JUDGES 4:4-5:31
In this reading, we learn about Devorah and Jael, two women of God who played important roles in Israel's history. We read about many “men of God” but very few “women of God,” but they are out there, and today, we have many women who are used mightily by God in ministry. Through Deborah and Jael, Sisera and his army were vanquished, just as Moshe was an example as a leader, Deborah was also a leader, and Jael, whose name in Hebrew “Yah-El” means “El (God) is YHVH (Yah) “, his Holy Arm was revealed. "Deborah" comes from "D'bar" (word) so as "to speak," and take the role of leadership. The word also means a "bee."
So, when we see these two women of God working together to put an end to Sisera, The hand of God (Ya-El) was put into action through the leadership of Deborah, and talking "Sweet" to Sisera (like bees make sweet honey), made him lie down, relax, and sleep, and was "stung" by a tent peg to the head. "Splitting headache" never woke up again.
Yeshua gave the fatal "head wound" to Satan on the Cross of Calvary. He took the sting out of death.
If you are a woman and reading this Parashah, never say, “because I am a woman, God cannot use me.” Yes, he can; there are ministries for women, mostly women ministering to other women, reaching out to those who have been abused in marriages, victims of rape, assault, homeless women, etc. You, my sister, have a place in ministry. Venture out and discover what it is, just be available. You might be called to be a "Deborah," a "sweet bee," to minister affection and sweetness to those who are bitter. Maybe start a "honey" ministry.
MATTHEW 26:1-75
This chapter deals with Yeshua's final days with his talmidim(disciples) on earth, His anointing by the generous woman who poured the “nard” perfume on him, the betrayal by “Y'hudah Ish Kariot” (Judas, the man from the region of Kariot) in every group of disciples, there are always a few who are “fakers” We have the final “Pesach” dinner with his disciples, and Kefa's denial.
But there is a lot we can learn from this. Peter denied knowing Yeshua out of fear, but Judas openly rejected him by identifying him with a kiss on the cheek. Both sins are forgivable; the only difference is that Peter confessed and received forgiveness, while Judas felt remorse but did not cry out for forgiveness and went out and committed suicide. So many people commit suicide these days. They can't live with themselves; they feel that they are beyond forgiveness, yet they are so wrong. Yes, their wrongdoings have a cost, yet there is ALWAYS forgiveness.
There is sin that leads to remorse and a “feeling sorry for oneself,” and sin that leads to remorse, and from remorse to confession, and from confession to forgiveness, and from forgiveness to restored fellowship.
How many readers out there have chosen the latter? We are all sinners and have fallen short of the glory of God, but confession of sins and receiving forgiveness is something only you can do; I cannot do it for you. Yeshua receives ALL who come to him, no matter how evil you have been, nor what you have done, no sin is beyond forgiveness. Just ask, and turn from your sin, and forgiveness and restoration are yours.......Shalom
"Pulling a burden just for fun?" People are pulling many burdens, let Yeshua pull them; he took them ALL to the cross.
In this reading, we learn about Devorah and Jael, two women of God who played important roles in Israel's history. We read about many “men of God” but very few “women of God,” but they are out there, and today, we have many women who are used mightily by God in ministry. Through Deborah and Jael, Sisera and his army were vanquished, just as Moshe was an example as a leader, Deborah was also a leader, and Jael, whose name in Hebrew “Yah-El” means “El (God) is YHVH (Yah) “, his Holy Arm was revealed. "Deborah" comes from "D'bar" (word) so as "to speak," and take the role of leadership. The word also means a "bee."
So, when we see these two women of God working together to put an end to Sisera, The hand of God (Ya-El) was put into action through the leadership of Deborah, and talking "Sweet" to Sisera (like bees make sweet honey), made him lie down, relax, and sleep, and was "stung" by a tent peg to the head. "Splitting headache" never woke up again.
Yeshua gave the fatal "head wound" to Satan on the Cross of Calvary. He took the sting out of death.
If you are a woman and reading this Parashah, never say, “because I am a woman, God cannot use me.” Yes, he can; there are ministries for women, mostly women ministering to other women, reaching out to those who have been abused in marriages, victims of rape, assault, homeless women, etc. You, my sister, have a place in ministry. Venture out and discover what it is, just be available. You might be called to be a "Deborah," a "sweet bee," to minister affection and sweetness to those who are bitter. Maybe start a "honey" ministry.
MATTHEW 26:1-75
This chapter deals with Yeshua's final days with his talmidim(disciples) on earth, His anointing by the generous woman who poured the “nard” perfume on him, the betrayal by “Y'hudah Ish Kariot” (Judas, the man from the region of Kariot) in every group of disciples, there are always a few who are “fakers” We have the final “Pesach” dinner with his disciples, and Kefa's denial.
But there is a lot we can learn from this. Peter denied knowing Yeshua out of fear, but Judas openly rejected him by identifying him with a kiss on the cheek. Both sins are forgivable; the only difference is that Peter confessed and received forgiveness, while Judas felt remorse but did not cry out for forgiveness and went out and committed suicide. So many people commit suicide these days. They can't live with themselves; they feel that they are beyond forgiveness, yet they are so wrong. Yes, their wrongdoings have a cost, yet there is ALWAYS forgiveness.
There is sin that leads to remorse and a “feeling sorry for oneself,” and sin that leads to remorse, and from remorse to confession, and from confession to forgiveness, and from forgiveness to restored fellowship.
How many readers out there have chosen the latter? We are all sinners and have fallen short of the glory of God, but confession of sins and receiving forgiveness is something only you can do; I cannot do it for you. Yeshua receives ALL who come to him, no matter how evil you have been, nor what you have done, no sin is beyond forgiveness. Just ask, and turn from your sin, and forgiveness and restoration are yours.......Shalom
"Pulling a burden just for fun?" People are pulling many burdens, let Yeshua pull them; he took them ALL to the cross.
