KI TISA TORAH : EXODUS 30:11-34:35| PROPHETS : 1 KINGS 18:1-39| GOSPEL : MARK 9:1-10

https://torahportions.ffoz.org/torah-portions/allportions/ki-tisa/

 

Part A) Weekly Torah Portion: 21 KI TISSA - WHEN YOU TAKE - EXODUS 30:11-34:35 - YouTube

 

 

Exodus Lesson 21 Ki Tisa

Being a person who has had a pretty severe drug and alcohol addiction in the past, when I first read this weeks Torah portions title “when you take” and then saw the Israelites worshipping the golden calf, I immediately thought of the saying in the rooms of Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous meetings ; one is too many a thousand is never enough”. If you have ever struggled with an addiction/strongholds, then you have experienced that yourself. One cookie, potato chip, etc  leads to half the package or the whole package, let’s be honest…

It is said that addiction is another form of idolatry…worshipping that thing you are relying on rather than relying on Yahshua, THE Higher Power. Addictions are just a symptom of a deeper thing happening deep inside a persons mind/heart. Fear, rejection, abandonment, shame, guilt, lust, you name it…

The Israelites left the only home they knew. That environment they grew up in, with its culture, norms, etc were their norm…worshipping idols was one of  their norms. They were surrounded by addicts, I mean idolaters.

Transitions are difficult. Learning a new way of functioning and thinking is a process. And, it can be a very difficult transition. Renewing ones mind takes time. For me, I had a lot of addictions and it took me a long time to give them up.

In my recovery journey, attending 12 step meetings have helped tremendously. Working in the field of substance abuse treatment, the  treatment plans I developed with my clients would include attending weekly 12 step meetings. These support meetings would help them develop new relationship with healthier people, assist them in developing social skills, obtain coping skills and a host of other benefits.  Some embraced the steps, seeing the beauty of them, some rebelled, refusing to open their eyes to see the power of them.

For some, the steps became their new higher power, for others, they were led to Jesus Christ, Yahshua. Many have found Him, THE Higher Power. For way too many, due to their rebellion, they lost their sobriety and relapsed, some never returning to recovery, way too many have overdosed and have died.

COME TO THE ALTAR 1 KINGS 18:30-39 - Faithlife Sermons

 

What Does Mark 9:10 Mean?

If you have lived the life of an addict, then you KNOW that when He gives you freedom, it is actually being brought back from the dead. I lived as the walking dead for many years. The first 30 years of my life was filled with trauma’s of all sorts. I sought relief in sex, drugs and rock and roll…home away from home were bars. Drugs, alcohol and men were my gods.

Then He wooed me with His love. It has taken years for me to have enough trust in Him to allow Him to peel the snake skin lies from me. . Layer after Layer. Year after year, trauma after trauma, addiction after addiction, Year after year He  removed them

He had to show to me His faithfulness so that I would see HE IS Yahweh! He is the only Higher Power that can resurrect  the dead, deliver from bondage, set the captive free!

He raised me from the dead! And, if He can raise me from the dead, there is hope for anyone~

This weeks Torah portion and recovery from big brother Judah.

“When the people saw that Moses was late in coming down from the mountain…”—Exodus 32:1.

This week’s portion describes one of the most misunderstood events in the Bible – the sin of the Golden Calf. Taken at face value, it is difficult to comprehend how the same people who had witnessed the miracles of the Exodus and the Revelation at Sinai could be led to worship a molten image. However, a deeper understanding of the episode reveals that the people did not intend to replace G‑d with the Golden Calf. What they were looking for was a substitute for Moses. As the verse states, the debacle began “when the people saw that Moses was late in coming down from the mountain….”

Moses, a human being of flesh and blood, represented the people’s tangible connection to G‑d. As Moses related (Deut. 5:5), “I was standing between G‑d and you at the time [of the Revelation at Sinai]….” Although it was G‑d who redeemed the people from Egypt and gave them the Commandments at Sinai, it was Moses who served as the visible medium through which G‑d brought about these wonders. Without Moses to facilitate their relationship with G‑d, the people were in a quandary and sought to replace him.

They took it upon themselves to choose their own way of connecting to G‑dTheir mistake was that when they thought that they had lost their G‑dly appointed intermediary, they took it upon themselves to choose their own way of connecting to G‑d. Tradition relates various reasons why the likeness of a calf was selected for this purpose, but one explanation is that the people were interested in having a connection to G‑d that they could make into their own beast of burden. The image of a domesticated animal symbolized an intermediary with G‑d that could be manipulated and controlled. Moses made demands of the people; when necessary, he rebuked them. A docile calf would do no such thing.

One of the cornerstones of recovery is our willingness to be receptive to G‑d’s message when He speaks to us. One of the ways that we seek knowledge of G‑d’s will for us is by having a sponsor. While a sponsor is not a prophet nor is he or she infallible, a sponsor is, however, one of the best means we have for finding clarity on all aspects of our lives, great and small.

Having a sponsor whom we can manipulate or order around is hardly in the spirit of the basic humility requisite for recovery. Neither is it consistent with the acceptance that we do not always know what is best for us and that we need to always remain open, receptive and teachable.

There’s a saying in recovery: “Call your sponsor before… not after.” Having a sponsor means being willing to take direction, not give it. Whether our sponsor is always right is beside the point. What is relevant is that when we get out of our own heads long enough to truly listen to someone else, we may be able to hear the voice of G‑d.

 


KI TAVO TORAH : DEUTERONOMY 26:1-29:8| PROPHETS : ISAIAH 60:1-22| GOSPEL : MATTHEW 4:13-24

 

Deuteronomy 27-28: Blessings and Curses before entering the Land – Hallel Fellowship

 

 

 

June 23rd: Bible Meditation for Deuteronomy 28 | Free Daily Bible Study

Green Street Beach, Hollywood Florida 8/21/2021 Deliverance Service preparing the Bride for the Fall Feasts! Please see below for information on two Torah Pursuant Deliverance Ministries for both education and deliverance!

 

May be an image of one or more people, people standing, body of water and nature

Isaiah 60:1 Inspirational ImagesJesus: The Way, The Truth, & The Life: Isaiah 60:14-22 - The glory of Israel in the Kingdom contrasted with their previous state.Isaiah 60 | Bible Teaching Notes

 

Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons Words of Jesus | Words of jesus, Jesus heals, Jesus

 

Feast of Tabernacles, 2020 High Springs, Florida, I participated in another deliverance ministry session. Pastor Gil drove for many miles from his home in Miami, Florida to assist those who wanted to get free from strongholds and “lassos”. Those brave enough to be honest of their struggles with the demonic came forward and received ministry and deliverance.

Feast of Tabernacles 2015 was my very first Sukkot. I met a woman who was instrumental in my journey to true freedom. She helped me detox from prescription medications by taking me into her own home and nursing me back to health. During my stay at her beautiful farmhouse, I read a book called Unloving by Henry Wright. I was drawn to the title as it defined how I felt. I had just left yet another abusive marriage and was desperate for healing. My friend suggested I attend Be In Health in Georgia…long story short, it WAS the Ruach HaKodesh leading me to go, so I did…and what I witnessed was people getting free from demons…

My next experience was at the congregation I was a part of in upstate New York. The pastor brought a deliverance team from the state of Florida to conduct a weekend deliverance ministry. The small church was packed. I went in the direction of the Ruach HaKodesh. I was overwhelmed when some of the people I knew and respected began to manifest different demons…over the course of two days, I saw many manifestations of demons…this totally broke any denial still lurking in my mind!

My eyes were opened. Wide. I could NOT unsee and inexperience what I personally witnessed of my own deliverance and those of the other folks. I knew the body of Messiah was in big trouble. And, in denial of the reality of the spirit realm. And, how these very demons are the things that are causing such division in the body of Messiah, the conflicts and domestic abuse, porn addiction, child abuse, etc. within His body!

This past weekend, I and a friend drove to Hollywood, Florida, to participate in a deliverance immersion held by Pastor Gil of Torah Deliverance Ministry located in Miami Florida. Many from his congregation united at Green Street Beach on a hot Shabbat morning.

I had sensed strongholds from my ancestry stemming from the occult/freemasonry. My great uncle was a great man, a Yale graduate, one of America’s leading American History Historians, a Professor at Yale University for many years, and an Oxford Cambridge Fellow. My other uncle was a Professor at Cornell University and a Yale man also I believe, also, I believe, another Yale grad. My great-grandmother graduated from Havard/Radcliffe. My cousin, involved in some very dark secret societies was also a big question mark for me.  Yes, I sensed some things from my ancestors was still in operation in my life…I had felt cursed since I was a young child. My life was very difficult and seemed to attract demonic attacks since I was very young…suicidal from the tender age of eight, sexual abuse and physical abuse the driving force behind years of self-medicating that trauma with drugs, booze, numerous toxic relationships,  eating disorder, and a number of other self-destructive behaviors.

So… during this deliverance session in the cool waters of Green Street Beach, Hollywood Florida, the deliverance team was able to target the demonic strongholds rooted in my ancestors’ disobedience and involvement in the occult…a deep deep anger arose in me…up and out, you demon of darkness!!! You do not belong in a child of the Most High!!! Those tormenting, harassing spirits had to flee in the mighty name of Yeshua!!!

In my 3o years of pursuing recovery and healing from childhood trauma and various addictions, I have had seasons of deliverance. One does not walk where I have walked without opening portals for demons…childhood abuse is a portal the enemy takes full advantage of. Spirits of fear, lust, rejection, bitterness, and other spirits enter in, creating a lifelong pattern of relationship issues. How do I know? Because that is my own story. And the story of many others. Like Mary Magdalene…some of us need deliverance.

What shocks me and frustrates me is that so many people who come into an understanding of His Torah, feast days, and Shabbat deny that demons are still an issue! Let me give you a recent personal experience:

I have recently been attacked by two women on the subject of divorce and also regarding Christian Counseling. I have been accused of being used by the enemy to harm people. But yet, these women, who do not even know me, accused me,  disrespected the boundaries I set and continued to harass me. One went so far as to jump on a live Facebook show hosted by a marriage and family therapist who is Torah pursuant demanding the therapist provide scriptures to prove that Yeshua allowed divorce and remarriage. After the show ended she began harassing and attacking both the therapist and I. So, here are two women, supposedly walking in His Word, attacking, accusing, demanding. This is spiritual abuse, this is not loving one’s neighbor as commanded in Torah! One even told me I needed to repent for being a Christian counselor and leading people astray! Funny, I have never even been a “Christian Counselor. I share this with you to show you the insanity of what is going on even within our own places where we turn for fellowship! And this is being allowed!

So, Laura Lee, how do you handle it? I cried out to Him, asking Him to show me if I AM wrong. Just as in the past when I have been attacked by others (this is not the first time with one of the women) He has always rallied around me and whispered in my ear His love and He has shown me their wrongness…and He has shown me in scripture truth…

I repent of my own anger, my own hurt emotions, and I pray for those who spit in my face and accuse me of doing evil.

Sorry for the rabbit trail…let’s get back on track…

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Isaiah 61

He came to set the captives free! He came not only healing the sick but Also casting out devils and He commissioned His disciples to do the same!!! Do you consider yourself His disciple? Then you may be commissioned to assist others in getting free! We all have a calling, we all have been given gifts and talents to be used in these last days!

But! It is highly recommended that one deals with their own log first! IE…get delivered first! Make sure you are walking clean before Him, walking in obedience before one takes on this kind of ministry! The enemy knows us by name and he knows every wound that has been inflicted in us because he was the one behind that wounding! These are the very things he uses against us in every area of our lives!

The Sons of Sceva

11 And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them. 13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.” 14 Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. 15 But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” 16 And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all[a] of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17 And this became known to all the residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled. 18 Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices. 19 And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.

We live in the last day’s folks, time is short…the King IS coming!!! But first, there comes a time of great upheaval…many hearts will fail due to fear…Let us be strong in Him! Let us be about our Father’s business…let us get out of the boat and be water walking warriors filled with His Spirit…so filled with Him that we do those greater works He said we would do! Let us be His last day disciples!!!

Do not get me wrong…I do not follow Chabad, but I do not believe in throwing the baby out with the bathwater, but brother Judah can teach us a few things about the Torah and recovery from addictions…so please give some grace!

Is Unhappiness a Sin? – Ki Tavo

“Because you did not serve G‑d with joy and a happy heart…”—Deuteronomy 28:47.

In this week’s portion, we find a lengthy description of the dire consequences to be faced by G‑d‘s people should they fail to serve Him properly after entering the Land. The results for untoward behavior include: desolation, famine, war, illness and exile.

Among the transgressions which bring on all these troubles is unhappiness. Yes, unhappiness! “Because you did not serve G‑d with joy and a happy heart…”

But is being unhappy a sin? How can one be punished for a thing like that? If G‑d punishes people for being unhappy, that would rather seem like kicking a man when he’s down.

Happiness is a decision. And like all decisions, it has consequences these questions, however, only arise from a fundamental misunderstanding of what happiness is. We tend to see happiness as an indicator of outside conditions. If things are going well for us, we are happy. If things are rough, we are – or have cause to be – unhappy. The word itself implies that happiness is something that happens to us; that when we are happy, it’s due to good fortune. Conversely, whenever we are unhappy it is because we have caught a bad break and suffered some kind of mishap.

But G‑d tells us that this is not so. Happiness is a decision. And like all decisions, it has consequences. And G‑d does not punish people for being unhappy. He warns us about the trouble that unhappiness can bring.

We alcoholics and addicts can testify to the disastrous consequences of unhappiness. Why else did we keep coming back for more of a beating from alcohol other than the fact that we were fundamentally unhappy? We found life to be a frequent source of disappointment and aggravation. It was never good enough to make us feel content and at ease. We were “men and women… [who] are restless, irritable and discontented unless they can again experience the sense of ease and comfort which comes at once by taking a few drinks.” (Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, p. xxvii)

Our spiritual program of recovery gives us the tools to change ourselves into people who are comfortable with life. It teaches us how to be happy; and that our happiness is not a result of what happens, but of the ideas, attitudes and actions we choose. If we do not use the tools of recovery, we find ourselves quickly growing weary and agitated with life. We steep in self-pity and rage and, eventually, we relapse. Then there is the resulting chaos, with the possible end results of destruction and death.

So, is unhappiness a sin? What difference does it make what you call it? The result is the same.

As for happiness, there is no limit to the blessings that being happy can bring.

Torah Deliverance Ministry

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