The Snake

Once there was a snake. But the snake was in prison. On the day when she was released, the snake decided to become a better person and went therefore to school. As  the years passed by, the snake managed to master all grades and finished school as one of the best  pupils. Her next step seemed to be clear: college. Since the snake improved and developed  many skills, even her next step, to go to university, was already definite, too. At university she signed up for many courses, improved again, wrote essays, and articles and published them with great success. Her friends and colleagues, the lecturers and professors admired her, applauded with great appreciation to all what she did. She was the star at the graduation party and after her speech the people applauded again; with standing ovations was she now celebrated. As she came down the stage, a crowd was  gathered to congratulate. But as one of her admirers stepped on her tail while she was passing by, she turned and bit him in his calf and he died on the spot. Someone called the police. They took her, dragged her back to court and afterward again to prison;  for a snake is a snake and will always stay a snake.

Jesus answered, “Verily, verily I say unto thee, unless a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. John 3, 5.6

For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God – not by works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath beforehand ordained, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2, 8-10

Torah Portion “Shelach – Send!”

Numbers 13, 1-15, 41 and Joshua 2, 1-24

Shabbat Shalom!

Question: What ist your message? What kind of news do you have? What is the word you are preaching? Have you seen what God is doing and were counselled by Him? Have you believed His plans or do you judge according to the pattern of this world rather than believing Gods promises? The Torah portion for this Shabbat is dealing with this subject. Two of twelve spies had a judgement of the circumstances according to the Word of God. The others saw the same but judged according to their own strength and their human view of things. Has something ever changed? From your personal walk with God, from EU to UN and from Jews to Gentiles we have the same picture over and over again. To walk in Gods ways, believing His promises for your life, trusting Him to finish what He has began is vitally important and keeps you alive in these times. The situation discribed in the Torah was not a matter of circumstances only but about the practical application of Gods commandments either. From the very first day of Israels deliverance from Egypt it was clear that their goal was to enter the promised land. Therefore we have to know the goal we are heading to. We have to know what is important for God in these days. Jesus makes it very clear by saying,

“All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”

Joshua and Caleb knew the Word of God, they had seen all the miracles and the signs He had performed. They knew about Gods power and they trusted in Him only. What about us? Do you believe the first part of the vers? The first part of the vers is the reason for us to go and reason enough to trust that we will take the land. So will you be like Joshua and Caleb knowing that God is able or will you be like the twelve other spies having fear or excusing theirselfs, “Well, I don’t think that they will hear me. These people will never convert. O they are too stiff-necked. I believe I’m not called in this part of the world. I’m not called to preach. Don’t be foolish brother it’s too dangerous. We live in other times now …”
Do you know these thoughts? God commanded Joshua and the other prophets very often not to fear. To Him is given all power in heaven and in earth and therefore we shall go. Therfore fear not and preach His word and He will be with you.

 Shavu’a tov