Audio Teaching NOTES The Power of Forgiveness Last week's portion showed us that Joseph was a man who could walk in forgiveness. The forgiveness that he demonstrated led to restoration and blessing. Yeshua's teaching and life of forgiveness We must forgive others to be forgiven (Mt. 6:14-15). We must walk in love and forgiveness (Mt.... Continue Reading →
Audio Teaching NOTES The Messiah This week's portion brings us to a remarkable parallel of Joseph and Yeshua. In Judaism, the Messiah is understood by two people: Messiah, Son of Joseph, and Messiah, Son of David. As believers in Yeshua, we know this not as two separate Messiahs but two different comings of one Messiah. ... Continue Reading →
Tevet is the tenth month of the Hebrew calendar; in it, we celebrate the end of Hanukkah, but we also have the fast of Tevet, which recalls the siege of the First Temple and its destruction. Tevet is one of the calendar's dark (spiritual) months, so we must have an overcoming spirit this month! As... Continue Reading →
Message Audio NOTES Introduction This week's portion begins with the words, "Ya'akov continued living in the land where his father had lived as a foreigner, the land of Kena'an." (Gen. 37:1). This Parsha begins the story of Yosef, yet we start with Jacob, Ya'akov. This serves as a reminder that each story is connected. The... Continue Reading →
Message Audio NOTES Genesis Recap Abel was different than Cain in his offering. Noah was righteous in his generation. Abraham and Lot separated. Isaac's mother didn't want him tainted by Ishmael's idol worship. Esau didn't value the birthright and calling of the firstborn, and Jacob did. Genesis 32:24-32; 33:15-20 ESV Jacob prepared to meet Esau.... Continue Reading →
John 10:22-30 TLV "Then came Hanukkah; it was winter in Jerusalem. 23 Yeshua was walking in the Temple around Solomon's Colonnade. 24 Then the Judean leaders surrounded Him, saying, "How long will You hold us in suspense? If You are the Messiah, tell us outright!" 25 Yeshua answered them, "I told you, but you don't believe! The works I do... Continue Reading →
I've always had many questions concerning Jacob and Esau's story. I wondered how Jacob could "steal" the birthright and blessing yet not be reprimanded. I knew the blessing was promised to Jacob, but there was so much I hadn't understood until today. Today, I read from the Blue Chumash and better understood the story. I... Continue Reading →
Audio Teaching NOTES Interesting Observation This week's portion is called 'The Life of Sarah,' but why is it called The Life of Sarah when it begins with her death and burial? One answer is that the portion begins with her name, and another is that Rebekah, Isaac's soon-to-be wife, will carry on her legacy. Separating... Continue Reading →
Message Audio NOTES Genesis Recap Adam's relationship with God changed after sin. Noah preached repentance to his generation. Abraham actively sought the conversion of his generation. The Destruction of the Cities Genesis 18-19 Abraham interceded on behalf of Lot and the people of the cities. Destruction came not because of one sin but the buildup... Continue Reading →
Audio Teaching NOTES We have reached the third week of our study through the Torah. So far, we have seen God's goodness pronounced in the blessing over Adam and Noah, as well as the tragedies resulting from not walking with God. This week, we come to the beginning of God's plan of redemption: the Jewish... Continue Reading →
Message Audio NOTES "Here is the history of Noach. In his generation, Noach was a man righteous and wholehearted; Noach walked with God" - Gen. 6:9 CJB. "But Noach found grace in the sight of Adonai." - Gen. 6:8 CJB. In his generation, Noah was righteous and blameless. Righteous and wholehearted. In his generation -... Continue Reading →
Psalm 83 ESV "O God, do not keep silence; do not hold your peace or be still, O God! 2 For behold, your enemies make an uproar; those who hate you have raised their heads. 3 They lay crafty plans against your people; they consult together against your treasured ones. 4 They say, "Come, let... Continue Reading →
Message Audio NOTES Introduction We are beginning a journey through the Torah (The Five Books of Moses), a yearly reading schedule that Jews have been doing for centuries, and a reading plan that Yeshua (Jesus) and His disciples participated in every year. When we read that it was Yeshua's custom to go to the Synagogue,... Continue Reading →
Audio Message NOTES When the devil tempted Yeshua, He responded by quoting Deuteronomy 8:3, 6:16, and 6:13-14. Interestingly, He didn't respond by saying anything else but Scripture. A month ago, that began rolling around in my mind. I thought about the fact that Yeshua could have said anything, and I assumed it would have the... Continue Reading →
Micah 6:8 CJB "Human being, you have already been told what is good, what Adonai demands of you — no more than to act justly, love grace and walk in purity with your God." When we think of worship, music, lights, fast songs, slow songs, clapping, raising hands, and other things may come to mind - but... Continue Reading →
Casey D. Bell 