JD's Take on the Torah Portion: “SHEMINI ATZERET - SIMCHAT TORAH” 100326

This week’s Torah Portion is: “SHEMINI ATZERET - SIMCHAT TORAH” (SHMIH-nee ah-TSEH-ret - sim-KHAT TO-rah) in Hebrew, or “The Eighth Day of Gathering” & “Rejoicing in Torah” in English. Torah: Deuteronomy 14:22-16:17; 33:1-34:12 Prophets: 1 Kings 8:54-66 / Joshua 1:1-18 Gospels: Luke 2:21-32 / Acts 1:1-14 Questions & Points: Points: Be faithful in your Tithes & Offerings. God can do more for you with 90%, than you can with 100%! As followers of Christ, we need to likewise be marked! Just like a servant’s earlobe would have been forever marked by having this implement driven through it, our lives should likewise be forever marked by Christ. The way we love others namely, and the way we conduct our lives, forgive, bless, work on our jobs, etc. My first official observance of Sukkot was truly life-changing. The LORD’s promises do not fail; and, we should be strong and courageous, if we are careful to obey his commands, we will prosper and succeed in all we do. Keep God’s commands. Many scholars believe that Jesus was born during the Festival of Shelters or Sukkot. Not the December 25th that the modern church follows. If you are a devoted follower of Christ, I encourage you to seek the things of the Holy Spirit. If you are not a devoted follower of Christ, I encourage you to heed the Apostle Peter’s and the Apostle Paul’s words, "Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ..." "Today is the day of salvation.” respectively. Questions: How is your giving to the poor? Do you give at all? Do the people around you know you are a Christian, or do your actions cause you to blend in with the world around you? Other Bible References: Malachi 3:8-12; “Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me! “But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’“You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me. 9 You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me. 10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! 11 Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease. Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. 12 “Then all nations will call you blessed, for your land will be such a delight,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-8; “6 Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.” Acts 2:38; “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 6:2; “or God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.”