Would You Think Me Irreverent?

“Would You think me irreverent if this time I do not let you go?”

The disciples tried to make you get into the boat after you walked to them upon the waters and calmed the sea, but You sent them and their boat away . . . without You!

John lay on Your breast at dinner, enjoying the presence of the One with Whom he spent a most memorable Sabbath the night he first followed You, but now You were hanging on a tree, and in the final heaves of that once comforting chest, you said, “Son, behold your mother!” And death took You! And You were gone!

Miriam clung to you when she realized you were her resurrected Raboni, her Teacher, her Master, the One who delivered her from demons. “Don’t cling to me!” You said. “I’ve not ascended unto my Father.”

Your Disciples walked with you out to Bethany on the 40th day of the Omer. Just a friendly walk with the Lover of their souls, and then a cloud took You . . . just like that! You were gone!!

When I finally see You face-to-face;
When I bow in the presence of  Your Majesty;
When I fall prostrate before my King;
When I finally get through the throngs that will be vying for a chance to touch You;
When it’s my turn…

Please don’t think me irreverent, this time, if I don’t let You go!

Chanukah Celebration

Did Yeshua celebrate Chanukah?

Should it be important to Christians?

Join us on December 28th, 6:30 p.m., as we celebrate the 5th Night of Chanukah, study John 10 to see what it means when Yeshua went to the Temple during the Feast of Dedication, and explore the answers to these two questions!

You will see the Messiah you love and know in a way you’ve never beheld him before.

Kingdom Life Messianic Congregation, 1280 Bells Mill Road, Chesapeake 2332o

Pastors David & Juanita Weiss & KLMC Family

TORAH SERVICE

If you have never been a part of, or witnessed, a TORAH SERVICE, we at Kingdom Life Messianic Congregation cordially invite you to attend ours.

Saturday, July 30th, 2016: 10:30 A.M.

1280 Bells Mill Road, Chesapeake 23322

Elton Frank, Scott Presson, and Pastor Juanita Weiss,  will be reading — in Hebrew — from the Torah Scroll.  The readings will come from Numbers (Bamidbar) 25:1-18 — “Parashah ‘Pinchas.'” Ray Boetcher,  pastor of River Room Church,
will have the honor of carrying the Torah during the Torah Processional. Join us afterwards for an oneg (a light lunch). It will be a time of honoring Yeshua, the One who Gave to His People the Torah, as we celebrate the Word of God and those who will come up to read!

We’re looking forward to seeing you there! This is a free event and will be part of our morning service.

In His Service & Yours, Pastors David & Juanita Weiss

Carlos Perdomo in Concert

aEhb_plNKingdom Life Messianic Congregation
1280 Bells Mill Road, Chesapeake, VA 23322
Saturday, March, 19, 2016, Morning Shabbat Service – 10:30 A.M.

Raised in a Christian home, Carlos had his own personal encounter with the Lord when he was 19. Carlos’ experience occurred in Mt. Vernon, NY, at a small bilingual nondenominational church. They gave Carlos the nick-name “El Cantante de Jehovah” (The Singer of Jehovah).  It was then that God called Carlos to serve Him through song.

This Messianic singer’s  vision is to bring fellowship to the Body of Messiah through worshiping and entering into the presence of God. Worship brings people into unity. Once we are in the presence of God, The Holy Spirit will minister according to His will.

Carlos wants to be in the presence of the Lord and experience healing for the sick and freedom for the captives. In every meeting Carlos asks the Ruach ha Kodesh (The Holy Spirit) for a mighty rushing wind to come and take over the meetings. Come join Pastors David & Juanita Weiss & the Kingdom Life Messianic Congregation as we welcome Messianic recording artist, psalmist, musician, and worshipper Carlos Perdomo. Check out his music at www.carlosperdomoministries.com.

http://www.carlosperdomoministries.com/#!videos/cg1l

TORAH SERVICE

torah1You are cordially invited to participate in Kingdom Life Messianic Congregation’s Quarterly TORAH SERVICE! This is a most sacred occasion when the Torah Scroll is ceremoniously brought out, carried, read from, and lifted high. This written Torah points to The Living Torah: Yeshua, Our Messiah! Come, celebrate Yeshua in a way you may never have before. SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2016, 10:30 A.M., 1280 Bells Mill Road, Chesapeake, VA 23322.

Scott Presson, Deborah Forbes, and Pastor Juanita Weiss will have the honor of reading the weekly Torah Portion from a 125-year-old TORAH Scroll obtained by our congregation from Jerusalem–all in Hebrew!
Jew and Gentile will celebrate the sacredness of this event as Independent Baptist Preacher Dale Burden will have the honor of carrying the Torah! If you’ve never witnessed such an auspicious occasion, now is the time.

UnknownAfterwards, join us in a celebration of Tu B’Shavat (New Year of the Trees) as we taste of the 7 Species G-d promised to Eretz Israel: pomegranates, wheat, barley, dates, figs, olives, and grapes. See you then!

Shalom Overeecha b’Shem Yeshua (Peace & Blessings in the Name of Yeshua),
Pastors David & Juanita Weiss

…Of Schindler and Dog Biscuits

By Juanita Weiss
At the end of the movie Schindler’s List, we find Oskar Schindler weeping almost uncontrollably. The Allied Forces were invading Poland to liberate the Jews. Schindler had used his resources to save a small number of Jewish people from extermination in the death camps. At the end of the war, he was left with his costly jewelry, fine cars and clothes, and, no doubt, money in his pocket. He wept because he realized he could have saved so many more Jewish people with the resources he had. “What a waste,” he must have felt.

My 15-year old border collie Boomer is nearing the end of his life. He sleeps a lot and only rouses for a dog biscuit. So I dole them out one per day. Of course I want him to eat well, but I know I will be crestfallen if he passes away and I have a half full box of biscuits left. I don’t know of any dog who would enjoy them the way Boomer does.

Schindler and Boomer make me think of the day that Yeshua cracks the eastern sky. With all my resources — which at that time will mean nothing — will I say, “I could have fed a few more orphans or more of the poor. I could have aided in Bible translations, fed a few more missionaries, helped Haitian pastors to equip their churches better, funded water projects in Third World Countries, or supported more Messianic Jews in their desire to bring the reality of the Messiah to their lost Jewish brethren”?

What happens to our 401k’s and pensions and retirement plans? What about our bank accounts, our houses, fine cars and clothes? What about our jewelry and stocks and bonds?

We must plan as if tomorrow will come . . . and then live as if tomorrow will may never come! I can’t say I have mastered that, but Yeshua paints reality in this parable:

 “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” ’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

Schindler’s tears and Boomer’s dog biscuits remind me that  I so want to hear “Well Done, good and faithful servant” at the end of my days. “You’ve been faithful over a few things. I will make you ruler over much.” The “much” will far exceed the resources I gave and the ones I kept!

May You be pleased, Abba, with my stewardship.

Counting the Omer

In Leviticus 23, the Israelites were commanded to start counting up to 49 days after Passover; that would be seven weeks. This is called “Counting the Omer,” for they had to bring an omer (a small measurement) of barley to the Temple every day in faith of a greater harvest. The bringing of the barley was called “First Fruits.”  (By the way, “First Fruits” was the day that Yeshua was resurrected!) As they counted the days, it would lead them to day fifty (50). Day 50 is called Pentecost in English, Shavuot in Hebrew.

Historically, three days prior to the 50th day, the Israelites arrived at Mt. Sinai after leaving Egypt.  On the 50th day, Adonai gave them the Torah. By “counting the omer” yearly, they would always be reminded, not only that they were given the Torah, but also they would know the exact day on which He gave it.

Fast forward some 1500 years during Yeshua’s day–the people were still “counting the omer,” and they would have begun after Yeshua’s crucifixion. Luke 1:3 says, After his suffering, he presented himself to them [His disciples] and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.” 

During the 40 days of counting, Yeshua does the following:

  • He sleeps in the grave.
  • He rises from the grave.
  • He appears to Mary.
  • He walks with two disciples on the Road to Emmaus.
  • He appears to  Peter and to His disciples.
  • He eats with Peter at the Sea of Galilee.
  • He gives His disciples the Great Commission.
  • He meets them on the Mount of Olives.
  • On day 40, He ascends into the heavens.

Let’s not forget what Luke said: He “gave many convincing proofs that he was alive,” which means He did so much more in those 40 days than I listed above. 

But what about the 10 remaining days?

For the next ten days the disciples wait in Jerusalem as Yeshua tells them to. I believe they wait as they “count the omer.” As they are counting, the Holy Spirit is poured out upon them in the Upper Room, and they are filled with the Power and Presence of God on day 50! Pentecost! (Shavuot)!

As we “count the omer” this year, let us be reminded that God still desires to pour Himself out upon us — in us — as He did with His Torah and His Spirit! He still desires to bring forth a great harvest and to use us to reap it. This year, as we count, let us say . . . “More, Lord!!”

It’s a Set-Up!!!

Ever been surrounded by job loss on one side, a wayward child on another, and medical issues on yet another side? At that point you wonder:

  • Where is God???
  • Why am I in this situation??
  • Did He bring me out to destroy me?

What I realize from my experience with God is that “It’s a Set-up!”

When the Children of Israel left Egypt, they left with great rejoicing! After over 400 years of slavery they were free. That is . . . until God intentionally leads them into what appears to be a trap. This is what he tells Moses: “Tell the Israelites to turn back and encamp near Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea. They are to encamp by the sea, directly opposite Baal Zephon” (Exodus 14:1).

Apparently, the Children of Israel were hemmed in with mountains on all sides and the Red Sea in front of them. You have to wonder: A Trap? Or a Set-up? The Children of Israel saw it as a Trap! God saw it differently. This is what He says to Moses: “When Pharaoh sees their location, he will think ” . . .

  • ‘The Israelites are wandering around the land in confusion, hemmed in by the desert.’ (NIV)
  • ‘The Israelites are confused. They are trapped in the wilderness!’ (NLT)
  • ‘They are wandering aimlessly in the land; the wilderness has shut them in.’ (NASB)
  • ‘They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in. (JPS)

God intentionally sent His children into what seemed to be a trap . . . and here is the reason:  “I will get Me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; and the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD.” (Exodus 14:4 JPS). IT WAS A SET-UP!

Consider this New Testament scenario: Yeshua has just worked miracles among the crowd in Matthew 14:22: Immediately Yeshua made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side.” Consider the word “made.” He coerced them! He told them! He gave them an order. As I read this passage, here is my dialogue with Yeshua:

  • ME: But Yeshua, there is going to be a storm at sea and the disciples will be in the midst of it.
  • YESHUA: I know.
  • ME: Then why are you sending them out into the very midst of it?

Say it with me: IT’S A SET UP!

YESHUA: I’m trying to show you My glory! I want you to see a glimpse of Who I really am! I’m trying to bring you deeper into My presence!

Say it with me again: IT’S A SET-UP!!!

Whatever you’re facing today, you are not in it alone! It is true that some things we bring upon ourselves, but God can use even those things to set us up for a blessing! Between a rock & a hard place!??? Between Migdol, Baal-Zephon, Pi-hahiroth and the sea??  IT’S A SET-UP!!! Out on a boat in the midst of the storm!!!  IT’S A SET-UP!!! Stop seeing things as Pharaoh did or as the Children of Israel did. It’s not a trap! IT’S A SET-UP!

Let Him get what He wants: Honor & Glory!!  He’s worthy of ALL of it!!

Shalom Oveerecha,
(Peace & Blessings)

Bethsaida: The Path He Took #7

“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes” (Luke 10:13).

P1030249 My Israel tour group entered the grounds of what was once the town of Chorazin  — scattered stones around the ruins of a synagogue. That’s all that was left. That “Woe” that Yeshua pronounced upon the city is still in effect. No longer a living city, it is now a national park.

From there we walked toward Bethsaida, which means “House of the Fishermen.” It, like Chorazin, is a victim of its faithlessness to the presence of the Messiah, an expanse of leveled ruins. Before Bethsaida sank into spiritual coldness, however, Yeshua called three disciples from that city, one of them Phillip.

P1030251

The paved road that led to this fallen city — a part of it is still there! The tour guide invited us to sit around this stone path. He said the stone pavers dated to the time of Yeshua  and that Yeshua would have walked this road on his trips to and from Bethsaida. Around that road we sang, “I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back.” I’m sure that road reminded us of the path that we, ourselves, take to walk with him.

It was time to go. I lingered behind, wanting to STAND, SIT, or even LIE PROSTRATE on that same road! It didn’t matter how many other feet had trodden its path. I wanted to sit for a while and think of Him. The mountains of Israel were still there. They had watched the Son of God come and go, traveling from Chorazin to Bethsaida. The voices of the mountains were silent, their emotions dulled, but their eyes were opened to me. I imagined him walking across those stones with the disciples,  teaching them about the Kingdom.

I could have stayed at that sight a little longer . . . The tour guide Gideon hit us with an actuality — Yeshua walked that road — and then it was time to go.  But somehow I had to capture the moment. When everyone had left, I gave my camera to Larry and he hurriedly memorialized that moment for me.

P1030255“No turning back!” Thank You, Yeshua, for walking that road.

“I Can Only Imagine”: From Israel #1

“I can imagine what I would do when my face is before You. When I stand in Your presence, what will my heart feel? Will I dance for You, Jesus, or in awe of You be still. Will I sing hallelujah or be able to speak at all. I can only imagine.”

imageWell, recording artists Mercy Me asked the above questions in wonderment! As I sit on the Boeing 777 plane taking thirty of us across the Atlantic on a tour of Israel, I am 2 hours away from my destination!

And I am asking the same questions that Mercy Me did.

What will I do when the plane touches down at the Ben Gurion  Airport?

What will I do after going through baggage claim and stand on the outside of the airport, on the grounds that He consecrated?

What will I do when our driver picks us up and takes us to the kibbutz in Galilee where I will stay? Galilee was the headquarters of Jesus’s ministry.

What will I do when I board a boat that will sail across the Sea of Galilee?

Or when I teach in the Garden of Gethsemane!?

Or at the Pool of Siloam?

Or stand on the grounds of the ill-fated Jericho!

Well, I can only imagine . . . and you, well, you have to wait for my 2nd blog.

PRAYER: Abba, none of us has any idea what that day will be like when really do stand before You, but until then we want to live every day in Your presence as if it were the last one! And in the land that you blessed with a promise, I want to encounter you in everything I do! Amen!