When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it...
Matthew 13:19

There are three kinds of people who hear the Word of God and don't understand it.

1. People who are incapable of understanding it because of their inferior capacity.
2. People who hear, don't understand, and don't ask for help, for whatever reason.
3. People who hear and believe that they understand, but don't.

God speaks to different people differently depending on what kind of relationship they have with him. He speaks more plainly to those who want to hear and act on what he says. Those who are more likely to put God's words to use are probably more likely to hear him plainly. Those who won't act on them will have to work harder to hear and understand.

Sometimes, people don't want to hear God's truth. They don't want to be forgiven and healed, because that would mean greater accountability. Nobody expects much of the sick, so some people want to remain spiritually sick. It's easier.

When you choose to see and hear, God will give you something to see and hear. How God speaks to you from then on will be determined by whether you keep or reject it.

This principle extends to finances, authority, etc. If you refuse to be responsible for what God gives, don't expect more. Don't look at anyone else either. You don't know their heart or God's plans for them.

Matthew 13:10-17

This week's Torah portion is Bo, which means "come" and is derived from the Hebrew word that means to appear, to enter.

Moses entered into Pharaoh's presence only two more times, yet Pharaoh's heart remained hardened.

This section is famous because it contains the story of the first Passover, as well as the instructions for how the Feast of Unleavened Bread should be celebrated forever.

It's a special passage to me because it's one of the very first sections of Scripture I studied intensively after realizing that the Torah's instructions applied to me.

I learned that I should keep the Passover because I was part of the congregation of Israel (Exodus 12:3). I had read this passage my entire life, but I had always seen it as something that happened to "them." Now I saw it as something that applied to me.

One night at our Baptist church, while sitting in the nursery with one of our new babies, I took a sheet of paper and wrote down all the "rules" for keeping Passover, taking them straight from the book of Exodus. This became my checklist for what to do that year.

On the tenth day of that month, we took a stuffed lamb and placed it on our kitchen table. The kids played with it for several days. I also ordered some lamb from our local grocery store.

I invited friends from church, another family with young children, and asked it they would like to celebrate the Passover with us. They thought we were a little crazy, but they agreed. What fun we had!

We did everything that night like Exodus 12:11 -- with coats on, sandals on our feet, and "staffs" (sticks from the backyard).

Before Passover, we carefully cleaned our house and searched for leaven. We learned many valuable lessons from that experience alone!

We researched hyssop, the plant the Israelites used to apply the blood to their doorposts.

One mother online pointed out that it is sometimes nice to "practice" Passover at this time of the year, when there is no rush or stress. You may also find that you notice details from this Torah portion that might get skipped later this spring. Most of all, look for Yeshua!

We are in an age of shallow preaching, hyper-grace, and cheap grace. This produces blasé Christians. Yes, Yahweh loves us unconditionally, but hyper-grace advocates ignore verses directing us on how to live a holy life, one dedicated to the Father.

Grace is never an excuse for sinning! In fact, any concept of grace, which makes us comfortable with sinning, is not Biblical. This is “antinomianism”. The Greek word means “against the law” or just plain “lawlessness”. That pretty much sums up the situation in the church today. Scripture is sliced and diced to make it palatable for our super sweet palate.

Those, who are Whole Bible Believers, are regularly accused of falling away from grace. Galatians 5:4 is often quoted as proof positive, “You who are trying to be justified by the Law have been alienated from Christ/Messiah; you have fallen away from grace.” Yes, that is certainly as true today as it was when Paul wrote it. What hyper-gracers can’t seem to comprehend is the Law has been written on our hearts, not abolished. We keep the Law, not to be saved, but because we are saved.

Salvation is a sovereign work of Yeshua. A “profession of faith” without a changed heart is meaningless. “You believe there is one God/Elohim; you do well: the devils also believe, and tremble” (James 2:19).

A regenerated heart wants to please the Father:
Yeshua said, “If you love Me, keep My Commandments” (John 14:15).

Paul said, “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?” (Romans 6:1-2)

James said, “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:17).

We are in an age of shallow preaching, hyper-grace, and cheap grace. This produces blasé Christians. Yes, Yahweh loves us unconditionally, but hyper-grace advocates ignore verses directing us on how to live a holy life, one dedicated to the Father.

Grace is never an excuse for sinning! In fact, any concept of grace, which makes us comfortable with sinning, is not Biblical. This is “antinomianism”. The Greek word means “against the law” or just plain “lawlessness”. That pretty much sums up the situation in the church today. Scripture is sliced and diced to make it palatable for our super sweet palate.

Those, who are Whole Bible Believers, are regularly accused of falling away from grace. Galatians 5:4 is often quoted as proof positive, “You who are trying to be justified by the Law have been alienated from Christ/Messiah; you have fallen away from grace.” Yes, that is certainly as true today as it was when Paul wrote it. What hyper-gracers can’t seem to comprehend is the Law has been written on our hearts, not abolished. We keep the Law, not to be saved, but because we are saved.

Salvation is a sovereign work of Yeshua. A “profession of faith” without a changed heart is meaningless. “You believe there is one God/Elohim; you do well: the devils also believe, and tremble” (James 2:19).

A regenerated heart wants to please the Father:
Yeshua said, “If you love Me, keep My Commandments” (John 14:15).

Paul said, “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?” (Romans 6:1-2)

James said, “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:17).

We are planning to meet again today, same time like yesterday,
17:00 Israeli time
Rosh Chodesh Sameach!
? Here is your Meeting Link:
https://meet.jit.si/letyourownshofarbeheardinzion

To walk in the light means to walk in the Torah (Proverbs 6:23). The meaning of “Torah” is twofold:
? First, it comes from the word “hora’ah,” which means teaching. More precisely it means “teaching with direction,” i.e. the type of teaching which enables and empowers one with a direction to proceed. The same word could be used in Hebrew with such teachings both in spiritual and secular realms.

? The second meaning is from the word “orah,” which means light. One example of this reflected in the verse which states, “A mitzvah is a candle, and Torah is the light” (Proverbs 6:23).

To walk in the light means to walk in the Torah (Proverbs 6:23). The meaning of “Torah” is twofold:
? First, it comes from the word “hora’ah,” which means teaching. More precisely it means “teaching with direction,” i.e. the type of teaching which enables and empowers one with a direction to proceed. The same word could be used in Hebrew with such teachings both in spiritual and secular realms.

? The second meaning is from the word “orah,” which means light. One example of this reflected in the verse which states, “A mitzvah is a candle, and Torah is the light” (Proverbs 6:23).