Kehilat Emunah

Do you know what to do in a time of trouble

I am so excited to be speaking this Sunday, the 17th, at Living Springs Christian Center in Palm Springs. 10:30 AM. If you’re in the area, come on out!

Syncretism in Scripture and Today Syncretism is nothing new. It’s been with us since the beginning. It’s the combination of different forms of belief or practic...e into one unique idea. Surprisingly the Scriptures have a lot to say about syncretism. Our fallen nature is inclined to mix idolatry with worship of the God/Elohim of Israel. This practice began in the Garden of Eden when Eve/Chava thought she could mix together the commands of God/Yahweh with the advice and schemes of Satan that somehow these two were actually compatible. The infamous Golden Calf event in which people reasoned that adding a new feast day and calling it Yahweh's would be acceptable. We all know how that turned out. In the same manner, Christmas syncretizes/blends the biblical symbols of a manger, star, Magi, etc. with the pagan symbols of evergreen tree (fertility), Santa (the personification of Christmas and abundance), Saturnalia weeklong winter celebration, has been condensed to December 25 (a solstice festival, the day that sun gods are remembered), etc. The birth of the Messiah has nothing to do with the celebration of Christmas. We should always be ready to confess our Messiah regardless of what such a confession may cost us: Jesus/Yeshua stated, "They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’ You have disregarded the commandment of God/Yahweh to keep the tradition of men. He went on to say, You neatly set aside the commandment of God/Yahweh to maintain your own tradition" (Mark 7:7-9). Paul's concern over new believing Gentiles keeping pagan days, "Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! I fear for you, that my efforts for you may have been in vain. Paul instructs Believers to come out of the world, "Wherefore come out from among them, and be separate, says the LORD, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you" (2 Corinthians 6:11-17).

Jesus/Yeshua did not change the importance of keeping all of the Commandments. The two Commandments of Yeshua, loving God/Yahweh and loving your neighbor, are a... summation of the Law and Torah. In fact, Yeshua says, On these two Commandments hang/ depend all the Law and the Prophets/Torah (Matthew 22:40). "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. So then, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do likewise will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:18). Do we then make void the law through faith? God/Yahweh forbid: yea, we establish the Law" (Romans 3:31) . "He who possesses My Commands and keeps them, is he who love Me" (John 14:21). "Do we then make void the law through faith? God/Yahweh forbid: yea, we establish the Law" (Romans 3:31). "His commandments are not grievous/burdensome" (1 John 5:3). By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, I have come to know Him, and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God/Yahweh has truly been perfected. (I John 2:3-5) Everyone who practices sin practices lawlessness as well. Indeed, sin is lawlessness (1 John 3:4). If you love Me, you will keep My Commandments (John 14:15): But prove yourselves doers of the Word/Torah, and not merely hearers who delude themselves (James 1:22). That you keep the Commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ/Messiah (1 Timothy 6:13). Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the Commandments of God/Yahweh, and the faith of Jesus/Yeshua. (Revelation 14:12). Blessed are they that do His Commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city (Revelation 22:14).

The New Covenant- A Jewish Book

He was born a Hebrew and raised a Hebrew. His name, Yeshua, means "salvation." Actually, there is not one verse which says to "accept Jesus". There are lots whi...ch say to "follow Him" and "believe in Yeshua." Gentile Believers have been grafted in to Israel, being adopted into His people: "Now if some branches have been broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, have been GRAFTED IN among the others to share in the nourishment of the olive root, do not boast over those branches. If you do, remember this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you" (Romans 11:17-18).

God/Yahweh loves celebrations! So much so, He planned seven annual feasts for us. December 25, Christmas, is not one of them, as the Messiah was NOT born on Dec...ember 25 or any time in the winter. So when was He born? Details from Scripture on Birth of the Messiah 1. The festival of Tabernacles or Sukkot is a weeklong celebration of when Yahweh dwelt or tablernacled with man in the wilderness. This fall festival commemorates the 40-year journey of the Israelites, a time when God/Yahweh dwelt/ tabernacled/ walked with man in the wilderness. 2. The festival of Sukkot provides a deeper understanding of John’s words, The Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). The Greek word dwelt comes from the word skeinos, which the Septuagint uses for name given for Sukkot. 3. Yeshua was born in a Sukkah. The Greek word manger means feeding trough’. Nevertheless, this manger may have been a sukkah or tabernacle, which is the flimsy little hut that Israelites build during the Sukkot. We see the connection between a manger and a sukkah in Genesis 33:17 where Jacob built booths (or tabernacles for his livestock. This confirms that the Hebrew word sukkah can also mean livestock barn or manger as well as a temporary habitation where Israelites dwell during Sukkot. 4. Shepherds would not be out with their sheep in the dead of winter in Israel. The angels appeared to the shepherds who were out in the fields (Luke 2:8). The angels said, Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people (Luke 2:10). Since Sukkot was known as both a festival of joy and also as the Festival of the Nations, the angel was actually giving them a greeting for the Festival of Sukkot. 5. Sukkot is is "Our Season of Joy. It's the only feast in which we are commanded to be "joyful" (Deuteronomy 16:13-15). The expectation of joy at this time is affirmed with the angels’ declaration to the shepherds announcing Yeshua's birth, "I bring you good news of great joy". It's a wonderful thought that the Father planned a weeklong party for the birth of His Son! < 6. King Herod’s census most likely took place over a year in Jerusalem. Hanukkah falls in winter (around December 25), it’s not a required pilgrimage feast, where men were required to attend. The there would be no room in the inn during a required feast. Bethlehem is only five miles from Jersulem. 7. Because of the yearly cycle of service in the Temple we can calculate the time of the Messiah’s birth to the Fall Feasts. http://www.kolsimcha.org/messages/2010/092510M.pdf 8. The last day of Sukkot is an additional festival day, called The Eighth Day (Leviticus 23:36, 39). If Yeshua was born on the first day of the feast of Tabernacles, then He would have been circumcised him on the day called the Eighth Day, thereby literally fulfilling the scripture which says, On the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised (Leviticus 12:3). 9. The ultimate fulfillment of this feast is found when Yeshua tabernacles when He rules and reigns on earth from Jerusalem. It will be a time of rest, joy and fellowship with Him. 10. The Scriptures teach in the coming Kingdom, that ALL the nations of the world will come to Jerusalem to celebrate Sukkot in fact, we will be required to celebrate! (Zechariah 14:16). 11. The Festival of Dedication/Hanukkah, is also known as the Festival of Lights, because it was a triumph of light over darkness. This would have been the time the Angel Gabriel made his announcement to Mary. Hanukkah is a meaningful celebration, based on historical fact. Yeshua said, I am the light of the world John 8:12. http://www.kolsimcha.org/messages/2010/092510M.pdf See more

Repentance (Tshuvah) is the heart of the Kingdom message and does not end with int initial conversion. Repentance is two-fold. First, it's acknowledging our sin... and then TURNING back to God/Yah and His ways. "Repent, then, and turn to the Lord, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord." Acts 3:9 "Yet even now," declares the HaShem, "Return to Me with all your heart, And with fasting, weeping and mourning; And rend your heart and not your garments." Now return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in loving kindness And relenting of evil." (Joel 2:12) "Return [i.e., repent], O Israel, to HaShem your God/Elohim, for you have fallen because of your transgression." (Hosea 14:2) "Repent and turn back from your transgressions; let them not be a stumbling block of guilt for you For it is not my desire that anyone should die, declares HaShem God/Elohim. Repent and live!" (Ezekiel 18:30-32)

Don't forget! Tomorrow (Friday) at 7:00 pm PST. In person on Facebook Live - The Prophetic Significance of the Fall Feasts." Please come, watch, and please share. Facebook Live on my personal page - Suzy Linett. Will be posted on this page later.

I am so excited about this coming Friday, August 28 when I will speak about the prophetic significance of the fall feasts. Tune in to my Facebook page live at 7 PM Pacific standard time.

Daily reading during this biblical season of Elul Of David. ADONAI is my light and my salvation: whom should I fear? ADONAI is the stronghold of my life: whom should I dread? When evildoers approached me to devour my flesh my adversaries and my foes they stumbled and fell. Though an army camp besieges me, my heart will not fear. Though war breaks out against me, even then will I be confident. One thing have I asked of ADONAI, that will I seek: to dwell in the House of ADO...NAI all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of ADONAI, and to meditate in His Temple. For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His sukkah, conceal me in the shelter of His tent, and set me high upon a rock. Then will my head be high above my enemies around me. In His Tabernacle I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy. I will sing, yes, sing praises to ADONAI. Hear, ADONAI, when I call with my voice, be gracious to me and answer me. To You my heart says: Seek My face. Your face, ADONAI, I seek. Do not hide Your face from me. Do not turn Your servant away in anger. You have been my help. Do not abandon me or forsake me, O God my salvation. Though my father and my mother forsake me, ADONAI will take me in. Teach me Your way, ADONAI, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes. For false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence. Surely I trust that I will see the goodness of ADONAI in the land of the living. Wait for ADONAI. Be strong, let Your heart take courage, and wait for ADONAI. Psalms 27:1-14 TLV Read every day through Yom Kippur