Author: Daniel

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Prophets and Writings Torah

Ripples of righteousness: How Abraham’s belief is shaping all nations (Genesis 20; Isaiah 61; Galatians 3)

Adobe Firefly AI oil painting-style image shows Abraham sitting by the Jordan River, with palm trees in the background. Ripples radiate from a pebble he threw into the water. Text says, "Ripples of Righteousness How Abraham's Belief Is Shaping All Nations (Genesis 2O; Isaiah 61; Galatians 3)."

This study of Genesis 20, Isaiah 61 and Galatians 3 explores the interconnected themes of faith, law and righteousness. It traces the impact of Abraham’s belief on all nations. God’s promise to Abraham transcends the Law of God, empowering believers to positively influence their communities. Biblical righteousness, forgiveness and the responsibilities of the faithful are grounded in the transformative power of trust — faith — in God. The parable of people as trees producing “good fruit” illustrates the reverberating effects of Heaven’s redemption of us and transformation of our characters. The result of our transformation is our obedience — “fruit.”

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Torah

Hagar and Sarai: A lesson in the supremacy of the Spirit over the flesh (Genesis 16; Galatians 4)

Adobe Firefly AI oil palette knife style portraits of a young and an old Ancient Near East woman. Text says, "Hagar and Sarai: A lesson in the supremacy of the Spirit over the flesh." Genesis 16: Galatians 4

The account of Hagar and Sarah, recorded in Genesis 16, illustrates the timeless conflict between the flesh and the Spirit of God. As reflected on in Galatians 4, Hagar, the slave woman, represents bondage that the unspiritual can create from God’s Law, while Sarah, the free woman, symbolizes the liberty of the Spirit. This comparison teaches that the Law is meant to serve the Spirit, not the other way around. True freedom comes not from self-effort, but from submitting to God’s sovereign plan — preserved in the Law — and trusting in His promises, namely the Promised One, the Messiah. The flesh must be subordinate to the leading of the Spirit.

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Prophets and Writings

Toppling the tower of self: Rediscovering true greatness through humility before Heaven (Genesis 11; Isaiah 28; 1Corinthians 14)

Text says, "Toppling the tower of self: Rediscovering true greatness through humility before Heaven. Genesis 11; Isaiah 28; 1Corinthians 14."Adobe Stock image of a partially built Tower of Babel with scaffolding around it and partly built structures around it.

This study dives into some powerful biblical themes: pride, self-importance and the need to walk in humility and obedience to God’s commands. We explore the stories of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11, the prophecy against Ephraim in Isaiah 28 and Paul’s parallel teachings in 1Corinthians 14. The big takeaway from the Torah passage and companion readings is that the Messiah wants to replace our human pride with Himself as the true foundation and source of wisdom. It’s all about finding that balance — childlike faith combined with mature discernment, leaving behind self-exaltation to humbly submit to the Messiah’s lordship.

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Prophets and Writings Torah

From sacred to sacrilege: ‘Sons of God,’ ‘daughters of men’ and erosion of God’s words in human traditions (Genesis 5–6; Isaiah 29–30; Matthew 23)

"From sacred to sacrilege Sons of God, 'daughters of men" & erosion of God's words In juman traditions (Genesis 5-6; Isaiah 29-30; Matthew 23)." Adobe Firefly generated palette-knife-style image showing two long-haired bearded men opposing each other, with one on the left with a warmer color tone and the one of the right showing cooler tones.

Unraveling the sacred numbers and differing genealogies in Genesis 5–6, Isaiah 29–30, and Matthew 23 reveals a timeless struggle between flesh and the Spirit. Just as the Messiah exposed the hypocrisy of religious leaders, we too are called to move beyond outward piety and cultivate a genuine relationship with God, aligning our actions with His teachings. This study challenges us to be true “sons of God” (Romans 8:14), walking in the Spirit and resisting the temptations that have ensnared humanity since the “days of Noah” (Isaiah 54:9; Matthew 24:37; Luke 17:26; 1Peter 3:20).

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Apostolic Writings Appointments With God Discussions The Eighth Day

Dwelling with God: Hold firm to your faith

"Lessons from the feasts: Dwelling with God: Hold firm to your faith." Adobe Firefly AI layered-paper-style image showing a city with chaos around it, hinting at the New Jerusalem at the time when forces of the Adversary surround it.

Dwelling with God in the New Jerusalem on the Day of the LORD demands unshakable faith, not just temporary obedience. This study explores one of the lessons from the biblical festival of Shemini Atzeret, the Convocation of the Eighth Day after the start of Sukkot, the feast of Tabernacles. The Messiah’s supreme authority (Hebrews 3-4) grants forgiveness to the repentant, while the unbelieving remain excluded (Revelation 21). Eternal life in God’s presence requires a lifetime of trusting His unseen purposes, not just outward compliance.

The choice is ours — to believe and enter His rest, or harden our hearts like those of our spiritual ancestors in Israel who refused to enter God’s “rest, the Promised Land (Psalm 95; Hebrews 3-4).

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Appointments With God Discussions Tabernacles

The sukkah experience: How humility builds community, interdependence and spiritual growth

"The sukkah experience: How humility builds community, interdependence and spiritual growth." (Leviticus 23, Nehemiah 8, James 4, 1Kings 8)

Why did Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus) initially say He would not go to Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles, as recorded in John 7, but then showed up later incognito? This study suggests the answer seems to be in the key element of the celebration itself, living in a temporary dwelling for a week.

Sukkot calls us to humble ourselves, remembering our dependence on God. By dwelling in fragile shelters, we recall Israel’s wilderness wanderings — a time of stripping away self-reliance to learn trust in the divine Provider. This annual celebration challenges us to let go of earthly securities, to live vulnerably before our Maker.

In an age of increasing self-sufficiency, Sukkot’s message rings prophetic: true strength comes not from what we can accumulate, but in recognizing our smallness before the Almighty. By embracing this humility, we open ourselves to receive God’s grace and blessing.

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Discussions Torah

Deeper meaning of First Fruits: Give God your first & best (Deuteronomy 26–27)

"Deeper meaning of First Fruits: Give God your first and best (Deuteronomy 26-27)." Adobe Firefly AI image of a woman standing in a vineyard holding a basket full of grain, grapes and other fruit.

The first fruits offering explored in this study of the Torah reading כִּי־תָבוֹא Ki Tavo (Deuteronomy 26:1–29:9) reveals God’s desire for our hearts — not just our outward obedience. The narrative reminds us that despite our struggles and feelings of worthlessness, God values us deeply. Tithing further demonstrates how we are to share our blessings with others.

Yet the sobering curses warn that internal rebellion has severe consequences, even to the point of unthinkable acts.

These passages call us to examine our motives and align our hearts with God’s. For when we do, the prophecies of restoration reveal the bountiful blessings that await those who wholeheartedly return to the LORD.