Prison Weekly for Shabbath Kislev 16, 5771
SHALOM
The Hebrew month is Kislev these Parashahs are for Shabbath Kislev 16, 5771
This weeks Parashahs are Torah VaYishlach " And He sent " Genesis 32:4-36:43 Haftarah Obadiah 1:1-21 & Hosea 11:7-12:12 The Brit Hadasha Matthew 26:36-46
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:
Matt 21:20-22 (KJV)
21 Yeshua answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. 22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
last night mom calls it "Dad's Midnight Buck"
Greetings Saints, Well Tuesday we were packed as normal for this time of the month, some people needed help with co-pays and crutches, things I had no money for. And these people come to us because they have exhausted all other resources. I have a hard job, it is so hard to tell people you are broke and cannot help when for years you have been their last hope. We have been getting hardly any donations in the mail as we were yet to be able to put out a newsletter for November has not went out, even when people have been on the list for many years they mostly do not send money till the newsletter is in hand. We have a donation coming for at least $500 from a merchant in Wichita that my sister knows so it will help of course. I got this note yesterday, I have with held the name:
"Reverend Catlin, I have a patient who was telling me how you help the homeless in Wichita. He gave me your name and phone number, with the 900 S. Broadway address and said I would need to also give you his name, which is Barry B---. I will try to give you a call soon, as I am interested in how you do what you do. In addition to being an ordained chaplain with Via Christi Health, I am also a volunteer police chaplain. and I have an interest in our homeless who are sometimes helpless and hopeless. Thank you and your organization for taking the initiative with this population. Chaplain name with held by Pastor Dan, M.Div, BCC
Via Christi Behavioral Health Center Wichita KS 67207
I answered her with this
Chaplain ............. M.Div, BCC
I have been taking care of the homeless in Wichita for now our 11th year.....I help many who can find no help elsewhere, I give first aid, over the counter meds, food, blankets, do their funerals, go to the hospital for last prayers, hold durable power of attorney for some, just help in any way I can. It is so hard in this economy because I do not get support from Wichita just a once a week radio program I do....also I live 60 miles away.....but really check out what we do here, for the first time since opening in 2000 we are unsure of the future for us because of donations that have slowed. http://www.wichitahomeless.com/links.html See what the news says about us and a couple of You tube video's I made like this new one which has not made it to the list above yet http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdDsmK0Pxu0
Be Very Blessed, Pastor Dan Catlin
And she again answered back with:
I'll try to round up support for you. also, are you connected with United Way, or Interfaith Ministries? I have spoken with my pastor, name withheld by PD at Derby Woodlawn UMC. today I plan to attend a police chaplain luncheon and will bring attention to your service there. You are in my prayers.
Chaplain, M.Div, BCC Clinical Support/Pastoral Care
Via Christi Behavioral Health Center Wichita KS 67207
Also I have another person in Wichita who is praying about support for us, we have never seen donations so low, mostly it is from the economy and partly my fault in fact I talked with my wife and sister about this, you see I am honest I tell people when donations slow down, when I do that they even get slower as no one likes to donate to a ministry that seems to not be doing well.....it really makes you wonder if that is the concept and how it works then how did the gospel get spread around the world? I mean all the Apostles but John were martyred, horrible deaths? The Christians all over the world are persecuted and killed for their faith, but The Father is not punishing them, the word says the World will hate you and never promises that you will have a smooth road but Messiah said to expect these things.I know the Father will deliver us, I feel a blessing is coming, and have it from a couple no three sources to expect a huge blessing from them when things work right for them, one more so than the others, but just like me satan wants to stop them and is working overtime, they cannot shut us up so attack the finances.
If got a couple of thousand dollars in donations from several sources and posted it, then more donations would follow quickly behind. About Thanksgiving, many people homeless and the poor from the neighborhood we live in are expecting a huge dinner from us on Thanksgiving, we are still in need of things for dinner and praying in money to keep the electric, gas, and water on at the Mission church. Some way the Father will answer our prayers, that is faith. I just got this from a small Torah keeping church in Wichita, these folks recently started donating things to us, food wise it is generally enough to make a meal for about 100 people and also some pain relievers, socks, tooth paste etc....what they donate and is a huge blessing generally goes out the very same day.
Hello Pastor Dan,
Just to update you...So far we will bring you 4 turkeys (roasted and boned) , gravy, and at least 3 pies...that's just for starters. Still need to contact some other folks. Will let you know as the list grows...name with help by Pastor Dan
While we are in a season of giving so to speak, that season most years works against us and not for us. You would not believe the incredible pressure we are under right now, then last night on the way how a deer ran right out in front of me! Thank the Father we were not hurt and the deer which was a very large buck with a huge rack, was not either because there was no trace of him to be found other than the van! I looked for him a sheriff looked for him, mom, looked for him, and so did the truck driver but no trace! The van might be fixable but we really do not know right now, fender, bumper, radiator, fan, water pump, etc this van was really dependable and we just had $800 worth of front end work done on it......just thank the Father we are all okay. Oh yes the Sheriff was a real nice guy he took me clear back to Wichita to get the gmc so I would have something to drive, we talked and I took him inside for a tour………I am down to driving a small gmc that leaks transmission fluid badly. So ye I do honestly thing the Devil is working over-time on our finances.Lift us in prayer and help if you can, In His Perfect Peace,
Pastor Dan Catlin Messiah's Branch "Prophecy Hour" Radio
Matthew 22:37
Yeshua said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord Yahweh with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all their mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as Thyself. On these two Commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Shalom in Yeshua our Messiah
What a wonderful beautiful day it is !!! I am so Blessed an I have so much to be Thankful for everyday not just one day a year. I am excited about being able to provide our eleventh Thanksgiving dinner for the people. We are one big Happy Family and we look forward to serving the people everyday. We love doing these works and are so glad that Yahweh chose us to do it. However Thanksgiving is next week and if any of you want to help us with this dinner I ask that you bring deserts. I just finished paying more of the bills and recieved another fifty dollar donation for Thanksgiving dinner. I wont ask for donations because Yahweh knows what I need and He is faithful in sending just what I need as I need it. if you desire to support these works all we ask is that you pray about it and follow Yahwehs to do His works.
I must go for now I am out of time again and we need to head into town to feed have a Blessed Shabbath we love you all Shalom sisterlinda
Shalom B'Shem Yeshua HaMashiach / Peace in the Name of Yeshua, the Messiah
Mark 9:23,10:27 " THE Truth will set you FREE"
Next Weeks reading 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
A dog had followed his owner to school. His owner was a fourth grader at a public elementary school. However, when the bell rang, the dog slided inside the building
and made it all the way to the child's classroom before a teacher noticed and shoo'ed him outside, closing the door behind him. The dog sat down, whimpered and stared at the closed doors. Then God appeared beside the dog, patted his head, and said,
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