Messiah in Life

As the children of Israel make their way physically and spiritually to Mt. Sinai, how does the Lord ensure that, following the war with Amalek, that His people will not become a covered or withdrawn light? Enter Jethro, the father in law to Moses. What important lesson to we learn from Jethro that continues to teach us today? How are a nation of leaders led? How are a nation of priests served? How...

How does the Lord heal a nation of freed slaves? In the wonders shown to Israel during the exodus, was there, perhaps,  a secondary purpose to them, beyond the obvious? The fulfilled promise, the parted waters, the bitter waters, the manna from heaven, and  the water from the rock, how do these miracles help in the recovery of a generation of God's people who suffered under Pharaoh? In the Lo...

As Egypt experiences the judgment of God through the plagues, the children of Israel are given a yearly and daily reminder of their time as slaves in Egypt. For what purpose? Why do we remember? Why do we share generational testimony? How does the Lord keep our hearts from becoming hardened, just as Pharaoh's heart was hardened? What would this hardening produce in us as we carried the Gospel...

The "sign miracle" of  Aaron's staff being turned into a serpent. What is the meaning behind it? Why, when the Egyptian magicians so easily replicated it, did the Lord command for it to be a sign to Pharaoh? How does this help to harden Pharaoh's heart? How do we reconcile the hardening of Pharaoh's heart, and the hardening in part that has come over Israel, according to t...

As we open the Book of Exodus, we find the Lord beginning to "attend to" His people as they face dire circumstances. Often, what appears to be an end is a beginning, what appears as a loss, will become a victory. Moses is born under a death decree, but is delivered to be an heir of the very Pharaoh who issued the decree. Why? Moses was saved from death, raised to an exalted status, only...

We conclude the opening book of the Torah, Genesis. This portion focuses on the life of Jacob in Egypt with his beloved son Joseph. Yet, in a touch moment of blessing, Jacob blesses and adopts the sons of Joseph in order to give them, and Joseph himself, a future hope. Then Joseph, as the day of his death approaches, uses a phrase that will appear in the calling of Moses, and, according to Rashi,...

Have you ever been a bridge for someone? Or did someone ever bridge a gap for you? We see some beautiful examples of bridges in this portion as we look at a root word peppered through this portion. Judah, Joseph, and ultimately, the greatest bridge, Yeshua/Jesus. We consider all this, and more in this episode.  References: Genesis 44:18; 45:3, 4; James 4:8; John 17:14-19. 

"At the end" of what? After years of false imprisonment, and two years after the cupbearer is released, Joseph is brought before the Pharaoh of Egypt. Why? Is it just to interpret dreams? Or, is the time at hand for God's plan to openly unfold? Joseph enters Egypt as a slave, but becomes its ruler. He is adopted by a nation, given a new name, until the set time of his revelation whe...

In this episode of Messiah in Life we consider the journey of two brothers: Joseph and Judah. From the loss of sons, to the loss of everything, the journey is leading these sons of Jacob to an important destination. From Shekem to Timnah to Egypt what lessons do we learn about the humbling before the exaltation?  References: Genesis 37-39, Romans 8:28-30. 

Jacob sends messengers. He receives back troubling news. How does Jacob respond? How does the Torah want us to understand Jacob's Mincha gift to Esau? Is there a messianic revelation somewhere in this portion? We are witnessing the transformation of Jacob, who finds himself alone and empty once again, only to discover that he is not alone. There is so much to consider in this portion. Give a...

Of Jacob's dream, stones, and not allowing life experiences to cause decay in your spirit. How are all these subjects connected? What do we learn from them? Why are stones so strongly associated with Jacob? And why are his descendants metaphorically referred to as dust? We cover so much in this study. Give a listen! References: Genesis 28:10-22; Genesis 29:10-11; Genesis 35:20; Genesis 49:24-...

The "limp" of Isaac. What was it? Where did it come from? And what does it teach us? Isaac faced many trails and tribulations from outside and inside his own house, how was he able to endure these? How was Isaac able to remain Isaac? How is Isaac a revelation of the Gospel? References: Genesis 25. 

The life of Sarah seems to come to an abrupt halt, why? In this portion, we will consider how the Lord restores, draws to Himself, and meets the orphaned and the outcast at the well. May this be an encouragement to you.  References: Genesis 23:1; 24:62; Genesis 16:11-12; John 7:37-39; Genesis 25:1. 

As the life of Abraham continues to unfold, he and Sarah celebrate the announcement, the birth, and ultimately the dedication of Isaac. Additionally, they must make decisions, difficult decisions that serve as examples of faithfulness for us. There is, however, an interesting connection in two words that sound very similar, but have two very different meanings. What do these two words reveal to us...

Pharaoh stands upon the Nile in his dream, but a young Hebrew will rescue Egypt. What do we learn from the life of Pharaoh and Joseph in Messianic faith?  Genesis 41:1; John 6. 

The portion of Lech Lecha is packed with insight into a covenant life of a faith when called by God. It includes Abraham's victories and failures. We begin with an overview of the portion, then we focus on a lesson from the life of Hagar.  References: Genesis 12:1-3, 6; 14:8; and 16. Matthew 25. 

How does the tower generation reveal the Gospel, and the fulfillment of the promises of God?  References: Genesis 6:9; 1:28; 9:1; 11:1-9. 

Can a wanderer settle? As we open our study of the weekly Torah portions, we first look at the life and meaning of Cain. What do we learn from his life, and where does it direct us? There are some amazing textual clues leading us to a deeper understanding of Cain's life, and ultimately our own.  References: Genesis 1:1-6:8; Genesis 4:8-17; Matthew 11:28-30; 1 Peter 2:11-12. 

Under the fig tree, God sees me.  References: John 1:43-51; Micah 4:3-4. 

Not every limp is an injury, sometimes it's the touch of God.  References: Genesis 32:25; 2 Corinthians 12:9; Romans 8:37. 

The wisdom of many worries. An old Yiddish proverb that sounds strange, but there is wisdom here.  References: Psalm 118:24; Matthew 6:34

When you feel like you may have messed up so badly as to be excluded from what God is doing, remember two words: "and Peter." Reference: Mark 16:7

Over the past several weeks we have considered the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives: Who sent Him? His Working in us. His washing of us. And now, His seal.  References: Ephesians 1:3-14; Exodus 40. 

How can we sing a song of praise while in captivity, during a season of trail or correction? The answer we find in Psalm 137 and 138. Give a listen.

What is the Work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of messianic disciples? As we prepare for the fall feasts during the month of Elul, we need to be aware of the washing of the Holy Spirit, not just in this season, but in every season until Messiah's return.  References: Ephesians 5:21-33; 2 Corinthians 11:2; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11.