As an early Christian, God helped me understand that superstitions did not pertain to me as a child of God. I had been previously concerned about superstitions, especially about Friday the 13th. He made it clear in His Scriptures that He wanted me to trust in Him instead.
In September, God brought the Bible verse, Isaiah 29:11-15 to my mind. It was given to me many years ago by a young man named Matt in our Methodist Church during our Bible Study Group. Matt told me that God wanted him to give me that Scripture. God has used it several times when leading me towards changes in my life.
Over the years, I have been pondering how strange it was that I was a Christian Gentile that prayed to receive Christ at a Messianic Convention in 1987. God used that Bible Verse, and a few other things, to help me make the decision to return to the Congregation that lead me to Christ and join the Congregation Beth Hallel as a Remote Member of their Synagogue. Beth Hallel (bethhallel.org) is a Messianic Congregation that believe that Yeshua (Jesus) is the Scripture promised Jewish Messiah from God.
God Blessed Friday 13th
On Friday night, September 13-14th, 2024, I became a Member of Congregation Beth Hallel. When I saw the date, I actually laughed out loud as I remembered how over 30 years ago God had worked with me to trust Him and let go of my superstitions. I just had to praise God for healing me of my superstitions that had ruled my life and had numerously robbed me of my peace of mind. His healing allowed me to join this Congregation with a grateful heart full of praises for what God had already healed within me and a joyful Spirit knowing He had plans to bless me even more. God reminds me through this Friday 13th in the year of 2024, that God Blesses whatever He wants to bless and there are no limitations to His authority and favor.
How Can This Be?
My daughter asked me a good question about joining the Congregation Beth Hallel. She asked, “How can you be a member when you are a Christian?” This is a valid question and should be asked by loved ones when someone seems to take a path less traveled. First of all, the Messiah of God is the same person, Jesus (English name) and Yeshua (Hebrew name). Jesus did help me confirm that I am very much a Christian and a Gentile. Jesus confirmed to me that He did not want me to convert to Judaism. If I had to convert to Judaism or become something that I am not, then I would have known it was a learning experience and that this was not the right path for me to follow. The New Members Class I took even addressed this question and many others.
They affirmed that God wants the Christian Gentiles and Messianic Jews to be who they were born to be in our Savior. We are just different branches in the Messiah through salvation by the willing sacrifice of the Lamb of God. I have already started learning that by going through their High Holy Days and festivals alongside them. My life has already been enriched from the fellowship. I felt the presence of Jesus as He walked with me through His culture as a King showing me His Nation. I feel privileged as both an honored guest of the King and as a member of His Kingdom being shown something not everyone has the opportunity to experience. I believe Jesus is teaching me how He wants me to pray for all of His people. I believe it is an honor and privilege to follow Jesus.
Scripture Will Not Contradict Where Jesus Leads
Scripture addresses the worship of God for Christian Gentiles and Messianic Jews that believe the Messiah had come as the promised Savior Jesus (English name), Yeshua (Hebrew name). God gave the Jews specific Laws and Holidays they are to follow always as His people in Leviticus 23. In Matthew 5:17-18 we are told that Jesus came to fulfill the Law and not abolish it. Jesus ministered to the Jews first as it was His purpose to save all Nations through the Jews.
There is No Need to Convert
In Acts 10-11 after Peter’s vision the Gentile believers are introduced as worthy of God’s Salvation. While in Acts 11:26 we see the disciples are called Christians for the first time in Antioch. Thankfully, Acts 15 explains why Gentiles are not expected to convert to Judaism and how they were to abstain from four things: sexual immorality, food polluted by idols, from the meat of strangled animals and blood. Galatians 3-5 does an excellent job explaining that through salvation in Christ we are all one in Christ. Galatians 3:27-28 more specifically explains there is no longer Jew or Gentile through salvation in the Messiah. I am experiencing that Galatians 3, early Church where Gentile believers worshiped with the Jewish believers in Christ Jesus. I am at peace knowing God accepts me as I am as a joint heir with Christ regardless of my culture.
God Moves us According to His Purpose
I did not make the decision lightly. I loved the people in my Sunday School Class at the Baptist Church where I had been a member for over a decade. I had not seen them after the COVID shutdown since they stopped doing Remote Zoom Meetings. They went back understandably to real-life meetings again, after the COVID shutdown was over. Due to medical issues, I continued remote worship on YouTube. I could see some of them as I watched the YouTube Sermons, but honestly that was not the same due to the lack of communication when Zoom Meetings ended. I needed more Bible Study and Interactive Prayer. Still, I would have stayed, except God led me back to the Congregation that had hosted the Convention in 1987 where I was saved. I even asked someone to see if I could still be on their prayer email so I can continue to pray for them. I believe in the power of prayer that God has given us. I believe God has called me to be a Prayer Warrior and is teaching me to pray for His people according to His will.
God Uses our Technology
Congregation Beth Hallel has many Remote Members all over the USA and from other Countries as well. I have already been enrolled into a Remote Bible Study Group (Chavurah) and a Remote Prayer Meeting Group. There is even a Remote Beginner Hebrew Class available should I feel led to join. I am still praying about that and waiting on the Lord Jesus to lead. I am amazed how God uses the technology in the world to bless His people and help us fellowship with other believers.
Help Me Receive
Lord God Almighty, sanctify me in Your holiness through Christ Jesus. I am a Gentile branch of Your Kingdom. I understand through Your Holy Word that we are all one in God through the salvation of the Messiah. I know You are leading me back to this Congregation for Your purpose. Help me learn, understand and be whomever You have called me to be. I have so much to learn and understand about the Jewish Culture and Holidays that You established in Your Nation Israel. Father God, You have helped me understand that You named and created the Nation Israel. Israel belongs to You. Jesus, You have helped me understand that You are the Messiah of God, and always will be the rightful King of Israel. Jesus, You are the King of Kings. I respect that fact and that You are allowing me the privilege and honor to know the people of Your Nation. Please help me be respectful of Your people and at peace with the path You are leading me to follow You on. You also remind me that You are the God of All. This is Your world, and You are the God of many Nations. Please bless Israel and all of Your Nations to follow You. I especially lift up the USA to You, Father of Love, please bless our Nation with more of You and to be a blessing to other Nations according to Your purpose and plan. We desperately need more of You, Your love and peace in the World! Be glorified God of Peace as You answer this prayer and in Christ Jesus I humbly pray. Amen.