Treeoflifehouston

Each one of us in our own ways are standing on the bank of the Jordan. God is telling us this morning I have set the land before you. Enter and possess. We can’t go on based on the experience and accolades of our ancestors. We have to go on our own. So what’s the problem? A lot of us are not entering the land God has given us for a variety of reasons. This morning I would like to explore some of the things that we face and solutions that will allow us to fulfil what God has given us.

So what is a cistern? Cisterns are a substitute for clean running water. Ancient cisterns were a necessary survival tool, peppered throughout all throughout Israel, the most impressive of which are in desert regions like the fortress of Masada. The problem with cisterns is that they leak, losing all that precious rainwater. If you have a really good cistern and it doesn’t leak you will have problems of stagnation.

So what is a cistern? Cisterns are a substitute for clean running water. Ancient cisterns were a necessary survival tool, peppered throughout all throughout Israel, the most impressive of which are in desert regions like the fortress of Masada. The problem with cisterns is that they leak, losing all that precious rainwater. If you have a really good cistern and it doesn’t leak you will have problems of stagnation.

So what is a cistern? Cisterns are a substitute for clean running water. Ancient cisterns were a necessary survival tool, peppered throughout all throughout Israel, the most impressive of which are in desert regions like the fortress of Masada. The problem with cisterns is that they leak, losing all that precious rainwater. If you have a really good cistern and it doesn’t leak you will have problems of stagnation.

The slaughter of the people of mainland Tyre was great and brutal • Babylon was not known as a benevolent conqueror • The wealth of Tyre not taken to the island was taken by BabylonThese two verses are written in the form of a funeral dirge • The leaders recognized the judgment of Tyre was also for them • They were right to be concerned for their own safety

A RED Heifer. What is the significance of red?. Why not black to symbolize sin? Or white to portray atonement? Ramban said that the red color was an attribute of justice. The sages say that the red stew that Jacob prepared was a traditional mourning dish of round red lentils, which imply the circle of life, to honor the passing of his grandfather Abraham. I believe red was chosen because the red color of blood connects the animal, the sacrifice, to red blood of mankind. In fact, the Hebrew word for red used here in verse 2 is אדםה adom. Adom means ruddy or red. The Hebrew word for blood is dam. God said that life is in the blood. It is through the blood of the Messiah that was shed on the cross that we have eternal life.

A RED Heifer. What is the significance of red?. Why not black to symbolize sin? Or white to portray atonement? Ramban said that the red color was an attribute of justice. The sages say that the red stew that Jacob prepared was a traditional mourning dish of round red lentils, which imply the circle of life, to honor the passing of his grandfather Abraham. I believe red was chosen because the red color of blood connects the animal, the sacrifice, to red blood of mankind. In fact, the Hebrew word for red used here in verse 2 is אדםה adom. Adom means ruddy or red. The Hebrew word for blood is dam. God said that life is in the blood. It is through the blood of the Messiah that was shed on the cross that we have eternal life.

A young man had lost his job and didn’t know which way to turn. So he went to see the old rabbi. Pacing about the rabbi’s study, the young man ranted about his problem. Finally he clenched his fist and shouted, "I’ve begged Hashem to say something to help me. Tell me, Rabbi, why doesn’t God answer?" The old rabbi, who sat across the room, spoke something in reply -- something so hushed it was indistinguishable. The young man stepped across the room. "What did you say?" he asked. The rabbi repeated himself, but again in a tone as soft as a whisper. So the young man moved closer until he was leaning on the rabbi’s chair. "Sorry," he said. "I still didn’t hear you." With their heads bent together, the old rabbi spoke once more. "God sometimes whispers," he said, "so we will move closer to hear Him."

A young man had lost his job and didn’t know which way to turn. So he went to see the old rabbi. Pacing about the rabbi’s study, the young man ranted about his problem. Finally he clenched his fist and shouted, "I’ve begged Hashem to say something to help me. Tell me, Rabbi, why doesn’t God answer?" The old rabbi, who sat across the room, spoke something in reply -- something so hushed it was indistinguishable. The young man stepped across the room. "What did you say?" he asked. The rabbi repeated himself, but again in a tone as soft as a whisper. So the young man moved closer until he was leaning on the rabbi’s chair. "Sorry," he said. "I still didn’t hear you." With their heads bent together, the old rabbi spoke once more. "God sometimes whispers," he said, "so we will move closer to hear Him."

Most of you know that I spent 26 years in the Coast Guard. I traveled to some 30 countries, served in 7 different ships, 7 assignments ashore and commanded a ship in Guam. Each of those assignments had definite command structure. We knew who was the boss. There was never any question. When at sea there is a further differentiation of who is in charge. The Captain is ultimately in command but there was also another command structure. Up on the bridge, the area of the ship that has the wheel, the engine controls, radar, navigation equipment and most importantly the conning officer. The conning office was responsible for the navigation of the ship, keeping it on course, looking out for any hazards, and ensuring the ship arrived at its destination in one piece. Every four hours, there was a different conning officer. The relieving officer would check the ship’s position, condition of the engines, status of the seaworthiness of the ship. He would check any written orders from the commanding officer to make sure that during his four hour watch, all the captain’s orders were carried out. When he was satisfied that all was well, he would salute the offgoing officer and say I relieve you. The offgoing officer would respond, “I stand relieved”. The oncoming officer would then loudly and clearly announce to all present on the bridge, “I have the conn”. All the personnel on the bridge would acknowledge the change in authority with a hearty “aye, aye sir”. Why was all that necessary? Was is just an archaic old seagoing tradition or did it actually serve a purpose? This ritual was and is very important. It established without question who was in immediate control of the ship. Even if the Captain or Executive officer came up on the bridge, the conning officer was still responsible for the navigation and ultimate safety of the ship. Unless the CO or XO announced to the bridge crew that he had the conn, it was always assumed that the duty officer retained control of the ship.

This Chapter begins a series of prophecies regarding judgment of Israel’s enemies • Ammon was the first to be mentioned • There would be two indictments and two judgments

This Chapter begins a series of prophecies regarding judgment of Israel’s enemies • Ammon was the first to be mentioned • There would be two indictments and two judgments

Today I would like to explore some emotions that probably most of us have experience at some point in our lives. Those two emotions are fear and depression. Some of you know that a couple of years before founding Tree of Life, I was called upon to conduct the funeral of a nice young man who unfortunately succumbed to his deep depression and ended his life at age 15. He had been a guest in our home. We knew his family fairly well. As a result of that funeral, I have read a good bit about depression and how it affects people’s lives.

Today I would like to explore some emotions that probably most of us have experience at some point in our lives. Those two emotions are fear and depression. Some of you know that a couple of years before founding Tree of Life, I was called upon to conduct the funeral of a nice young man who unfortunately succumbed to his deep depression and ended his life at age 15. He had been a guest in our home. We knew his family fairly well. As a result of that funeral, I have read a good bit about depression and how it affects people’s lives.

Today I would like to explore some emotions that probably most of us have experience at some point in our lives. Those two emotions are fear and depression. Some of you know that a couple of years before founding Tree of Life, I was called upon to conduct the funeral of a nice young man who unfortunately succumbed to his deep depression and ended his life at age 15. He had been a guest in our home. We knew his family fairly well. As a result of that funeral, I have read a good bit about depression and how it affects people’s lives.

This is an amazing departure from the customs of the day. The idea that a leader’s highest virtue is humility was certainly out of the norm for the potentates of the ancient world. Leaders were proud, magnificent, distinguished by their dress, appearance, and regal manner. They built temples in their own honor. They had triumphant inscriptions engraved for posterity. Their role was not to serve but to be served. Everyone else was expected to be humble, not they. Humility and majesty could not coexist. SLIDE 15: MENORAH LEADERSHIP The teachings of Judaism and later of the Messiah turn the concept of leadership on its head. Leaders were to be servants of the people. The normal idea of leadership could be viewed as a pyramid, wide at the base and narrow at the top. Lots of common people were holding up the trappings of the few elite. The menorah is a picture of Godly leadership, wide at the top and narrow at the base, as if the leaders were to be caring for and serving the people.

This is an amazing departure from the customs of the day. The idea that a leader’s highest virtue is humility was certainly out of the norm for the potentates of the ancient world. Leaders were proud, magnificent, distinguished by their dress, appearance, and regal manner. They built temples in their own honor. They had triumphant inscriptions engraved for posterity. Their role was not to serve but to be served. Everyone else was expected to be humble, not they. Humility and majesty could not coexist. SLIDE 15: MENORAH LEADERSHIP The teachings of Judaism and later of the Messiah turn the concept of leadership on its head. Leaders were to be servants of the people. The normal idea of leadership could be viewed as a pyramid, wide at the base and narrow at the top. Lots of common people were holding up the trappings of the few elite. The menorah is a picture of Godly leadership, wide at the top and narrow at the base, as if the leaders were to be caring for and serving the people.