Thanking Adonai in 2020

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November 25, 2020

Shalom mispochah,

As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving tomorrow, I wanted to encourage us to really take time to give thanks.  2020 has not turned out to be anything like anyone imagined.  Our lives were turned upside down and inside out. Tragically some people struggled seriously with the virus, and, yes, some of our loved ones even died this year.  Jobs were at jeopardy for some while others worked overtime to keep up with new technology and demand.  Life became harder as we were restricted and confined to our homes.  Our government began to control the basic aspects of our daily life.  At the moment in America there is a dispute over who has done the election.  Anarchy and riots took to the streets of our cities this year. What is there to be thankful about in the midst of all the chaos that is going on in our world today, Rabbi Carol?

Our daughter, Abigail, loves to tell a story of Corrie and Betsie Ten Boom. When they arrived at the concentration camp, Betsie tried to encourage Corrie to be thankful even in the concentration camp. She walked Corrie through thanking G-d for everything around them – the crowded room they lived in, the Bible in their hands, the mere pittance of food, and the fleas.  When Betsie came to the fleas, Corrie insisted there was no way she was going to thank Adonai for fleas.  Betsie gently encouraged her sister that they must give thanks to Adonai in all circumstances as the Bible said and yes that even meant the fleas.  Life went on in the camp. They worshipped in their barracks and had Bible studies and were never bothered by the guards. They didn’t understand why until one day Betsie and a group of women asked a guard to come into to help them with something and the guard and his captain refused because of the fleas. Betsie glowed as she shared this news with Corrie. Adonai had use the fleas to protect them from the guards interrupting their worship and Bible study.

Like Betsie and Corrie, we must learn to give thanks to G-d in every situation, yes even in 2020.  As you look to celebrate Thanksgiving tomorrow, reflect on who G-d is and all that He has done in your life. He loves you and gave His son Yeshua to die for you.  As we say at Passover, Dayenu. That would be enough to give thanks for, but if you and I take the time there is so much more that we could express gratitude for.  Take the time to talk to G-d and thank him for 2020. Thank Him for all that has happened even in you don’t understand it. Thank Him most importantly for being the one who has sustained you throughout this year.

Rabbi Michael and I love you and we wish you and your family a blessed Thanksgiving holiday.

Love,

Rabbi Carol

Focus on G-d’s Word

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March 31, 2020

It has been awhile since I wrote a “Word for the Week.”  So much has happened in the past three to four weeks that has totally changed the world in which we live.  At this point, most of us are sheltering in our homes in response to our government’s request so that we can do our part to help fight against this pandemic that has literally taken over our world.  Fear and uncertainty seek to exert themselves over the hearts of men and women, young adults, teenagers, and children.  Many are struggling with despair and hopelessness as they watch the news reports, are bombarded with social media posts, and see the world around them.

How do we cope with this?  What is the answer to what is happening in our world? I believe the answers are found in G-d alone and in His Word. I want to encourage you with the following truths to help you stay grounded in faith during this season.

G-d is still on the throne. Tehillim 103.19 says, “God’s heavenly throne is eternal, secure, and strong, and His sovereignty rules the entire universe.”  When we are in a crisis, when the storm is raging around us, it is easy to forget this truth.  G-d is still G-d and He is ruling over your life and this world.  Do not be moved by the storm.  Keep your focus on Him.  He told the psalmist, “Be still and know that I am G-d.”

G-d is all powerful.  Tehillim 147.5 declares, “How great is our God!  There’s absolutely nothing His power cannot accomplish.”  The coronavirus is not more powerful than our G-d.  The governments of this world are not more powerful than G-d.  He has all power and as Yeshua said, “Nothing is impossible for Him.”  He is the G-d who created the world out of nothing.  He spoke and it came into existence.  He parted the Red Sea so Israel could walk across on dry land.  He multiplied a few loaves and fishes to feed 5,000.  He raised the dead, healed the sick, opened the eyes of the blind and the ears of the deaf.  He is still that powerful today!

G-d is your provider.  He promises to sustain us and to take care of every need we have.  Yeshua tells us not to worry about what we will eat or drink.  Take a look at the lilies of the field.  Adonai takes care of them, how much more will He take care of you.  Rav Shaul tells us in Philippians that Adonai will provide for ALL of your needs according to His riches in glory. (Philippians 4.19)

G-d has not given us a spirit of fear.  The Scriptures reveal that perfect love casts out all fear. (1 John 4.18) One of the greatest tool the enemy uses is the spirit of fear.  It is rampant in our world today.  The enemy is using the airwaves of media and social media to promote fear.  It is not from G-d. Let us abide in the love of our heavenly Father.  He delights to lavish His love upon you and me and to saturate us with His shalom.

Prayer is a powerful tool/weapon that Adonai has given to us.  On Shabbat I spoke on Prevailing Prayer.  (There is a link to the message at the bottom of the email.)  Friends, as the body of Messiah we need to rise up as the warriors that He has called us to be and take our stand against the forces of evil trying to kill, steal, and destroy the promises and life of G-d from us, our families, our communities and our world.  We need to engage the enemy with the authority given to us by Yeshua, our Messiah, who defeated haSatan and the forces of darkness through His death on the tree of sacrifice.  This is the hour for you and me to prevail in prayer until breakthrough comes.  Yeshua declared, “I have given you ALL authority.”  That authority needs to be used in prayer to break the chains of darkness off your life, your marriages, your finances, your loved ones, and this world. Prevailing prayer is a prayer that will not give up until the heavens are opened and the answer comes. 

Let us choose to focus on these truths – to ground our thoughts and emotions  on the character of G-d and on the promises of His Word.  These truths will sustain each one of us and will enable us to walk through this season of live victoriously and in great peace.

Ahavah v’brachah (Love and Blessings),
Rabbi Carol

Welcome

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Beth Emanuel Synagogue is a Messianic Jewish Congregation

By Messianic we mean that we are Jews and non-Jews who have accepted Yeshua (Jesus) as Messiah and Savior of Israel and the nations. We believe He sacrificed Himself to atone for our sins.

By Jewish we mean that we strive to live a Jewish lifestyle in our homes and congregation based first and foremost on biblical instruction and secondly on the traditions of our ancestors. We have not abandoned our Jewish identity or cultural expression because of our faith in Messiah Yeshua.

By Congregation we mean that we are a body of people from many different ethnic, social and religious backgrounds who have been brought together by our faith in the God of Abraham and are committed to one another. It is our desire to be a spiritual, emotional and social support to one another. We recognize that as a Jewish congregation we are a unique expression of the larger congregation of believers in the Messiah.