Living Torah

I’m not a priest! I’m not a Jew! I’m not a man! I’m not a woman! Those statements can cause us to compartmentalize Scripture. Some instructions may not apply, but they can all teach.

Unauthorized fire can only lead to one thing; death. Just what are we looking to for our life here on earth? There is no reason to wait for The Kingdom for a change of life. We can practice Kingdom life while we are yearning for it.

The “Eighth Day” points us to a time in which the leprosy of this world will be forever in the past. But, do we have to wait till that day to enjoy the benefits of it today? Why the affliction anyway? Is it punishment or grace beyond our comprehension?

The offerings are not about themselves, but rather pointing us to a greater message. The question is not, what are the offerings about but rather Who are the offerings about. Unauthorized fire? Dietary laws? What is the heart of the matter?

Scripture paints a beautiful picture of a house, a people and a destination. The central focus on the painting is the Master of the house who gave of Himself as the lamb and will one day establish His rule as the lion. What does a baby’s birth teach us about this house and the people of the house?

The form of the Tabernacle is complete. Now it is time to reveal the function of it. The function is to be a revelation; a revelation of what? Is the revelation actually a what or is it a who? Knowing that answer is life changing!

Time to assemble again. This time it will be for the right reason, the right Shepherd, the right King. The people will embrace the giving, the work, the function and the purpose. The underlying problem, which is not revealed yet would become their demise. Let’s not make it ours!

How many sermons and teachings have been brought forth on the golden calf by people living golden calves? What is this calf about and what was the sin or sins which allowed it to be brought forth? Mixtures, calves, heading back to Egypt? How close are “We” to repeating history?

A change is made from volunteer to order. Why? What is the reason for being instructed to bring olive oil and not bread or something else? What do olives and olive oil teach us about out walk today?

The Tabernacle teaches of a theme which spans the pages of Scripture. Just to consider that Yah had and does have a need is more than most can comprehend, but when we do, it not only changes the way we think, but the very way we live.

When you purchase a Hebrew slave? At first glance, this seems wrong on so many levels. Let’s take a step back and see the amazing message of a man who is invited to go from a worker in the house to a friend of the master of the house. Blood mixes with blood at the place of hearing the words of the house.

Moshe is given a special gift in his father-in-law Jethro. That gift is able to be due to a revelation Jethro received. Never underestimate the poser of your testimony. Ten words to live by? Without a revelation of the first word, the rest will be lived out of convenience instead of conviction.

The Hebrews leave Egypt with gold, silver and wagons full of “Stuff.” Stored safely in one of those wagons are the bones of Joseph. We may not all make it alive into His Kingdom, but rest assured, your bones will not stay in exile! “Who is like you?” Those are words not just for a great song, but words to ponder every moment of life.

Moshe is told to come to the place Yah is already at. Moshe is being invited to be involved. The same invitation is being sent out today. Are we hearing and responding or setting the invite to the side in the look at later file?The New Moon has brought division and confusion to many. Great blessings to others. Choose your camp!

What is happening in our world today? The answer is spelled out in this weeks Torah portion. We must learn to keep our focus on what is Yah’s focus as we see the mirror image unfold before our eyes.

Joseph is now a distant memory, especially for the Pharoah. The Hebrews may have settled in quite nicely, but times they are a changing and yah is about to step forward and begin the process of fulfilling promises. First on the agenda? A man to work through.

The life of Jacob continues in Egypt. Jacob is given a bit of time to pour his life into his family and those who he comes in contact with. Good reminder for us there. At the end of his life he steps into a prophetic anointing and speaks, not only to his generation, but to ours.

The revelation of Joseph to his brothers is one of the most meaningful and significant prophecies in all of Scripture. There are many lessons to be learned here. But now, what does the rest of the account teach us? Maybe the greatest lesson is focus.

The layers of prophetic significance regarding Joseph are without end. The focus turns to grain and to a young man who brings grain and a goblet back together. Who is this young man and what challenge does he bring to us today?

Over 20 percent of the Genesis is devoted to the life of Joseph. His life unveils one of the greatest prophetic pictures of our day. With each passing year the story remains the same, but the levels of revelation continue to be revealed.

Jacob leaves Laban behind, but his fight is not over. He must now deal with his brother, Esau. What happened during that meeting still effects the family of Israel today. Appeasement takes many faces, but none of them bring forth a righteous outcome. Through it all, Yah is faithful beyond our understanding.

Jacob prepares to go to his grandfather’s land of birth. Scripture records that he went to a certain place and there he found a stone. Was it just a rock that he laid his head upon or was it a revelation which would carry his through his time in exile? The same experience and revelation is available to us today!

Pushing through the jet lag! It is one thing to teach the weekly Torah portions and quite another to live life in the midst of them. We have all heard of the faith of Abraham, but what about the faith of Sarah? Who is the real hero of faith here?

We begin again at the beginning. But, where is the beginning? If purpose precedes production, then where do we actually need to begin? Who will be side with in our day, the spirit of Cain or Abel, which today is being revealed through the “kiss” of Esau to Jacob.

It is time for a song. The word preceding is hear, but is not the word shema. Why use a different word? What is in this song that not only speaks to that generation, but also to our generation? Moshe could have just walked away, but instead spoke a blessing. Would we have had such grace?

Moshe is nearing his end. He must climb a mountain and die before the Hebrews can enter in. Is the death of leaders prophetic in our day? Will we see new leaders rising up with a focus, not on exile, but on The Land? Why is Matthew 25 after Mathew 24? The answer is in the picture The Feasts paint for us.

Standing on the edge of entering The Land, the Hebrews must now see themselves for who they are called to be. The same is true of each of us today. In light of recent events in the U.S. allow me to pose a question. Is our relationship with Yah driving our politics or politics driving our relationship?

“When you come in!” Those words should come alive within us today. Before we can go in though, we must engage in the war of His Kingdom coming. Are we engaged or just wanting to slip in by default? “If you?” How about “As I!” What is our attitude toward His instructions?

At first glance, we can look at the commandments and wonder what how they can possibly speak to our lives today. What if we not only look at the words, but the essence of the words? Opens a door for a whole new life and walk.

What is the difference between justice and righteousness? Which are we to pursue? Just what are we fearful of in this life? In light of eternity, what really matters?

“Consider Your ways!” Those may be the words of the prophet Haggai, but they provide a great backdrop to the teachings of Moshe this week. Are we prepared to be peculiar in the eyes of the world so as to be unique in the eyes of our Creator?

The first few words of “Because” paint a beautiful picture of our lives and our destination. Whose voice are we focused on today? Remember back to the days of record albums and when the needle got stuck in a groove? Kick all a person wants, my needle is not moving from this groove!

Moshe pleaded to go into the land. Why did he plead? Was it just about seeing the sites or a longing for something greater? What should his desire bring forth in our lives? The “Shema”. Why are these words so special?

With the turn of a page, we enter into the final words of Moshe. What insights have we learned regarding this man that may help us in our own lives? Just who is he talking to? What is the purpose of his words to a people who were to young to remember what he was talking about?

The Hebrews stand on the bank of stepping into the promises of Yah. Two tribes will come up short. Yes, they will be living in the “Biblical borders”, but not in the “today borders.” Why should Yah force a people into a place they don’t want to go? Am I speaking of then or now? Yes!

We take a closer look at the situation that lead to Pinchas coming forward. The meaning of his name gives not only a great insight into his life and calling, but also how we should be leading our own lives. Moshe is given the death sentence. His response is one that challenges me to my core.

The Torah portion of Balam always takes me back to memories of a simpler life. Popsicles orange juice cans and flannel graph were the items of the day. A talking donkey was the star performer. But, what about the battle that was going on then? What about the battle that continues to this day? Yah will prevail through a people who refuse to let their guard down. 

Would we want our lives defined only by our mistakes? Please bear with me as I pay tribute to a man who helped form my life, Jimmie Swaggart. His recent death causes me to look at those in Scripture, like Moshe and David, who failed. The consequences were great for them, but we should not define them by their failures, lest we also be tempted. 

What was Korah actually rebelling against? What is the true sin of Korah? Is his sin being repeated today and if so, how can we keep from entering into it? In the end, we are the ones responsible for our outcome.

A brief report on camp leads us to the Torah portion and current events. Indifference to The Land is the same sin as rejecting of The Land. In the end, did the 10 reject The Land or did The Land reject them?

A special guest joins me from a report on camp. Are we still moving forward or become a bit stagnate? Bit shorter teaching this week as so much is happening in the mountains of North Carolina!

Is there really a place of significance to those who feel they have been cast out or divorced from Yah? The answer is found in the name Gershon. Each of us have a part in his Kingdom and He desires to put His name on us to prove it.

The Book of Numbers. The uncharted territory of exile. Our journey in and through exile is a test. Our outcome will be our final grade. It will also be an answer to Yeshua’s question found in the Book of Luke.

How can a person say they love God, but have no interest in the things and people He loves? Is lip service enough? How about a very simple challenge to dream based upon a few verses which speak of our future?

Living to a higher standard is what Yah calls us to, but people are not always on board. Some will even be offended by your desire. The Festivals again? How do we approach this chapter? Is it with awe or familiarity?

The Protocal of Awe! The path to intimacy with Yah has to be within the boundaries and protocol He has set in Scripture. When we follow His path we become a people worthy of not only entering into our destination, but remaining in our destination.  

Not only do we turn to “That Torah portion”, but this year we have “Those Torah portions” together as one. After all, the message is always one. What is the message? The Father loves us enough to discipling us! What will our response be? Will we focus on the rotten fruit or deal with the root?

The first word of this Torah portion can be passed over so quickly, but sets the stage for all that is written after it.  Why was the offering specific to the eighth day? What is the strange fire and how does that lead into Chapter 11? It is not only important to do, but to know why we do.

“When You Order” The words seem almost sterile at first glance. The actual beauty of these words lead to an amazing revelation which speaks not only to our very being, but also to our daily lives. Have you ever considered the emptiness of the word, thanks or the words, thank you?

Passover. We are told in Scripture to tell the story of the events of this amazing day. Is the story only about Egypt though? What if the story begins in the Garden and leads throughout history into the Millennium? How can we sum up this story in one word?