Podcast appearances and mentions of ray vander laan

Why teens don't like Bible studies and how you can help. If your teen seems bored, disconnected, or even resistant to Bible studies, you're not alone. In this episode of Equipped To Be, I share why so many teens are struggling to engage with God's Word and what you, as the parent, can do to turn things around.  I'll discuss five common reasons teens tune out during Bible study time and how to have conversations that don't feel like lectures. Whether your child is dealing with doubt, discouragement, or distraction, this episode is for you.  Read the full show notes with links here: Why Teens Don't Like Bible Studies and What You Can Do About It. Check out RVL Discipleship. Taught by Ray Vander Laan, it helps teens read the Bible through its historical and cultural lens. It's engaging, thought-provoking, and deeply rooted in truth.   If you enjoy listening to Parenting and Homeschool Advice ~ Equipped To Be with Connie Albers, please leave a review and a five-star rating. It is easy and will only take a few seconds. When you do, it helps others see the show in their feed. Also, would you kindly share this with a friend or two? Equipped To Be might be an encouragement to them, too. Thank you ~ Connie Follow Connie on social media: Facebook, Instagram, X, and Pinterest Have a question? Interested in having Connie speak? Send an email to Connie here: https://conniealbers.com/contact/   

This week we are discussing ‘How Long, Oh  Lord?' with Marty Solomon.   The pain, chaos, and instability that leads to single parenting is so intense we want it to end as soon as possible—but it doesn't, and we don't know when it will. We feel like we're wandering in the desert with no relief in sight. Is it possible to find hope and not live in fear of the rug being pulled out when things are stable?    Marty Solomon grew up in the Reformed tradition before attending Boise Bible College and getting his B.A. in Christian Ministries. In 2008 he studied in Israel with Ray Vander Laan and was challenged to grapple with his own Jewish heritage. As he learned more about the wider conversation surrounding the Bible, especially through a Jewish context, he began to develop BEMA Discipleship as a way to share his experience with others. He found his way into Impact Campus Ministries, seeing college students as in the perfect stage of life to experiment with the methods he saw in Jesus. Marty began leading trips of his own to Israel and Turkey in 2014. After a few iterations of his BEMA material, The BEMA Podcast was launched in 2016, making it accessible to a global audience. He and his wife, Becky, currently live in Cincinnati; they are committed to the work of ministry together and of raising their two kids, Abigail and Ezekiel.   You can find these things and more from Marty at martysolomon.com.   Find Marty's book martysolomon.com/books.   LINK TO SHOW NOTES For all the detailed show notes, tips and links click - https://soloparent.org/show-notes-blog   ASK US ANYTHING! We want to answer any Solo Parent questions you may have.  Go to SoloParent.org/TalkToUs and ask us anything…it can be related to a topic we cover on the podcast, something you are facing or just something you are curious about. We want you to be part of our podcast!   Learn More About Solo Parent   

  A Place Called Gethsemane The Passion Week account of Jesus happens during the annual feast of Passover for the Jews.  This is one of three times that every Jew was required to travel to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast.  Jesus being a devout Jew went to the city as well not only for the feast but to complete His awesome mission. Not every Jew in the world could possibly come but it is estimated that 1 to 1.5 million people would be in the city during Passover.  The picture below from the Temple Institute in Israel shows the 1000's entering the city at Passover.  Since Jerusalem was a city of perhaps an estimated population 35,000 to 80,000 depending on the archaeologist, it is clear that the city could not handle such a dramatic increase in population.  Every extra room was rented and those not finding rooms camped out on the hills nearby or they sought lodging in nearby towns like Bethlehem or Bethany.  Many of those who camped out in the hills around Jerusalem would more than likely camp on the beautiful slopes of the surrounding hills like Mount of Olives east of Jerusalem. (Vander Laan 177)       After Jesus and His apostles had completed the Passover Seder meal they went to the Mount of Olives to a place called Gethsemane at the Mount of Olives in an olive grove.  The account can be found in Matt 26:36, Mark 14:32, Luke 22:39 and John 18:1.  The word Gethsemane is the English transliteration of a Greek word which was based on two Hebrew words.  (Picture below from Permaculture Research Institute, is a good idea of what the side of the Mt. of Olives would have looked like in Jesus' day). The first was GAT.  The Hebrew word stands for a press.  The second word is SHEMIN which means oil – like olive oil.  The plural in Hebrew is Sheminim.  Thus, Gat Sheminim means a press for oils and referred to in most cases an olive press.  (Vander Laan 178) Today in Israel one can visit Tel Maresha in the Negev.  At this tel archaeologists found the remains of a perfectly intact olive press.  Olive presses were built in caves close to an olive grove.  The cave itself would have “windows” cut into the walls and an air shaft in the roof.  These “windows” and the airshaft were used to control the airflow and temperature since processing olives required a certain temperature range.  The olives themselves were processed by first smashing them with a millstone to break open the skins.   The smashed olives were then put into special porous bags and crushed under the weight of huge weighted down cypress logs in the main press room.  The olive oil would run down into a basin which had a drain directly into a collection jar below the pile of bags of crushed olive pulp.  The jar of oil would be sealed when filled and made ready to be taken to market.  (Vander Laan 178)  The picture below is of the Gat Sheminim at Tel Maresha Israel courtesy of Israel Travel Inc. Where is this exact location of where Jesus prayed and is there a connection to the Gat Sheminim and the word Gethsemane?  As far as location is concerned, “Christian tradition has always placed Gethsemane on the lower slopes of the Mount of Olives – though today the Roman Catholic and Russian Orthodox churches hallow different sites.”  (Reader's Digest 186)  Recently, however, archaeologists working at the base of the Mount of Olives made a very interesting discovery.  “A cave nearby was recently identified as containing an ancient olive press.  Early 6th century tradition supports this cave as being Jesus' Gethsemane.” (Vander Laan 179)   Moreover, no archaeological evidence nor evidence from ancient descriptions of the city of Jerusalem and its surroundings as ever found a place called the Garden of Gethsemane.  This name is a modern label attached to an area that tourists would come to experience what the place called Gethsemane in the Bible was like.  “The designation ‘Gethsemane' does not occur outside the gospels.  Even Luke 22:39 omits the name, using the more general description, ‘the Mount of Olives.'”(Flusser 251) What we know for a fact is that the Mount of Olives had an olive grove and near olive groves one will find a Gat Sheminim or an olive press.   One might conjecture the following based upon the fact that in the Jewish culture God taught His people difficult theological truths with the use of pictures – as in the case of the word tekton and 1 Peter 2:4-6.  Jesus went to the Mount of Olives and entered the gat sheminim, or the olive press, to find a secluded place to pray.  He would prefer the seclusion of the press since there were many possible pilgrims camping out on the slopes of the hill for Passover and the press would be located in a quiet cave.  Perhaps Jesus knew the owner and was able to gain private access to the olive press.  Again, all of this is conjecture but it is based on the archaeological evidence that is factual.   In the gat sheminim, or in a location very close, we know that Jesus prayed and was in deep stress and anguish.  In the account found in Luke 22:44 Jesus' sweat was like drops of  blood.  What is intriguing about this picture is a verse found in Isaiah 53:5.  This verse for us Christians says He was crushed for our inequities.  When one makes the connection between the discovery of the olive press and how it was used and these verses it would seem that God is showing us how Jesus was crushed – like an olive crushed by the weight of a huge cypress log with heavy weights attached.  It would seem that God Himself is making use of the archaeological discoveries to open up the world of the Bible to us so that its meaning is enhanced.  Do we know for a fact that Jesus was in the olive press or the Gat Sheminim?  No we do not.  But, these discoveries perhaps are given to us to intensify our understanding of His word and the picture of the gat sheminim can simply be used to help us understand the scope of Jesus' stress and anxiety that horrible night. Works Cited * That the World May Know Set 3 Ray Vander Laan c 1996 Focus on the Family Publishing  Colorado Springs CO * Egypt and Bible History: C. Aling Baker House book Grand Rapids MI c 1981 * “Reader's Digest Atlas of the Bible”, C 1981 Reader's digest, Plesantville, NY * “Jesus”, David Flusser, Magnes Press, Hebrew Univ., Jerusalem, 1998 * Josephus WAR 5:141 * “First Easter: The True and Unfamiliar Story”, Paul L. Maier, Harper and Row, NY 1973. * Archaeology and the Bible: The Best of Biblical Archaeology Review, “The Garden Tomb: Was Jesus Buried Here?”, Gabriel Barkay, Vol. II, Archaeology in the World of Herod, Jesus and Paul.    Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? (John & Robin somewhere in the Middle East) What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0      

SPECIAL LESSON In lesson 33 we will turn from our focus on the Torah and the book of Genesis to consider the answer to the question, “Why Do This?”  Why should we study the Bible in this manner?  Why should be put the Bible in its historical context and strive to hear the Bible on its own terms; that is, to hear the Bible as to what it says and what it does not say?    Since I returned from my first study tour to the Middle East in Israel years ago and continuing in my learning since those days, I have found that most lessons I hear from Christians are devoid of the historical context of the Bible.  I have found that most teach with no concept of how important it is to understand the word of God as the “first hearers” did.  A classic example is the picture of Jesus with the sharp two edged sword in Pergamum in Revelation 2.  No one ever has ever taught how the sharp two edged sword and Pergamum are related.  No one ever in teachings I heard makes the connection.  Why?  Since Pergamum was a center of the worship of the emperor of Rome, we learn that Caesar had the right of the sword; in Latin “ius gladii.” This means that he and his designates had the power of life and death; by his word a person could be immediately executed. This is why Jesus was brought before Pilate. In Greek this is called the right of the “rhomphaia” – this is the exact word found in Rev. 2:12!  Bible historians suggest that Jesus who has the sharp two-edged-sword or “rhomphaia” is in direct confrontation with the emperor. It is not Caesar who has the power over life and death, it is not a man who has absolute power over all. It is Jesus. Only Jesus has the power of the sword, the power of the “rhomphaia.” Amazingly, Jesus is writing this to the only city of the seven that is the center of imperial worship of the emperor. If you are an early believer in Pergamum, you get it, loud and clear!! (Note: the sharp two-edged sword Jesus had was not the word of God as in Eph. 6:17. The Greek word used there is “machaira” or a dagger or short sword. That is our sword – God's word.  No way do we get the sword of the King of Kings!) However, there is more. For at least the first 100 years of the “church” the only Bible they had was the Hebrew Scriptures commonly known as the Old Testament. Moreover, a majority of the early church were Messianic Jewish people who knew the Torah, the 1st five books of the Bible, as God's direct instruction (not law) for His chosen people. In the Torah we read … “See now that I, I am He, and there is no god besides Me; it is I who put to death and give life. I have wounded and it is I who heal, and there is no one who can deliver from My hand. Indeed, I lift up My hand to heaven, And say, as I live forever, If I sharpen My flashing sword, and My hand takes hold on justice, I will render vengeance on My adversaries, And I will repay those who hate Me. I will make My arrows drunk with blood, And My sword will devour flesh, With the blood of the slain and the captives, From the long-haired leaders of the enemy.” (Deu 32:39-42) A Messianic Jew in Pergamum would easily associate this verse with Rev. 2:12. Jesus had the sharp two-edged sword. Only He has the power of life and death. That is why murder is forbidden in the Ten Commandments. Thus, Deut. 32:39-42 and Rev. 2:12 proclaim Jesus as God, the God of the Bible, the one true God, God alone. When does Jesus ever say that He is God?? All the time!! But, He does it in the cultural context of the times. The Bible was written to them, those who first hear it, and not to us.  As my first teacher said that we must understand the who and the what and the where of the Bible event to understand the why.  This was Ray Vander Laan and I highly recommend you to connect with his ministry, “That the World May Know,” and to start purchasing his DVD's of Bible lessons in their historical context filmed on site in the Middle East.  Here's a link to his website.  Link - https://www.thattheworldmayknow.com/ I urge you to check out his free articles and audio lessons.  Click on LEARN at the homepage of "That the World May Know." In this podcast I brought up a story of a 12 year old boy who asked me if Jesus dwells in us.  Certainly the Spirit dwells in us; that is exactly what the Bible says (1 Cor 3:16 and 1 Cor 6:19).  But in one section of the Bible Jesus teaches us something totally amazing.  Check it out ... "Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also. In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.  (Joh 14:10-20) In these verses we see that the Father is in Jesus and Jesus is in the Father and we are in Jesus and Jesus is in us and thus the Father is in us since the Father is in Jesus.  On top of that the Holy Spirit will be given to us by the Father and the Holy Spirit will dwell in us as well!!  WOW!! All three in us at the same time.  So who dwells in you?  Just the Spirit?  Just Jesus?  Only the Father?  No.  Who dwells in you? God!  It's bigger than we thought.   So come and join me.  Let us consider the importance of hearing the Bible on its own terms.  Let us consider bringing our brain to the Bible and use our minds and intelligence that God gave us to come to know Him in a deeper and more passionate way so that the fire in us will begin to burn out of control and we will not be able to keep our mouths shut anymore. Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

Bible teacher Ray Vander Laan helps you find your true identity in Christ and recognize God’s bigger purpose for you. He’ll inspire you to bring God’s peace to chaos in the culture, while emphasizing the importance of Christian community. Plus, kids are no strangers to big emotions. And this can be scary for parents to navigate. Michelle Nietert is a licensed professional counselor, author, and mother of two. With personal stories and expert advice, Michelle provides practical and faith-based tools for parents to guide their little ones through emotions – big and small! Receive the book RVL Discipleship: The Study – Seasons 1-4 DVD set for your donation of any amount! RVL Discipleship Bringing Big Emotions to a Bigger God Bundle Counseling Consultation and Referrals If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.

Bible teacher Ray Vander Laan shares his passion for reaching others for Christ and discipling believers. He'll help to equip you spiritually as he describes what it means to be a disciple of Jesus and to model God's image in the culture.

In this conversation, Bible teacher Ray Vander Laan helps you find your true identity in Christ and recognize God’s bigger purpose for you. He’ll inspire you to bring God’s peace to chaos in the culture, while emphasizing the importance of Christian community. Join renowned teacher and Bible scholar Ray Vander Laan as he examines what it means to be a follower of Christ through the cultural, historical, and otherwise contextual lens of Scripture. The Study is a four-season video Bible study for small groups and individuals to consider the question: what did it mean to be one of the original disciples of Jesus, and what does that mean for us today? Get More Episode Resources If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.

Bible teacher Ray Vander Laan helps you find your true identity in Christ and recognize God's bigger purpose for you. He'll inspire you to bring God's peace to chaos in the culture, while emphasizing the importance of Christian community. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/776/29

Some people think that the word "fornication" means sex outside of marriage. Some say that this is what it means in the Bible.  NOPE.  Sorry folks.  Fornication comes from Greek and from Hebrew that have nothing to do with sex before marriage.  God never states specifically that pre-marital sex or sex outside of marriage is a sin – even in the New Testament.  But it is  How does God teach us that sex before marriage is a sin?  How does He teach this in His Torah, His "instruction?"  How did He get this across to His chosen people, the Hebrews, coming out of Egypt?  How did God do this to His people in the 1st century A.D. when He, Yeshua HaMaschiach, Jesus the Messiah, God Himself, was here with us?  And remember, Jesus' Bible was the Old Testament and the Old Testament never specifically says that sex before marriage is a sin.  But it is We missed it.  He did teach it.  But, once again we need to put the Bible into its historical perspective.  You will NOT get this is you simply read the Bible in English.  Once again as it was understood in Jesus' day among the great Bible teachers, study to learn and learn to do.  One needs to understand how God taught them THEN, thousands of years ago, so we can understand NOW.  Sex outside of marriage is a sin and, on top of that, it looks as if it is something God hates.  Wait till you see. Here's a number of links I promised in the podcast you many find very enlightening.   The first ones relate to articles from Jewish scholarly sources that show the Torah is silent on sex before marriage.   MY JEWISH LEARNING – https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/jewish-views-on-premarital-sex/#:~:text=When%20sex%20is%20reserved%20for,within%20the%20context%20of%20kiddushin. AISH – Orthodox Jewish Teaching Site – https://aish.com/premarital-relations/ JEWISH VIRTUAL LIBRARY – https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/premarital-sex The second set of links show that premarital sex was common in Greece and Rome and ancient Egypt and Canaan. Link 1 - the practice of sex outside of marriage, abortion, and infanticide in ancient Greece and Rome – https://soc.history.ancient.narkive.com/DIO506S4/world-before-christ-infanticide-and-abortion-in-ancient-pagan-world Link 2 - WORLD HISTORY ENCYCLOPEDIA – https://www.worldhistory.org/article/934/love-sex-and-marriage-in-ancient-egypt/ Link 3 - THE NOT SO INNOCENTS ABROAD – https://www.thenotsoinnocentsabroad.com/blog/the-sex-lives-of-ancient-egyptians Link 4-6 – Ray Vander Laan's article on ancient pagan religion and practices – https://www.thattheworldmayknow.com/fertility-cults-of-canaan https://www.thattheworldmayknow.com/hellenism-center-of-the-universe https://www.thattheworldmayknow.com/innocent-blood Link 7 - my research article for my master's degree in Biblical history.  The focus is on adoption in ancient Turkey (Asia Minor) but relates to infanticide in ancient Rome.  The bibliography is invaluable - https://www.dropbox.com/s/i0fg3wwbm9xohzq/Ephesus%20Adopt.pdf?dl=0 Ferret - on top of Tel Azeka in the Shephelah in Israel Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0  

Based on RVL Discipleship: The Study, Ray Vander Laan shares lessons and personal stories to help listeners develop a passion for evangelism and discipleship. Then Monica Swanson describes how she was reluctant at first, but soon reveled in the many benefits of home schooling. Things like prepping them for life in the real world, shaping the character of her sons, and providing them with a solid Christian worldview.   Receive the book Becoming Homeschoolers for your donation of any amount!   RVL Discipleship: The Curriculum   RVL Discipleship: The Study   How to Make Disciples in a Post-Christian Culture   If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.

Bible teacher Ray Vander Laan shares his passion for reaching others for Christ and discipling believers. He'll help to equip you spiritually as he describes what it means to be a disciple of Jesus and to model God's image in the culture. Also If you've ever contemplated home schooling your kids, we've got some great information for you! Monica Swanson examines the pros and cons of home schooling and describes how her willingness to try it transformed the lives of her kids! To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/776/29

RVL shares about the Apostle Paul's example of engaging the culture for Christ and helps believers to live for Christ in the 21st century, modeling humility, peace, unity, and healthy sexuality as we draw others to God's truth.   Get the RVL Discipleship Study video series for more fascinating teaching straight from the Bible.   Access the RVL Discipleship anytime!   Watch the free video series from Ray Vander Laan on reaching the broken culture.   Buy your copy of Jim Daly's book, ReFOCUS! He shares how believers can engage others in the culture with the love of Christ and reveal the heart of God.    Donate   Send Jim a voicemail! Click here.

Bible teacher Ray Vander Laan has been exploring ancient Jewish culture for decades. As he shares his insights and stories, he'll help you to develop a passion for evangelism and discipleship. Ray unpacks Scripture to aid your understanding of what it truly means to be a disciple of the Rabbi and Messiah – Jesus.   Join renowned teacher and Bible scholar Ray Vander Laan as he examines what it means to be a follower of Christ through the cultural, historical, and otherwise contextual lens of Scripture. The Study is a four-season video Bible study for small groups and individuals to consider the question: what did it mean to be one of the original disciples of Jesus, and what does that mean for us today?   Get More Episode Resources   We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.

Bible teacher Ray Vander Laan shares his passion for reaching others for Christ and discipling believers. He'll help to equip you spiritually as he describes what it means to be a disciple of Jesus and to model God's image in the culture. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/776/29

THE STORY OF JOSEPH - lesson 17 ALL ISRAEL BEFORE JOSEPH 144,000 BEFORE JESUS Joseph - the prototype of Jesus   This can't be!  No way!  Is there a possible connection in the saga of Joseph where his father Jacob comes to Egypt - all Israel before Joseph - and the events in Revelation 7?  Could be?  Just as "all" Israel (Jacob's name) and his entire family is delivered from the terrible 7 years of famine) so too will ALL Israel be delivered and saved in the days of the return of Messiah.  The saga of Joseph is so timely and has so much for us today in the 21st century. In this podcast, as in part 1, I provide four valuable links to study the amazing connections between Joseph and Jesus. The first is a short video that is a great introduction to this topic.  Here's the link ...  - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQKadh0fVCo The second resource is an article at the excellent website "Hebrew4Christians."  The article goes deeper into the connections between Joseph and Jesus providing over 60 indisputable connections solidly based upon scripture and not opinion or speculation.  Here's link to the article ...    https://hebrew4christians.com/Articles/Mashiach_ben_Yosef/mashiach_ben_yosef.html A third resource you must have access to is a scholarly paper written by my graduate studies advisor, Dr. Ron Mosely.   In his paper Dr. Mosely discusses Joseph as a prototype of the the suffering Messiah just like David is a prototype of the conquering Messiah - https://www.academia.edu/3796976/Twice_Rejected_Mashiach_Ben_Joseph The final link is to Netivyah (The Way of the Lord) ministries in Jerusalem.  This is a Messianic Jewish ministry founded by Joseph Shulam, an amazing Jewish scholar who helps us reconnect to our Jewish roots of our faith.  This link is to a book written by one of their resident scholars, Elhanan ben Avraham, "Moshiach ben Yosef (Messiah the Son Of Joseph)".  I highly recommend you get this book and all the books you can buy from this ministry - https://netivyah.org/product/mashiach-ben-yoseph/ Another thing we studied in part 1 and it carries over into this podcast is what is a disciple?  A disciple in Jesus' day is one who follows a rabbi and wants more than anything else to be just like the rabbi; a disciple wants to live a life so that they are a reflection of their rabbi.  Here's the links I promised that are the vidcasts (videos) I did on the topic of Disciples and Apostles.  The video is in two parts. Part1 - Disciples and Apostles - https://lightofmenorah.podbean./e/truth-nugget-28-lesson-2-part-1-disciples-and-apostles/ Part2 - Disciples and Apostles - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nugget-28-lesson-2-part-2-disciples-and-apostles/ Here's a link to an excellent article on what a disciple was in the 1st century by Ray Vander Laan - https://www.thattheworldmayknow.com/rabbi-and-talmidim Ray has also done audio sessions on the concept of disciples of a rabbi in Jesus' day.  I will link you to the audio library and it is easy to slide down to the studies regarding disciples.  Check out the "Age of a Disciple" and the sessions entitled "Disciples Parts 1, 2, and 3" and the audio sessions "The Dust of the Rabbi." Here's the link - https://www.thattheworldmayknow.com/category/Audio In this podcast I again mention that Bible study is a requirement for us as true followers of Jesus.  Matter of fact there is a renowned Messianic Gentile scholar, Dwight Pryor, who suggests that a church must provide Bible study and classes in order to obey Jesus to make disciples. As one studies what it really means to be a disciple of our rabbi, our Lord and Savior, our Yeshua, we find that as our "rabbi" was sent to teach so too His disciples are called to be sent by Him to teach.  But, to teach means we need to learn and thus we need to do Bible study.  That's for all believers in the church and just a select few. What is interesting, for those of us focused on the Jewish roots of our faith and our Hebrew heritage, is that the study of the Bible in Jesus' day was considered the highest form of worship!  Not prayer.  Not speaking in tongues.  Not singing and music.  No.  None of these.  The study of God's word by the young and the old in Jesus' day was considered at the top of the list for true followers of the Lord.  Below are two links to two excellent articles discussing this.  The first is written by Dwight Pryor - a highly credible and well known Gentile Messianic Christian Bible scholar and the second is written by Professor WA Liebenberg, a Messianic Jewish scholar at the Hebraic Roots Teaching Institute in Pretoria South Africa.  These are a must read to understand that to be true disciples of Adonai yeshua requires Bible study and not just Bible reading.  Check them out at these links ... Dwight Pryor's article - https://www.scribd.com/document/52577969/The-Highest-Form-of-Worship WA Liebenberg's article - https://se1490ea64a00a596.jimcontent.com/download/version/1685034709/module/12434580160/name/The%20Highest%20Form%20of%20Worship%20Is%20Studying%20The%20Word.pdf As we studied we encountered the contradiction between Gen. 46:27 where it says 70 came to Egypt and in Acts 7:14 it says 75.  I mentioned I would provide you with the text of the Septuagint for Genesis 46 to show it was changed!  The rabbis changed it.  Shown below is Genesis 46 of the Septuagint. Finally, I mentioned the links to study THE JEWISH RAPTURE.  These are videos of my personal study of the rapture and how I found it to be already in the Hebrew Scriptures, the Old Testament.  It is a totally Jewish concept and since we are "grafted in" as joint heirs with Israel it includes all of us as disciples of Adonai Yeshua.  Here's the link to the videos. Video 1 - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nuggets-27-episode-1-part-1-the-rapture-restored/ Video 2 - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nuggets-27-episode-1-part-2-historical-context-of-matt-2429-31/ Video 3 - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nuggets-27-the-rapture-restored-lesson-2-part-1/ Video 4 - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nuggets-27-the-rapture-restored-episode-2-part-2/ Video 5 - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nuggets-27-rapture-restored-episode-2-part-3/ Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0  

THE STORY OF JOSEPH - lesson 16 JOSEPH WAS SENT AND JESUS AND NOW US Joseph - the prototype of Jesus   This lesson once again delves into the indisputable fact that God set it up that Joseph of the "many colored coat" would be a paradigm, a model, a prototype of Jesus.  What is fascinating is that this fact, supported again and again by scripture, would not have been understood until after Jesus was resurrected and had ascended to the Father.  To see these connections between Joseph and Jesus, Jesus' life, actions, miracles, preaching, death, resurrection, and ascension need to be clearly understood first.  It's as if the Lord did this for us today and for all Jewish people as well.  It is as if the Lord set this up so that religious Jews non-Christians would see these connections that are God designed and inspired to help them see Jesus as the Messiah and the coming one who will sit on David's throne and bring "taykkoon olam" (תִּיקּוּן עוֹלָם - repairing the world).   So, one event in the saga of Joseph was when Joseph hid his silver cup in the sack of Benjamin.  Joseph did this on purpose.  He seems to be testing his brothers to see if they were truly repentant and had changed.  So, in the saga of Joseph we find this famous event of the cup.  Is this perhaps also a paradigm of Jesus and events in Jesus' life?  Let's study and see what might be possible. In this podcast I again mentioned I'd provide four valuable links to study the amazing connections between Joseph and Jesus.  The first is a short video that is a great introduction to this topic.  Here's the link ...  - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQKadh0fVCo The second resource is an article at the excellent website "Hebrew4Christians."  The article goes deeper into the connections between Joseph and Jesus providing over 60 indisputable connections solidly based upon scripture and not opinion or speculation.  Here's link to the article ...    https://hebrew4christians.com/Articles/Mashiach_ben_Yosef/mashiach_ben_yosef.html A third resource you must have access to is a scholarly paper written by my graduate studies advisor, Dr. Ron Mosely.   In his paper Dr. Mosely discusses Joseph as a prototype of the the suffering Messiah just like David is a prototype of the conquering Messiah - https://www.academia.edu/3796976/Twice_Rejected_Mashiach_Ben_Joseph The final link is to Netivyah (The Way of the Lord) ministries in Jerusalem.  This is a Messianic Jewish ministry founded by Joseph Shulam, an amazing Jewish scholar who helps us reconnect to our Jewish roots of our faith.  This link is to a book written by one of their resident scholars, Elhanan ben Avraham, "Moshiach ben Yosef (Messiah the Son Of Joseph)".  I highly recommend you get this book and all the books you can buy from this ministry - https://netivyah.org/product/mashiach-ben-yoseph/ Another thing discussed is what is a disciple?  A disciple in Jesus' day is one who follows a rabbi and wants more than anything else to be just like the rabbi; a disciple wants to live a life so that they are a reflection of their rabbi.  Here's the links I promised that are the vidcasts (videos) I did on the topic of Disciples and Apostles.  The video is in two parts. Part1 - Disciples and Apostles - https://lightofmenorah.podbean./e/truth-nugget-28-lesson-2-part-1-disciples-and-apostles/ Part2 - Disciples and Apostles - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nugget-28-lesson-2-part-2-disciples-and-apostles/ Here's a link to an excellent article on what a disciple was in the 1st century by Ray Vander Laan - https://www.thattheworldmayknow.com/rabbi-and-talmidim Ray has also done audio sessions on the concept of disciples of a rabbi in Jesus' day.  I will link you to the audio library and it is easy to slide down to the studies regarding disciples.  Check out the "Age of a Disciple" and the sessions entitled "Disciples Parts 1, 2, and 3" and the audio sessions "The Dust of the Rabbi." Here's the link - https://www.thattheworldmayknow.com/category/Audio In this podcast I mentioned that Bible study is a requirement for us as true followers of Jesus.  Matter of fact there is a renowned Messianic Gentile scholar, Dwight Pryor, who suggests that a church must provide Bible study and classes in order to obey Jesus to make disciples. As one studies what it really means to be a disciple of our rabbi, our Lord and Savior, our Yeshua, we find that as our "rabbi" was sent to teach so too His disciples are called to be sent by Him to teach.  But, to teach means we need to learn and thus we need to do Bible study.  That's for all believers in the church and just a select few. What is interesting, for those of us focused on the Jewish roots of our faith and our Hebrew heritage, is that the study of the Bible in Jesus' day was considered the highest form of worship!  Not prayer.  Not speaking in tongues.  Not singing and music.  No.  None of these.  The study of God's word by the young and the old in Jesus' day was considered at the top of the list for true followers of the Lord.  Below are two links to two excellent articles discussing this.  The first is written by Dwight Pryor - a highly credible and well known Gentile Messianic Christian Bible scholar and the second is written by Professor WA Liebenberg, a Messianic Jewish scholar at the Hebraic Roots Teaching Institute in Pretoria South Africa.  These are a must read to understand that to be true disciples of Adonai yeshua requires Bible study and not just Bible reading.  Check them out at these links ... Dwight Pryor's article - https://www.scribd.com/document/52577969/The-Highest-Form-of-Worship WA Liebenberg's article - https://se1490ea64a00a596.jimcontent.com/download/version/1685034709/module/12434580160/name/The%20Highest%20Form%20of%20Worship%20Is%20Studying%20The%20Word.pdf As we studied we encountered the contradiction between Gen. 46:27 where it says 70 came to Egypt and in Acts 7:14 it says 75.  I mentioned I would provide you with the text of the Septuagint for Genesis 46 to show it was changed!  The rabbis changed it.  Shown below is Genesis 46 of the Septuagint. Finally I mentioned the links to study THE JEWISH RAPTURE.  These are videos of my personal study of the rapture and how I found it to be already in the Hebrew Scriptures, the Old Testament.  It is a totally Jewish concept and since we are "grafted in" as joint heirs with Israel it includes all of us as disciples of Adonai Yeshua.  Here's the link to the videos. Video 1 - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nuggets-27-episode-1-part-1-the-rapture-restored/ Video 2 - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nuggets-27-episode-1-part-2-historical-context-of-matt-2429-31/ Video 3 - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nuggets-27-the-rapture-restored-lesson-2-part-1/ Video 4 - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nuggets-27-the-rapture-restored-episode-2-part-2/ Video 5 - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nuggets-27-rapture-restored-episode-2-part-3/ Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0  

THE STORY OF JOSEPH - lesson 15 THE CUPS OF THE SAVIORS Joseph - the prototype of Jesus   This lesson once again delves into the indisputable fact that God set it up that Joseph of the "many colored coat" would be a paradigm, a model, a prototype of Jesus.  What is fascinating is that this fact, supported again and again by scripture, would not have been understood until after Jesus was resurrected and had ascended to the Father.  To see these connections between Joseph and Jesus, Jesus' life, actions, miracles, preaching, death, resurrection, and ascension need to be clearly understood first.  It's as if the Lord did this for us today and for all Jewish people as well.  It is as if the Lord set this up so that religious Jews non-Christians would see these connections that are God designed and inspired to help them see Jesus as the Messiah and the coming one who will sit on David's throne and bring "taykkoon olam" (תִּיקּוּן עוֹלָם - repairing the world).   So, one event in the saga of Joseph was when Joseph hid his silver cup in the sack of Benjamin.  Joseph did this on purpose.  He seems to be testing his brothers to see if they were truly repentant and had changed.  So, in the saga of Joseph we find this famous event of the cup.  Is this perhaps also a paradigm of Jesus and events in Jesus' life?  Let's study and see what might be possible. In this podcast I mentioned I'd provide three valuable links to study the amazing connections between Joseph and Jesus.  The first is a short video that is a great introduction to this topic.  Here's the link ...  - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQKadh0fVCo The second resource is an article at the excellent website "Hebrew4Christians."  The article goes deeper into the connections between Joseph and Jesus providing over 60 indisputable connections solidly based upon scripture and not opinion or speculation.  Here's link to the article ...    https://hebrew4christians.com/Articles/Mashiach_ben_Yosef/mashiach_ben_yosef.html A third resource you must have access to is a scholarly paper written by my graduate studies advisor, Dr. Ron Mosely.   In his paper Dr. Mosely discusses Joseph as a prototype of the the suffering Messiah just like David is a prototype of the conquering Messiah - https://www.academia.edu/3796976/Twice_Rejected_Mashiach_Ben_Joseph The final link is to Netivyah (The Way of the Lord) ministries in Jerusalem.  This is a Messianic Jewish ministry founded by Joseph Shulam, an amazing Jewish scholar who helps us reconnect to our Jewish roots of our faith.  This link is to a book written by one of their resident scholars, Elhanan ben Avraham, "Moshiach ben Yosef (Messiah the Son Of Joseph)".  I highly recommend you get this book and all the books you can buy from this ministry - https://netivyah.org/product/mashiach-ben-yoseph/ In this podcast I mentioned that Bible study is a requirement for us as true followers of Jesus.  Matter of fact there is a renowned Messianic Gentile scholar, Dwight Pryor, who suggests that a church must provide Bible study and classes in order to obey Jesus to make disciples.  A disciple in Jesus' day is one who follows a rabbi and wants more than anything else to be just like the rabbi; a disciple wants to live a life so that they are a reflection of their rabbi.  Here's a link to an excellent article on what a disciple was in the 1st century by Ray Vander Laan - https://www.thattheworldmayknow.com/rabbi-and-talmidim As one studies what it really means to be a disciple of our rabbi, our Lord and Savior, our Yeshua, we find that as our "rabbi" was sent to teach so too His disciples are called to be sent by Him to teach.  But, to teach means we need to learn and thus we need to do Bible study.  That's for all believers in the church and just a select few. What is interesting, for those of us focused on the Jewish roots of our faith and our Hebrew heritage, is that the study of the Bible in Jesus' day was considered the highest form of worship!  Not prayer.  Not speaking in tongues.  Not singing and music.  No.  None of these.  The study of God's word by the young and the old in Jesus' day was considered at the top of the list for true followers of the Lord.  Below are two links to two excellent articles discussing this.  The first is written by Dwight Pryor - a highly credible and well known Gentile Messianic Christian Bible scholar and the second is written by Professor WA Liebenberg, a Messianic Jewish scholar at the Hebraic Roots Teaching Institute in Pretoria South Africa.  These are a must read to understand that to be true disciples of Adonai yeshua requires Bible study and not just Bible reading.  Check them out at these links ... Dwight Pryor's article - https://www.scribd.com/document/52577969/The-Highest-Form-of-Worship WA Liebenberg's article - https://se1490ea64a00a596.jimcontent.com/download/version/1685034709/module/12434580160/name/The%20Highest%20Form%20of%20Worship%20Is%20Studying%20The%20Word.pdf Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0  

Dr. John Lennox, professor of mathematics at Oxford University (emeritus), helps equip Christians to share their faith in a respectful and logical way without alienating others. Lennox, who has twice debated atheist Richard Dawkins, shares about the importance of being salt and light in the culture, encouraging us to show gentleness to people we encounter.   Get a copy of John Lennox's book, Have No Fear, to read more about sharing your faith with gentleness and respect.   Buy your copy of Jim Daly's book, ReFOCUS! He shares how believers can engage others in the culture with the love of Christ and reveal the heart of God.   Watch this video series with Ray Vander Laan to learn more about bringing peace to the broken culture.   Donate   Send Jim a voicemail! Click here.

Bible teacher Ray Vander Laan inspires listeners to share the Gospel with boldness and conviction as he examines how the Apostle Paul did so in the culture of his day. This discussion offers a preview of the newest edition to the That the World May Know series, “Cultures in Conflict,” now available in our online store.   Receive the Cultures in Conflict DVD and Discovery Guide for your donation of any amount. And today, your gift will be doubled thanks to a match!   Get More Episode Resources   We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.

The Apostle Paul was brilliant in his presentation of scriptural truth in a secular setting. He set a perfect example from which to learn. Bible teacher Ray Vander Laan will help you to share Christ with others, while using Scripture, a healthy understanding of the culture, and evenyour weakness. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/776/29

Ray Comfort, a Christian apologist, author, and TV host urges believers to come out of complacency and into sharing the gospel with a world that desperately needs Jesus. While sharing his faith journey, he'll encourage you to have courage like Daniel in the Bible to stand for Christ in the culture and commit yourself to prayer and obedience to share God's love with others.   Get Ray Comfort's book for a gift of any amount to learn more about sharing your faith with courage in modern culture.   Watch this video series for more from Ray Vander Laan on reaching the culture with the light of Jesus.    Read more about who Jesus is and how to have a relationship with him.   Learn more about putting God's love on display, redeeming broken relationships, and bringing healing to creation through this Ray Vander Laan discipleship study.   Get John Burke's book, Imagine the God of Heaven, to read about his research into near-death experiences and encounters of heaven.   Send Jim a voicemail! Click here.

This discussion will help Christians understand the proof that the Bible is real and will better equip them to share God's grace with others. Jim Daly and Frank Turek unpack the root of unbelief, the difference between cultural "tolerance" and real love, the problems associated with Christian hypocrisy, and the importance of demonstrating Christ's love with people who have different worldviews.   Get a copy of Stealing from God for a gift of any amount to learn more about the evidence for the validity of Christian beliefs.   Buy your copy of Jim Daly's book, ReFOCUS! He shares how believers can engage others in the culture with the love of Christ and reveal the heart of God.    Watch this video series to learn about bringing healing to our broken culture.   Learn more about putting God's love on display, redeeming broken relationships, and bringing healing to creation through this Ray Vander Laan discipleship study.   Get John Burke's book, Imagine the God of Heaven, to read about his research into near-death experiences and encounters of heaven.   Send Jim a voicemail! Click here.

TRUTH NUGGET 28 Lesson 2  Part 1 Disciples and Apostles? This is lesson 2 in this 4 part video series.  If you have not watched lesson 1 parts 1 & 2 we urge you to do so.  This lesson depends upon the content of lesson 1.  Shown below are the links for Lesson Part 1 and Part 2 for your convenience. Lesson 1 Part 1 – https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nugget-28-lesson-1-part-1-the-gospel-whats-that/ Lesson 1 Part 2 – https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nugget-28-lesson-1-part-2-the-living-word-and-the-written-word/ In this lesson we again put the Bible into its historical context; we reconnect to the Jewish roots of our faith.  We ask ourselves is the church made up of converts and disciples and apostles.  If so what is the difference?  Aren't disciples ones who believe that Jesus is Lord and are saved by grace?  Are pastors then apostles?  In Jesus' day the concept of what was a disciple and what was an apostle was clear.  We need to study what those first disciples understood.  We need to grasp what they saw and what they heard and what they experienced.  Once we do our understanding will become so enriched and expanded.  We will see what Jesus wants of them THEN and this means what He wants of us NOW.  I highly recommend you also access the lessons of Ray Vander Laan at his website www.ThattheWorldMayKnow.com.  I will link you to his article on the Rabbis and Talmideem (Rabbis and Disciples).  I thank Ray so much for being my teacher and being the one who has inspired me to study this concept in a deeper and more expansive way.  Also, at his website, click LEARN and look up his AUDIO lessons and rabbis and disciples.  You will not be disappointed.  Here's links to key places on Ray's website. Article on Rabbi & Talmid (a must read) https://www.thattheworldmayknow.com/rabbi-and-talmidim Audio lessons (listen to all audio with the word disciple or rabbi or talmid) https://www.thattheworldmayknow.com/category/Audio Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

TRUTH NUGGET 28 Lesson 2  Part 2 Disciples and Apostles? This is lesson 2 Part 2 in this 4 part video series.  If you have not watched lesson 1 parts 1 & 2 or Lesson 2 part 1 we urge you to do so.  This lesson depends upon the content of lesson 1.  Shown below are the links for the previous lessons for your convenience. Lesson 1 Part 1 – https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nugget-28-lesson-1-part-1-the-gospel-whats-that/ Lesson 1 Part 2 – https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nugget-28-lesson-1-part-2-the-living-word-and-the-written-word/ Lesson 2 Part 1 - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nugget-28-lesson-2-part-1-disciples-and-apostles/   In part 2 we study His word in a deeper way.  We need to see other examples of what it was like to be a disciple of a rabbi in Jesus' day.  Moreover, what is it like to be a disciple of Jesus!  He's God.  How can we be like HIM?  But, then there's disciples who are called apostles – one's sent out.  Jesus says to us since the Father has sent Him so too Jesus sends us.  YES!!  That is being a disciple of a rabbi.  Jesus was sent so we are sent.  But, not all are sent.  Most disciples need to stay and be ready.  Whether you are a disciple who stays or one sent out, we need to be ready to do the impossible when Jesus asks. I highly recommend you also access the lessons of Ray Vander Laan at his website www.ThattheWorldMayKnow.com.  I will link you to his article on the Rabbis and Talmideem (Rabbis and Disciples).  I thank Ray so much for being my teacher and being the one who has inspired me to study this concept in a deeper and more expansive way.  Also, at his website, click LEARN and look up his AUDIO lessons and rabbis and disciples.  You will not be disappointed.  Here's links to key places on Ray's website. Article on Rabbi & Talmid (a must read) https://www.thattheworldmayknow.com/rabbi-and-talmidim Audio lessons (listen to all audio with the word disciple or rabbi or talmid) https://www.thattheworldmayknow.com/category/Audio Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

In a world full of distractions, it's easy to build your goals around temporary things, like money, possessions, and cultural acceptance. Dr. Tony Evans will inspire you to seek God's kingdom in every aspect of life, running toward the ultimate prize – intimacy with Christ. Dr. Evans will challenge you to be disciplined in your daily walk and reach a lost culture with the ultimate hope.   For more about living in the kingdom of God everyday, get Kingdom Focus by Dr. Tony Evans for a gift of any amount.   Buy your copy of Jim Daly's book, ReFOCUS! He shares how believers can engage others in the culture with the love of Christ and reveal the heart of God.    Watch this video series with Ray Vander Laan about reaching our broken culture for Christ.   Send Jim a voicemail! Click here.

Karis Kimmel Murray offers parents advice for effectively handling their kids' misbehavior in a discussion based on her book, Grace Based Discipline: How to Be at Your Best When Your Kids Are at Their Worst. Then based on his new RVL Discipleship - The Study video series, Ray Vander Laan helps listeners understand how to study the Bible with attention to the original context and audience.   Receive a copy of Grace Based Discipline for your donation of any amount!   Four freedoms parents should extend to their children   Learn more about RVL Discipleship: The Study and watch episode 1 for FREE!   That The World May Know   If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.

Based on his new RVL Discipleship - The Study video series, Ray Vander Laan helps listeners understand how to study the Bible with attention to the original context and audience. RVL Discipleship™ The Study has the tools to change how you experience Scripture and view your role as a disciple of Christ — the Rabbi of rabbis, Prince of Peace, Sar Shalom. Watch episode 1 for free! And then have the option to purchase season 1 or the entire series. Get More Episode Resources We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail. If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.

Author Philip Yancey encourages believers to share the Christian faith with others from different walks of life, while showing great compassion for them. He reminds listeners that some people have turned away from God and from Christians because of hurtful experiences in their past. Philip and Jim will help you to refocus your thoughts and actions on sharing God's truth with love and grace in practical ways.   Get Philip Yancey's book for a gift of any amount to read more about how to love, listen, and offer a grace that is truly good news to the lost.   Booklet: Coming Home – Learn about having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.   Buy your copy of Jim Daly's book, ReFOCUS! He shares how believers can engage others in the culture with the love of Christ and reveal the heart of God.   Watch this video series for more tips on bringing God's love and peace to the world with Ray Vander Laan.   Send Jim a voicemail! Click here.

Phil and Al Robertson, from the Duck Dynasty clan, share about the impact of the gospel in their lives and the need for Jesus as the answer to all of today's cultural woes. Phil will share about his new movie, The Blind, which details the gritty story of his life and conversion, and the discussion will focus on reaching the lost with the message of hope in Christ.   Get Phil Robertson's book for a gift of any amount to read more about his journey with God and his family.   Get tickets for The Blind to see watch the real story of Phil Robertson on the big screen!   Buy your copy of Jim Daly's book, ReFOCUS! He shares how believers can engage others in the culture with the love of Christ and reveal the heart of God.    Read more about who Jesus is and how to have a relationship with him.   Watch this video series for more from Ray Vander Laan on reaching the culture with the light of Jesus.   Listen to our episode with Virginia Prodan to hear her story of facing a gun-wielding assassin with the love of Christ.   Send Jim a voicemail! Click here.

Jesus says that all who hear his words in the Sermon on the Mount are faced with a choice between two ways. Are we going to choose the easy way and live our lives however we see fit? Or are we going to choose the harder way of apprenticeship to Jesus? Jesus says that following him and his teachings, though difficult and risky, is the way towards experiencing true life.Special thanks to Dallas Willard, Stanley Hauerwas, Gerhard E. Lenski, John Mark Comer, Frederick Dale Bruner, Rob Bell, Tim Mackie, Tim Keller, Richard Rohr, Dave Johnson, Brian Zahnd, Ray Vander Laan, Eugene Peterson, NT Wright, and R.T. France for their contributions to this series of podcasts through Jesus' Sermon On The Mount.

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." Matthew 7:7-8Special thanks to Dallas Willard, Stanley Hauerwas, Gerhard E. Lenski, John Mark Comer, Frederick Dale Bruner, Rob Bell, Tim Mackie, Tim Keller, Richard Rohr, Dave Johnson, Brian Zahnd, Ray Vander Laan, Eugene Peterson, NT Wright, and R.T. France for their contributions to this series of podcasts through Jesus' Sermon On The Mount.

How we engage with each others faults, shortcomings, and mistakes matters to Jesus. We tend to do this in a way that is destructive, divisive, and dehumanizing. Jesus offers a way that is loving and restorative.Special thanks to Dallas Willard, Stanley Hauerwas, Gerhard E. Lenski, John Mark Comer, Frederick Dale Bruner, Rob Bell, Tim Mackie, Richard Rohr, Dave Johnson, Brian Zahnd, Ray Vander Laan, Eugene Peterson, NT Wright, and R.T. France for their contributions to this series of podcasts through Jesus' Sermon On The Mount.

In Matthew 6:22-34, Jesus reveals that generosity, or a lack of generosity, reveals the true condition of our hearts. Therefore, becoming the Kingdom people that he desires for us to be is not a matter of action or will power, it is a matter of what we worship. Jesus invites us to reorient our hearts towards him and his Kingdom through worship, so that we may become people of radical generosity.  Special thanks to Dallas Willard, Stanley Hauerwas, Gerhard E. Lenski, John Mark Comer, Frederick Dale Bruner, Rob Bell, Tim Mackie, Richard Rohr, Dave Johnson, Brian Zahnd, Ray Vander Laan, Eugene Peterson, NT Wright, and R.T. France for their contributions to this series of podcasts through Jesus' Sermon On The Mount.

Almost a quarter of Jesus' recorded teachings have to do with money! How we think about and how we use our money clearly matters a lot to Jesus. His desire is that his Kingdom people would be known for their radical generosity.Special thanks to Dallas Willard, Stanley Hauerwas, Gerhard E. Lenski, John Mark Comer, Frederick Dale Bruner, Rob Bell, Tim Mackie, Richard Rohr, Dave Johnson, Brian Zahnd, Ray Vander Laan, Eugene Peterson, NT Wright, and R.T. France for their contributions to this series of podcasts through Jesus' Sermon On The Mount.

In John 15, Jesus tells his disciples that if they are going to be a part of advancing his Kingdom here on Earth, they will need to make their home in him. But how do we practically do this in the midst of our busy and distracted world? For the early church, the answer was a 'rule of life'.Rule of Life Worksheet: https://storage1.snappages.site/MTPC56/assets/files/Rule-of-Life-Worksheet.pdfList of Disciplines: https://storage1.snappages.site/MTPC56/assets/files/List-of-Disciplines.pdfSpecial thanks to Dallas Willard, Stanley Hauerwas, Gerhard E. Lenski, John Mark Comer, Frederick Dale Bruner, Rob Bell, Tim Mackie, Richard Rohr, Dave Johnson, Brian Zahnd, Ray Vander Laan, and R.T. France for their contributions to this series of podcasts through Jesus' Sermon On The Mount.

Every good movement has an anthem. Every revolution has a rallying cry. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus offers his followers a powerful anthem that has united and fueled his Kingdom movement for centuries. And we desperately need it today!Special thanks to Dallas Willard, Stanley Hauerwas, Gerhard E. Lenski, John Mark Comer, Frederick Dale Bruner, Rob Bell, Tim Mackie, Richard Rohr, Dave Johnson, Brian Zahnd, Ray Vander Laan, and R.T. France for their contributions to this series of podcasts through Jesus' Sermon On The Mount.

Bible teacher Ray Vander Laan provides historical context to first-century Jerusalem during Passover and explains the purpose behind Jesus' offer of salvation.Get More Episode ResourcesReceive the "Path to the Cross DVD + Guide" and the audio download of the broadcast "Jesus: The Lamb of God" for your donation of any amount!If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback: https://focusonthefamily.com/podcastsurvey/

What is fasting? How does it form us into the person that Jesus invites us to be?Special thanks to Dallas Willard, Stanley Hauerwas, Gerhard E. Lenski, John Mark Comer, Frederick Dale Bruner, Rob Bell, Tim Mackie, Richard Rohr, Dave Johnson, Brian Zahnd, Ray Vander Laan, and R.T. France for their contributions to this series of podcasts through Jesus' Sermon On The Mount.

Jesus invites us to become who we were made to be. Special thanks to Dallas Willard, Stanley Hauerwas, Gerhard E. Lenski, John Mark Comer, Frederick Dale Bruner, Rob Bell, Tim Mackie, Richard Rohr, Dave Johnson, Brian Zahnd, Ray Vander Laan, and R.T. France for their contributions to this series of podcasts through Jesus' Sermon On The Mount.

"You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you..." - JesusSpecial thanks to Dallas Willard, Stanley Hauerwas, Gerhard E. Lenski, John Mark Comer, Frederick Dale Bruner, Rob Bell, Tim Mackie, Richard Rohr, Dave Johnson, Brian Zahnd, Ray Vander Laan, and R.T. France for their contributions to this series of podcasts through Jesus' Sermon On The Mount.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you." - Matthew 5:38-42Special thanks to Dallas Willard, Stanley Hauerwas, Gerhard E. Lenski, John Mark Comer, Frederick Dale Bruner, Rob Bell, Tim Mackie, Richard Rohr, Dave Johnson, Brian Zahnd, Ray Vander Laan, and R.T. France for their contributions to this series of podcasts through Jesus' Sermon On The Mount.

This week, listen into one of Pastor J.D.'s recent sermons on the life of King David as he answers the question, "What Does It Mean Practically to Follow Jesus?" Show Notes: What does it mean to become a Christian? According to the gospels, very simply, it means to follow Jesus. It doesn't mean to start being perfect; it's not to know every answer to every theological question, it's just to follow Jesus. Jesus invites people everywhere and anywhere to follow him.  Now, I want to acknowledge that a lot of people don't know exactly what that means. Back in biblical times, it was pretty straightforward. You literally just followed him—he went that way, you went that way. But today, he's not physically here anymore, he's invisible, so what does it mean to follow him?  Great question. Back in those days, when you wanted to follow a Rabbi, you would go and sit at his feet and he would examine you with questions and put you through a series of tests to see if you were worthy to be their disciple. If you passed, they'd invite you to follow them, at which point you'd literally go everywhere with them, listening to everything they taught, watching all the ways they'd interact, and trying to imitate their every move. Ray Vander Laan, a historian who specializes in 1st century Israel, said that in those days the greatest praise you could give to a talmid (which is the Hebrew word for disciple) was “the dust of your rabbi is all over you.” That didn't mean “Dude, you're dirty! Go take a shower!” It meant, “You have followed your rabbi so closely that you've heard everything he said, seen everything he's done, and everything he's stepped in has splashed up on you.”  All of that should give you a picture of what it means to follow Jesus. Here's Ray Vander Laan's definition: “A talmid (disciple) is someone who seeks not only to know what his master knows, but also to do what his master does.” There are two elements there: The first: Learning. You want to know what your master knows. Listen, if you want to be a disciple, there's no shortcut to this—there's a lot of learning involved. If you are serious about being a disciple, your life will be filled with a lot of learning, listening to messages, being regularly in church, reading books, participating in small groups and leadership cohorts seeking to grow in your knowledge. You say, “But I'm not really an academic kind of person.” Look, you don't have to be. I'm just saying if you're in love with somebody, you're going to learn all about them—and that's a big part of the Christian life. But that's just half of the discipleship formula... The other half is doing. A disciple doesn't want to merely know what his master knows; he or she also wants to do what his master does. How did he live? What were his priorities?  Following Jesus means seeking to know what he knows, and do what he does. Around the Summit, you'll hear us simplify that into the 5 identities of the disciple: You become a worshiper, family member, servant, steward, and witness. That's what he was. 45 Philip (went and) found (a friend named) Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”  46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”  Nathanael said, “Can anything good come outta there?” Totally snobby. But Philip doesn't answer it; he just says, “Come see for yourself.” Some of you have a friend you want to tell about Jesus, but you don't, because you are afraid of how they are going to react. Follow this example of Philip. Jesus doesn't need your help converting them; he'll do that. Just tell them your story like Philip did, and when they ask you an antagonistic question, you say, “Come and see for yourself... Come to church with me. Let's read the Bible together." Jesus does all the converting; we just need to extend the invitation.

"Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.' But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply ‘Yes' or ‘No'; anything beyond this is evil." - ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭33‬-‭37‬Special thanks to Dallas Willard, Stanley Hauerwas, Gerhard E. Lenski, John Mark Comer, Frederick Dale Bruner, Rob Bell, Tim Mackie, Richard Rohr, Dave Johnson, Brian Zahnd, Ray Vander Laan, and R.T. France for their contributions to this series of podcasts through Jesus' Sermon On The Mount.

Special thanks to Dallas Willard, Stanley Hauerwas, Gerhard E. Lenski, John Mark Comer, Frederick Dale Bruner, Rob Bell, Tim Mackie, Richard Rohr, Dave Johnson, Brian Zahnd, Ray Vander Laan, and R.T. France for their contributions to this series of podcasts through Jesus' Sermon On The Mount. Special thanks to Theresa Dunn for her contributions to this episode. 

What are we to think when Jesus seems to contradict or ignore parts of the Old Testament? Despite the suspicions of the religious leaders of the day, Jesus did not call his kingdom community to do away with the Scriptures. Instead, he called them to be the fulfillment of the very heart and intention behind them. Special thanks to Dallas Willard, Stanley Hauerwas, Gerhard E. Lenski, John Mark Comer, Frederick Dale Bruner, Rob Bell, Tim Mackie, Richard Rohr, Dave Johnson, Brian Zahnd, Ray Vander Laan and R.T. France for their contributions to this series of podcasts through Jesus' Sermon On The Mount. 

Special thanks to Dallas Willard, Stanley Hauerwas, Gerhard E. Lenski, John Mark Comer, Frederick Dale Bruner, Rob Bell, Tim Mackie, Richard Rohr, Dave Johnson, Brian Zahnd, Ray Vander Laan and R.T. France for their contributions to this series of podcasts through Jesus' Sermon On The Mount. 

Special thanks to Tim Mackie, Dallas Willard, Stanley Hauerwas, Gerhard E. Lenski, John Mark Comer, Frederick Dale Bruner, Rob Bell, Richard Rohr, Dave Johnson, Brian Zahnd, Ray Vander Laan, R.T. France, NT Wright and Cornelius Planting for their contributions to this series of podcasts through Jesus' Sermon On The Mount. 

Special thanks to Robert Capon, Tim Mackie, Dallas Willard, Stanley Hauerwas, Gerhard E. Lenski, John Mark Comer, Frederick Dale Bruner, Rob Bell, Richard Rohr, Dave Johnson, Brian Zahnd, Ray Vander Laan, NT Wright, Cornelius Plantinga and R.T. France for their contributions to this series of podcasts through Jesus' Sermon On The Mount. 

Special thanks to Tim Mackie, Dallas Willard, Stanley Hauerwas, Gerhard E. Lenski, John Mark Comer, Frederick Dale Bruner, Rob Bell, Richard Rohr, Dave Johnson, Brian Zahnd, Ray Vander Laan and R.T. France for their contributions to this series of podcasts through Jesus' Sermon On The Mount. 

Special thanks to Dallas Willard, Stanley Hauerwas, Gerhard E. Lenski, John Mark Comer, Frederick Dale Bruner, Rob Bell, Richard Rohr, Dave Johnson, Brian Zahnd, Ray Vander Laan and R.T. France for their contributions to this series of podcasts through Jesus' Sermon On The Mount. 

Special thanks to Dallas Willard, Stanley Hauerwas, Gerhard E. Lenski, John Mark Comer, Frederick Dale Bruner, Rob Bell, Richard Rohr, Dave Johnson, Brian Zahnd, Ray Vander Laan and R.T. France for their contributions to this series of podcasts through Jesus' Sermon On The Mount. 

Special thanks to Dallas Willard, Stanley Hauerwas, Gerhard E. Lenski, John Mark Comer, Frederick Dale Bruner, Rob Bell, Richard Rohr, Dave Johnson, Brian Zahnd, Ray Vander Laan and R.T. France for their contributions to this series of podcasts through Jesus' Sermon On The Mount. 

Special thanks to Dallas Willard, Stanley Hauerwas, Gerhard E. Lenski, John Mark Comer, Frederick Dale Bruner, Rob Bell, Richard Rohr, Dave Johnson, Brian Zahnd, Ray Vander Laan and R.T. France for their contributions to this series of podcasts through Jesus' Sermon On The Mount. 

Esau is not the man for the job.  Yes, he is the first born.  But, just because he is the first born, theבְּכוֹר Bekor H1060, he has tasks and responsibilities even before his dad passes away.  He becomes a teammate with his dad.  They together work to help the family with all its needs, they stand together to protect the family, they make sure all are safe and healthy, and the first born and the dad do all they can to make sure the family stays together.  Esau, however, is seemingly focused only on hunting, the outdoors, adventure, fun, and not the day to day family business.  It must've been a big job to stay home and take care of the massive holdings that Isaac was blessed with as we read. Now Isaac sowed in that land and reaped in the same year a hundredfold. And the LORD blessed him, and the man became rich, and continued to grow richer until he became very wealthy; for he had possessions of flocks and herds and a great household, so that the Philistines envied him. (Gen 26:12-14) In this lesson we will delve into this more.  I bring up Ken Baily's book, “Jacob and the Prodigal.”  Ken is an awesome Biblical scholar with many books and articles he has written.  One I highly recommend is, “Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes: Cultural Studies in the Gospels.”  Bailey examines the life and ministry of Jesus with attention to the Lord's Prayer, the Beatitudes, Jesus' relationship to women, and especially Jesus' parables. Through it all, Bailey employs his trademark expertise as a master of Middle Eastern culture to lead us into a deeper understanding of the person and significance of Jesus within his own cultural context. But, in his book, “Jacob and the Prodigal,” he shows us amazing connections between the parable of Jesus and the story involving Jacob and Esau.  For example, here are 15 connections between these two. In both stories there are three major players: a father and two sons The blessing/inheritance is a critical part of both stories. In both stories the younger son seeks advantages from the father using dishonorable methods and succeeds In both stories the younger son is estranged from both the father and the older brother. In both stories the younger son goes to a far country. The older son remains at home in both stories. The younger son becomes a herder in the far country in both stories. In both stories the younger son decides to return home, but is afraid of how he will be received. Both younger sons show no remorse. In both stories there is a divine visitation – the man who wrestles with Jacob and the father who symbolizes God. In both stories the younger son receives the three-fold welcome of running, falling on the neck and kissing (In all of scripture this trilogy only appears in Gen 33:4 and Luke 15:20!) In both stories the older brother is angry about the return of the younger. In both stories the younger son is reconciled to the family. In both stories there is a concern that the younger son return in peace (Gen 28:21; Lk 15:27) Each story is critical for the community that remembers and tells the story. For us we will consider this parable and other sources to study two major concepts.  The first is the first born, or the Bekor, and the Bet Av, the house of the father.  One great resource is Ray Vander Laan's  lessons from Israel and the Middle East.  Here is a "free" video where Ray focuses on the concept of the Bet Av - the father's house (pronounced bate av).  Here's the link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dm7S101cyJM As we study these we will gain a deeper and more expansive understanding of the Jacob and Esau story.  We will perhaps even gain a deeper appreciation of why Rebecca did what she did to have Jacob deceive Isaac to get the blessing of the first born.  Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0  

Special thanks to Dallas Willard, Stanley Hauerwas, Gerhard E. Lenski, John Mark Comer, Frederick Dale Bruner, Rob Bell, Richard Rohr, Dave Johnson, Brian Zahnd, Ray Vander Laan and R.T. France for their contributions to this series of podcasts through Jesus' Sermon On The Mount. 

Special thanks to Dallas Willard, Stanley Hauerwas, Gerhard E. Lenski, John Mark Comer, Frederick Dale Bruner, Rob Bell, Richard Rohr, Dave Johnson, Brian Zahnd, Ray Vander Laan and R.T. France for their contributions to this series of podcasts. 

In Jesus' day the only Bible they had then was the Hebrew Scriptures (a.k.a. the Old Testament).  In Matt 16:18 we read that Jesus will build His ECCLESIA G1577 upon a rock.  But, Jesus did not mean church as we know it in the 21st century.  He did not mean a building or an organization or a religion.  He meant "a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place; an assembly" from Thayer's Greek Lexicon.  So He meant people.  How do you relate a group of people to a ROCK?   One thing that is possible is it may be connected to the location of where Jesus said this.  He said it at a pagan Roman city called Caesarea Philippi 25 miles north of the sea of Galilee.  This city was the location of a rock formation where pagans came to worship the god Pan in bizarre and immoral rituals.  This was a "holy" pagan religious site where of pagan gods even from Old Testament days.  Ray Vander Laan has an excellent (short) article related to this archaeological site and how it might connect to Jesus' words.  Here's the link -  https://www.thattheworldmayknow.com/gates-of-hell-article Here's a link to an awesome scholarly resource where you can study this archaeological site in detail with awesome pictures.  Link - https://www.biblewalks.com/banias Jesus at this place talks about building His assembly of followers on a ROCK.  But, this is a place where an assembly of pagans gathered at a ROCK to worship pagan gods and goddesses.  Is there something the Lord wants us to understand?  But, in the book of Isaiah we read ... "Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness, Who seek the LORD: Look to the rock from which you were hewn And to the quarry from which you were dug. Look to Abraham your father And to Sarah who gave birth to you in pain; When he was but one I called him, Then I blessed him and multiplied him." (Isa 51:1-2) Bible commentators both Jewish and Christian say this verse suggests that Abraham is the ROCK.  And all the disciples of Jesus had then was the Hebrew Scriptures.  They very likely knew this verse.  So, did they somehow relate Jesus' words to Abraham?  Needless to say we have some interesting connections to explore.  This is what we will do in lesson 58.  We will again study the life of Abraham and use it as a EULOGY to this man who is our "father" by faith as Paul teaches us in ... Even so Abraham BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS. Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. (Gal 3:6-7) There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise. (Gal 3:28-29) Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link -click here for the teacher's background      

In this episode Veronica and Erika dig into Exodus 24 and God making a covenant with Moses and the people.  They examine the boundaries God placed around the mountain and how you see that repeated in Tabernacle and Temple.  They also explain table fellowship, Moses and Joshua's relationship, and the significance of two tablets.Veronica mentions Lois Tverberg.  Her website is www.ourrabbi.jesus.com  - Our Rabbi Jesus Veronica also mentioned Ray Vander Laan.  Questions to Consider:How did the boundaries around the mountain relate to the restrictions and blessings for the individual?What did you learn about table fellowship?  How could this understanding of table fellowship affect the way you view meals or communion?What connections do we see here that relate back to Creation?What is the significance of Moses having two tablets and what does that tell us about Moses' relationship with God and God's view of Moses?You can join us on our Facebook page called "The Context and Color of the Bible" as well as Erika's website erikavanhaitsma.com.In order to prepare for this study we used the following books or articles:Exploring Exodus by Nahum SaranExodus: God, Slavery, and Freedom by Dennis PragerThe JPS Commentary on Exodus by The Jewish Publication SocietyMessiah - Issue 24Exodus: Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible by Thomas Joseph White, OPExodus: A Mentor Commentary by John L. MackayShadows of the Messiah by First Fruits of Zion, book 2Miqra Journal - Winter 2003Music: Tabuk by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4453-tabukLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

The battle between the Lord (the word "Lord" in your Bible is the English word used for the Hebrew name of God, יהוה or YahVay) and all the gods of Egypt begins.  We study the first plague, the Nile is turned into blood, into death.  One wonders if this is payback.  Pharaoh ordered all Egyptians to toss the Hebrew new born baby boys into the Nile and drown them.  Pharaoh turned the Nile into a river of death.  Dennis Prager in his Torah commentary, “Exodus: the Rationale Bible,” suggests that God then also turned the Nile into a river of blood, a river of death.  Measure for measure or as Jesus says, “you will sow what you reap.”  So Pharaoh sowed death and Yahvay returned it back unto Pharaoh and all Egypt.  It's possible and it makes sense.  But, there is so much more.  Once again what you are about to learn you will never learn in Sunday school or in your Messianic congregation on Shabbat.  You will never learn, for example, the connection between Genesis and Exodus and the book of Revelation.  Once again, few ever study the Bible in its historical context.  When you do your understanding is expanded and enriched; you will see things God intended as we reconnect to the way the first hearers of God's Torah heard.  We have missed do much. In this podcast I said I would provide valuable links so you can expand your study.  The links are below and I do hope they are worthwhile for many of you who are serious students of the Bible. The first link is to Ray Vander Laan's video series on Egypt.  By accessing these links you can see short previews of the videos.  If you do purchase them, and I highly recommend you purchase the video study guide as well.  As a Bible historian I think the books that go along with the videos are more valuable than the videos.  Here's link to all three of the dvd's on Egypt.    Video 1 - https://www.thattheworldmayknow.com/god-heard-their-cry    Video 2 - https://www.thattheworldmayknow.com/fire-on-the-mountain    Video 3 - https://www.thattheworldmayknow.com/with-all-your-heart One scholar who has done amazing work on the feasts is David Padfield.  I am providing a link to his class notebook entitled, "The Gods of Egypt."  It is free to download.  Once there you can explore the many other study resources that are available from this ministry.    Link - https://www.padfield.com/acrobat/history/gods_of_egypt.pdf The main job of Pharaoh was to preserve Ma'at or order.  Pharaoh's role was to prevent chaos.  If he did, then when he died then they'd weigh his heart on the scale of judgment in the Hall of Ma'at (the goddess of truth, order, harmony, prosperity, life) against the feather of Ma'at.  If Pharaoh maintained order, Ma'at, and stopped chaos, his heart would be lighter than the feather and Pharaoh would enter eternal life with the gods.  If he didn't, if his heart was HEAVY, heavier than Ma'at's feather, Pharaoh would be judged and condemned to eternal damnation.  Here's one link to learn about this.    Link - https://www.thetorah.com/article/pharaohs-divine-role-in-maintaining-maat-order All ancient Egyptian cosmologies, the way things began, have things in common.  One is that all the main gods of Egypt, the creator gods, arose out of the primordial sea and darkness.  Here's a neat video that delves into these common features of the ancient Egyptian creation accounts.    Link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTy49JlgJZE In this podcast I talked about the seasons of the year in ancient Egypt.  Here's a link to a picture detailing these three seasons.    Link - https://www.pinterest.com/pin/630926229039184930/ Finally, here is a link to the festivals in ancient Egypt.  In this podcast we talked about the festival of Min.  This festival occurred in the month of the Exodus and it explains why Pharaoh was probably at the river when God commanded Moses and Aaron to go a meet Pharaoh.  But, it explains even more once you understand the god Min.    Link - http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/festival.htm Who is this guy, Rev. Ferret?  What's his background?  Why should we take time to listen to him?  Here's a link to check out his background - click here  

I have so many awesome credible and scholarly resources for my study and research in the Torah, the first five books of the Bible.  Again, these books are critical for Christians to study since Jesus said in John 5:39 that ALL scripture testifies of Him.  He said it sometime between 24-30 A.D. and all they had then was the Hebrew Scriptures; you know it as the Old Testament.  Then the five books that were the primary books of the Bible was the Torah, the Books of Moses, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.  As we study these books we see Jesus.  Without the Hebrew Scriptures, the New Testament is incomplete.  The Bible is one book from Genesis 1 to Revelation 22 and it all testifies of Jesus and the writers of the books of the New Testament relied heavily on Torah. One resource I count on is the Torah commentary by Dr. John Currid.  Yes, he is a Christian theologian but, and this is why I use it, John Currid is a proven archaeologist, Egyptologist, and historian.  His commentary actually puts the words of Moses in their historical context.  Thus, we can learn the who and the what and the how and the when to understand the why as one of my first teachers, Ray Vander Laan, taught me. Doctor Currid shows something in his commentary on Genesis 22.  He shows that Gen. 22:1-19 is a chiasm.  Once you understand what a chiasm is then one can return to Gen. 22 and see the main point God is making.  The chiasm is shown below.  The verses are color coded to show how the verse colored in black are a reflection of the other verses in black.  And the verses in red reflect the other verses in red in that the content is connected.  The verse in blue are the center of the chiasm, like the point of a pyramid with the first half sloping up to the point and the 2nd half sloping down from the point.   (Gen 22:1) Now it came about after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am." (Gen 22:2) He said, "Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you." (Gen 22:3) So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him and Isaac his son; and he split wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. (Gen 22:4) On the third day Abraham raised his eyes and saw the place from a distance. (Gen 22:5) Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey, and I and the lad will go over there; and we will worship and return to you." (Gen 22:6) Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son, and he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So the two of them walked on together. (Gen 22:7) Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, "My father!" And he said, "Here I am, my son." And he said, "Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?" (Gen 22:8) Abraham said, "God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." So the two of them walked on together. (Gen 22:9) Then they came to the place of which God had told him; and Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood, and bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood.   (Gen 22:10) Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. (Gen 22:11) But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am." (Gen 22:12) He said, "Do not stretch out your hand against the lad, and do nothing to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me." (Gen 22:13) Then Abraham raised his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him a ram caught in the thicket by his horns; and Abraham went and took the ram and offered him up for a burnt offering in the place of his son. (Gen 22:14) Abraham called the name of that place The LORD Will Provide, as it is said to this day, "In the mount of the LORD it will be provided."   (Gen 22:15) Then the angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time from heaven, (Gen 22:16) and said, "By Myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, because you have done this thing and have not withheld your son, your only son, (Gen 22:17) indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies. (Gen 22:18) "In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice." (Gen 22:19) So Abraham returned to his young men, and they arose and went together to Beersheba; and Abraham lived at Beersheba. The entire structure is like a two lines.  The beginning line slopes down from left to right and ends at a specific point.  Once you reach the center, in this case the verses in blue, the rest of the verses are another line sloping down from right to left from the original starting point.  Thus, the verses in black are connected by being reflections of each other.  See below.  This is a chiastic structure of the entire Bible.  Pretty cool!!  From Patheos.com 2017.   The central focus of the chiasm of Gen. 22 is the “silence” that is inherent in the verse colored in blue.  Abraham can't “see” God's purpose and Isaac can't see the sacrifice.  God is silent.  The father and the son go on together.  In the Hebrew the wording suggests they go one with one mindset, one purpose.  Abraham to obey God.  Isaac to obey is father.  They go on seemingly in silence to the amazing things God will show them on the mountain.  What I just wrote is not a sufficient explanation of this chiasm.  I leave the listener to study with me in the podcast.  Once you have the idea come back and add to what you think the central point God is making.    Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - click here for the teacher's background

The amazing confrontation between the one true and only God and Pharaoh is about to begin.  The Lord is setting the stage for the second meeting of Moses and Aaron and Pharaoh.  But this time Moses is to be God to Pharaoh.  God does not say Moses will be “like a god,” but He says to Moses he will be God to Pharaoh.  Wow!!  Moses will be a in the flesh representation of the Lord, or Yahvay, the name of God.  Makes sense, though.  Pharaoh said he did not know of the God of the Hebrews.  So, God would now, through Moses, use His power to show first, the Pharaoh is not a god and, second, to overwhelm Pharaoh and the might of Egypt to free all Israel.  In a sense God would through a man, Moses, who is to act as His representative and defeat all the gods of Egypt.  Thus this affirms in God's own words that He is God alone and there is no other … “Do not tremble and do not be afraid; have I not long since announced it to you and declared it? And you are My witnesses. Is there any God besides Me, or is there any other Rock? I know of none.” (Isa 44:8)   “I am the LORD, and there is no other; Besides Me there is no God. I will gird you, though you have not known Me.”(Isa 45:5)   A second aspect of all this relates to the fact that the Jewish people say that Moses is like the coming Messiah.  Moreover, the coming Messiah will be like Moses.  God promises this in Deut. 18:15 and 18:18.  The Messiah will be a prophet like Moses.  In Exod. 7:1 we get the connection between Jesus' words in John 5:39 and see that if Moses is like the coming Messiah, and Moses is a prophet of Yahvay, Moses is to be as God to Pharaoh, and Moses is sent to Pharaoh and, thus, we too see that Yeshua, our Jesus, is also a prophet as Moses, and Yeshua is GOD not a representation, and as Moses was sent, so Yeshua was sent.  Here's a part of a great article at the website, “You've Got Questions,” on Moses and Messiah. Jesus is like Moses in several ways. Moses was both a prophet and a lawgiver, and Jesus is, too. Jesus was widely recognized as a prophet who spoke the Word of God (Matthew 21:46), and He gave commandments for His followers to obey (John 13:34; 15:12, 17; Galatians 6:2). Both Moses and Jesus mediated a covenant between God and men—Moses the Old Covenant (Exodus 34:27; Acts 7:44), and Jesus the New (Luke 22:20; Hebrews 9:15). Both Moses and Jesus were born during perilous times, and both narrowly escaped a king bent on murdering babies (Exodus 1:22 and Matthew 2:16–18). Both Moses and Jesus had a connection to Egypt (Exodus 2:1–4 and Matthew 2:13–14). Moses was the (adopted) son of a king (Exodus 2:10), and Jesus is the Son of the Most High (Luke 1:32). Moses spent forty years as a shepherd (Exodus 3:1), and Jesus is the Good Shepherd (John 10:11, 14). Both Moses and Jesus were known for their meekness (Numbers 12:3 and Matthew 11:29).    See the entire article at this link - https://www.gotquestions.org/Moses-and-Jesus.html A great link to study this further is at the great website, Hebrew4Christains.  Here's the link to the correlation of Moses and the Messiah – https://www.hebrew4christians.com/Articles/Like_Moses/like_moses.html Also, see the picture below.  It is a visual representation of the connection between Moses and the Messiah and the Passover in Egypt in 1446 B.C. and the Passover in Jerusalem in 30 A.D. But we are to be disciples of Jesus.  This means we are to be like Him, to be like our rabbi.  That's what it meant in Jesus' day.  But, if Jesus is prefigured in Moses, aren't we also, if we are disciples, if we are to be like Jesus?  Yes. As Messiah, He was sent and so are we, just like Messiah and just like Moses.  As Jesus is given the words to teach like Moses, we are as well.  As Jesus is the Light of the World He tell us we too are to be the Light of the World.  What do we conclude?  That Moses is an example of a disciple of Adonai – one who is like the Lord.  So too then we are to be disciples of the Messiah. Check out the article by Ray Vander Laan entitled, “Rabbi and Talmideem (disciples)” at this link.  It is a great article on what it means to be a disciple in Jesus' day and not what the church teaches today.  Link - https://www.thattheworldmayknow.com/rabbi-and-talmidim Who is this guy, Rev. Ferret?  What's his background?  Why should we take time to listen to him?  Here's a link to check out his background - click here              

The Apostle Paul was brilliant in his presentation of scriptural truth in a secular setting. He set a perfect example from which to learn. Bible teacher Ray Vander Laan will help you to share Christ with others while using Scripture, a healthy understanding of the culture, and even…your weakness.

I am doing these podcasts on the first five books of the Bible, sometimes called the Torah, for Christians for deeply personal reasons.  Some of these are 1) I am having a ton of fun doing them and 2) the Lord has given me a cool hobby for a man age 73 and 3) and I am learning so much as I study the Bible in its historical context and 4) I put them out there on the internet for any to hear and listen and perhaps, be touched by the Lord (not me!) to walk in a deeper way on the Straight Path the Good Shepherd leads us on as in Psalm 23.  We read in English that they are the Paths of Righteousness.  In Hebrew the word used means straight, the Straight Paths.  In Hebrew this is a word that is interpreted a righteousness.  See the picture below of what David was talking about – the straight paths of the sheep following their shepherd. Here's a super short video by Ray Vander Laan - click here for the 4 minute video Thus, for me, I do not worry about success – how many listeners do I have or the popularity of the Light of Menorah podcasts or vidcasts.  I am already a success in that the Lord seemingly has led me to do this work and I obey and try to do it the best I can so He is honored by the quality I try to put in this work.  That's it.  I then hope and trust that as I put them out there the Lord may see fit to use them to reach the one or two or ten people He is after to become disciples of Rabbi Jesus or to become stronger and more passionate in their walk with the Lord.  This lesson is a prime example.  I always wondered how could the Lord approve of Sarah's actions by kicking out Hagar and Ishmael?  From my 21st perspective it made no sense.  Hagar and Ishmael left and nearly died of thirst.  Huh?  Why?  All because Ishmael was “mocking” his younger brother, Isaac?  I thank the Lord for giving me the chance to earn a masters degree in Bible history.  This has led me to study the Bible in its historical perspective focusing in on the archaeology, history, geography, customs, culture, and even the languages of the ancient Middle East.  My profs helped me get connected to credible scholars and teachers who are so unlike the typical pastor who has never been trained in Biblical Greek, Hebrew or in the historical and ancient cultural context of the Bible.  In this lesson those scholars, those brilliant archaeologists, historians, both Jew and Gentile, have helped me see a realistic alternative view of these events.  Abraham and Sarah are Chaldean.  They are NOT Hebrews!  So, are there aspects of the ancient Chaldean culture of ancient Babylon that contribute to our understanding of Sarah kicking out Hagar and Ismael?  Yes.  Wait till you see.  So, come and join me and see the results of the "hobby" (the works He has given me as per Eph. 2:8-10) the Lord has given this old guy.  It is a hobby based upon John 8:31-32.  My life is now dedicated to studying and integrating God's word totally so that it becomes my foundation for life so that I will know the truth, the truth that sets me and you free. Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - click here for the teacher's background  

Special thanks to Dave Johnson, Lois Tverberg and Ray Vander Laan for their contributions to this podcast. 

Sponsored by David Suarez. Special guest Ethan Winn and I talk about the idea of Empire vs Shalom, or man's way vs God's way. Inspiration taken from teachings from Ray Vander Laan and Marty Solomon. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/camthehumanist/support

Special thanks to Brian McLaren, Dave Johnson and Ray Vander Laan for their contributions to this podcast. 

The Apostle Paul was brilliant in his presentation of scriptural truth in a secular setting. He set a perfect example from which to learn. Bible teacher Ray Vander Laan will help you to share Christ with others, while using Scripture, a healthy understanding of the culture, and even...your weakness. Guest features in the DVD series and discovery guide: That the World May Know #16 Cultures in Conflict.

SPECIAL LESSON In lesson 33 we will turn from our focus on the Torah and the book of Genesis to consider the answer to the question, “Why Do This?”  Why should we study the Bible in this manner?  Why should be put the Bible in its historical context and strive to hear the Bible on its own terms; that is, to hear the Bible as to what it says and what it does not say?    Since I returned from my first study tour to the Middle East in Israel years ago and continuing in my learning since those days, I have found that most lessons I hear from Christians are devoid of the historical context of the Bible.  I have found that most teach with no concept of how important it is to understand the word of God as the “first hearers” did.  A classic example is the picture of Jesus with the sharp two edged sword in Pergamum in Revelation 2.  No one ever has ever taught how the sharp two edged sword and Pergamum are related.  No one ever in teachings I heard makes the connection.  Why?  The Bible was written to them, those who first hear it, and not to us.  As my first teacher said that we must understand the who and the what and the where of the Bible event to understand the why.  This was Ray Vander Laan and I highly recommend you to connect with his ministry, “That the World May Know,” and to start purchasing his DVD’s of Bible lessons in their historical context filmed on site in the Middle East.  Here’s a link to his website.  Link - click here I urge you to check out his free articles and audio lessons.  Click on LEARN at the homepage of "That the World May Know." So come and join me.  Let us consider the importance of hearing the Bible on its own terms.  Let us consider bringing our brain to the Bible and use our minds and intelligence that God gave us to come to know Him in a deeper and more passionate way so that the fire in us will begin to burn out of control and we will not be able to keep our mouths shut anymore.    Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - click here for the teacher's background

TEXT: "Get the Bible IN YOU"COMMUNITY: "Together on purpose"DISCIPLESHIP: "Come, follow me... as I follow Christ"WRESTLING: "I want to know You. I want more out of this."In 2008, Marty Solomon had the incredible opportunity to travel to Israel and study under Ray Vander Laan with GTI Tours. The experience changed his life forever. It seemed as though every mental image he had been given throughout his life was discarded and replaced by the things he saw and learned. Having a passion for historical context, Marty has spent the last decade pouring over the study of the world of Jesus and the ancient community of God’s people.Marty serves as the President of Impact Campus Ministries and runs an intensive discipleship program (called BEMA Discipleship) where he gets to share this experience with many of his students. Marty is married to the love of his life, Rebekah, and has lived in Idaho since birth. They have two children (Abigail and Ezekiel) and currently reside in Moscow, Idaho, where Marty works on the campuses of the University of Idaho and Washington State University. Marty received his undergraduate degree from Boise Bible College with honors in 2005.www.BEMAdiscipleship.comwww.impactcampusministries.comhttps://www.amazon.com/Satellite-Bible-William-Schlegel-2013-05-03/dp/B01F9QA5IQ

There is a concept so prevalent in the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament - nothing "old" about it) and in the Messianic Texts (the New Testament) and my 1st teacher in Israel, Ray Vander Laan, termed it as, “Head and Heart and Hands and Feet.”  Over and over again we read the about being righteous and it is pictured in the way we talk or hear or listen (our head) or in our work or results of what we do (hands)  and in the ways we walk (feet) – walk in the commands of the Lord and walk in our own ways.  It is also pictured in the way we think or our emotions of feelings (heart).  Just consider the text in the prophet Isaiah."Where will you be stricken again, As you continue in your rebellion? The whole head is sick And the whole heart is faint. From the sole of the foot even to the head There is nothing sound in it, Only bruises, welts and raw wounds, Not pressed out or bandaged, ... So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; Yes, even though you multiply prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood." (Isa 1:5-15)In one chapter we see this concept played out quite clearly.  The rebelliousness against God is pictured using the concept “head and heart and hands and feet.” Another place this is seen is in the consecration of the high priest Aaron and his sons.  Consider …"Then you shall take the other ram, and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on the head of the ram. "You shall slaughter the ram, and take some of its blood and put it on the lobe of Aaron's right ear and on the lobes of his sons' right ears and on the thumbs of their right hands and on the big toes of their right feet, and sprinkle the rest of the blood around on the altar. (Exo 29:19-20)In the Torah Commentary by the Messianic Jewish scholar, Tim Hegg, he says that these body parts in the ancient Middle East and among the ancient Hebrews came to mean hearing and obeying the Torah of the Lord using the ear (Head).  The right hand symbolizes one’s work.  Aaron had his hand dedicated to the daily work of the sacrifices of the Lord (Hand).  His feet symbolize that he walk according the God’s ways and maintain his right standing before God in his daily movements in life (Feet). There are two verses that you may remember that deal with the heart.  In these verses we see that the heart is the source of our wickedness and our evil ways and thoughts.  Consider …"The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it? "I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give to each man according to his ways (feet), According to the results of his deeds(hands). (Jer 17:9-10)"But the things that proceed out of the mouth(head) come from the heart, and those defile the man. "For out of the heart come evil thoughts (heart), murders(hands), adulteries(hands), fornications(hands), thefts (hands), false witness(head)., slanders(head). (Mat 15:18-19)In Psalm 15:1-3 we again come across this "picture" of head and heart and hands and feet.  Let's delve into this and see the dramatic place it takes us.  Let's study this idea God seems to use to teach from Genesis to Revelation.  Come let's learn about Head and Hearts and Hands and Feet.Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - click here for the teacher's background  

Ellen and her friends, Susannah Goodman and Jane Burke, discuss the new family's escape to Egypt and return to Nazareth found in Matthew 2:13-23. They explore connections between their journey and the journey of the Israelites in Genesis and Exodus. They talk about Joseph's example of trust and action and how we today can hear and discern what the Lord is saying to us. They touch on aspects of discernment and decision-making even in the context of marriage. Resources mentioned in the podcast: AD Chronicles series by Bodie Thoene https://www.thoenebooks.com/shop-1?Series+Title=A.D.+Chronicles That the World May Know by Ray Vander Laan https://www.thattheworldmayknow.com/category/volumes The Bible Project https://bibleproject.com/ Living Insights Matthew by Chuck Swindoll https://amzn.to/3580j4dFor more information and resources, go to amooninthedark.com. Follow us on Instagram at instagram.com/a_moon_in_the_dark/

Some people think that the word "fornication" means sex outside of marriage. Some say that this is what it means in the Bible.  NOPE.  Sorry folks.  God never states specifically that pre-marital sex or sex outside of marriage is a sin.  But it is.  How does God teach us this in His Torah, His "instruction?"  How did He get this across to His chosen people the Hebrews coming out of Egypt?  How did God do this to His people in the 1st century A.D. when He, Yeshua HaMaschiach, Jesus the Messiah, God Himself, how did He teach this THEN?  We missed it.  He did teach it.  But, once again we need to put the Bible into its historical perspective.  One needs to understand how God taught them THEN 3400, 3000, 2500,  or 2000 years ago, so we can understand NOW.  Sex outside of marriage is a sin and, on top of that, it looks as if it is something God hates.  Wait till you see.Here's a number of links I promised in the podcast you many find very enlightening.  Link 1 - the practice of sex outside of marriage, abortion, and infanticide in ancient Greece and Rome - click here for the articleLink 2 - the 613 laws of Maimonides - click here for the listLink 3 - Jewish scholarly site showing that pre-marital sex is NOT brought up in the Hebrew scriptures (the Old Testament) - click here for the articleLink 4 - Ray Vander Laan's article on ancient pagan religion and practices - click here for RVL's excellent articleLink 5 - Josephus' statement that abortion is considered murder - https://lexundria.com/j_ap/2.202/wstLink 6 - my research article for my master's degree in Biblical history.  The focus is on adoption in ancient Turkey (Asia Minor) but relates to infanticide in ancient Rome.  The bibliography is invaluable - click here for the paperRev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - click here for the teacher's background

(Note - it is highly recommended that you listen to lesson 1 of this series on the Lord's prayer.  I provided the link below).I remember a time when I had hurt someone in one of my classes.  I reacted to their opinion on a specific issue very harshly.  Later I did learn from others in the class that 1) they did not appreciate my intense reaction to this person and 2) they knew this person was hurt and angry with me and 3) they understood why I got so angry but it was not the proper way of handling the situation.  Needless to say, I hurt someone with my words.  It reminded me me of ..."The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil. But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." (Mat 12:35-37)Ouch!  His Spirit was working in me telling me that I sinned.  Something needed to happen.On one hand, this person I hurt may have forgiven me "in his heart."  He may have done this based upon what Jesus teaches that ..."My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart." (Mat 18:35)Many of us do this as Christians today.  Someone hurt us, abused us, sinned against us and we forgive that person "from our heart," but the one who hurt us doesn't know it.  For us it is a way we think we are listening to Rabbi Yeshua and living as true disciples.On the other hand, even though this person I hurt may have "forgiven me in his heart," and I didn't know it, I was dealing with the Father and through His Spirit I was being plagued with guilt that I have not gone to this person, confessed my sin, repented, and asked for this person's forgiveness.  I had already done this with the Lord.  I knew I was forgiven.  But, the Lord would not let me off the hook!  Why?  Because He taught us this ..."Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering." (Mat 5:23-24)He didn't mean to seek forgiveness from Him and let it all go.  NO!!  He is teaching clearly that I need to go to the person, confess, repent, and seek their forgiveness.  I did go to that person.  I did confess, repent, and I asked for this person to forgive me.  I was forgiven by that person.  I must say this was one of the most difficult things I have ever done.  It was easy to go to the Father and confess and repent and seek forgiveness.  But, doing that with the person who I sinned against, that is entirely a different matter.So, we now return to the Lord's Prayer -תפילת האדוי - HaTehfeelah Adonai  We will focus on the verse Matt. 6:12 where we pray that the Lord will forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.  Why use the word debt or debtors?  Why didn't Jesus use the word sin and sinners?  Besides that it seems as if Jesus is showing us that if we want to be forgiven by the Lord we first need to forgive.  Is that what this all means?  Once again, we are reading in English translated from the Greek which is translated from the Hebrew and it comes out of a totally Jewish culture of 2000 years ago.  Is it possible then as we put this verse into its historical context that things will begin to make real sense?  Answer!  You better believe it.  Moreover, we will see how it relates to the situation I described from my own life.Links promised in this session ...1) Brad Young's article at Jerusalem Perspective (Note - this is a pay site.  Cost is $60 per year.  It is a highly credible scholarly site that if you are serious about your Bible study this is one site that is a must) - https://www.jerusalemperspective.com/2300/2) Link to lesson 1 of this series - listen to this to understand how this prayer is related to being a true disciple of Rabbi Jesus - lesson 1 on the Lord's prayer plus all linksLink 3 - Ray Vander Laan's article on "Rabbi and Talmidim" - click here for Ray's awesome article on Rabbi and Talmidim (Disciples)Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - click here for the teacher's background  

Bible teacher and historian Ray Vander Laan shares inspirational lessons that can be learned from the Apostle Paul about living an authentic Christian life, changing the culture and serving the broken world around us. (Part 2 of 2) Podcast users, find today's related broadcast resources here: http://dbx.focusonthefamily.com/media/daily-broadcast/authentic-christianity-counting-the-cost-pt2 Your feedback would be really helpful to us. Please visit http://www.focusonthefamily.com/podcastsurvey to take a brief survey (less than 5 minutes). Thank you!

Bible teacher and historian Ray Vander Laan shares inspirational lessons that can be learned from the Apostle Paul about living an authentic Christian life, changing the culture and serving the broken world around us. (Part 1 of 2) Podcast users, find today's related broadcast resources here: http://dbx.focusonthefamily.com/media/daily-broadcast/authentic-christianity-counting-the-cost-pt1 Your feedback would be really helpful to us. Please visit http://www.focusonthefamily.com/podcastsurvey to take a brief survey (less than 5 minutes). Thank you!

In this 2nd lesson on the Lord's prayer we will focus on Jesus' specific guidelines He taught when we pray.  1st, go into your inner room.  Next, do not use meaningless repetition like the pagan Gentiles.  Are these instructions unique?  Is Jesus teaching us something that is different than praying as a religious Jewish person in His day?  Are these guidelines uniquely Christian?  NOPE.  Jesus is teaching and emphasizing what His disciples have been taught as they grew up in their hometown synagogue schools.  As we study this in its historical context we find we are dealing with things so common in the Hebrew culture of the 1st century, Jesus' day.  But, Jesus is emphasizing that prayer is not just going through the motions.  Jesus is teaching us this act of prayer is a big deal in that praying to the Father is talking to Him in a deeply personal, intimate, and private manner.  He is teaching us that concentrated and intentional prayer is a mark of a true disciple.Again, in this session I mention a few resources.  I am providing the links to two of them.  The first is a link to the early Jewish Christian instruction booklet called the Didache (Greek for "teaching") written in the late 1st century.  It provides guidelines and instruction for living as a true disciple.  The second link is Ray Vander Laan's article on Rabbi and Talmid or Rabbi and Disciple.  The Lord's prayer has been given to His disciples since one of His disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray.  Knowing what a disciple is is important background for us to know the Lord's prayer and how it relates to us.Link to the Didache - click here for the complete ancient DidacheLink to Ray's article on Rabbi and Talmid - click here for Ray's articleRev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - click here for the teacher's background

This is a NEW podcast series.  We will focus on the Lord's Prayer or what we sometimes call, "The Our Father."  There are 100's of excellent books from excellent scholars on this prayer.  What we will do is simply look at this prayer in its historical context.  And, God willing, this perspective will only add to the understanding we have of this prayer and prayer in general.  In this first session we ask why did Jesus give the disciples this prayer?  The Jewish people in Jesus' day were known as a praying people.  They had a set of prayers they prayed three times a day!  This was normative as relates to the Jewish culture of Jesus' day, 2nd Temple Judaism.  So why does Jesus add to their list of prayers?  As we reconnect to the culture the reason is explosive and only challenges us to also understand how this prayer relates to us in the 21st century.  In this session I bring up various links to other resources.  Here's the links below.Link 1 - Dr. Brad Young's videos on the Hebrew background of the Lord's prayer - click here for his video series Link 2 - Dr. Brad Young's scholarly work on the Jewish background of the Lord's prayer - click here to access all his books in the bookstore  Link 3 - Dr. Brad Young's article on the Lord's prayer at "Jerusalem Perspective" - click here for part 1 of this 10 part seriesLink 4 - Ray Vander Laan's article on "Rabbi and Talmidim" - click here for Ray's awesome article on Rabbi and Talmidim (Disciples)Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - click here for the teacher's background

Adonai is connecting Passover to First Fruits (Bikkureem) and First Fruits to Shavuot or Pentecost.  It is so clear.  When we put these events into their historical context of 1446 B.C. or the time of the first Passover, and in 30 A.D., the probable time of Jesus' death an resurrection, ascension, and the feast of Pentecost in Acts 2, we see how the missing pieces of Pentecost are filled in.  Our understanding is again enriched and enhanced and we ask ourselves, how did we miss so much?  Why isn't Pentecost Sunday a big deal in my church?  In this lesson I hope you will become as passionate as I in terms of the fact we in the "church" need to bring back Pentecost Sunday and make it a big deal again.  It is more, much more, than what some say is the "birthday of the church."  Shavuot, its Hebrew name, is integrated into the special season, the season of God's ways of deliverance, salvation, redemption, and renewal.  Hear the words of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, "I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. I have other sheep (us Gentiles), which are not of this fold (Israel); I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they (Jew and Gentile) will become one flock with one shepherd." (Joh 10:14-16)This is the gathering in of His believers as one flock, one people, or one assembly - in Greek ECCLESIA which is translated as CHURCH.  The gathering of His assembly seems to begin in John 1 when two followed Jesus.  One was Andrew, Peter's brother.  More were added as Jesus came to them and said, "Come. Yes, come.  Follow me."  Shavuot is when the Lord poured out upon us POWER to be His witnesses to GO and make disciples and take God's Salvation (Yeshua - Jesus' name in Hebrew - means salvation!) and take God's Yeshua to the ends of the earth.  Our POWER day is PENTECOST.  Here are the links referenced in this lesson.Ray Vander Laan's audio lesson on Shavuot - click here for RVL's lessonTutorial of the feast of Shavuot presented by the Temple Institute in Jerusalem - click here for the lessonRev. Ferret's lesson from his book entitled, "The Spring Feasts: the Shadows of the Messiah" - click here for the articleHere's the link to the awesome commentary on Psalm 67 - a Psalm with 49 Hebrew words that many religious Jewish people recite ach day of the count of the omer.  But, it is an awesome psalm that is so related to Jesus, His resurrection, ascension, and Shavuot.  Christians should be saying this everyday from the day of resurrection to Pentecost Sunday.  Check this out - click here for Psalm 67 and JesusRev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - click here for the teacher's background  

Focus on the Family Africa — Bible teacher Ray Vander Laan helps parents prepare their teens to be a living witness for Christ in a broken world. He inspires parents and young people to introduce God’s peace to a chaotic world, while living out their faith with purpose and confidence.

Perry and Shawna have a conversation about the only hero in the bible:  Jesus!  He is in every story and gives us power to breakthrough.  And the God of breakthroughs give us just enough strength for today:  Bible teacher Ray Vander Laan brings this to life with a story of a shepherd girl under a broom tree in the Israeli desert and Perry shares how he has experienced this truth in his struggle with shame.  And finally, if there’s an area in your life you need a breakthrough, tell Jesus about it and then do what he tells you to do.  He will show you and me the way—we just need to take it.

Bay County is made up of people who know just how much chaos a storm from the water can bring. Michael swept up on us suddenly and powerfully and left our world a wreck. That’s the nature of a storm like that – it is a bringer of chaos.In our text this Sunday (Mark 4:35-41), Jesus and his disciples will face a sudden storm. While I believe this is an account of something that really happened, I also firmly believe that this event becomes a parable for us – a story that helps us see ourselves and Jesus more clearly. I believe this story helps us define what it means to follow Jesus.In the story, Jesus tells the disciples to take him across the lake (of Galilee). That seems innocuous enough, except that in 1st Century Israel, that area was called the Decapolis, and was considered off-limits for pious Jews. According to Ray Vander Laan’s article on the Decapolis: “Apparently, the pagan practices of the people of the Decapolis and their anti-God values seemed to be continuations of the practices of the Canaanites, who used sexual perversions and even child sacrifice in their worship. It is probable that the people of Jesus’ day, who took their Scriptures seriously, viewed the Decapolis as very pagan.” What does Jesus’ intent on going across the lake indicate to us about how we will follow Jesus? Who are the people across the lake in your world?When a storm comes up, it might have been easy for the disciples to assume that they were being punished by God for going to a place that was off-limits. Why would that be a wrong assumption? What does that tell us about the storms and chaos that effect us as we follow Jesus?Why does Jesus rebuke the disciples? Do you believe they were wrong for being afraid? How can we understand what Jesus is looking for in our response to the trials of life?It’s funny how the disciples go from fear to terror in this story. What is it that terrifies them? Why do you believe they are reacting this way? What, if any, experiences have you had with Jesus that have overwhelmed you because of his power?We’ll be celebrating communion this Sunday as well – hope to see you there!

Brent Billings introduces the story of Peter walking on water and Marty Solomon interacts with it by sharing some of his thoughts originally written years ago.In the Dust of the Rabbi — Video Study by Ray Vander LaanVelvet Elvis by Rob BellNOOMA 008: Dust by Rob BellCovered in His Dust: She Giggled (Part 1)Covered in His Dust: She Giggled (Part 2)Prototype by Jonathan Martin

Responding to questions from listeners about the Eastern Orthodox Church, Ray Vander Laan, and church youth groups. Visit wwutt.com for all of our videos!

DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR? (WK 1): "I'll Be Home For Christmas" message by Aaron Loy. Special thanks to Tim Keller, John Ortberg and Ray Vander Laan for their contributions to this message. For more info, visit www.mosaiclincoln.org.

Ray Vander Laan brings the message on November 9, 2008.