LOOKING AHEAD - 2024

An extract from a message by Dr Jeffery Seif, Executive President of the UMJC (Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations):

Someone asked me recently why I was so interested in the future. My answer was simple: 'we are all going to spend the rest of our lives in the future, and the quality of that future depends on the decisions we make in the present.’

In 2024, may we make decisions that are in keeping with Kiddush HaShem, which means to bring honour to and to edify HaShem’s great Name!

We gather for our first service on Friday 12th January 2024. The parasha (Torah portion) is Vaera (Exodus 6:2 - 9:35; Ezekiel 28:25 – 29:21; Luke 11:14-22). I will bring the d’rash on erev Shabbat and also teach at the shiur on Shabbat morning following our Torah service.

Because this is our first gathering, we will celebrate Zichron HaMashiach (the Lord’s Table) together and, we will also enjoy our first bring ‘n share supper of the year. As always, it is ‘milchik’ i.e. no meat or chicken products, please.

Furthermore, because there have been a few incidents with cars parked in Upper Union Street, we will employ a security guard to be on duty from 18h00 – 20h00 every erev Shabbat.

Lastly, every morning at 07h00, several of us meet online to pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6). It is a brief thirty-minute time of prayer so that we can accommodate those who work.

Beit Ariel Messianic Jewish Congregation is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: Morning Prayer Meeting. Time: This is a recurring meeting from 7.00 – 7.30am

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81886754050?pwd=RzdXRnZNRTJxT1dVZTVFOVU2Ukxwdz09

Meeting ID: 818 8675 4050

Passcode: 399623

I encourage you to join us as we bring all our prayers, intercessions, and entreaties before God’s Throne. The shaking that Israel is currently experiencing is, I believe, only the beginning of the shaking that is prophesied by Haggai not only for Israel but also, for the nations of the world.

Haggai 2:6-9

“For thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘And in this place I will give peace,’ says the LORD of hosts.”

But, we as Yeshua-believers are not excluded from the shaking:

1 Peter 4:17

For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

We all desire to live in shalom but it will not just fall into our laps; we must travail in prayer, as we encourage one another to do our good deeds that will draw attention to our heavenly Father!

Isaiah 45:11

Thus says the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker: “Ask Me about the things to come concerning My sons, And you shall commit to Me the work of My hands. (NASB)

I look forward to ‘growing and the grace and knowledge of the Lord (2 Peter 3:18) together with you in the year ahead, as we ask God about 'the things to come concerning My sons'.

Blessings in Messiah

Herschel (on behalf of the leadership team which consists of myself, David, Keoagile, Cecilia and Cyril)