每週一妥拉（住棚節特別讀經）+（彼此瞭解(喬納)）
每週一妥拉2013/9/15-9/21
從古時起，世界各地的猶太會堂會一週一次在安息日讀經，從摩西五經（妥拉）到先知的書（先知書）。每週的讀經內容都有一個希伯來名稱，其出自經文內容起頭的字。每週慣例讀經的實例剛好記載在路加福音四章16節，耶穌來到拿撒勒的會堂，讀了一段先知書（以賽亞書61章）。我們發現每週一次閱讀這些內容，不僅提供我們機會，與世界成千上萬的猶太人來確認神話語的內容，在我們為以色列與猶太人的代禱上，聖靈更時常貼切的啟發具體的內容禱告。
因為八天的住棚節期間有一個安息日，週末時會有特別閱讀，在節期這週還有一些額外閱讀，下面這些經文尤其重要：
住棚節第一天
(九月19日)
妥拉
利未記22:26-23:44
民數記29:12-16
先知書
撒迦利亞書14:1-21
住棚節第二天
(九月20日)
先知書
列王記上8:2-21
在住棚節期間，習俗上會讀
傳道書
與
讚美詩
(詩篇113-118)
九月21日
節期中的安息日
妥拉
出埃及記33:12-34:26
民數記29:17-22
先知書
以西結書38:18-39:16
非常有意義的是，住棚節第一天和安息日的先知書閱讀都談到末日災難的發生，那時列國將會聯合起來抵擋以色列。聖潔、屬神的審判會被釋放，主將要『在我民以色列中顯出祂的聖名，也不容祂的聖名再被褻瀆，列國人就知道祂是耶和華─以色列中的聖者』(以西結書39:7)。以色列將認識在她中間她神的聖名(耶穌─以色列歷史上拒絕認識的名，意思是『耶和華拯救』)，而列國需要承認此聖者仍選擇讓祂自己與以色列的地和民連在一起。撒迦利亞書教導我們，列國年年來耶路撒冷參與住棚節慶典，將是承認此的例證(撒迦利亞書14:16-19)。
當人們先知性地參與住棚節慶典，今年耶路撒冷有成千上萬來自列國的信徒，充滿大街小巷，在許多地方同來敬拜讚美。
請禱告：
*求神在此歡慶的一週保護以色列，包括當地的以色列人與同來參與慶典的人。禱告大有能力的讚美被釋放出來，而神會賜下先知性洞見給凡有耳聆聽聖靈對會眾所說的話。
*禱告以色列人發現為了真正『在神面前歡樂七日，他們必須先與那位主建立關係，祂來是要叫『他們的喜樂可以滿足』。
*禱告神的同在會在彌賽亞信徒的棚子裡，他們當中有許多人這週會在棚子裡靈修，許多人也會邀請他們的鄰居來到他們的棚子裡。
*禱告平安和極大的祝福澆灌這週來到耶路撒冷過節的列國信徒，禱告當他們在這地時，釋放主要他們釋放的，領受主要他們領受的。禱告以色列人能瞭解並恩待他們，歡迎並感謝他們能在此時來到此地。
*許多猶太人遵行好客的神秘猶太傳統：在此節期，據說不同族長的靈有時會降臨在忠心來住棚節的客旅身上（這很像早期彌賽亞信徒的勸誡，『不可忘記用愛心接待客旅；因為曾有接待客旅的，不知不覺就接待了天使。』（希伯來書13:2）。
請禱告
耶穌（祂才是族長渴望看見的那位）甦醒與叫人知罪的靈，
會在住棚節期間造訪全世界許多的猶太人！
下週的閱讀進度包括（9/26）歡慶妥拉節：妥拉─申命記33:1-34:12 & 創世記 1:1-2:3；先知書─約書亞記1:1-18；（9/28）起初：妥拉─創世記1:1-6:8；先知書─以賽亞書42:5-43:10。
馬汀和娜瑪•賽維士（Martin & Norma Sarvis）
於耶路撒冷
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大使命Part 36
彼此瞭解
即使全世界正在經歷知識大躍進，真正能瞭解的人並不多。『瞭解』指的是『站在某人的立場下』，將我們放在他們的位置。此多半來自於學習成為一個好的聆聽者，這也不多見。然而，倘若我們要完成大使命帶門徒，我們必須在他們所能接收的程度上得著他們。我們無法教導小學一年級學生幾何學，同樣我們若試圖教老人幾何學，我們便無法得著他們。因此，要帶門徒或學生，我們必須分辨他們目前的接收程度，接下來要學什麼。這需要有所瞭解。
其中一個例子，就是許多基督徒無法瞭解為何非信徒如此相信與期盼政府。若不相信神，人們就沒有別的地方可以信靠。所以我們不應對將政府當作他們問題解答的人感到驚訝，因為沒有人類的政府能夠承受如此重量的信靠，我們也不應對日益上升的不法感到訝異，特別是當人們發現他們的政府無法信靠時。
在我們的卡翠娜颶風基地，我們目睹那些習慣政府供應他們需要的人充滿著無助，這樣的無助給懼怕開了大門，很快懼怕就轉變成暴怒，到一個地步他們甚至開始射殺他們的救援者。
我們投入卡翠娜颶風救援是因為我領受一句從主來的話，就是我們需要經歷在那裡所發生的事，藉以瞭解時候。很快我們就學到一些東西，在這樣的景況中，馬上就知道哪一個團體是為謀生而打拼，哪一個團體則是仰賴政府，二者的相異性非常顯著。
那些為謀生而打拼的人總是神奇地充滿資源，而且似乎很快就可以協助他人，即便他們個人也在災難中經歷損失。在這場悲劇中有一位我心中最偉大的英雄，他是一位年長的黑人，有一晚他搖搖晃晃來到我們的基地。每一個人都以為他喝醉了，但他並沒有醉。在暴風雨期間，他在油井工作而在近海附近被困住，回到家後發現所有家人都死了，他所擁有的一切都被洪水沖走了。他是太過悲傷而看似醉了，這絕對是任何人生命中所能經歷最悲慘的事，但沒幾天他就來廚房幫忙，卸下貨物，並試著安撫他人。當我思想著何為真正崇高的品格，我仍想到這位謙卑的長者。
與此明顯對比的是，那些倚靠政府而來到我們基地的人，往往是一些最令人不快、索取無度的人。倘若他們沒有立刻得到他們所需要的，或要求他們做一些幫忙服務餐點或卸貨等事，他們就暴怒起來。於是我開始瞭解，全世界的政府培養了人們應有權利的心態，最終反而導致前所未有的不法。地上沒有一個政府能夠照他們所嘗試的來滿足人們的需要，對政府的終極失望與理想破滅正臨到我們。
就連心理學都認為，當一個人被剝奪有意義的勞動力時會發瘋。慈惠工作是基督徒生命不可缺少的一環，但慈惠工作照理應是助人工作，過於制度化的慈惠工作卻反而讓人失去人性。為何如此少的人能瞭解我們目前的福利制度把所要幫助的人放進可怕的綑綁中，甚少人能從中掙脫呢？我們本該幫助那些無法自助的人，但我們不該幫助那些可以工作卻不工作的人。
為何我們要在大使命中談到此？神的政府將不會是一個福利政府。使徒保羅說若我們不肯做工，就不可吃飯（參考帖撒羅尼迦後書3:10）。聽起來很嚴苛，但這比人養成依賴習慣要仁慈多了。
政府即將要開始融化成詩篇九十七篇所說的蠟，我們需要為此預備。然而，試圖要成為人們仰賴來源的教會終將失敗，正如社會主義無可避免地垮台一樣。許多基督徒的慈惠工作和服事和社會主義一樣愚昧、毫無助益。我們並不是蒙召成為人們的仰賴來源，而是要引導他們到真正的源頭那裡。沒有人會因為認識某位有信心的人而得救，他們必須擁有個人對神的信心。我們的目標必須是幫助人們行在信心裡，而不是仰賴我們。
(摘自喬納 word for the week, Week 36, 2013)
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This week's Torah Portion:
From ancient times there has been a weekly portion (Parashah) from the first five books of Moses (The Torah) and an ending (Haftarah) from the Prophets read on the Sabbath in synagogues around the world. This portion is given a Hebrew name drawn from the opening words of the Torah passage. An illustration of this practice appears to have been recorded in Luke 4:16 where Yeshua (Jesus) arri ved in the synagogue in Nazareth and was asked to read the portion (Isaiah 61) from the Prophets. We have found that in perusing these weekly readings, not only are we provided opportunity to identify in the context of God's Word with millions of Jewish people around the world, but very often the Holy Spirit will illumine specific passages pertinent that week in our intercession for the Land and people of Israel. All texts are those of English translations of the Scriptures.
Since the eight days ofSukkotextend over a Sabbath, a specialParashahis read on the weekend, and there are also a number of other readings read during the festival week. Among these, the following are especially significant:
1stDay of Sukkot
(19 September 2013)
Torah
Leviticus 22:26-23:44
Numbers 29:12-16
Haftarah
Zechariah 14:1-21
2ndDay of Sukkot
(20 September 2013)
Haftarah
I Kings 8:2-21
DuringSukkotit is customary to read
Qohelet
(The Book ofEcclesiastes)
and
Hallel(High Praise)Psalms
(Psalms 113-118)
21 September 2013
??? ??? ?????
(Shabbat Chol haMoed-Sabbath falling within the Festival)
Torah
Exodus 33:12-34:26
Numbers 29:17-22
Haftarah
Ezekiel 38:18-39:16
It is significant that theHaftarahreadings for bo th the first day of Sukkot and for the following Sabbath include calamitous occurrences of the last days when nations will unite to come against Israel. In the holy, divine judgments released at that time, the LORD".will make My holy name known in the midst of My people Israel, and I will not let them profane My holy name anymore. Then the nations shall know that I am YHVH, the Holy OneinIsrael(Ezekiel 39:7; Emphasis ours). Israel will come to know the holy name of her God in her midst (Yeshua-a name which historically most of Israel has refused to know, means "Yehovah Saves")-and nations will be required to acknowledge that this Holy One still chooses to identify Himself with and in the land and people of Israel. The Zechariah passage teaches that this acknowledgment will be exemplified by the nations coming annually to Jerusalem to participate in theFeast of Sukkot(Zechariah 14:16-19).
As a prophetic anticipation of this, the streets of Jerusalem are filled each year with thousands of believers from the nations joining together in various places to worship, praise and to pray.
PLEASE PRAY:
*For prot ection of Israel during this week of rejoicing-both of native Israelis and of those who are joining us for the Feast. Pray for powerful praise to be released and for God to grant prophetic insight for those with ears to hear what His Spirit is saying to the congregations.
*That Israelis discover that in order truly to "rejoice before the LORD for seven days", they must come first into relationship with the One who came that their "joy might be full".
*For God's presence to be in the"sukkot"of Messianic believers where many will have their devotions during this week. Many will also invite their neighbors to pay a visit there.
*For safety and a great blessing over all the believers from the Nations who are coming up to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast this week. Pray that they release what God would have them release-and receive what He would have them receive while they are here. Pray for understanding and graciousness on behalf of Israelis to welcome and be thankful for their presence here at this time.
*Many Jews follow a mystical Jewish tradition which demands hospitality: during this festival the spirits of various Pa triarchs are said to sometimes arrive as visitors (ushpazin) to thesukkotof the faithful (This is in some ways not unlike the admonition to early Messianic believers, that they"not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it"(Hebrews 13:2).
PLEASE PRAY
That this week the awakening and convicting Holy Spirit of Yeshua(whom the Patriarchs themselves longed to see)will visit many Jews in their sukkot throughout the world!
Martin and Norma Sarvis
Jerusalem
[The readings for next week will include (26 September)Simchat-Torah: TORAH: Deuteronomy 33:1-34:12 & Genesis 1:1-2:3; HAFTARAH: Joshua 1:1-18; and (28 September)Beresheet-"In the Beginning.": TORAH: Genesis 1:1-6:8; HAFTARAH: Isaiah 42:5-43:10]
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Understanding One Another - The Great Commission, Part 36
Week 36, 2013
Even with the great increase of knowledge the world is now experiencing, there is not much understanding. Understanding means to “stand under” someone else’s situation, to put ourselves in their place. This comes mostly from learning to become a good listener, which is also very rare. Yet if we are going to fulfill The Great Commission to make disciples, we must be able to reach people where they are. We can’t teach first graders geometry, and we will lose senior citizens if we try to teach geometry to them. Therefore, to make disciples, or students, we must be discerning of where people are and what is next for them to learn. This takes understanding.
One example of this is how many Christians fail to understand why non-believers put so much of their faith and hope in government. Without faith in God, there is no place else for people to put their trust. So we should not be surprised by those who see the government as the answer to their problems. Because no human government is capable of bearing the weight of such trust, neither should we be surprised by the rising lawlessness that arises when people learn that their government cannot be trusted.
At our Hurricane Katrina relief base, we witnessed the helplessness of those who were accustomed to having the government provide for their needs. This helplessness gave way to gripping fear, and then the fear quickly turned into an insane rage, to the point that they even began to shoot at their rescuers.
We became engaged in the Katrina relief because I received a word from the Lord that we needed to experience what was happening there in order to understand the times. We got an education very fast. In that situation you could look at any group and quickly detect which ones worked for a living and which ones depended on the government. The difference was striking.
Those who worked for a living were usually amazingly resourceful and seemed to quickly get engaged in helping others even though they had their own losses. One of my greatest heroes of this tragedy was an elderly black man who came staggering into our base one night. Everyone thought he was drunk, but he had not been drinking. He had been caught offshore working on one of the oil rigs during the storm and had just gotten home to find that his family had been killed and everything he own washed away. He was drunk with grief. This had to be the worst thing that anyone could experience in life, but within a couple of days, he was helping in the kitchen, unloading trucks, and even trying to console others. He would stop at times to just cry for a few minutes and then carry on serving others. I still think of this humble elderly man when I think of true nobility.
In striking contrast to this, those who came to our base who depended on the government were some of the most obnoxious, demanding people imaginable. They could become outraged if they did not get their demands met immediately, or if they were asked to do anything like help serve meals or unload a truck. That is when I began to understand how the entitlement mentality that has been fostered by governments around the world would ultimately result in unprecedented lawlessness. No earthly government will be able to meet the needs of all their people the way they are now trying to do. An ultimate disappointment and disillusionment with government is coming.
Even psychology has determined that a human being will go insane if deprived of meaningful labor. Charity is a crucial aspect of the Christian life, but charity was always meant to be people helping people, whereas institutional charity dehumanizes people. How is it that so few seem to understand that our present welfare system puts the people we claim to be helping into a terrible bondage from which few are able to escape? It is right to help those who cannot help themselves, but it is wrong to give to those who can work and yet refuse to.
Why are we discussing this in relation to The Great Commission? The government of God is not going to be a welfare state. The Apostle Paul said that if we are not willing to work then we should not be allowed to eat (see II Thessalonians 3:10). Sounds harsh, but this is far more compassionate than making people codependent.
Governments are going to start melting like wax as we are told in Psalm 97. We need to be prepared for this. However, churches that try to become people’s source will fail just like socialist governments inevitably fail. A lot of Christian charity and missions is just as foolish and destructive as socialism. We are not called to become people’s source, but to lead them to the Source. No one will be saved because they know someone who has faith. They must have their own faith in God. Our goal must be to help people walk by faith, not depend on us.
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