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Chanukah a Reflection of Faith

2/12/2019

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Chanukah a Reflection of Faith

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We just celebrated Chanukah a few months ago. Believers who I talk with always ask me about Chanukah. Chanukah was just observed in many homes on December 3-9, 2018 which is on the Hebrew calendar Kislev 25- Tevet 2, 5779.
It is an interesting minor feast that is recorded in the book of Maccabees and in the bible, the book of John, Chapter 10. The internet is also filled with information regarding the feast. The miracle of Chanukah has a lot of reflection on light. One interesting tradition is lighting a Chanukkiah which has 9 lights and is lit facing out toward the street so a passerby can observe the light. The link is some good information on traditional Chanukah. https://www.wikihow.com/Light-a-Chanukah-Menorah  https://ritualwell.org/hanukkah-candle-lighting
The Chanukkiah technically has 8 lights to memorialize the eight days of the oil burning to give time for more oil to be made holy. The ninth is known as the servant light and is used to light the other lights.
In scripture we can find patterns of 8. One of the meanings is that it signifies a new beginning. A new beginning is like a rededication, which is the meaning of the word Chanukah and also is sometimes called the Feast of Dedication.  As we look at the Feast of Chanukah and then relate it to our lives in Messiah, it gives us an opportunity to reflect on our faith. The meaning of Chanukah is the rededication of the temple, but we also know our body is a spiritual temple (1 Corinthians 3: 16). Just like the temple needed rededication, we also could use the inspiration of Chanukah to have a time of renewal to G-d.
As we observe these traditions, I search for meaningful experiences to bring into our lives, so we can grow into what G-d has purposed for us.
My husband and I decided on a bible study this Chanukah. When we go to the scriptures we can always find help to bring spiritual meaning into our lives and inspire us to be renewed in our faith in Messiah.
The bible study is not connected with any traditional Chanukah observance. My husband and I just wanted a time to gather around the candles and discuss the scripture. We involved whoever showed up to visit and any children in the house. In John 10, we read that Yeshua (Jesus) was at the Feast of Dedication. We read this chapter on the first night so everyone is aware that he attended the feast and to hear the proclamation that HE and the Father are one.
We also read the Brit Hadashah (New Testament) book of 2 Peter 1: 1-9 that has a list of 8 interesting growth steps. These are Faith, Virtue, Knowledge, Self-Control, Patient endurance, Godliness, Brotherly love, and then Charity or Love for all mankind.
The eight steps worked out well as we applied them to the Chanukkiah because of the eight candles. We made a little handwritten poster to go with the Chanukkiah to display the 8 steps from the book of 2 Peter. As we compare the 8 lights to the 8 growth steps in 2 Peter one for each night went very well. However,  the Chanukkiah it has nine lights. What do we do with the ninth candle that is separate or higher than the rest, and is known as the servant light (Hamash)?
The ninth candle works out well as a type and shadow of our Messiah,Yeshua. When we believe (have faith) in Jesus, it brings spiritual light into our life and we are born again. (John 1:4, John 8:12 and John 12:36)
The servant candle when lit brings light into the home and can be shown as a representation of Jesus bringing light into the believer’s life. The servant candle represents our Messiah and He is the light that helps to light those 8 steps from 2 Peter. If we do not have his light in us, we cannot understand His Faith, Virtue, Knowledge, Self-Control, Patient endurance, Godliness, Brotherly love, and then Charity or Love for all mankind.
The lighting of the Chanukkiah went like this: On the first night we light the servant candle (Messiah in us) and the first candle (Faith). Our first night’s discussion included the faith that brings salvation and about how our Messiah, Yeshua (Jesus) brings this salvation. This was an excellent time to share our testimonies of how we experienced salvation and our experiences with our faith.
Each following night we add another step and discussed how one lead to another such as on the 2nd night, we talked about Virtue and how Faith leads to Virtue.  We continued on with the 3rd night, Knowledge, the 4th night, Self-control, the 5th night, Patient Endurance, the 6th night, Godliness, the 7th night, Brotherly love, and on the 8th night, love for all mankind also known as Charity.
On the 8th night all the candles are lit and we conclude the feast.
We had a very special time sharing by sitting around the Chanukkiah while it burned discussing scripture
and snacking on treats. It was relaxed and informal. The observation of Chanukah was a very fulfilling experience this year.
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Next year Lord willing, we may repeat or look at the 9 gifts of the spirit!
D’vorah



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Apologies

1/12/2018

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Hello everyone! It's D'vorah. 

I want to say thank you to everyone who has stopped by, sent me a message, or enjoyed the things that I have made here on this little website. It means so much to me. It makes my heart so very glad that we can share and enjoy the message that Yah has given us. 

You may have noticed, however, that we've gone a little quiet! At this time, I am currently unable to run this website. Due to life and the responsibilities that it requires. I will be back! This website is going to be under construction for new content. (Exciting!!) I want to say thank you to everyone who has supported me and RTRD.  

The content currently available will still be up for those who wish to read and meditate on the word. 

Thank you for your patience. May Yah bless you and keep you.
D'vorah 
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The Amidah/ The Lord's Prayer   Sun, 3 July 2016 = 27th of Sivan, 5776

7/3/2016

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I read an interesting article this week that truly affected my prayer life. I thank Hashem for helping me to find this information. It came about because I have had this interest in understanding the Jewish prayers and prayer times. I have been struggling with the daily prayers, because I just did not want to read words on a page.

In my morning prayer time for the last few months I have enjoyed praying the Lord's Prayer. When praying the Lord's Prayer I have meditated as I recited each part to extract meaning and relevance to my life. I find when I pray scripture like this it opens up greater meaning to my life and his word working in my life.

Yeshua makes a statement about this prayer in that we are to pray like this. Like what ? Then he quotes what is now known as the Lord's Prayer.

Luke 11:1-4 KJV - And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. 2   And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. 3 Give us day by day our daily bread. 4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

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As I was searching some articles on the Jewish prayers I noticed that the Amidah is recited at all three times. Now I am familiar with the prayer but if you were to ask me to recite some of it I would not be able to tell you anything. This is where this article I read this week was so edifying as the writer states that The Lord's Prayer is an abbreviated version of the Amidah. (Bivin) Here is the web address for the article ( cited down below). ​http://www1.cbn.com/biblestudy/the-amidah-prayer

The author relates the Amidah to the Lord's prayer and that quickened in my spirit. The relationship of the words is amazing. I recommend reading the article and his version of the Amidah prayer. The author breaks up the Amidah into sections and then gives each section a title. So as you pray through the prayer you can pause and add in things. Like under the section for healing you can put in those names of ones who need healing. Under the section for repentance you can search your heart. I really had a break through with this and I wanted to share.

Devorah
References:
Bivin, David. The Amidah Prayer. The Christian Broadcast Network, 2016. Web. 6 June 2016.



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Fri, 23 October 2015 = 10th of Cheshvan, 5776- Charity

10/23/2015

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Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. 18 Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. 19 By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.
1 Timothy 6: 17  (NLT)
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Charity is a very important aspect of living the Torah lifestyle. We should seek Yahweh in prayer as our role in giving and doing charitable works. We can all do a part. Recently, Yah has been dealing with my husband and me regarding visiting those whom are homebound or elderly. It is a good thing to pursue helping. In the book of Isaiah chapter 58 it speaks of how our well being is connected to helping others. Studies have shown how helping others extends our life and can heal us of depression and other ailments. Read below the scripture and see a  blog I wrote on the trees of life regarding charitable works. Also you can view the charity link in the web site for more information. I hope you will be inspired to help.



Isaiah 58:6 “No, this is the kind of fasting I want:
Free those who are wrongly imprisoned;
    lighten the burden of those who work for you.
Let the oppressed go free,
    and remove the chains that bind people.
7 Share your food with the hungry,
    and give shelter to the homeless.
Give clothes to those who need them,
    and do not hide from relatives who need your help.
8 “Then your salvation will come like the dawn,
    and your wounds will quickly heal.
Your godliness will lead you forward,
    and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind.
9 Then when you call, the Lord will answer.
    ‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply.
“Remove the heavy yoke of oppression.
    Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors!
10 Feed the hungry,
    and help those in trouble.
Then your light will shine out from the darkness,
    and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.
11 The Lord will guide you continually,
    giving you water when you are dry
    and restoring your strength.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
    like an ever-flowing spring.
12 Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities.
    Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls
    and a restorer of homes.

Shabbat Shalom
Devorah



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Messiah within us                                                                          Fri, 9 October 2015 = 26th of Tishrei, 5776

10/9/2015

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Colossians 1: 29 It is for this that I toil, striving with all the energy that he stirs up in me so mightily..CJB
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 This verse jumped out at me during my daily read. This is why I enjoy my habit of reading a little each day. I  use the one year bible which is both in print and on line. You can check out the web site as this is one of the branches of the tree that is rooted deep.  Most days this happens when I read His word, it is like He is speaking with me.

The verse above helped me to remember the power of Messiah within me! How the working of this mighty power can affect every part of my life. I just need to believe in it!! The mighty working of His power can change my life. When I first began to know Him, he began right away to change my life for the better. As I have walked with Him these many years He still amazes me. Is His power working in your life today? He is wonderful. You can go to Him right now and speak the words of Matthew 11: 28

 “Come to me, all of you who are struggling and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” CJB

This is an excellent scripture to meditate on today and let Messiah's power work through you.

May you Have Peace this Shabbat
Devorah


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Fri, 11 September 2015 = 27th of Elul, 5775  Standing Firm

9/11/2015

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Unless your faith is firm,
    I cannot make you stand firm.”

Isaiah 7:9b for the New Living Translation

This scripture caught my attention as I am reading Isaiah at this time of year with the One Year Bible readings. So when Yahweh talks of faith to us it is because it is so important. If we are wavering in our faith then He can not make it firm for us. We must have firm faith
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Friday, the 10th of April, 2015 The Hebrew Date is the 21st of Nisan, 5775 - Counting the OMER!!

4/10/2015

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Depending on how you are counting the omer for our family it is the 6th day of counting. I hope you are counting the omer, it is a commandment. It is a good time to work on something spiritual...I will show a picture of the omer count that we do in our homes. I will post that this week. My husband came up with the layout. The blessing for counting the Omer is "Blessed are you YHVH our Elohim King of the universe who sanctified us with his commandments and commanded us about the counting of the Omer." Here is a link for the commandment and more information. http://www.templeinstitute.org/archive/commandment_omer.htm 

You can use a calendar or any other kind of counting ( There are many ways and methods) to remind you of these special days leading up to Shavout. The children can really have fun with this so be sure and bring the family together to count. 1..2..3..4..5..6. six days of the omer. These are the days Yeshua walked on the Earth after his resurrection!
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Fri, 24 October 2014 = 30th of Tishrei, 5775- DNA  and Nutrition

10/24/2014

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  We have just finished the feast of Tabernacles. Tabernacles was a wonderful time of coming close to each other in our camping site. As our family grows close camping together so also we grow close to our brothers and sister in faith. This year we had local teachers who taught on healing the land and healing ourselves.
This year I spoke on herbal nutrition. I will be sharing some of the information here as a follow up to those not able to hear the lesson in person. 
One thing that has happened this year is that I have been able to lose 40 lbs and feel so much better. I have been taking a master herbal course I have really enjoyed the classes. I have learned so much about both herbs and nutrition. I have learned that true health comes from eating the right foods and adding herbs to my diet. One of my favorite ways to get my herbs is through tea. In the morning I have red raspberry leaf tea with turmeric and ginger plus some horsetail, mullen and sometimes hawthorne herb. I sweeten the tea with some local honey from the local beekeepers. I also add herbs to a raw salad at lunch. MORE about herbs in the next post. I would like to share a link to a you tube on how our body renews itself. The DNA and other components of all the cells in our body is constantly 24/7 created new cells and casting off the old. So it is possible to feel better by giving your body what it needs to repair itself. Over 65 % of our energy goes to this process alone, not including any other activity such as eating or even walking around (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basal_metabolic_rate) (You can find a breakdown by system at this site as well). So look at this you tube and think how intricate the creator put us together and will each time our cells divide remember to eat the good things to give your body what it needs to heal itself. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqESR7E4b_8

Today is preparation day. So set your table with some bread, wine and some candles. Sing and Praise our wonderful Creator, YHVH who gives us Shabbath as gift. The promise of rest and sharing with Him.

Shabbat Shalom.

D'vorah


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Sat, 26 April 2014 = 26th of Nisan, 5774 Shabbat Shalom

4/26/2014

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Proverbs 14:1  
A wise woman builds her home,but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.


The scripture above really spoke to me this morning when I was doing my morning reading. As manager of the family and home we sometimes forget how important our role is to keeping order and peace in the home. We need to be builders by making our homes a place to be. When we keep our nest clean and well stocked our family will flourish. We will also reap the benefit of a blessed life where we can pursue Torah, good deeds, prayer and respect. We should not beat ourselves up over this, but just by keeping simple daily routines or as some would say "chores" is all that is  needed.  This keeps enough order so we can prepare healthly meals, find clothes to wear and time for each other. Everyone in the household should have jobs that they are expected to do and should be reminded when they forget. We should remind them how important family is to each other and how we should love and respect each other by doing the responsibility they have been given. See the webpage on household for more information.  Shabbat Shalom. Praise Yahweh in the highest!!

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Tue, 25 February 2014 = 25th of Adar I, 5774 - Let's Praise

2/25/2014

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This people have I formed for myself;
they shall shew forth my
praise.
Isaiah 43:21 KJV -



 
We as His people need to show forth his praise, this our way of  showing Yahweh our love for Him. It is a way to express gratitude for all He  does for us. We are to praise Yah. When we declare our praise for Elohim, we are
giving Him glory, and fulfilling one of the purposes we were created for. 



Here is an article I ran across in my search on this topic and I would like to share it with you.



GIVING GOD THE GLORY NO MATTER WHAT YOU ARE FACING CBN.com 

 

Witnessing a magnificent fireworks display, hearing a stunning  symphony, or seeing a glorious sunset can evoke a response of praise.  But often, it's easier to praise a sunset than the Creator of  the sunset. In that same way, the difficulties of life often cloud our vision  and keep us from praising God. What can we do to restore a heart-attitude of  praise? 

THE NATURE OF PRAISE

 Praise, according to the Scriptures, is an act of our will that  flows out of an awe and reverence for our Creator. Praise gives glory to God and  opens us up to a deeper union with Him. It turns our attention off of our  problems and on the nature and character of God Himself. 
 
As we focus our minds on God and proclaim His goodness, we reflect His glory back to Him. The results can fill you with peace and  contentment ( Isaiah 26:3) and transform your outlook on life. 
 
REASONS  TO PRAISE

 Very simply, we praise God because He is worthy of our praise ( 1 Chron.  16:25; Rev. 5:11-14).  He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the King of kings and Lord  of lords. He is our Creator, Provider, Healer, Redeemer, Judge, Defender and  much more. 

As  the psalmist said, "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord" ( Psalm  150:6). 

As we praise God, we will discover incredible benefits for our  lives. That's because human beings were created by God to praise Him ( Isa.  43:7, Matt.  21:16). Due to man's original  sin, however, this relationship was disrupted. Praising God helps restore us to  that right relationship, for God actually dwells in the praises of His people ( Psalm 22:3). As we draw near to the Father in praise, He draws near to us ( James 4:8). 

Praise is also our ultimate destiny. When the Lord Jesus Christ  returns again to earth, all creation -- including prideful mankind -- will  recognize His glory and praise Him ( Phil.  2:9-11). 


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Let's practice to praise Yahweh by making it a part of each day. Now the flesh will rise up against this act but we should push through and this can be done by putting on some wonderful music that helps us in praising Yahweh. PRAISE YAHWEH !!!

D'vorah
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    Study the Commandments!
    http://www.jewfaq.org/613.htm

    613 Commandments about: 
    Yahweh
     

    7.To love Elohim

    (Deut. 6:5)

    And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. NLT
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