You
have read through our statement of purpose, but why does this ministry exist
and on what scriptures do we stand?
Let me start with scripture, Isaiah 56: 6-8. I encourage you to read these
words in your own bible before going on.
Isaiah speaks of the "foreigner". In Hebrew this term is
used for a people that are not related by blood, but are living among you,
as one of you, obeying the laws of your land. Could this be the people that
are being spoken of in
Romans 11?
Here are the responsibilities of these people:
1. Join themselves to God's family
2. Love God
3. Do His work
4. Keep and not profane Shabbat (Saturday)
5. Hold fast to God's covenants
Here are the promises that
they can stand on.
1. Bring them to my holy mountain. Do you desire to go to Israel? Here is
the promise of a way.
2. Make them joyful. Wow, could the church use an honest dose of this one.
3. Our offerings and sacrifices will be accepted. Now stay with me. Have you
ever felt that what you were doing and giving was just not being noticed?
Be truthful.
4. The house of God is not complete without the foreigner. It is an honor
to be part of the family and His plans.
There is so much more within those words
for each of us, but "shema", (hear intelligently). The words of
the Rabbis that are so fitting here:"through doing, comes understanding".
Start to live the responsibilities and watch the promises flow.
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| The other question is why
we use the word "Hashem", which literally means "The Name".
There are a number of reasons, the first being respect. For too long the world,
and unfortunately the church have used the names of God in a manner that could
be termed "in vain". Mankind has lost respect for the creator of
the universe and for His name. God has many names that He has used thru the
centuries to introduce Himself to mankind. With each name was another attribute
of who He is. There is no doubt that we can not comprehend all that He is
at one time. A favorite Jewish author said it like this, "If I understood
all that He is, I would be Him". There is no way that man will ever comprehend
the Almighty, yet man has thru the centuries tried to bring Him down to our
level, many times thru familiarity of His names.
The use of the term Hashem is to encompass each of His names and give reverence
to all that He is. The wonderful part that is added on though is that I also
have the right as one of His children to call Him Abba, Father, Daddy.
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