Congregation Shalom

Shalom
We are against the invasion at the southern boarder of the U.S. and we stand with the President of the United States of America. Yet in other parts of the world, we can't overlook the persecuted Christians. Considering the worsening plight of the persecution of the brethren, I'm thinking about the true and dreadful conditions that lead me, mentally, psychologically, congregation-ally, personally and being part of God's Holy nation (1 Peter 2:9) to ask for prayer and donations to help those who are suffering.
We are familiar with different organizations. These organizations are tiny compared with the amount of persecution I see. It brings more clarity in my mind when witnessing the deteriorating situation of the persecuted church.
The clarity is: I'm going to respond to this challenge led by the compelling reasons in God's word in order to claim my due role as their brother in Jesus Christ.
The time has come for us to respond.

1. Begin with the conviction that persecuted Christian asylum seekers are persons made in God’s image and are, therefore, worthy of respect and dignity (Genesis 1:26,28).

2. Appreciate the fact that many of our spiritual ancestors were themselves economic refugees. Thus Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob moved from the Promised Land on several occasions in search of food (Genesis 12:10; 26:1; 41:57; 42:6; 43:1-7). The story of Ruth is the story of an immigrant who continually crossed national borders in search of food. Other spiritual ancestors of ours were pushed out of their homeland because of war or persecution (Joseph, Daniel, Moses, David, and the baby Jesus). So immigration because of economics, war, and asylum-seeking due to one's personal faith is not far from every Christian’s own heritage.

3. Specifically apply Jesus promise to Christian asylum seekers: ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ (Matthew 25:40).

4. Care for these immigrants since they had a central place in the laws and practices of ancient Israel showing God's love for immigrants: “He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigners residing among you, giving them food and clothing. And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt” (Deuteronomy 10:18-19).

5. Be hospitable according to New Testament teaching which literally means to “love the stranger” or the alien (Romans 12:13; Hebrews 13:2; 1 Peter 4:9). Jesus commanded his followers to welcome people who had no social standing, such as the poor, the sick, and the outsider (Luke 14:12-14).

It's not wrong to avoid or escape persecution if Jesus Himself walked away when people were about to stone Him (especially since it wasn't His time). So we should at least realize that it's not wrong to walk away from situations not favorable to our own safety as God's people. Many of God's people escaped persecution so they could continue doing the work of God. Paul was lowered in a basket (Acts 9:25), Peter walked out of prison (Acts 12:5-27), David ran away from Saul (see 1 Samuel 21), and yes, Jesus walked away from His persecutors. They all needed to keep themselves safe so they could fulfill the purposes of God. We ought to do that too.

Jacob had served 14 years,
7 years in order to marry Rachel, but was tricked by Rachel father Laban and worked another 7 years in order to marry Rachel
finally laban would not let him leave so one more agreement added 7 more years, and finally Jacob and his wives left Laban but
something had happened.. Rachel took all of what was termed Laban idols but were really deeds to his inheritance.. and Jacob left.

after going for sometime Laban gathered his forces together and went after Jacob and when he had caught up to him he asked him why
he had stolen those idols.. Jacob said he had not AND CURSED ANYONE WHO DID AND TOLD LABAN TO SEARCH HIS ENTIRE COMPANY..
Rachel was one of the last to be searched but she had hid the idols under her garment. more akin to between her legs and told her father
that it was her time of the month so they didn't search her and they all left..
it was Jacob and the curse he swore to Laban that doomed Rachel.. when she finally did give birth to ben oh me...

A Tragic Beginning
The matriarch Rachel was beloved by her husband Jacob, but remained barren for many years. Finally, after years of faithfully waiting, she became pregnant and gave birth to Joseph. But years later, her second pregnancy ended in disaster. In the final tragic moments of her life, Rachel named her baby son Ben Oni (בן אוני). In Hebrew this means “son (ben) of my sorrow” (oni) – that is to say, this boy’s birth caused my death.

The Son of the Right
Son of Sorrow: quite a heavy burden to carry on one’s shoulders. So, Jacob changed his name to Benjamin (בנימין). In Hebrew this means “son (ben) of the right (yamin)”. In ancient times, people faced east to the rising sun to orient themselves, which makes south on the right. So, Benjamin is the “son of the south” – the only one of Jacob’s twelve sons born in the southern land of Canaan, not north in Aram.

The bond between the Old and New Testament
Knowing what Benjamin’s two names mean, we can see an amazing parallel. Jesus Christ, who is a descendant of Jacob, was described as a “man of sorrows” (Isaiah 53:3). On Sunday, Jesus rose from the dead and “sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). To really understand the depth of the Bible and the profound bonds linking the Old and New Testament, JOIN US SATURDAY AT 11AM FOR OUR SHALOM BIBLE STUDIES

Pastor John Denson

Chag Hanukkah Semeach!

Dear friends,

We hope that this message finds you well.

Tonight, we enter a very special, beautiful time: Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights.

There are several ways we commemorate this time. Of course, we use this time as an opportunity to light the Hanukkiahs, give gifts, make latkes, and enjoy time with family and friends.

We also remember the original Hanukkah miracle. This was when Jerusalem was under Greek control and Adonai caused the oil in the menorah in the temple to last eight days, when there was only enough for one day. And eight days was the exact amount of time it took for more oil to be made. Judah Maccabee and his family were used by Elohim to cleanse the temple once again.

Because of this, we can also use this time to remember the miracles that Adonai has done in our own lives--and take the opportunity to cleanse our own hearts, which is the temple of the Ruach HaKodesh (1 Corinthians 6:19).

Most of all, let us use the Festival of Lights to bring honor and glory to the True Light, Yeshua our Messiah. In John 8:12, Yeshua says, "I am the light of the world. The one who follows Me will no longer walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." Let us praise Him for being the Light of our lives, as well as the Light of the World.

A few chapters later, in John 10, we see Yeshua Himself celebrating Hanukkah. This is where He tells us, "My sheep hear My voice. I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life! They will never perish, and no one will sn**ch them out of My hand." (John 10:27-28)

Look for ways to be a light in your sphere of influence, and let the Light of the World shine through you.
Happy Hanukkah, and may the Lord bless you and keep you!

Shalom and love,

Added a new article to Shalom Ministry's website about Congregation Shalom.

CHURCH PLANTING OF CONGREGATION SHALOM Church planters tell me all the time, “Planting is the greatest thing I’ve ever done, but it’s also the hardest thing I’ve ever done.” From the numerous conversations I’ve had with local planters s…