Tag: Acts 05

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Prophets and Writings Torah

Path to spiritual maturity: How to align our thoughts, emotions, actions with God’s words (Numbers 9 and 27)

"Path to spiritual maturity: How to align our thoughts, emotions, actions with God's words." Adobe Firefly AI artwork showing five Ancient Near East women, representing the daughters of Zelophehad looking at a high desert mountain in the background, representing Sinai. A Paleo-Hebrew alef is shown over one woman's head.

Yosef (Joseph), Moshe (Moses), Eliyahu (Elijah), Kefa (Peter), Yeshua haMashiakh (Jesus the Christ), the five daughters of Zelophehad. This study of the Torah reading פִּינְחָס Pinchas (“Phinehas,” Numbers 25:10–30:1) and parallel passages explores some of the many examples on how to answer the call the biblical call to be “alefs”/”alphas” — leaders who wield power with humility and obedience to God, not domineering self-interest. We’ll see patterns of God’s sovereignty over earthly powers, the importance of aligning our hearts (thoughts and emotions) and actions with His Word, and the dangers of deception and self-serving motives, even in religious giving.

We’ll discover a Bible challenge to cultivate emotional intelligence by storing God’s wisdom in our hearts, and prioritize transparency and integrity over outward displays of authority. Ultimately, we learn to turn toward and depend on the true Source of power — the Creator Who commissions and sustains those who faithfully serve Him.

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Torah

Rebellion, envy, pursuit of power: Lessons from the life of Korah (Numbers 16–18)

Pursuit of power, rebellion, envy: Lessons from the life of Korah (Numbers 16-18). Adobe Firefly AI image of a man holding up two clenched fists and screaming in anger.

The consequences of rebellion against God’s authority, the dangers of envy and covetousness, and the importance of wise stewardship of blessings are key lessons from this study of the Torah reading קֹרַח Korach (“Korah,” Numbers 16–18). We will see how the motivations and actions of Korach and his co-conspirators echo in the shocking tragic end for Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5. We explore timeless spiritual principles for leadership, true rest for our restlessness, and the enduring role of the Tabernacle as the earthly dwelling place for God.

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Discussions Torah

Could Pharaoh have repented?: Lessons from Messiah and apostle Paul (Exodus 6–9)

Could Pharaoh have repented? Lessons from the Messiah and apostle Paul
Pharaoh also refused to humble himself initially, but God did not supernaturally intervene to change the course of Pharaoh’s life the way He did for Saul before Heaven turned him into the apostle Paul.

The God that spoke to the Pharaoh of Joseph was the same God Who spoke to the Pharaoh of Moses, who we meet in the Torah reading וארא Va’era (“I appeared,” Exodus 6:2–9:35). God does not change or grow, but He expects us to grow and change for the better. When we do, He is pleased. When we don’t, He is not pleased. 

God showed great favor to the “Pharaoh who knew Joseph” because this Pharaoh accepted the warnings given to him by God and by Joseph. He and his people were blessed because of his humility and wisdom. 

Similarly, the chief priests wouldn’t relent from their jealousy against Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus the Christ), yet Paul turned did turn away from his equally zealous persecution of believers.