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Monday, 16 August 2021
Shomair Yisrael Declaration 1

Today, I'm turning my attention to the Congregational Declaration that Shomair Yisrael made at the start of 2020.

Last week we studied what God said to the children of Israel just before He gave them (us) the Ten Commandments. Exodus 19:5 Now then, if you listen closely to My voice, and keep My covenant, then you will be My own treasure from among all people, for all the earth is Mine. As followers of Yeshua, we have become part of that "treasure from among all people" that belongs to God.

God had to send His Son, not only for salvation, but also so that His people would have a living demonstration of His character. Abraham was told by God, Genesis 17:1 When Abram was 99 years old, Adonai appeared to Abram, and He said to him, "I am El Shaddai. Continually walk before Me and you will be blameless." But Abram never attained that goal.

To be blameless, we have to walk as Yeshua walked, continually. This is not just obeying laws, but putting our hearts in God's order. The greatest commands are to love God and to love each other (Matthew 22:36-40). It's a heart "thang." That "heart thang" is a character "thang," and character is who you are and what you do when nobody is looking.

The Bible is full of verses that tell how hard it is to be virtuous if you keep company with people who are not. For example: 1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived! "Bad company corrupts good morals." We are the people of God. The reason the whole world isn't already saved is that we are not reflecting His character well. Romans 8:8-9 So those who are in the flesh cannot please God. However, you are not in the flesh but in the Ruach - if indeed the Ruach Elohim dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Ruach of Messiah, he does not belong to Him.

Many of you know parts of this story, but I want to take a few days to tell it here. In January of 2020, our Shomair leadership team (consisting of about 17 people who oversee various aspects of ministry) met especially for listening prayer. We asked the Lord one question, "What do You have to say to Your community at Shomair Yisrael, especially as it applies to the coming calendar year?" Then we listened.

After a few minutes, we went around the room, asking each person what he/she had heard. Some had a Scripture, some had a vision, and still others had a thought or impression. After we put it all together, the result was our first congregational declaration. It is reprinted here.

In 2020, we, the members of Shomair Yisrael, declare that Shomair is called to be a house of prayer and worship. We understand that the more we press in, and the deeper we go with God, the more we will be surrounded by His presence. So we will strive to make ourselves available to worship Him in Spirit and in Truth, to seek after His heart, and wait on Him at every occasion.

We believe that the result of this will be a supernatural multiplication that will affect every generation and Shomair will become a refuge in an increasingly dark world.

Therefore; we the people of Shomair Yisrael Messianic Synagogue are called to walk in unity together with the leadership; to love each other by being involved in each others lives; and to care for and strengthen each other by praying for and encouraging one another.

We covenant to hold each other accountable to living godly lives. We will let our lights shine through not only faithful attendance to services, discipleship and home groups, but by walking out our faith in obedience to His Word.

Every week, for the rest of that year (2020), we rose as one people of God, and recited our declaration before the Lord, receiving and affirming His promises to His people. We talked about our vision and expectations to develop the character necessary to live in His kingdom. I'll write more as we continue this series.

Posted By Rabbi Michael Weiner, 10:00am Comment Comments: 0