Shalom! “February is for lovers,” so the saying goes. The origin and history of Valentine’s Day gets lost in studies of martyrology, church history, tradition, and sentimentality. Many agree that Saint Valentine, presbyter of Rome
c. 270 A.D., is a key figure in the history of the celebration. It is also believed that the mixing in of the pagan love festival
Lupercalia became a part of the traditional observation of Valentine’s Day as a romantic occasion. For me, this is a sneaky way of introducing the concept of Yeshua’s love for his bride, the Church.
Despite all of the danger and persecution experienced by the Early Church, I would have loved to be a part of it. When I read the account in Acts 2 of how the Holy Spirit fell upon the disciples of Yeshua - AS HE PROMISED - and the results of Peter’s Spirit-filled sermon which brought more than 3,000 JEWISH believers into fellowship, I get goose bumps on my goose bumps. The sheer power of the Holy Spirit was on display and in action. He empowered Apostles and disciples, who were cowering in fear one moment, to now stand openly and boldly in declaring the message of Yeshua with power, might, and holy anointing. I can only imagine how many churches were planted on that single day as these Jewish pilgrims - new believers - went back to their homes and shared the Gospel of Messiah with their friends, families, and even strangers.
I get a small taste of this excitement and blessing when I get reports of how God’s Grace’s ministry of planting new Messianic congregations is progressing. My recent trip to Russia and Israel fired me up for a new season of planting and reaping. I met with congregational leaders from Russia and Israel and was able to hear what they are doing and experiencing. I also gave them encouragement and teaching so that they could go back to their congregations charged up and ready to reach out to non-believers in their respective towns, cities, and regions.
On February 11, I received an email from Evgeny Blinov, Rabbi of our congregation BETH EL MESSIANIC SYNAGOGUE, in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. Evgeny is the overseer of six Russian congregations. He is also responsible for planting two new smaller congregations near his home in Nizhny Novgorod. Evgeny and his wife Lena have eight (8) children, all of whom (except for his 3-year old) are involved in some aspect of ministry. Recently, he and Yura Mokhort, my ministry assistant and interpreter when I go to Russia, organized a Bible Seminar in Mikkeli, Finland. The theme was “The Plan Of God For Israel." Aside from the Finnish attendees, 2 pastors from Moscow also participated. Seeing the enthusiasm and hunger for more teaching and fellowship, he is planning to make this type of event a monthly happening. The hunger for God’s word and Messiah’s empowerment is great.
Yeshua’s promise to Peter in Matthew 16:18 - “…I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it,” (NLT)- makes me shout HALLELUJAH, AMEN, HALLELUJAH! I’m sure that Yeshua didn’t have to pound his shoe on a desk and shout in arrogant defiance as did Nikita Khrushchev when he presented his Communistic points of view. We have seen the death of Godless Communism, yet its scars of agnosticism, atheism, and repression still mark the lives and souls of millions of men and women in countries of the defunct USSR. Sadly, even Orthodox Judaism holds many Jewish people in fear of recognizing Yeshua as their Messiah and soon coming King. Messianic congregations are needed to provide a place where believers can fellowship, worship, learn, serve, and propagate the Good News that Messiah has come and is soon to come again. The hunger is there. We simply need to provide the prayer and financial support so that this vital part of God’s Grace’s mission is fulfilled.
The breaking of bread is a key part of Judaism, culturally, as well as religiously. After Peter’s sermon at Pentecost, the Bible records that the new Jewish believers “…continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” (Acts 2:42, KJV) Acts 2:46-47 says, ”And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” (KJV) Watching a new Messianic congregation get established is like being a part of the Early Church. New believers begin to grow in faith as they fellowship with other believers. They gain boldness in the face of persecution from their own families, other Jews, or from secular, and even governmental groups. We have soup kitchens close by Congregational meeting places, where believers can get together and feed their bodies and souls. Otherwise, believers open their homes for Bible studies, prayer meetings, and yes, the breaking of bread.
When I look at pictures of various members, I say a prayer for them and even thank God that friends like you have made it possible for them to have a place where they can worship Yeshua. The promise is that where two or three are gathered together, His holy presence is there also. Though the number of members in a congregation may be small by the world’s measure, in God’s view, each person represents a big link in the chain of new believers who may come to faith, or of believers who have already come to faith because of the member’s faithful witness and outreach.
Recently, a good friend shared his joy with me at being a new grandparent. I feel the same kind of excitement and joy when I hear of a new congregation being planted or the successful growth of an existing group. This must have been the kind of joy that the Apostles felt in the first century as they heard of the spread of the Gospel and the establishment of new bodies of believers. You and I have the opportunity and privilege of being part of this growth. Our financial contributions and prayer support, as faithful stewards, keep the ministry of congregation planting moving ahead. Please consider making this part of God’s Grace’s ministry a part of your monthly giving. You may use our secure online giving link by
clicking here.
The message of John 3:16 is very appropriate for February: “For God so
loved the world, that he
gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (KJV) Your generous and prayerful gift will help to support a congregation where the love of Yeshua is made real and tangible to new and old believers.
