We must never forget this reality: everyday there are people among us in the community that have insufficient food or no food. Some have no shelter. They may have inappropriate clothing for the season. They may have no family to help them in their plight. They may be in poor health and not know where to go to get help. The Bible encourages us to support the needy in the community and as a church. We want to align ourselves with that principle.
For many years, we have donated food to a ministry in Madison, TN called “Christian Cooperative Ministry.” Again, we are asking all of you to join us in bringing your best offering of food. The collection date is June 12, 2022, at the Sunday morning gathering. No offering is too large or small. Every can or box of dry food will contribute to the need of a hungry man, woman or child. Because of your concern and generosity over the years, many have recognized the love God has for them. A number of those individuals have received salvation in Jesus Christ.
Thank you Olive Tree Connections for your continued generosity over the years. May God bless you richly as you have ministered and continue to minister in this way. “And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.” (Matt. 10:42).
Blessings and honor,
P/Karen
THE ASTOUNDING HEBREW ALPHABET
Are you ready to have your Bible knowledge opened to discover the mysteries and secrets contained within? “The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him, And He will show them His covenant” (Psalm 25:14). The word secret in this scripture is the Hebrew word sod. The sod is the deeper level of interpretation of God’s Word, the place where secrets are revealed. This method of studying at all levels has been passed down from the rabbis to facilitate accurate interpretation of the Torah of God. The Messiah was a master at teaching all four levels (peshat, remez, derash, sod). He taught simply (peshat) to the masses, and privately as He revealed the mysteries (sod) of the Kingdom of God to His disciples. (Matt. 13:11)
The four (4) levels of interpretation are an acrostic for the word PARDES meaning in Hebrew, an orchard or paradise.
- Peshat – the understanding of the simple and literal meaning of the text
- Remez- meaning hints – something beyond the literal sense
- Derash – to search out, investigate and rightly divide
- Sod – the hidden meaning and mystery/secrets
Yeshua, in the Book of Revelation teaches us that those who overcome will eat of the tree of life (Torah), which is in the midst of the Paradise (Pardes) of God. (Rev. 2:11)
Have you ever pondered why the Jews have had such success over the generations, despite continuous persecution? Reading, teaching and instructing in the Torah of God has unlocked the secrets of wealth, health and prosperity. There is a covenant of wealth that has been established in the Torah. It is available to every one of us who have been grafted into the olive tree. (Romans 11:17)
‘Back to Psalm 25:14 – The secret (sod level) of the LORD is with those who fear Him, and He will SHOW them His COVENANT. As we are in a new season of revelation after Shavuot/Pentecost, it is time to seek the LORD to understand that the Covenant of God contains “secrets” for EACH OF US personally. To uncover these deep treasures and gold nuggets that lie under the surface (secrets), we will need to know the Hebrew alphabet.
The letters themselves in the Hebrew alphabet are considered to be profound spiritual forces. One rabbi (Munk) called them the raw material of creation.
As a final thought for today and an example of how rich the Hebrew language is: the word TORAH means, “What comes from the man nailed to the Cross.
The Hebrew letters for Torah are: תּוֹרָה Read from right to left
Tav – (sign or cross)
Vav – nail
Resh – Head of a man
Hey – what comes from or behold
The Messiah is hidden (a secret) in the Hebrew letters for Torah.
There is much to learn in this new season. May we all be diligent!
Many blessings,
P/Karen
