Have you ever heard or read a poor translation of a phrase from one language to another? If you have, you have seen that the meaning of the words can be totally lost; even be made to say something different than what they were intended to say. This week, we learn that this is exactly what has happened to some key Hebrew idioms found in the ‘New Testament.’ The meaning wasn’t necessarily lost in the translation as much as it has been forgotten through time and cultural differences.  A perfect example is the word “disciple.” The whole idea of discipleship is a Hebraic idea. In Hebrew, a disciple would be called a “talmidim,” and with the title came an understanding of the duties of a talmidim. As you have probably guessed, the Hebraic definition differs a great deal from the definition that we are accustomed to.    A Hebraic talmidim was to become the image of his master. At the end of the disciple’s training (discipleship), he is to become just like his teacher in every way, but more importantly, in the way his master walked out the commandments of the Torah. We are to keep the Torah commandments the same way that Yeshua did! The difference in the understanding of the word is huge. To be a disciple in modern times requires nothing more than to ‘believe,’ or ‘follow’ Jesus; which is good, but lacking tremendously in it’s being walked out.    So, where do dandelions come into the conversation? The word “dandelion” has a much different meaning than just the mundane, tiny, yellow, flowering weed that we love to hate, here in America. It’s name has a much bigger, ferocious meaning; but you’ll have to listen to the podcast to know what it means and how it effects our walk with Messiah Yeshua.

May the Lord bless you and keep you,  

Shabbat shalom!

Useful links for this study:

1 John chapter 2

e-Sword (excellent free bible study software - Septuagint can be added to the bible translations)

Thanks for joining us! This week we enter the second chapter of 1 John. As we read John’s words, it is hard to separate the Torah from the message he is writing. In fact, I would even say that it is impossible. John tells his audience, “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. (1John 2:3,4) Do you see what he just said? Because of how profound those words are, we are prompted to learn just exactly what John is referring to when he says "keep His commandments." ...fair enough?
   Upon further study, we are lead to the Septuagint, and the way its writers translated these words. The conclusions are nothing less than ground-breaking. John is clearly telling his audience exactly what it looks like. “Commandment” is just what you would expect, from a Jewish writer - it is Torah; mitzvot. So what does all of this mean? Where do we go from here, and what do we do with these things? Well, that is what we intend to find out. How do we witness to our brothers and sisters in Christ, and have true fellowship with one another when our opinions differ so much on foundational interpretation of the scriptures? What should our ‘walk’ look like, if John is saying what we think he is saying? Join us as we look into these questions and more in the coming weeks, on The Word Is Grace.
  
May the Lord bless you and keep you,
Shabbat shalom!

Useful links for this study:
Read 1John chapter 1 online

Septuagint online in English

Interlinear Septuagint with Strong's definitions

e-Sword (excellent free bible study software - Septuagint can be added to the bible translations)

Article: The Unity of the Torah by Tim Hegg

Shalom! We are back on track, and ready to start getting into the book of 1 John. This week, we make our way through the first ten verses of chapter one.
    The first epistle of John is full of “if, then” statements. John tells his audience in no uncertain terms that if you say such and such, and don’t do such and such, then you are a liar. Because of this, we, as readers of his book should be absolutely sure of what ever it is that he is telling us. For instance, John writes, “He who says ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” Because of the enormity of the statement, we should be prompted to do an in depth study of what the word “commandment” means. If our definition of “commandment” is different than John’s... well, let’s just say we don’t want to have any doubt as to what he is telling us.
    John was battling Gnosticism, and other false doctrines that were making their way into the Body of Christ. He had to choose his words carefully. Come with us as we take a deeper look into the words that he chose, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Brace yourself though; some of these phrases mean something different than what we were taught in Sunday school...
    So what’s the deal with the title this week? The word “agnostic" translates into “ignoramus.” Think about that the next time you are witnessing to somebody and they tell you they are Agnostic. All the more reason to know what John was talking about, right? 
May the Lord bless you and keep you,
Shabbat shalom!

Useful links for this study:
Read 1John chapter 1 online

Septuagint online in English

Interlinear Septuagint with Strong's definitions

e-Sword (excellent free bible study software - Septuagint can be added to the bible translations)

The Unity of the Torah by Tim Hegg

Thank you for joining us on The Word Is Grace. This week, we begin a new study, on the book of 1 John.
  John answers some very tough questions in this small letter. As we go through this profound book, I would like to encourage you to go deeper. Find out if John is saying what we believe he is saying. I will be providing links at the bottom of each week’s podcast to be used for further study.
  So, what does John write that is so profound? To begin with, he gives us the biblical definition of sin, which may not sound like a very profound revelation... until you find that it means to break Torah. That’s right, John’s definition of sin is “Torah-less-ness” or “without Torah.” As startling as that may be, it is equally important to notice that he is writing mostly to Gentile believers. So what does this mean for believers today? That is one of the things we will be getting to later.
  John also answers the questions of salvation, like, am I saved? How can I know? Do I love God? How can I know? Do I love my brother? - How can I know? Do we have fellowship with Jesus? The Father? - How can we know? Am I being honest with myself? - How Can I Know?Can I still be forgiven? How can I know?

Click the links below for further study resources:
1 John 1:1-10 (New King James Version)
English Translation of the Septuagint

May the Lord bless you and keep you,
Shabbat shalom!

  Well, the Chanukah season is over, and so is our study on the book of James. Thank you for joining us each week, as we have looked at the words of James with "Torah perspective." I hope that you have gotten as much from this short book as I have.
  This week, James finishes up his letter by prompting his readers to pray. Whether you are sick or healthy, pray for yourself and pray for each other. What an awesome God we serve, that He encourages each and every one of us to come to Him in prayer! The Creator of the Universe wants us to be in conversation with Him! What an encouraging way for James to finish his letter to people who were already beginning to suffer persecution.
  Please come back next week, as we begin the book of 1 John. It is sure to be an interesting study!

May the Lord bless you and keep you,
Shabbat shalom!

  We interrupt this study on James to bring you a short message on Chanukah! As believers in Yeshua, Jesus, what is our proper response to this scripturally obscure holiday? What does it mean to us? Jim sums the message of Chanukah by asking, "will we be true to what we know is the Truth?"
  The story of Chanukah, found in the book of 1 Maccabees (that's in the apocrypha - not scripture, and not to be regarded as scripture; but history.) is a call to each of us to follow the LORD regardless of what those around us are doing. We, as believers in the One True God can not assimilate into society in such a way that it compromises our obedience to the God of Israel. That is what happens in the story of the Maccabees - they refuse to "go with the flow." Are we willing to do that? Would you take the chance of being rejected by your friends and family for no other reason than to obey our God?  Are we willing to be a living sacrifice like Paul tells us, dying daily to our flesh? That is our acceptable service, after all.
   May we all have a heart to not just be willing to die for the cause of Christ, but to also live for Him. We light the candles as a remembrance of the dedication of the Temple, and the miracles that took place when God's people placed their faith in Him. Aren't we the living Temple of God today? Could there be a better time to rededicate our lives to the service of the LORD? We hope you have a great holiday!

Links for further reading:
Link to the story Jim was referring to about Tiger Woods and Chanukah from www.Aish.com titled:
"Is a beautiful golf swing enough to make you a hero?"
Chanukah story & customs (at hebrew4christians.com)
1 Maccabees
2 Maccabees
Jesus at Chanukah in John 10:22-30 ("Dedication" in Hebrew is "Chanukah")

May the Lord bless you and keep you,

Shabbat shalom!

  If you are like me, you've been asked about 2012 a lot lately. Unfortunately, with the media  frenzy concerning December 21, 2012, and the new movie, we are certain to be asked about it more and more leading up to that day. So what do we think is going to happen? To tell the truth, our guess is as good as the next person's. This week, as we go through James ch 5:1-12, we take a slight detour to mention 2012.
  When Yeshua was asked in Matt 24 "What will be the sign of Your coming?" After giving them a list of things to look for (none of which were Mayan prophecies) Yeshua tells them, "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only." Do you see why that is so important concerning the December 21, 2012? Why would that day be an issue for any believer? Our Master, Yeshua, tells us that only His Father knows the day. We, as believers, are going to be asked these questions more frequently as the end draws near. We must be ready to give an answer from scripture.
  What is going to happen on December 21, 2012? I know that if the LORD wills that I live that long, I will be getting ready for Shabbat, because it will fall on a Friday. As for the end of the world... I have reason to believe that it will not happen on that day. Why? Because He tells us that it will happen when we least expect it. All we have to do as believers is abide in Him. Live each moment for Him, and wait for His return. He will come back when the Father tells Him to - not when the prophecies of an extinct pagan culture say so.

May the Lord bless you and keep you,

Shabbat shalom!

  Isn't God awesome? When I wake up in the morning, I can't help but think, "He is actually letting me do this again!" For some reason, our God - the God of Israel, still allows me to wake up each morning and continue to serve Him, regardless of how bad my past was. In spite of all of the terrible things that I did before I knew Him. I am forever grateful. This may sound a little harsh, but I was a scumbag before I came to Christ, yet He allowed me into His Kingdom; Bless His Name! When I repented, He forgave my sins and breathed new life into me.
  Praise the Lord for the grace that He has shown us today! Praise His Holy Name for allowing people like me to come to Him and be forgiven. Even mess-up like me can accept the free gift that He has given, bless His name!
(Click here to read James ch 4:11-17)

May the Lord bless you and keep you,

Shabbat shalom!