Teshuvah 24
Shalom Mishpocha,
This evening (Thursday) at sundown is the beginning of Elul 24 and day 24 of Teshuvah. Yom Teruah/Rosh Hashanah is in 6 days.
Carolyn and I experienced our first Yom Teruah (Feast of Trumpets) service in 1991. We had gone to a weekend seminar in Colombia, SC, sponsored by Morning Star Drama & Dance Ministries and its founder, Helen Cregger. The purpose of the weekend conference was to teach us about the three fall festivals - which we knew very little about at that time. We had been asked to bring white clothing to wear Saturday night, the night we would be celebrating Yom Teruah. I must tell you that it was an impressive sight when we walked into the conference room and there were hundreds of people all dressed in white. They gave all the ladies white veils and all the men white kippahs as they entered the doors. Singers, musicians, and the congregation sang, dancers danced, actors acted out their parts of the story that told of the catching away of the bride of Messiah on Yom Teruah. At one point they brought long pieces of silk fabric over the congregation, representing the chuppa or wedding canopy. What a wonderful experience it was. One of the Hebrew words for "Feast" is "Mikra" which means "Rehearsal". What a wonderful way to learn more about the Hebrew roots of your faith, and God's time-line that is so clearly pointed out in the Festivals of the Lord.
Understanding the Biblical Festivals has been a wonderful journey. One of my favorite parts of Yom Teruah is understanding the Marriage-Relationship we have with the LORD.
Hosea 2:19:20
I will betroth you to me forever, I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will acknowledge the LORD.
Hosea 2 says that we've been betrothed to Him - and the various aspects of the ancient Jewish wedding parallel our own marriage relationship with Messiah Yeshua. The Betrothal - The Bride Price - The Wedding Contract - The Bride's Consent - The Wedding Garments - The First Cup of Wine - The Wedding Gifts - all tell the story of our current marriage relationship with Him. The Catching Away - The Marriage Chuppa (Canopy/Chamber) - The Second Cup of Wine - and The Wedding Feast all point to the future aspect of our marriage relationship with Yeshua.
Beit Yeshua shared "The Ancient Jewish Wedding Parallels Drama" as part of our Sukkot Celebration in 2012. Check out the photos at:http://curtis.loftinnc.com/
1 Corinthians 15
51Listen, I will tell you a mystery! We will not all die, but we will all be changed, 52in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
Abba, Thank You for Your love for us. Thank You for continuing to work in our hearts and lives. As we approach Yom Teruah, make us more sensitive to Your Voice & Your Ruach (Spirit), make our ears a-tuned to the sound of the shofar. Prepare our hearts to stand before you with clean and white wedding garments. Take our eyes off of ourselves, our troubles, cares and worries, and turn them toward You. Draw us ever closer to Your presence as you continue to work in our lives. B’Shem Yeshua.
Ahava V'Brachot,
Curtis
Worship Opportunity for Today:
YouTube Video: Casting Crowns "Who Am I?"
YouTube Video: Casting Crowns "East to the West"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
Beit Yeshua Links:
Yom Teruah - The Feast of Trumpets - http://curtis.loftinnc.com/
Yom Teruah - The Feast of Trumpets - http://curtis.loftinnc.com/
Biblical Festivals - http://curtis.loftinnc.com/
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Psalm 122:6
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; may those who love you prosper.
For daily e-mails: Curtis Loftin contact: curtisloftin
