Sunday, October 2, 2016

The Day of Shofar Blasts from Word of Messiah of Charlotte, North Carolina, United States for Sunday, 2 October 2016

The Day of Shofar Blasts from Word of Messiah of Charlotte, North Carolina, United States for Sunday, 2 October 2016
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October 2016
The Day of Shofar Blasts
After coming to faith in Messiah Yeshua, I was intrigued to see the significant role that trumpets or shofarot played in the Scriptures...
READ MORE

The Day of Shofar Blasts 
by Sam Nadler

“Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘In the seventh month on the first of the month you shall have a rest, a reminder by blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation. You shall not do any laborious work, but you shall present an offering by fire to theLord.’” -Leviticus 23:24-25
Growing up in Middle Village, Queens, NY, I can still remember hearing the High Holy Days shofar (ram’s horn) that called us to assemble for worship. After coming to faith in Messiah Yeshua, I was intrigued to see the significant role that the trumpets or shofarot played in the Scriptures. In fact, what is traditionally called Rosh HaShanah, or the Jewish New Year (beginning the evening of October 2nd this year), is known in the Scriptures as Yom HaTeruah, which literally means “the Day of the (Shofar) Blast” or the Feast of Trumpets.
Because so little is said about this feast in the Hebrew Scriptures, there has always been a sense of mystery surrounding the day. To gain more insight, the rabbis have looked to Israel’s spiritual experiences of the past. Jewish tradition teaches that the blowing of trumpets on this feast day is a reminder of the ram’s horns that Joshua and the Israelites used at Jericho, and also of the ram that Abraham sacrificed in place of his son Isaac (Joshua 6; Genesis 22). Others refer to Exodus 19:16, where trumpets announced God’s descent on Mt. Sinai to give the Torah to Moses.
In Scripture, trumpets were sounded for many occasions and purposes: as a call to assembly, a command for Israel to move out, a call to war, a preparation for an announcement, a warning of judgment to come, or a call to celebration and worship. Yet God’s Word reveals even more about the prophetic meaning of this Feast of Trumpets. As I’ve studied His Word, I have seen that this feast does not merely point us to the past, but also to the future. Isaiah tells us of a time when Israel will be gathered back to their Land at the sound of a “great trumpet” (Isaiah 27:13). We also read in the New Covenant of a trumpet which will herald another great event: the day when the Lord will gather the Body of Messiah to Himself, a mystery we know as the “Rapture.”
Resurrection is a concept that is taught throughout the Scriptures (See Job 19:26, Daniel 12:2), but there are two New Covenant portions that describe this future resurrection of believers in Yeshua:
“Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.” – 1 Corinthians 15:51-52
“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Messiah will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18
The Rapture is presented as imminent, but because no one knows the exact time of this future blowing of the trumpet, the Feast of Trumpets should motivate us to readiness and service, as we are “…looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Messiah Yeshua” (Titus 2:13). If you have never repented of your sins and trusted in Messiah’s sacrifice for you, don’t wait another day! Each of us who trust in Yeshua can have complete confidence that whether we are still alive or not when He returns, we will be raised to live forever with our Lord (John 3:16). The Messiah who was resurrected is the same Messiah who is returning. Remembering our “blessed hope,” we are motivated to live a godly life before the Lord.
The day is coming when man must reckon with His Maker. In God’s great love and patience He bears long with us, “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9). God does, however, allow circumstances to get to a point in our lives where we have nowhere else to turn but to Him. This will be Israel’s situation in the time yet to come (Joel 2:1-2, 12-15).
As believers in Messiah, we want Israel to return, not only to the Land, but also to the Lord. May we reach out to people today, and seek to lead them to Messiah while there is time to turn to Him now, before the day of wrath appears. Let us re-evaluate our lives, priorities, and schedules as we care for those who do not yet know the Lord. Share the Good News of Messiah with Jew and Gentile alike, waiting expectantly for the Feast of Trumpets, and our Messiah’s glorious return!
Thank you also for praying for our High Holy Day outreaches (Rosh HaShanah / Day of Trumpets: Oct. 2-3; Yom Kippur: Oct. 11-12; Sukkot: Oct. 22). During these times of reflection in the Jewish community, please consider how you might be reaching out with the grace and love of the Jewish Messiah.

Tips for Sharing your Faith
These 3 questions can be used to equip any believer in their witness to Jewish friends, neighbors, and family members...
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Tips for Sharing your Faith 
by Sam Nadler
Throughout the years, Miriam and I have been privileged to lead many Jewish individuals to faith in Messiah Yeshua. Upon asking what we do to assist these people in their spiritual search, many are surprised by how simple it is to speak of these matters. Here, I’ll share with you three diagnostic questions we use when speaking with pre-believers. These three questions can be used to equip any believer in their witness to Jewish friends, neighbors, and family members.
Q #1: If I could show you evidence that Yeshua is the Messiah, would you believe it?
This question qualifies the individuals’ sincerity and willingness to genuinely examine the biblical evidence for Yeshua to be the Messiah. It does not merely ask, “Would you like to look at the data on the subject?”, but, “Are you willing to believe based on the facts?” Often, a person’s unbelief does not stem from a lack of proof, but rather from the thought of what they might lose if they choose to believe: their relationships with family members, their standing at their workplace, etc.
One Jewish woman named *Hannah was very concerned that her new faith would break her mother’s heart and damage their relationship. With encouragement from the Scriptures, Hannah was assured that though there may be an initial reaction, in time her mother would likely see that because of Yeshua, Hannah had become the kind of forgiving, caring daughter that she had always wanted to have.
So what if the person to whom you pose this question answers that yes, they are ready to seriously consider the evidence that Yeshua is the Messiah? Once a person is truly willing to look at and believe the biblical facts about Yeshua, there are many key passages in the Hebrew Scriptures that you can share with them:
– Isaiah 59:1-2 – How our sins separate us from God
– Isaiah 53 – How Messiah would die for our sins
– Micah 5:2 – How Messiah was prophesied to be born in Bethlehem
– And many more Messianic prophesies…
Though a Jewish unbeliever may be willing to look at the facts, they often assume that there can’t possibly be any that are legitimate. For instance, the first time I was shown Isaiah 53, I assumed that “those sneaky Christians” had taken part of their New Testament and stuck it in ‘my side of the Bible.’ I didn’t think anything could be that clear! And though I wasn’t willing to give them the satisfaction of showing any interest, a spiritual seed was planted in my life that later blossomed into faith in Messiah Yeshua.
Q #2: Can you think of one thing that keeps you from coming to faith in Yeshua as Messiah?
This question addresses any unspoken issues the person may have lying below the surface. These hindrances may be intellectual (e.g. “I don’t understand the need for atonement”), but many times, they are emotional or even psychological in nature.
Many years ago, a Jewish woman named *Eileen was dying of cancer at a hospital in NYC. When I went to visit, I shared with her the facts of forgiveness in Yeshua from the Scriptures, and then asked her this question. Her answer uncovered a reservoir of hurt and bitterness. She shared with me that her Israeli husband had married her only so he could get a Green Card, and that when she was diagnosed with cancer, he left, leaving her a very ill, bitter woman. “I don’t want to forgive him!” she told me. “If I forgive him, it’s like he’s getting away with it!” From Scripture, I assured her that no one actually gets away with anything; eventually all will have to pay for their sins, for the “Judge of all the earth will do right” (Gen. 18:25). Eileen saw that she had to get past her bitterness to fully trust in Messiah.
Usually, unless there is a deep emotional hindrance that needs to be ministered to (as in Eileen’s case), intellectual arguments melt away in light of the overwhelming biblical and historical evidence that support the truth of God and the case for Yeshua as Messiah. For those who have questions to which you do not know the answer, always remember that it is ok to say, “I don’t know, but I can find out for you!” We are here to assist and encourage you as you bring the Good News to your Jewish friends and neighbors, so please, contact us!
Q #3: Would you like to trust in Yeshua right now to have forgiveness and eternal life?
If the person’s answer to this question is, “I’m not ready to trust in Yeshua,” don’t get discouraged. Just go back to the second question and explore the issues that keep the person from trusting in the love of God in Messiah Yeshua. Of course, we do not want a person to merely “pray a prayer” unless they actually believe in the One they are praying to. Prayer cannot save; Yeshua saves by one’s personal faith in Him. Many times, when I ask this question, the answer is, “Yes, I would like to very much!”
*Phil, a Jewish man to whom I was witnessing, had many questions and hesitations, but once they were addressed, he was actually thrilled to pray to trust in Yeshua. After this, he continued to meet with me one on one to learn how to grow in the Lord through discipleship.
The Time is Now
Perhaps you have yet to personally trust in Messiah. Consider these 3 questions for yourself:
– If I could show you evidence that Yeshua is the Messiah, would you believe it?
– Can you think of one thing that keeps you from coming to faith in Yeshua as Messiah?
– Would you like to trust in Yeshua right now to have forgiveness and eternal life?
If your answer to any of these questions is “Yes,” then contact us, and one of our staff will be glad to share further with you about the Good News of Messiah Yeshua. If you are already a believer in Yeshua, then acquaint yourself with these questions so that you might be a ‘ready witness’ for the Lord. God will use you as you trust Him in this area!
Our short book, Even You Can Share the Jewish Messiah! has more information on how to share Yeshua with your Jewish (and non-Jewish) friends, as well as a list of Messianic prophecies to reference when sharing. We pray that this will be a valuable tool to assist you in communicating the Good News even more effectively!
*Names changed to protect the identity of the individuals


Word of Messiah Podcast
Check out our new podcast - Just another avenue to proclaim the faithfulness of the God of Israel!
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Sam Nadler
Upcoming Speaking Events
Oct 2, 10:30 am: Marketplace Church, Hickory, NC
Oct 9, 10:30 am: Boger City Baptist, Lincolnton, NC
Oct 15, 11:00 am: Beth Tikkun, Akron, OH
Oct 16, 10:30 am: SE Church of the Naz., Tallmadge, OH
Oct 16, 6:30 pm: Edgemoor ARP, Edgemoor, SC
Oct 23, 10:00 am: Riverside Baptist, Graham, NC
Oct 30, 11:00 am: N. Toxaway Baptist, Lake Toxaway, NC
SCHEDULE A SPEAKER
On Sale for $10 + s/h
Messiah in the Feasts of Israel
God’s redemptive plan is unveiled through the Feasts of Israel. Discover how these appointed times of God are relevant for our lives today as they illustrate what Messiah has done for us, and what He has yet to do!
VISIT OUR BOOKSTORE
Your prayers and support are invaluable as we share the Good News, establish healthy Messianic congregations, and equip the Body of Messiah around the world in our shared calling to bring the Good News of Yeshua "to the Jew 1st and also to the Gentile."
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Word of Messiah 3-Day Bookstore Sale from Word of Messiah of Charlotte, North Carolina, United States for Saturday, 1 October 2016-------
October 2016 eShmooze Letter from Word of Messiah of Charlotte, North Carolina, United States for Friday, 30 September 2016
About WMM | Bookstore Contact Us | GiveOctober 2016
The Day of Shofar Blasts
After coming to faith in Messiah Yeshua, I was intrigued to see the significant role that trumpets or shofarot played in the Scriptures...
READ MORE




Tips for Sharing your Faith
These 3 questions can be used to equip any believer in their witness to Jewish friends, neighbors, and family members...
READ MORE





Word of Messiah Podcast
Check out our new podcast - Just another avenue to proclaim the faithfulness of the God of Israel!
SUBSCRIBE
Sam Nadler
Upcoming Speaking Events

Oct 2, 10:30 am: Marketplace Church, Hickory, NC
Oct 9, 10:30 am: Boger City Baptist, Lincolnton, NC
Oct 15, 11:00 am: Beth Tikkun, Akron, OH
Oct 16, 10:30 am: SE Church of the Naz., Tallmadge, OH
Oct 16, 6:30 pm: Edgemoor ARP, Edgemoor, SC
Oct 23, 10:00 am: Riverside Baptist, Graham, NC
Oct 30, 11:00 am: N. Toxaway Baptist, Lake Toxaway, NC
SCHEDULE A SPEAKER
On Sale for $10 + s/h
Messiah in the Feasts of Israel
God’s redemptive plan is unveiled through the Feasts of Israel. Discover how these appointed times of God are relevant for our lives today as they illustrate what Messiah has done for us, and what He has yet to do!
VISIT OUR BOOKSTORE
Your prayers and support are invaluable as we share the Good News, establish healthy Messianic congregations, and equip the Body of Messiah around the world in our shared calling to bring the Good News of Yeshua "to the Jew 1st and also to the Gentile."
GIVE TODAY

Word of Messiah Ministries
P.O Box 79238
Charlotte, North Carolina 28271, United States
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