Maybe it’s just me, but it seems as if we members of the Body are as concerned with worldly things as those who are of the world. We’re rocked by an unexpected turn of events; we worry about our health, wealth and happiness. Some of us feed that anxiety by obsessively following the daily news; some of us put our heads in the sand and pretend that everything is going along just fine. But what most of us often forget—or only acknowledge intellectually without action based in faith—is that what is happening around us really doesn’t matter… what matters is whether or not we are living for Yeshua. Whether we are being forcefully evicted from our homes, or rushing our deathly ill child to the hospital, or buying a morsel of food with the very last dollar in our pocket, we have a choice. Do we become caught up in the moment and react out of fear, or do we face reality with a conviction of spirit and a heart fortified toward God?

The Master Yeshua showed us the way to face the trials of life: the more that we are hated, the more we need to love; the more that is stolen from us, the more we need to give. We shouldn’t be afraid and hide until the storm is over, because it may never pass. We can’t hold on for dear life to what we already have, because it too may be taken away. Difficult times will come, they will endure and sometimes even get worse, but worrying will accomplish nothing. Being like Messiah is not about making the best of a bad situation, but about enduring suffering and pain with faith, hope and trust.

As you read the following, I want to encourage you to open your heart and allow yourself to be challenged. Step outside yourself for a while and try to see your situation as God sees it. I’m not trying to minimize your problems—they’re real, and they’re causing you distress. What I am encouraging you to do is make Adonai larger in your eyes, and your anxiety will fade in comparison. Put your trust in the Only One who can save you, and, surely, you will be saved. It may not always be in the way that we expect, but we must have faith in the One who knows best what we need.

Many of us are anxious about the future… when times are hard, where do we turn for our comfort and salvation?

There’s always something to worry about. Sometimes the source of our anxiety is of global proportions—like an imminent terrorist attack on U.S. soil, or a new world-wide virus that scientists have never seen before. Other times, it is closer to home—like the looming failure of a troubled marriage, or the sudden diagnosis of a serious disease. With just a little imagination, we can conjure up all kinds of scenarios in which life as we know it is hurtling toward its end. But what if our reality is actually not far from the misfortune we fear? How should we react? Our natural inclination is to hide ourselves away and hoard whatever we have, trusting our fear response to protect us from the storm.

But is this how the Master would have us weather difficult times?

For a while now, one particularly ominous threat hanging over our collective heads has been the state of our economy. Everyone has been affected in some way by this downturn—or at least knows someone who has. We all have the foreclosed homes in our neighborhoods, we’ve all been surprised to notice that another local business has closed, and we’ve all wondered if our elected officials truly have our best interests at heart. But while we’re assigning blame and lamenting about all of our problems, we often fail to even consider pointing a finger of fault toward ourselves. Of course, some of us find ourselves in situations completely beyond our control; but how much is our own anxiety adding to our troubled circumstances? How much have we brought on ourselves by misplacing our hope and trust?

The words of the Master Yeshua ought to shake us from our cocoons. Perhaps you have heard them before.

“Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. And it came to pass in the sowing, some [seed]… fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked it, and it yielded no fruit…. These are they who hear the word, but the anxieties of this age, and the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desires concerning other things, entered in, choked the word, and it became unfruitful.”  Mark 4:3-4,7,18-19 YLT

“Yes, yes,” we say, “I’m not supposed to be afraid. I get it—I shouldn’t let the anxieties of life choke out the word that has been implanted in me.” But it’s much, much more than that.

The thorns of life that suffocate us and keep us from yielding fruit for God are not just “the anxieties of this age.” Especially in our luxurious land flowing with indoor plumbing, refrigeration, and conditioned air, consider how “the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desires concerning other things” can enter in and choke out the word in us. Have we grown so accustomed to our modern lifestyles that “wants” are no longer discernable from “needs”? Indeed, it is “through anxieties, and wealth, and pleasures of life” (Luke 8:14) that we become barren, unable to produce good fruit.

We mistakenly perceive that we are in financial distress because our 401(k)s are drying up, or we are considering siphoning money from our children’s college funds. We believe we are plummeting toward poverty because we have to think twice about eating out, or getting a latte every day on our way to work. This is “the deceitfulness of wealth”: being so accustomed to an easy, comfortable lifestyle that we lose sight of what is truly essential. Surely, some of us are in dire straits, and we ought not to make light of the plight of those in desperate need. But most of us merely have a warped sense of what it means to endure “difficult times.” If we have health in our bodies, and food on our plates, what more do we truly need?

Indeed, the Master says,

 ”…he who is storing up [treasure] for himself… is not rich toward God.” And [Yeshua] said to his disciples, “Because of this, to you I say, be not anxious for your life—what you will eat; nor for the body—what you will wear; [because] life is more than nourishment and the body [more] than clothing. Consider the ravens, that they neither sow nor reap—[they have] neither barn nor storehouse—yet God nourishes them. How much better are we than the birds? And who of you, being anxious, is able to add to his age one [hour]? If, then, you are not able [to do] such a little [thing], why are you anxious for the rest… you of little faith? And you—seek not what you will eat, or what you will drink, and be not in suspense, for all these things do the nations of the world seek after, yet your Father has known that you have need of these [things]. But seek the reign of God, and all these things will be added to you. Fear not, little flock, because your Father delighted to give you the reign. Sell your belongings and give money [to those in need]. Make for yourselves moneybags that [do] not become old—an unfailing treasure in the heavens where thief does not come near, nor moth destroy. For where your treasure is, there also your heart will be.” –Luke 12:21-34 YLT 

Be rich toward God—not yourself. Life is more than nourishment. Your Father knows what you need. All these things will be added to you. Fear not.

If our treasure is stored up in the stock market—or a savings account, or the foresight and intellect of our government, or even our ability to provide for ourselves—that is where our heart will be. There we will look for our comfort and salvation, yet ultimately find none. A better storehouse in which to deposit our wealth is available, and its return on investment is inestimable.

Freedom from anxiety comes from the understanding that since we own nothing, we have nothing to lose. The only thing left to give up is ourselves—to others, and to the One who will always love and care for us.

Surely, it is the greatest price to pay… which only the poorest of us can afford.

… for I have learned in [whatever situation] in which I am—to be content. …in everything and in all things I have been initiated, both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need. For all things I have strength, in Messiah’s strengthening me…  –Philippians 4:11-13 YLT

Help us choose the topic for the next book we will publish.

We have several very different and important books that are presently in line for publication, but we want to know which topic is most important to you right now.

When Adonai gave Israel the Torah and established her as a nation, He also set apart the priesthood—a select group of people within Israel, chosen solely by bloodline, who would serve the entire community by facilitating the relationship between God and the rest of the nation.  The priests were forbidden from taking part in certain things that were permitted for the rest of Israel (i.e., Le.21:1-6, De.18:1-2), and the people of Israel were forbidden from performing and participating in the service and lifestyle of the priests (i.e., Ex.30:31-33, Nu.1:47-53, 3:10, 18:1-7, Le. 22:9-10).  There was a clear line that Adonai Himself drew between the priests and the people of Israel so that each could maintain their distinct yet mutually beneficial roles within a single, unified community.

In Exodus 19:5-6, Adonai issues a most unusual decree.  He says to all the people of Israel, “If you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”  So if the role of the priests within Israel is to act as mediators between Adonai and the people of Israel—set apart from within the nation to perform a sacred duty on behalf of all—what, then, does it mean that the nation of Israel (the Jewish people) as a whole is to be “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation… among all the peoples… [of] the earth”?  Adonai says, “I have called you in righteousness… and I will appoint you as a covenant to the people, as a light to the nations… O Jacob (Israel), my servant….” (Isaiah 42:6, 44:2, cf. 41:8, 42:1)  Is it possible that Adonai’s ancient plan to distinguish the Jewish people from all the nations of the earth is still in effect?  In the same way that the priests were distinguished from all the people of Israel, might the Jewish people still be set apart to perform the sacred duty of uniquely facilitating the restoration of all peoples to their Creator?  Could this be what the Master Yeshua meant when he said that “salvation is from the Jews”? (Jn.4:22)

As individuals, all believers in the Messiah Yeshua are “one in [Him]… Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise”—and in this respect, “there is neither Jew nor [Gentile].” (Ga.3:28-29)  And yet, a unique distinction remains for the Jewish people “to whom belongs the adoption as sons and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Torah and the temple service and the promises….” (Ro.9:3-4).  Let us wholeheartedly embrace the irrevocable, uncommon calling that God has sovereignly made to an imperfect, singular people for the greater, common good.  Like priests to a people, the Jewish people have a responsibility to serve the needs of the many nations of the earth… to facilitate the reconciliation of all people to God.  May “all Israel… be saved” (Ro.11:26) so that she will become the Messianic nation she was always meant to be, finally able to fulfill her role as “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” to all mankind.  “For if their rejection be the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?” (Ro.11:15)

A: It was not until after The Flood, when Adonai made the covenant with Noah, that animals were even considered by God to be “food.”  This was a universal provision for all humankind, “Every creeping thing that is alive, to you it is for food… only flesh with its life — its blood — you are not [to] eat.” (Genesis 9:3-4, YLT)

But after Adonai delivered Israel from Egypt and gave her the covenant of Torah, he included a special update to the ”food laws” for her, as recorded in Leviticus 11, 20:25-26, and Deuteronomy 14:3-21.  As per these new instructions, the people of Israel were to distinguish between the kinds of animals that were permitted and forbidden for them as “food.”  The reason Israel was given these exceptional food laws is clearly explained in Leviticus 20:26, “And you are [to] be holy to Me; for I, Adonai, am holy; and I separate you from the [other] peoples to become Mine.” (YLT)  According to Exodus 33:16, Moshe clearly understood that the people of Israel were “distinguished… from all the people who are on the face of the [earth].” (NAS)  The Torah’s food laws — like the Torah itself — was given to sanctify and set Israel apart for its unique role among the nations.

Abstension from eating the forbidden animals according to Torah is therefore an enduring identity marker, a teacher of holiness, and an issue of covenantal faithfulness for the people of Israel — the Jewish people — Messianic, or otherwise.

It should go without saying that while I personally find it awkward to use “Jesus” in a Messianic Jewish context, there is nothing wrong with the name “Jesus” per se–especially when used by a Christian pastor in a Christian setting.  Linguistically, “Jesus” is a thrice-removed derivation of “Yeshua,” but it is nevertheless referring to same person (the name “Jesus” is not derived from or related to “Zeus,” as some internet “teachers” ridiculously claim).  Granted, the Christian/Gentile “Jesus” that is often presented in Christianity bears only a little resemblance to the historical Yeshua, and the Christian/Gentile “Jesus” often represents a religion that is unlike the faith of the Scriptures, but this is not enough to allow the usage (or non-usage) of the English name “Jesus” alone to form a wedge between believers.  Such conflict ought not to be over something as superficial and cosmetic as “Jesus” versus “Yeshua,” but should be reserved for the theological, ideological and Scriptural differences of the opposing faith-systems that the two names have come to represent.

I am sure there are more details that you have not mentioned.  Every situation is different, and requires wisdom to prevail. If we can be of further assistance, especially if we can help to arbitrate between these leaders, please let us know.

We are also in the planning stages of our new Preparing The Way “inPrint” Series, which will feature written versions of some of our teachings that are presently only available in recorded audio format.  The first topic in this series will be The Gentile Believer in a Jewish Movement–a critical and timely topic.

Also on the drawing board is our fourth devotional book, the Messianic Shabbat Devotional, though there is no publication date at this time.

On August 31, 2008, we released our third devotional book, the Messianic Torah Devotional.

Watch the interview now!

In fact, the entire 12-part Messianic Jewish Movement series MP3 version (nearly 12 hours of teaching) is also available at a fraction of the cost of the original CD price. 

We are very excited to be able to offer you these incredible resources in this economical format.

To learn more about the Preparing the Way teachings, please visit http://ptw.perfect-word.com/

In an emotional service on March 15, 2008, Kevin Geoffrey was ordained by Jonathan Bernis of Jewish Voice Ministries as a Messianic Jewish Teacher.  The ordination followed Kevin’s 2006 licensing, which began the process of discipleship and confirming of God’s calling and ordination upon him as an Equipper of God’s people.  The uniqueness of this ordination was due to the fact that Kevin and Jonathan share a close, long-term friendship outside the world of ministry, such that Jonathan’s judging of Kevin’s character and calling was sufficiently thorough.

The ordination ceremony was witnessed by Congregation Baruch HaShem, which is led by Kevin’s close friend and partner in ministry, Tim Hyslip.  Among those participating in the laying on of hands were other Phoenix leaders in Jewish ministry who imparted prophetic words of encouragement and faith.  It was an especially moving experience that Kevin was humbled and grateful to share with the family and friends he loves, admires and cherishes.

Pictured above, Jonathan Bernis lays hands on Kevin.  At Kevin’s side is his soulmate and partner in life, his wife, Esther.