Kislev - Tevet 5763
LIGHTS AND MIRACLES!
We are certainly in the middle of a season of lights!
It started, appropriately enough, with the eight nights and lights
of Hanukkah the day after Thanksgiving. After all, had it not been
for the many miracles of Hanukkah, there would never have been a
Christmas! You see, the supernatural victory of the Maccabees and
the miraculous rededication of the Temple—"not by might,
nor by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord" as the Hanukkah
reading from Zechariah reminds us--preserved both the Jewish faith
and the nation of Israel. In this way, God made sure there WAS a
Mary and Joseph and a little town of Bethlehem 160 years later,
rather than just another pagan couple in a Greek village in a remote
part of the Roman Empire.
For many followers of Yeshua, the time from Thanksgiving until
Christmas is lit up by the lights of Advent. This is a meaningful
season of preparation and anticipation preceding the celebration
of the Messiah’s birth. It’s also a wonderful time to
reflect on the great promises of God to the Jewish people and the
nation of Israel, of which the coming of Yeshua is the core and
center.
The season of lights and miracles continues, in some traditions,
throughout the twelve days of Christmas; and, according to other
traditions, concludes with the observance of the arrival of the
Wise Men as celebrated by another Festival of Light, Epiphany.
Wow! What a lot to celebrate and be grateful for! The One who gives
light to the whole world was born during this season of lights*
heralded by the bright light that guided the Magi. After all, this
season recalls nothing less than the great miracle that God actually
came to live among his people (the literal meaning of the title
"Immanuel")!**
For our part, all of us here at Menorah Ministries*** are grateful,
in some small way, to be able to "spread the light" and
share the good s of God’s miracles, whether through seminars,
classes, conferences, and Bible studies, or through the synagogue
and word-of-mouth. And, from time to time we hear from those whose
lives God has touched. Since you are every bit as much a part of
this ministry as the rest of us, we wanted to share their responses
with you.
John just recently returned from San Diego after teaching an intensive
week-long course on apologetics (providing evidence for and answering
questions about the Messianic faith). One of the students wrote
a thank you note:
"I have learned more than I can say in these last five days,
and it is so invaluable to my faith, and I hope that of others.
You have answered so many questions!
"I cannot thank you enough, and I am so appreciative of you
that words are not adequate enough. I shall never forget you, and
I am glad so many others are blessed by your instruction."
Then, at the Conference of the International Messianic Jewish Alliance
(IMJA), the president of the Messianic Jewish Alliance of South
Africa shared the responses of two students who had taken the yeshiva
courses in Cape Town we taught in October.
(A Gentile student): I have never experienced anything like that
in my life before. It was so good to learn from people who know
their subject so well and who can speak with authority. To see the
er Testament in its true context enriched my life and strengthened
my faith. It filled me with enthusiasm to speak to Gentile believers
about the Jewishness of Yeshua and to share more about their Messiah
with my Jewish friends.
"(A Messianic Jewish leader): It was a faith-building experience
to rediscover the Jewishness of both the Covenant writers and their
record of what transpired. They are Jewish stories written by Jewish
writers to a Jewish audience! It was truly mind-blowing for me!"
From time to time we speak to various Bible study groups. John
spoke at one such group this Fall, and the leader wrote in appreciation:
"What a wonderful start to our study of Revelation! Thank
you for the passion and humor you bring to sharing all your knowledge
and insight. We had the best beginning turnout in 7 years thanks
to your introduction."
As a result of our web site, a congregational leader from India
emailed us. In his own (unedited) words:
"Yes I did went through the menorah site, very interesting.
We can do a great work in this side of the world. We would like
to reach the message of Yeshua to others. I need some more training,
and I can raise a congregation here and establish many synagogues.
I look forward to your guidance and support. Thanks and regards."
We have begun assisting this very enthusiastic man.
As we have mentioned in previous Newsletters, unplanned by us,
we found ourselves with our own small "prison ministry."
One of those who have contacted us wrote recently:
"Thank you so very much for your gift. Our Father in heaven
has truly blessed me through you. I very much enjoy the use of these
prayer books you sent. Your timing could not have been better! I
just happened upon your pamphlet 'A Messianic Synagogue,' and it
moved me so much I felt I had to thank you once again."
He then signed off in good Hebrew script!
One of our treasured colleagues is a professor in Jerusalem with
whom we have embarked on a couple of mutual projects. He remarked
in a recent email:
"I received your essay "Witnesses to the Reliability
of the Older Testament." First off, let me say what a privilege
it was to read it. You did a magnificent job in such a short essay.
But that does not surprise me. I highly, highly value all of your
input into the scholarship of our movement. I respect no one’s
scholarship in our movement more than yours."
At the IMJA conference mentioned earlier, a Messianic Jewish leader
and professor from England remarked in conversation:
"Thank you for your book [THE OLIVE TREE CONNECTION]. We use
it as part of our disciplining. It’s also an important part
of our preparing our people for the mikveh [baptism]."
These are some of the stories about the mini-miracles you have
allowed us to be involved in. It’s all been made possible
by your prayers and giving. Thank you for allowing us to spread
the light of our Messiah, whose miraculous birth we celebrate!
As this year concludes, we are facing serious financial difficulties.
We have had greater expenses due to the increased travel necessary
to take advantage of the many opportunities all over the world which
we have shared about through these newsletters. We have had to do
more printing of our literature due to the increased need for these
materials everywhere, and we still have a large printing bill just
ahead of us. All in all, we will be unable to pay all of our yearend
bills without your help. So, as we conclude another year in which
God has miraculously supplied our needs through many of you, we
would ask you to remember at this season to include an extra gift
to Menorah Ministries. We are grateful for each and every one of
you!
Happy Holidays!
Most warmly in Yeshua,
John and Patrice
---
*Although some feel that Yeshua was not born at this time of year,
there is ample Jewish, historical evidence indicating he was born
during Hanukkah. For a tape on this subject, request the Christmas-Hanukkah
Connection tape and enclose $10 to cover shipping and handling.
**For an excellent Jewish observance of this entire season, request
"A Guide to Rishon" and enclose $5 to cover shipping and
handling.
***The Fischers, the Walkwitzes, the Tribelhorns, Barb, and Betsy.
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