Thanksgiving so you all should have them by now. Chanukkah is next week and it begins at dark on the 11th and ends at dark on the 19th. We pray you have a wonderful celebration with your families. The bills really need paid and Yahweh knows what I need to make that happen. All I ask is that you take us to prayer an ask if you are a vessel to help this ministry then follow thru with what Yahweh puts on your heart to do. I know Yahweh will supply our every need an it is only through you He can do it. So Please pray and ask if your to support these works. I must close it is time to go feed Shabbat Shalom sisterlinda

Quote of the Day

"A person who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new."
– Albert Einstein

 

 Shalom B'Shem Yeshua HaMashiach

    Peace in the Name of Yeshua, the Messiah

&Mark 9:23,10:27

" THE Truth will set you FREE"  Y