Sound of heart! The widow's mite!

1 Corinthians 11:30 states, “For this reason, many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep.”

I don't think there is any great mystery in understanding what Paul is bringing out by mentioning these three items because we all know what it feels like to be weak and sick and, for some of us, what it feels like to be dying. However, a misapplication or misunderstanding of 1 Corinthians 11:30 (“weak, sick, and sleep”) has caused many to enter Passover with considerable doubt, uneasiness, and fear.

Let’s examine “weak and sick” more closely to see what we might glean to help encourage a more balanced application and understanding of this verse as we prepare for Passover. 

Handout: Passover Preparation and Self-Examination

The sifting process is a separation process, most often used to find the good. You can look below the sifter and see the bad and what needs to be discarded, but what shows up on top of the sifter is the good. Sifting is a type of examination.

Passover and the Passover season are about Self-sifting, self-examination, judging ourselves, and asking Christ, with mercy and grace, to sift us gently so that we might see the areas that we cannot see on our own: the good and the bad, the gold and the dirt, the wheat and the chaff.

When considering Paul's admonition in 1 Corinthians 11:27-34 that we examine ourselves, that we discern the Lord’s body, there are five broad statements made by Paul:

1. We bring judgment on ourselves
2. We don’t judge ourselves
3. We are judged by God
4. We are chastened by the Lord
5. We may be condemned with the world

Where do we stand as we judge ourselves?

Handout: Discerning the Lord’s Body – The “I AM” – Part 1 - Iconology and Symbology

I Corinthians 11:28-29, "28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body."

Paul says that we must examine ourselves to make sure we are discerning the Lord’s Body…discerning Christ as God in His wholeness.

In our examination process, we must, as part of the Passover preparation, make certain we grasp how vastly different EVERYTHING about who Jesus Christ was and is—His pre-existence as God, God in the Flesh, God in Death, God in the Resurrection, and God as He is NOW—and to make a distinction with the awe and reverence that is due!

Is there any iconology or symbology in our worship of Christ that clouds our purity in discerning Christ's body on Passover? 

If we do not discern the Lord's body, we may eat the bread and drink the wine—and still be guilty of Christ’s blood and body.

Teach us to number our days!

ASD&R stands for Annulment, Separation, Divorce, and Remarriage.

Handout for Part 13 - ASD&R - Separation

http://wpb.cogwa.org/uploads/Marriage_-_Part_13_ASDR_-_Part_1_-_Separation_-_Handout.pdf

What does Christ teach us about marital separation? Often, we may criticize the Sadducees and Pharisees because of their continual testing and harassment of Jesus Christ and His disciples. Their harassment, however, did allow the addition of their questions and Christ’s reply to Holy Scripture. Christ's reply to their questions provides a deeper understanding of the important topic of Marital Separation.

The True Bread!

ASD&R stands for Annulment, Separation, Divorce, and Remarriage. Has the church and the ministry been given some level of authority or responsibility to pass judgment regarding the marriage state of an individual in the church? And what does Annulment mean, and when can it come into effect in a marriage?

Staying focused on the Plan of God!

Believing in God Through Yourself and Believing in Yourself Through God!

Lie #6: You will be like God...Knowing Good.

Lie #7: You will be like God...Knowing Evil.

These last two lying deceptions by Satan were intended to make Adam and Eve become like him, not like God. Knowing evil spoiled the good life God intended. Why? Because evil brings pain, grief, sadness, soreness, martyrdom, and sorrow. And if you don’t have the character of God to distinguish between what is good and what is evil, and to resist the evil, you will bring evil upon yourself and upon others just like Satan brought it upon Himself through sin and spread it to Adam and Eve! God the Father and Jesus Christ knew the results of evil, and now mankind would too—not just through knowledge, but sadly through experience because of their own choice to sin.

Lie #5: You will be like God.

This was a HUGE lie by Satan! Adam and Eve were already LIKE God….God had made them in His image after His likeness. Gen. 1:26 "Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness...” 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them."

Satan told this deceptive lie to convince them that being made in the image of God and according to God’s likeness was not good enough; they needed more, and He could give it to them NOW.

Do you really believe?

The sacrifices God requires of His people.

A most important aspect of our faith!

Lie #4: Your eyes will be opened

Satan finally got Eve to consider the lie that if she listened to him and ate the forbidden fruit, her ability to see and understand the truth would not only be greatly enhanced but her life would be vastly improved.

But the outcome for Adam and Eve was being ashamed. Not truth, but shame! Not peace, but shame! Not healing, but shame! Not knowledge, but shame! They fled from God, ashamed, not because of their nakedness, but because of their sin for breaking God's law!

Don't be "bsw" (bwush), ashamed in your marriage!

Lie #3: In the day you eat of it

Satan promised Adam and Eve immediacy of splendor and reward, a QUICK FIX, which he could not deliver, nor was it God’s intent to deliver immediately. “In the day you eat of it---WA-LA!”, splendor and reward—all of your problems…GONE!

But God was looking to create the CHARACTER of God in Adam and Eve. The character of God, by definition, cannot be bestowed. With the WORD of God, the Power of HIS Holy Spirit, time, crosses to bear, and hard work, we can develop the character of God by CHOOSING life! A good or godly Marriage requires hard work, commitment, sacrifice, loyalty, and humility.

Satan gave Adam and Eve FALSE, LYING expectations. Eat it now, grab it now, don’t wait, you can have it all right now….no line, no waiting, no work, no effort, no sacrifice required, no character required. The day you eat of it….PRESTO! All you have to do this eat this one time.

Satan lies to convince husbands and wives that solving problems in marriage, which every marriage has, is a matter of finding and applying a quick fix, and you will have immediate results.

The primary cause, the number 1 cause of sin and problems in marriage is Satan. That is not an excuse for the wrongs that we choose to do. Satan, however, is crafty, shrewd, and subtle, and he went to Eve first, I believe, knowing that she could leverage her physical attributes with Adam.

Satan will use and leverage whatever tactic will work in your marriage to soil the Hoberet and shake loose the Bronze clasps that hold it together.

In part 7, we begin to analyze problems in marriage, and the 7 lies of Satan in the context of marriage as told by him in Genesis 3:4-5.

Lie #1: You will not surely die

Lie #2: For God knows

In Deuteronomy 16:1 - 17, Moses reviews the plan of God through the Holy Days, speaking specifically about the 3 Feasts or seasons when the children of Israel migrated from their home to assemble before the Lord. Greater detail is provided in Leviticus 23. The question I pose is: “Are there admonitions given by Moses at the conclusion of the Feast Days that are instructive and intended for us today?” Yes, there absolutely are!!!!

Update on the Feast of Tabernacles 2023 in Malawi and Zimbabwe.

Maintaining Our First Love

The Reality of Satan. 

We will have the opportunity to spend eight days with the individual members, each with whom we will share time, space, handshakes, hugs, smiles, nods, food, drinks, laughs, stories, songs, work assignments, etc., during the Feast of Tabernacles. Jesus Christ says through Paul that “we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.” 

What does that mean? And what does that mean in terms of our relationships, our thoughts, our attitudes, and our interactions with one another today and over the upcoming Holy Days? What does that mean in terms of our responsibility to those we will meet at the Feast of Tabernacles, as well as to your individual physical and spiritual family members here in our local congregation?

Are you living the majority of your life based on the reality of today, or are you living based on the reality of the Feast of Trumpets? May God speed the reality of this day, this Feast of Trumpets!

Becoming unworthy.

On The Day of the Lord where will you be?

The Greatest Commandment

What does comparable mean from a wife’s perspective? What would God have women to understand about themselves from this power word, comparable? And what would God have the men to understand about this word, from the woman’s perspective?

For a wife to assume her role as a helper comparable to him, requires great love and humility on her part. For a husband to accept his role as head and to recognize the wife’s role as comparable (a prominent spiritual guide and help to him), requires tremendous love and humility on his part.

Roles From Creation Handout

The first two reasons that Christ gives for WHY He made Eve were: 1) to maintain goodness and 2) to eliminate loneliness. These two larger roles of women and wives can be expanded to 6 incredible roles or Godly characteristics: 1. To be good 2. To be prosperous 3. To be beautiful 4. To feel good 5. To be pleasing 6. To eliminate loneliness.

Based on our culture, upbringing, and the dynamics of the family unit or the absence of a family unit in which we were raised, we each likely have different concepts of marital roles. But the marriage institution is God's institution, so it's vital that we understand what God has to say on the topic of roles in marriage. Part 4 examines the joint roles given to man and woman, and the initial roles of the man/husband as given to Adam.

1. Be thankful for sufficiency.   2. Be mindful of excess.  3. Be willing to give.

Don’t take God’s sufficiency for granted. God is watching!

Tumbling Tumbleweeds!

Ephesians 5:32 - This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 

How does the Sanctuary represent the marriage union between man and woman, and Christ and the Church? Marriage is a Holy institution, a Holy Sanctuary, and we will see a perspective as to why!

Part 3 covers three topics as we delve a little deeper into this great mystery of marriage:

1.    So verses Because (Repentance Matters)
2.    Rebellious and Stiff-necked (God is Our Witness)
3.    Your Companion by Covenant (The Sanctuary)

Tears, Weeping, and Crying. 

Malachi is pointing out that the second area of great offense to the institution of marriage occurs when we are before God in prayer. He immediately begins to recognize the emotion that accompanies this institution—and we must be aware of and cautioned regarding emotions that saturate marriage. 

When marriages fail or are failing, there is normally tremendous sorrow and heartache. We may be sorry when we fail or come up short in many other areas of life, but when we have major troubles or fail in marriage or by extension, child raising, which is an integral part of the marriage institution, emotions rage in marriage, unlike no other institution.

Marriage--A Divine Institution Ordained of God Love, Friendship, Love, Marriage, Love, Death, Love. That was way too long and too confusing for a title to the series. Hence the acronyms of LFL-M-LDL. Ultimately this is a series about love which is the character of God (God is love), and through this series, we will touch on multiple aspects of the divine institution of marriage. The series will be multiple parts spanning over several months, but I want to take the time to be thorough and purposeful in our study. The goal is to improve current marriages and increase the likelihood of successful marriages going forward. I wish I could wave a magic wand to produce and more perfect and happier marriage because I would start by waving it at myself and my wife, but that magic wand doesn't exist. Possessing knowledge doesn’t equal a happy marriage; a happy marriage requires work, and during this series, we will define many aspects of that work.

There are many lessons and instructions in righteousness that we can glean from the book of Philemon, but the primary lesson is on reconciliation. Whether you look at the book of Philemon from the perspective of Onesimus as a Slave, Bondservant, or Brother, in life, we will have the opportunity to be the Onesimus who needs reconciliation, Philemon who can extend reconciliation, or Paul who can mediate reconciliation. Reconciliation…a skill and characteristic that God expects to see in us as His future Kings and Priests.

Why is God mindful of man?

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Love not sleep. Awake to righteousness.

Broken Parent. Broken Family. What Would God Have Me To Do? This question was asked by young adults...and this presentation provides some answers.

What does "Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit" mean, how is this sin committed, and why is a person not forgiven of this sin, either in this age or the age to come? (Matthew 12:31-32)

It is God's Holy Spirit that helps us to maintain our relationship with God the Father and Jesus Christ, a relationship that is founded on the love of God, which is the keeping of God's commandments. God’s Holy Spirit is our helper, not a person, but the power of God that has always been made available by God to His little ones to help us, particularly in times of need and trouble.

The evidence in Scripture is overwhelming that there are not three personages that make up the Godhead forming what traditional Christianity terms the Trinity. The Godhead is not made-up of God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, 3 personages. The Bible is clear and overwhelming that the Godhead is made up of God the Father and Jesus Christ—only!

“Neither the word “Trinity” nor the explicit doctrine appears in the New Testament...” Encyclopedia Britannica

Mark 13:35–37 (NKJV) 35 Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning—36 lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”

There is enough to watch without being consumed with trying to figure the day, time, and hour that Christ said we would not know. But we can watch the seasonal changes…and there are changes in the prophetic airs of current events. Let us WATCH and be Ready for whatever unfolds, whenever it does.

John 17:18–19 (NKJV) 
18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. 

It is one thing to realize that we are in the world and that Jesus Christ prays that we not be taken out of the world. But it's another level of spiritual insight and depth to realize that Jesus Christ has sent us into the world, that He has sent us into the cauldron. We're not just here existing in the cauldron struggling to make our way through life for the benefit of ourselves; we have been SENT into the cauldron, into this world by Jesus Christ—AS Jesus Christ was also sent by the Father into the cauldron. So, it compels us to give some thought to the reason, purpose, objective, and outcome for which Jesus Christ was sent by the Father into the cauldron as an explanation and purpose for why we are in the cauldron.

Becoming a profitable Servant

One of the most profound statements about being in the cauldron is that Christ did not pray that we should be taken out of the world, out of the cauldron. Christ wants us to be kept from the evil one while in the cauldron! This life brings about a mess of trials, hurts, pains, sorrows, confusion, depression, and deaths.  But there is a difference between dealing with all of that and keeping ourselves, with God’s help, from the evil one.

As part of the examination process in life and prior to Passover, look up out of the cauldron and 3) Thank God for the Truth of His Word. The world has rejected the Word of God as Truth. We have a calling, we have a ministry, we have been sanctified or set apart by God’s Truth to be the keepers and believers of God’s Word, who live not by the bread of life in the cauldron, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.

The Potter and the clay.

What if this were all there is? I mean, this life! Are you excited about the future if this life is it? Life is a cauldron. But for those called by God, we are expected to look up out of the cauldron of life with our lens of Scripture firmly in place to see not only the meaning of the chess game where we are expendable pawns as we swash around in this cauldron, but also see the true purpose of this life and embrace our role as future kings and priest, in training, for everlasting life in the future Kingdom of God.

Peter, of all individuals, understood the roller coaster that a faithful, knowledgeable child of God would go through at times as God forms us and shapes us to be useful tools in His hands. We have faith, but must continually add to our faith, and remember that we have been cleansed from our old sins. We must prepare in advance for life's trials and temptations so we do not stumble. Peter wants us to make our call and election sure, Right Now!

Are you making your calling and election sure—Right Now? 

As you know, none of us can change the past. We can change our or others’ perspectives of the past, but the truth and the facts of the past are the facts of the past. As to the future, so much of it is uncertain. We can influence the future based on the decisions we make today; we can increase the possibility of certain events taking place based on what we do at any given time. But we cannot see, perfectly clear, the future, the facts of the future. What we have the ability and capacity to change is the right now. Our actions, attitude, perspective, and heart right now can make a difference right now and in the future. So, where are your eyes and heart right now? Are you making your calling and election sure—Right Now? 

Presentation of the Foundation International Sponsored 2016 Tour of Isreal. 

This is a presentation of Foundation Outreach International, the Service Leadership Academy, combined with the Feast of Tabernacles in India and Sri Lanka. Mr. Jackson also shares his previous humanitarian work in India. 

Isn't it comforting to know that the sins that we have been forgiven of will never count against us? And as long as we repent without being deceitful, when we go to God and ask for the forgiveness of our sins, God in His grace can extend that forgiveness.

In Part 4, the final part of this series, we review Scriptures where Aphiemi is translated as Forgiven.

What does is mean to be Forgiven? 
What does it mean to be Forgiven, but healing is not granted?
What are the responsibilities of the Forgiven?

Anyone who believes they have cornered the knowledge of God on any subject is sadly mistaken. We just try to peal layers of understanding as the Bible is revealed through God’s Holy Spirit. 

Forgiveness – Do you Need it? Do you GIVE it? I pray the answer to both is YES!

Like other characteristics of God, forgiveness has several layers that range from very simple to very complex. That is why God speaks of both the milk of the word and the meat of the word. As we examine the spiritual characteristic of forgiveness, most often, it is not a simple or easy characteristic of God to understand or implement. We're trying to see the quality of sincerity in forgiveness; the expression of singleness of purpose or motivation of forgiveness; the sincerity of forgiveness in the heart, and the desire of the heart to seek forgiveness. This is not a trivial subject, but one that the people of God should endeavor to understand and implement God's way.

The Greek word for forgive in the New Testament is Aphiemi. There is a lot to understand from this word. Does God expect us to forgive AND forget? Does God demand or require that you always forgive? What is the Bible’s answer to these questions, and what else can we learn regarding the spiritual act of forgiveness?

One of the most difficult acts of love we can express towards another as human beings, particularly when we are really hurt by someone, or guilty of hurting someone, is forgiveness. Part 1 begins with defining what forgiveness is in the Old Testament (Hebrew), then moves on to the New Testament in Part 2. Part 1 and Part 2, analyze some of the more esoteric meanings of the spiritual gift of forgiveness.

A heart of wisdom and Psalm 90.

Many of us have forgotten what it means or what it is like to be happy. The world, and all the challenges of life that we deal with, make it so difficult to just be happy. What does the Bible say are the keys or ingredients to happiness in the hope that we can all, during the day, week, month, or year experience the blessing of happiness?

Unconditional surrender.

A part of our calling as sons and daughters of God is to be secure enough in God’s grace to conquer our fear of failure. Do not try to hide or conceal your failures. Do not be discouraged by your failures. Do not let your fear of failure keep you from attempting great things for God. We are called to be free enough in our faith to take the risks that bring reward. We all must realize that we are free to fail when we put forth an honest, Godly effort to succeed.

In-person Sabbath Services were canceled on October 22, 2022, for the Miami and West Palm Beach Congregations. In its place, Mr. David Jackson provides a brief update on the Feast of Tabernacles in Kolkata, India, and Negombo, Sri Lanka, where he served this year. After Mr. Jackson's presentation is the sermon by Dr. Ralph Levy titled "The Greatest Miracle -- The Resurrection of the Dead."

The Feast of Trumpets…So What! What difference does the Feast of Trumpets make in my life anyway? 

That may be a question some teens may be thinking. I know those thoughts came to mind while sitting in church at times, especially in the 13 to 17-year-old range. 

The truth is that there are answers to that question provided in Scripture and history that are the same…young or old! The answers don’t change that much over time, but our physical and spiritual maturity does. The prayer is that our young people are patient enough with God’s work in their life to come to the place where the Feast of Trumpets is priceless—as it is for those in God’s Church who are looking forward to the return of Jesus Christ.

Sound the alarm. The Day of the Lord is NEAR!

Do we believe that Jesus Christ is at the throne of God doing for us, through the power of the Holy Spirit, on a daily basis, what He did for those he communed with face-to-face while on earth? We must count our blessings as a witness to the work of God in our lives. We have no greater friend than Jesus Christ, and we must know and believe that no matter the challenges of life, even if it leads to an untimely death, Christ shall come again, with His reward to bless those who do His commandments. Christ is the same, yesterday, today, and forever.

The resurrection of Lazarus provides insight into the character of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He groaned, was trouble, and wept. But why? And at what point during Christ's interaction with Mary, Martha, and the Jews regarding the resurrection of Lazarus do you believe? Do you have to see Lazarus come forth from the tomb for you to truly believe?

In Part 3, we deal with the grief of death and the disappointment in Christ that Mary and Martha expressed to Jesus Christ’s seemingly slow response to their urgent plea. Although knowledgeable of the incredible truth of the resurrection, their response is not unlike ours—where is Christ when needed Him most? What more can we learn about ourselves and the love of God from this “great cloud of witnesses”?

Handout: Christ's Love and the Resurrection of Lazarus - Part 3 - Jesus to Bethany, Days of Expiration

Today, Christ is with His Father at the throne of God—a great distance from us. But that distance does not limit Christ’s ability to come to our aid. Jesus Christ is not in Bethany when he hears of Lazarus’ sickness; Jesus Christ already knew that Lazarus was sick; Jesus Christ knew that His sickness was not unto death; Jesus Christ knew that His sickness was for the glory of His Father—and Jesus Christ is the same today, yesterday, and forever. 

Handout: Christ's Love and the Resurrection of Lazarus - Part 1 and 2 Outline

Let God transform you by changing the way you think!

The events and history recorded in Scripture not only provide us with an appreciation for the primary lessons or themes of the Bible, but with careful reading and study of the lives of the individual people involved, their interactions with each other as servants of God, and with God the Father and Jesus Christ, our understanding is unlimited in what God is doing and can do in our lives. This series walks through one such event with the purpose of gaining a deeper appreciation for and increasing our faith in the resurrected Jesus Christ’s direct and personal interest and involvement in your daily life.

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials". Are we really supposed to be happy with the trials we suffer through in life? If that is the case, should I be asking for more trials or harsher trials? What did James mean by those words? The answer may surprise you.

Plan your spiritual victories.

Don't jump to conclusions. Why did Jesus weep?

In the final part of the series, two areas are discussed: 1) Only the High Priest was allowed behind the veil into the Holy of Holies, where the Ark of the Covenant was, a single time of year on the Day of Atonement. 2) On this Day of Atonement, the presence of God would dwell above the Mercy Seat between the Cherubim of Glory to meet and speak with the High Priest. The High Priest was there reverencing the Holiness of God to have the sins of the congregation of Israel forgiven.

Because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we can come directly to the Throne of Grace in Heaven. These rituals and the rituals God expects us to keep today teach us that “You are the Temple of God”. May we never forget that—and forever, and ever, and ever reverence the Holiness of God.

Handout: Temple Diagram - Part 8

The Mercy Seat, the gold cover of the  Ark of the Covenant, was pure gold. It was a place of mercy, a place of atonement, and was spiritual or heavenly in nature…as indicated by the cherubim of glory, which was ONE piece with the Mercy Seat. There are just not enough words to describe it. But, presented are 7 wonderful aspects of this incredible item that was in the Holy of Holies!

Handout: Temple Diagram - Part 7

Afraid to fear!

It is the love of God, the character of God, the Spirit of God in us, or working with us to help us keep the Commandments of God, and allow what others see externally, to be what God wants us to be internally. 

The Holy Spirit is the Character of God on one hand, versus Damnation on the other! It is a choice we all must make!

Water and the Spirit of God

Pentecost is also a heart thing.

Of the three items in the Ark, the tablets were likely the most significant because the Ark itself was named based on the tablets. The tablets represented the testimony; the tablets represented the covenant. The two tablets are a witness to the existence of God and the promise of Eternal Life!

Handout: Temple Diagram - Part 6

Hebrews 9:4-5 highlights seven items in the Holy of Holies, and in Part 5, we glean lessons from the first four: the Golden Censer, the Ark of the Covenant, the Golden Pot that had Manna, and Aaron's Rod that Budded. Hebrews 9:5 states that they could not speak of these items in detail. So whatever we are able to glean is only a fraction of all that was there, and a sliver of what God even reveals to us in Scripture. But, what is revealed is instructive and humbling.

Handout: Temple Diagram - Part 5

The depth and symbolic meaning of the veil and all that it represented and represents, is beyond comprehension. Understanding that the veil was the flesh of Christ that He and the Father willingly gave for us, thereby cleansing us and providing ongoing repentance for our sins, and giving us access to the Holy of Holies, the throne of the Ever-Living God, through prayer, making possible our own Eternal Life through our future resurrection, is overwhelming and without words to express.

Handout: Temple Diagram - Part 4

Rituals teach us that the Temple of God is Holy, whose temple YOU are! The Holy Place and the objects in it are filled with meaning and significance to our spiritual life. The Table and Showbread, Golden Lampstand and Oli, and the Altar of Incense show us the Holiness of God and the holiness that we must become.

Handout: Temple Diagram - Part 3

Rituals Teach us that The Temple of God is Holy, whose Temple You Are! The importance of our recognizing the Holiness of God and the relationship to our obedience to keep the Commandments of God, the weekly Sabbath, the Annual Feasts of God, and all of the ritual worship of God that is required of us from God, is made profoundly clear when we look at God's detailed instructions regarding the Temple of God in the Old Testament.

Handout: Temple Diagram - Part 2

Have a forgiving spirit and attitude!

By keeping the physical rituals, including the weekly Sabbath and all of the Feast of the Lord, as commanded by God, we learn to Reverence the Holiness of God. 1. Rituals Teach us that God is to be Feared. 2. Rituals Teach us that God is to be Revered.

Handout: Temple Diagram - Part 1

The false concept of us not being worthy to keep the Passover, not being clean enough, pure enough, or holy enough is false and dangerous. If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, repented of your sins, were baptized, and received God’s Holy Spirit, not only do you need to keep the Passover, but you MUST keep the Passover. Therefore, keep the Passover.

The blood of Christ.

None of us can ever be considered a true and faithful servant of God unless we repent. It is not a matter of us living without sin, none of us are able to accomplish that feat; it's a matter of us having faith in Jesus Christ and truly repenting of our sins as we strive to be the reflection of Jesus Christ that God calls on us to be! Christ says…Luke 5:32 - I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

It is humbling and profound that Jesus Christ began the Passover service with this very powerful, intimate ceremony. The foot-washing ceremony compels us to come before God already clean. Let us consider seven questions from John 13:1-11 to aid in our preparation for the foot-washing ceremony, that we might come before God “Already clean!”.

We must preach the gospel!

The plagues of Egypt remind us how desperately we must come out of  Egypt and come out of sin!

The ultimate cure for discouragement and depression is the healing from the unyielding Love of God. For those caring for, praying for, counseling, or encouraging those who are discouraged or depressed, thank you for doing so with the love of God. To the discouraged and depressed, you must absolutely know that God loves you and will see you through whatever the problem is— and God will, in His time, restore you. It all comes down to the tremendous love of God!

We learn from Ephesians 4 that God gave some to be pastors and teachers or better stated, teaching shepherds or shepherds who teach. A pastor, by profession, not a psychologist, psychiatrist, or medical doctor. A pastor is one whose profession focuses on teaching God’s Word for the edification or building up in love those called by God. When we look at the role of Elihu in the book of Job, he seems to fit the role of pastor, or teaching shepherd rather perfectly. What can we learn from this young pastor about discouragement and depression?

We shall behold Him! At the end of the message please listen to the wonderful rendition of We Shall Behold Him by Patti Sandy.

Link to "We Shall Behold Him" by Sandi Patty 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZ3H3lg9NZM

The other sign of Jonah.

His story is our story.

Job’s three friends’ initial intent was to come to him, mourn with him, and comfort him. But that is not what happened. As a result, what wisdom can we glean by examining their interaction with Job at this tragic time in his life? What should we consider doing or avoiding when helping, counseling, or caring for a friend enduring severe depression and discouragement?